Too much teeth sucking ..
Discussion
Thought I'd best canvass a bit of opinion from the people who know so here goes. Am fast approaching the purchase of my first Porsche and am looking at 996's of the 1999/2000 vintage. Have found one (a 3.4) in great condition and reasonable mileage but everytime I mention the word tiptronic I seem to get an inordinate amount of teeth sucking. Is there something I should know about owning one of these cars bearing in mind it will be my sole means of transport? Somebody else in the pub also threw in the remark that the 3.4's can be a little unreliable... Can anyone put my new-found doubt to rest? Help
I've had my Tiptronic 996 C4 for over 2 years. It's my everyday car. I've driven it through city traffic, up and down the motorway and on the track. It is reliable and it's a car to suit your every mood you can thrash it or relax and let it take the strain.
I love it and thats after 2 years of ownership.
Will
I love it and thats after 2 years of ownership.
Will
People will always find something to suck their teeth about.
I had a 2000 3.4 C2 for a couple of years and 20k miles and it was a lot of fun and no bother whatsoever.
Your mate down the pub is probably referring to the RMS (rear main seal) issue which has been well documented on this site. The line seems to be get a proper warranty and you'll be ok.
My car was a manual so I can't comment on Tiptronic box. All comes down to personal preferences if you ask me.
I had a 2000 3.4 C2 for a couple of years and 20k miles and it was a lot of fun and no bother whatsoever.
Your mate down the pub is probably referring to the RMS (rear main seal) issue which has been well documented on this site. The line seems to be get a proper warranty and you'll be ok.
My car was a manual so I can't comment on Tiptronic box. All comes down to personal preferences if you ask me.
This is all common ground & its all in past threads if you do a search, but I guess you dont know or wouldnt be asking so briefly-
Why teeth sucking? well tiptronic, no real issues with the box- just its an auto & well why do folks want to spoil a sports car & the sports car experience with a slushmatic auto box?
The 3.4 gets teeth sucking (or in fact all water cooled 911/box's bar Gt2/3/Turbo- as they have a properly built engine) coz it has been known to go bang.
Yeh RMS a slight issue but that just a minor oil leak problem, more of an issue is the intermediate shaft spiting out the dummy & needing a new engine. 3.4(996) & 2.5(box) have the worst reputation for this.
>> Edited by iguana on Tuesday 8th November 22:52
Why teeth sucking? well tiptronic, no real issues with the box- just its an auto & well why do folks want to spoil a sports car & the sports car experience with a slushmatic auto box?
The 3.4 gets teeth sucking (or in fact all water cooled 911/box's bar Gt2/3/Turbo- as they have a properly built engine) coz it has been known to go bang.
Yeh RMS a slight issue but that just a minor oil leak problem, more of an issue is the intermediate shaft spiting out the dummy & needing a new engine. 3.4(996) & 2.5(box) have the worst reputation for this.
>> Edited by iguana on Tuesday 8th November 22:52
I have a tip’ and as a Londoner suits me fine. If I lived outside a big urban centre I would have gone for a manual however. There is more control and skill with manuals and overall I prefer them in a sports car.
Some generalisations coming up... a big advantage of buying tip' second hand is there is far less chance of the car being a lemon from ignorant gearbox use, over revving + less clutch issues. Also Tip’ appeals to the less "race" orientated driver and tends to be bought by non-frantic drivers
>> Edited by cyrus1971 on Wednesday 9th November 09:32
Some generalisations coming up... a big advantage of buying tip' second hand is there is far less chance of the car being a lemon from ignorant gearbox use, over revving + less clutch issues. Also Tip’ appeals to the less "race" orientated driver and tends to be bought by non-frantic drivers
>> Edited by cyrus1971 on Wednesday 9th November 09:32
One thing that recently surprised me about the manuals...Porsche Centre East London has 3 used C4S manuals with about 8-12k miles. Each had a differently weighted clutch. One was beautifully weighted and would be fine for London driving-the others would be a pain in the preverbial.
I too had a 996 C4 tiptronic-to be honest it was good but it felt more like a sharper riding BMW than a Porsche-even my 2.5 Boxster had been more fun to drive and the 993 was a world apart. Saying all this-its down to your driving needs-mine are 90% on the Motroway and 10% around London...so whats was the point of a manual...had no real problems with resale (i did a sale or return with Joel)-it took a couple of months and a price drop but it wasnt a disaster...
I too had a 996 C4 tiptronic-to be honest it was good but it felt more like a sharper riding BMW than a Porsche-even my 2.5 Boxster had been more fun to drive and the 993 was a world apart. Saying all this-its down to your driving needs-mine are 90% on the Motroway and 10% around London...so whats was the point of a manual...had no real problems with resale (i did a sale or return with Joel)-it took a couple of months and a price drop but it wasnt a disaster...
Bought a '99 C4 Tiptronic about 2 weeks ago - after years of claiming I'd only ever drive a manual! In the end I bought on the condition and history of the car rather than getting too hung up on the transmission and I'm glad I did. I'm learning to have fun with the tip box and it does make the car easy to drive through town.
Some say tips have less RMS issues whereas others say they have more so I guess you just need to research that issue and make up your own mind - so long as the warranty covers it you don't need to worry either way! There is also the theory that a tip is cheaper in the long run as you shouldn't be into regular clutch changes, but that's probably not massively significant compared to depreciation, insurance, fuel etc etc etc!!!
Having spent a year looking it really is condition that is most important!
Whatever you get, let us know and enjoy it!
>> Edited by LeeME3 on Wednesday 9th November 11:37
Some say tips have less RMS issues whereas others say they have more so I guess you just need to research that issue and make up your own mind - so long as the warranty covers it you don't need to worry either way! There is also the theory that a tip is cheaper in the long run as you shouldn't be into regular clutch changes, but that's probably not massively significant compared to depreciation, insurance, fuel etc etc etc!!!
Having spent a year looking it really is condition that is most important!
Whatever you get, let us know and enjoy it!
>> Edited by LeeME3 on Wednesday 9th November 11:37
Interesting stuff guys and much appreciated guidance. Will let you know what I end up with when I find someone to buy my ... dare I say it .. Bee Emm Dubya! Seeing as I'm going to end up in North Wales am beginning to feel a manual will be a whole lot of fun. As long as Mr Road Angel keeps me away from those infamous Welsh Police .......
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