Is a new engine a 'good' or 'not so good' sign when buying?
Discussion
Whilst searching the ads for a new (to me) 996 there have been a couple of interesting cars that have had a new engine fitted at some point during their life.
I guess this could be a good thing having an engine with lower mileage and therefore an extended life expectancy. Also is a later engine less likely to suffer known problems such as RMS etc.
Or could it be a bad thing - a possible sign of abuse. Is a new engine being fitted likely to be less reliable than an original production line fitted unit. If fitted by an OPC or Porsche Indy are they likely to have disturbed other bits during the process that increase the chance of them failing?
Finally, should it affect the price up or down?
Any experiences of good or bad, I'd be interested to know?
Moto
I guess this could be a good thing having an engine with lower mileage and therefore an extended life expectancy. Also is a later engine less likely to suffer known problems such as RMS etc.
Or could it be a bad thing - a possible sign of abuse. Is a new engine being fitted likely to be less reliable than an original production line fitted unit. If fitted by an OPC or Porsche Indy are they likely to have disturbed other bits during the process that increase the chance of them failing?
Finally, should it affect the price up or down?
Any experiences of good or bad, I'd be interested to know?
Moto
Moto, good question and definite direction in the answer.
The vast majority of failures are completely random and have no link to how the car was driven or even looked after.
Any new engine or rebuilt engine will always be better than the original that has been in for a few years and already covered several miles.
Unfortunately the general public do not have the confidence or technical know how to appreciate this fact so many turn away from a rebuilt or new engine - even though they will be better.
The good news is that this usually means you don't have to pay any more for such an engine - an all win situation.
Eventually I think the public will gradually learn about the benefits but right now you should pick up a bargain.
Baz
The vast majority of failures are completely random and have no link to how the car was driven or even looked after.
Any new engine or rebuilt engine will always be better than the original that has been in for a few years and already covered several miles.
Unfortunately the general public do not have the confidence or technical know how to appreciate this fact so many turn away from a rebuilt or new engine - even though they will be better.
The good news is that this usually means you don't have to pay any more for such an engine - an all win situation.
Eventually I think the public will gradually learn about the benefits but right now you should pick up a bargain.
Baz
I thought like you, but the fact seems that these engines can fail regardless of the way it was treated, so it doesn't prove thrashing or whatever.
In the 996, I understand that engine replacement is relatively straight forward, plus I think it also comes with the ancillaries, so new starter motor, alternator etc. Plus its likely that while out, they may have replaced the clutch.
I would probably pay a bit more for a car with a new engine, especially its less than 2 years old, and would benefit from the parts warranty, but I certainly wouldn't pay more than a couple of grand more. I remember a Pre facelift advertised at 10 grand more than anything else, due to the new engine.
In the 996, I understand that engine replacement is relatively straight forward, plus I think it also comes with the ancillaries, so new starter motor, alternator etc. Plus its likely that while out, they may have replaced the clutch.
I would probably pay a bit more for a car with a new engine, especially its less than 2 years old, and would benefit from the parts warranty, but I certainly wouldn't pay more than a couple of grand more. I remember a Pre facelift advertised at 10 grand more than anything else, due to the new engine.
Engine let go on mine (996 Carrera 4)at 42000 miles when car was 6 years old. No prior warning and car had full Porsche service history and came from a good home.
Car is currently on 58000 miles so new engine has done just 16000. My replacement engine was fitted by an OPC and it was so pleasing to enter my PIN to pay the bill in the full knowledge that the value of my car had been increased by not a penny!
If I were to sell it, I would hope the purchaser could take some comfort from the fact that the engine in it was younger than you would find in most used 997s. Also, it is still under warranty for a couple of months.
Car is currently on 58000 miles so new engine has done just 16000. My replacement engine was fitted by an OPC and it was so pleasing to enter my PIN to pay the bill in the full knowledge that the value of my car had been increased by not a penny!
If I were to sell it, I would hope the purchaser could take some comfort from the fact that the engine in it was younger than you would find in most used 997s. Also, it is still under warranty for a couple of months.
although it could be the sign of abuse, my car has had a new engine in it during its time with me and had nothing to do with abuse. The Oil pump failed but so had the Oil light (which I did not know about) and hence bye bye engine. A new engine was put in and its so much better and a lot more reliable since aswell.
I think its worth asking the seller WHY it had a new engine, this can give an insight as to weather you should red flag the car or not.
Edited...I seem to have been drunk when writing that...cleaned it up a little :P
I think its worth asking the seller WHY it had a new engine, this can give an insight as to weather you should red flag the car or not.
Edited...I seem to have been drunk when writing that...cleaned it up a little :P
Edited by ymwoods on Sunday 31st January 03:07
Personally i would not buy a 996 or an early 997 if it did not have a new engine fitted. I spoke to a top Porsche mechanic and he said it is not if but when the engine will fail. I hope to change my 996 for a 2006 0r 2007 997 next year, but i would like one with a new engine. But reading through the classifieds quite a few have new engines.
Low mileage for an engine failure http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1463511.htm
ukwill said:
imho to the average punter this is a red flag.
I suspect you are right, but it is the wrong attitude IMHO. Cars, particularly high performance cars, go wrong and providing that they are repaired by the manufacturer there is no problem at all. That said I don't think a new engine ADDS value, it's value neutral.But I also suspect that a great many average punters buy cars which have had major mechanical repairs and they never know. Retailers know what the average punter is like and won't risk losing a sale because a buyer is ill informed.
I think the more sports cars you own and the more you come to understand that they are not bulletproof the less a replacement issue is an issue. Of far greater concern is the rest of the car. If a car is correct in every other respect a new engine would not bother me at all. In fact I'd probably be quite pleased that some of my car was newer and had less wear on it.
Manks
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