what is an 'early' 3.4 996?

what is an 'early' 3.4 996?

Author
Discussion

gixermark

Original Poster:

742 posts

186 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
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Hi guys,

Is there a month/year that indicates what an early 3.4 is? And does that engine generally not suffer bore score at all? I gather they have the dual row IMS so relatively safe?

My thinking is outside the turbos... An until you get into gen 2 997, the rest have questionable potential to go wrong.... I like the shape of the 997, but really wouldn't take the gamble of a gen 1...

Is an early 3.4 The 'safe' option? One of them with a factory aero kit in guards red sod be a nice keeper me thinks.....

Raymondo2

7,251 posts

232 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
quotequote all
Look for a cable throttle and you're good to go. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3tCOVujF1M


The iffy bits cmoose mentioned came along with the Fly by Wire.

Edited by Raymondo2 on Sunday 23 April 19:10

gixermark

Original Poster:

742 posts

186 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
quotequote all
Much appreciated guys.....

I know the various issues you read online about the later 996, and gen 1 997 may only be a small % of cars... But given the chunk of change to fix vs. The purchase price.. The gamble doesn't really stack up for me

Cable throttle aero knitted guards red 'early' !! 996 please!!

Raymondo2

7,251 posts

232 months

Sunday 23rd April 2017
quotequote all
gixermark said:
Much appreciated guys.....

I know the various issues you read online about the later 996, and gen 1 997 may only be a small % of cars... But given the chunk of change to fix vs. The purchase price.. The gamble doesn't really stack up for me

Cable throttle aero knitted guards red 'early' !! 996 please!!
That spec's a bit wooly wink

griffter

3,981 posts

254 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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Anecdotally, the 3.4 996 engines in all their variations are less problematic than the 3.4 Cayman, Boxster and the larger 996 engines.

Personally I wouldn't get too hung up over "early" versus "late" on reliability alone. It was the early engines that "d-chunked" and the IMS bearings (yes, dual row as well) in the 2.5 & 3.4 engines that let go and led to Porsche acquiring a bad reputation with the m96. By now any engine that's survived is probably as good as any other, all else being equal (IMHO). IMS bearing seem to be the biggest problem (still only affecting relatively small numbers of cars). Preventative options are available. Replacement of the dual row can be problematic (some owners have reportedly found a replacement equivalent option now, apparently). Premature Bore scoring is not generallly an issue on any 996 3.4.

With your spec you'll be waiting a very long time for the right car. Far more later cars (seemingly high specced 'run out' C4s) were specced with aero.

But it's good to know what you want- just be realistic when you find a good car with a bit of a compromise on spec.

Good luck.

Fast Bug

11,595 posts

160 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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You don't see many Guards 996's about, an early one with factory aerokit could be like unicorn hunting!

Raymondo2

7,251 posts

232 months

Monday 24th April 2017
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LordHaveMurci

12,034 posts

168 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
Fast Bug said:
You don't see many Guards 996's about, an early one with factory aerokit could be like unicorn hunting!
Beat me to it.

If you are set on that spec you may have to compromise on other things eg Tip/C4 etc

May be better finding the right car & getting it wrapped if red is that important to you?

Fast Bug

11,595 posts

160 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
LordHaveMurci said:
Fast Bug said:
You don't see many Guards 996's about, an early one with factory aerokit could be like unicorn hunting!
Beat me to it.

If you are set on that spec you may have to compromise on other things eg Tip/C4 etc

May be better finding the right car & getting it wrapped if red is that important to you?
In the couole of years I sold new Porsche I think we sold 1 new Guards Red 911. People just didn't want it, we wouldn't buy used ones either for the same reason. I think we sold more Speed Yellow 911's whilst I was there...

gixermark

Original Poster:

742 posts

186 months

Monday 24th April 2017
quotequote all
I'm in no panic..... That is certainly my desired spec, should one come along...

Lots more guards red gen 1 997s about, but personally I'd rather hoof up the extra cash and buy a gen 2 and be done...

I gave saw a well priced gen 2 997, I just really don't want to spend that much ideally

Fast Bug

11,595 posts

160 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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YoungMD

326 posts

119 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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Certainly priced like a unicorn

Greggy69

99 posts

105 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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As a long time lurker I thought now would be a good time to contribute as I too am growing increasingly attracted to the prospect of 996 ownership!

Fast Bug said:
I saw that one and another ad that was for a red one with GT3 kit, although typically I can't find it now!

Have you seen these two?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORSCHE-911-996-CARRERA-...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORSCHE-911-996-CARRERA-...

Collectively they offer close to what you're after laugh. Not sure what's going on with the price of the red one. Was previously listed around £15-16k from memory.

Has anyone had any experience with this trader? He normally has a reasonable stock of cars and the listings read well. I'm near Bedford so relatively local to me too.


Edited by Greggy69 on Tuesday 25th April 18:51


Edited by Greggy69 on Tuesday 25th April 18:53

bgunn

1,416 posts

130 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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The guards one with twists and orange indicators is f***ing magnificent..

LordHaveMurci

12,034 posts

168 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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There's one on eBay with awful painted wheels.

NJH

3,021 posts

208 months

Tuesday 25th April 2017
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£100K LOL.

ISTR it said 14 grand the other day.

NJH

3,021 posts

208 months

Wednesday 26th April 2017
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Not surprised, it looked like the ideal 996 for many people.

YoungMD

326 posts

119 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Couldn't agree more, as an accountant I have looked at this proposition for a few friends and yes the only way to spend money is not to spend much money and just polish. Unfortunately that's why so many traders sell iffy cars, same as private just more expensive. Some very good garages do sort cars out before sale but they are the ones that do charge a premium. I've always thought the best purchase is from private seller that has ocd and maintains the car to a high standard.

Greggy69

99 posts

105 months

Thursday 27th April 2017
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Thanks both for your comments. Will bear that in mind when I'm in a position to seriously consider a purchase. Hope to have the necessary funds in a few months .