996 Anniversary, late 996 C2S/C4S or 997 Gen 1?

[cp81]

Hi Guys,

As search on here doesn't work, looking for advice and guidance for my father. Looking into a 911 for him, reading into some items regarding engine issues, looking for which are best to go for...

Initial consideration was for a 996 Anniversary, is there any improvements in this engine over first water cooled? Are the later / last 996 C2S / C4S engines better than early? Also are 997 Gen 1 a no no??

Any guidance or direction for research will be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks

[TTwiggy]

I'm sure someone more knowledgable will be along in a mo, but the general wisdom is that the engines sadly get less reliable/more problematic as they go on - ie the earliest 3.4s are the 'safest' and the last 3.8s are the most 'worrying'. Obviously anything with a rebuild from the likes of Hartech etc will be a different prospect. But 'out of the box' only the generation 2 engines are a safe bet.

[Eleven]

cp81 said:

Also are 997 Gen 1 a no no??

997.1 would be my choice. But with Porsche warranty, which (if memory serves) means no older than 9 years old.

[Magic919]

The engines have their problems and whether you get affected seems to be a bit of a lottery. Read up on the problems, get the car inspected and buy the 996 he likes most, IMO.

[r4_rick]

TTwiggy said:

I'm sure someone more knowledgable will be along in a mo, but the general wisdom is that the engines sadly get less reliable/more problematic as they go on - ie the earliest 3.4s are the 'safest' and the last 3.8s are the most 'worrying'. Obviously anything with a rebuild from the likes of Hartech etc will be a different prospect. But 'out of the box' only the generation 2 engines are a safe bet.

This is my understanding too, to have more peace of mind re the engine problems an early 3.4 model or to avoid the issue altogether a gen 2, unfortunately that means avoiding an anniversary or a 996S. However I'm sure the issues only affect <5% of cars and the net does amplify the problem cars vs the many many good ones.

There are tell tale signs of impending problems such as smoking exhaust and the general consensus is to get a boroscope done as part of the pre purchase inspection if your dad really wants a 3.6 996.

I had a '99 3.4 996. A great drivers car

[cp81]

Yes have been trying to read up on the engines and it seems a bit of a mind field.

Thought last models would have been the safer bet and with more kit.

Any good links or guides to read?

Thanks

[Magic919]

The Gen 2 engines are the 'safe bet'. Look at Hartech's site.