997 GT3 RS 3.8 known problems, issues? (Any owners, experts)

997 GT3 RS 3.8 known problems, issues? (Any owners, experts)

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Franzino

Original Poster:

493 posts

159 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
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A petrolhead friend of mine has bought a used 997 GT3 RS 3.8 from 2011. It's a great car... He bought it for the love of cars, the potential future value and most of all to enjoy it now on trackdays (mostly Nürburgring).

It is his first Porsche and it replaces a F430. We are both somewhat more specialist of BMW M models and know a lot about those cars. This GT3RS is always maintained in a official Porsche garage and the previous owner only used it on the street. Are there certain things you best do or let your Porsche garage check out on GT3 before you start to drive it intensively on track?

For example; on the BMW s54 engine it is advised to change the bearing shells and oil pump on a certain point because these items can wear out and give you a lot of s54 engine trouble if they break. It is also advised that you check your Vanos bolts on this s54 engine.

So are there certain check-points or things you must do (besides the normal maintenance) to keep a 997 GT3 RS 3.8 engine running perfectly on track. If the car sees a lot of tracktime, should you shorten the period between the oil changes?

What's is that issue with the central bolts of the wheels that at one point needed to be replaced, because they could get loose and fall of? How can you see if this is done? Are there any well know problems with the 997 GT3 RS than can occur?

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

264 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
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pretty bomb proof, just keep an eye on the centre locks, bought at the top of this bubble though so investment choice seems odd as cars just have not been selling, in fact OPC cars have been dropping as have JZM prices.

Buying to drive though one of Porsche best cars, enjoy ;-)

more oil changes is a given on a track car ! you may want to tweak the oem geo for track use.

RDMcG

19,093 posts

206 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
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Had one for four years, and had no problems with it, lots of tracking.

There were two important recalls:

(1) Centre locks needed new hubs and there is a specific mileage limit in when you replace them, I forget which. Critical recall

(2) There was a small component, in the air intake that could disintegrate and fall into the engine as I recall, in which case the engine would completely crater. Minor fix for a major catastrophe.

Otherwise a great car.


Franzino

Original Poster:

493 posts

159 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
Porsche911R said:
bought at the top of this bubble though so investment choice seems odd as cars just have not been selling, in fact OPC cars have been dropping as have JZM prices.

Buying to drive though one of Porsche best cars, enjoy
Who says he paid the same price as some unrealistic sellers are asking for a GT3 RS? Remember; there is always the asking price and the price car's realy sell in the real world. You can ask what you want but if nobody buys it, then the car is just sitting there and people who need the money will lower the price to more realistic levels.
He did not buy the car the make money on. He bought it because a 997 GT3RS 3.8 is his dream car. When maybe one day selling it he will not lose money on it while enjoying a great car for some years. Not losing to much money and still having fun with a car is a good "car" investment in my book! smile
For example; buy a normal, more expensive Ferrari today and next year you will have lost a lot of money. If you want an long term investment where you can make money on, buy a house or appartement...but where is the driving pleasure in that? wink

Franzino

Original Poster:

493 posts

159 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
RDMcG said:
Had one for four years, and had no problems with it, lots of tracking.

There were two important recalls:

(1) Centre locks needed new hubs and there is a specific mileage limit in when you replace them, I forget which. Critical recall

(2) There was a small component, in the air intake that could disintegrate and fall into the engine as I recall, in which case the engine would completely crater. Minor fix for a major catastrophe.

Otherwise a great car.
How can you check if the new hubs are on the car yes or no?

Franzino

Original Poster:

493 posts

159 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
Porsche911R said:
more oil changes is a given on a track car ! you may want to tweak the oem geo for track use.
Is the standard geo not set-up perfctly for track work? In a GT3 RS I would think that this would allready be the case?

Pip1968

1,346 posts

203 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
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I am no expert but I think the geometry is set up to a standard but those tracking their cars heavily may trailer the car to track so opt for a more track friendly and less road worthy setting.

As for the recalls much like with Motorsport BMWs (and non 'M') I would have thought that if you gave them the VIN they could look up whether the recall has been done or not and if so when. If it has been main dealer maintained I would say that it will have been sorted out when it was due.

Any pictures, price, who from - OPC?

Pip

GregorFuk

563 posts

199 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
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I don't own one. Wish I did. But isn't there an issue with coolant fittings?

v8ksn

4,711 posts

183 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
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GregorFuk said:
I don't own one. Wish I did. But isn't there an issue with coolant fittings?
There is an issue with coolant hoses popping off due to the constant heating and cooling cycles of the engine during heavy track work causing a deterioration to the glue holding the pipes on.

Solution is wedding them on but its only cost-effective to do so when you have the engine out.

RDMcG

19,093 posts

206 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
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Franzino said:
How can you check if the new hubs are on the car yes or no?
I would check the service history

RDMcG

19,093 posts

206 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
GregorFuk said:
I don't own one. Wish I did. But isn't there an issue with coolant fittings?
That was true on my 7.1 RS. Coolant pipes could come lost and spew coolant all over the track. The model was banned for track use where I live until they were welded on. They were originally attached with some kind of adhesive. Was addressed on the 7.2


MrBarry123

6,025 posts

120 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
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One issue is they're a bit too pricey.

Porsche are yet to issue a fix as far as I'm aware.

RDMcG

19,093 posts

206 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
MrBarry123 said:
One issue is they're a bit too pricey.

Porsche are yet to issue a fix as far as I'm aware.
My personal take is that prices will ease back.

MrBarry123

6,025 posts

120 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
RDMcG said:
My personal take is that prices will ease back.
Even when they ease back, they're still a little too expensive for me! biggrin

Franzino

Original Poster:

493 posts

159 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
MrBarry123 said:
One issue is they're a bit too pricey.

Porsche are yet to issue a fix as far as I'm aware.
+1

Franzino

Original Poster:

493 posts

159 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
quotequote all
RDMcG said:
My personal take is that prices will ease back.
They will come down a little...but no to much I think. Personally I find it stranger that the price of a used 991 GT3 stays higher then when the car was new 2 years a go. With the 997 GT3 RS 3.8 I can understand the reasons for the used price on the market and why it is a collectable car, but not in case of the 991 GT3. I think prices of the 991 GT3 will start dropping when the 991.2 GT3 goes on sale.

BMCG

484 posts

135 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
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RDMcG said:
GregorFuk said:
I don't own one. Wish I did. But isn't there an issue with coolant fittings?
That was true on my 7.1 RS. Coolant pipes could come lost and spew coolant all over the track. The model was banned for track use where I live until they were welded on. They were originally attached with some kind of adhesive. Was addressed on the 7.2

thought the most authoritative commentary on the coolant hosing issue was the ensuing thread on Rennlist...and believe it applied to all Mezger's..

http://rennlist.com/forums/997-gt2-gt3-forum/59232...

from Spyerz: (Post 625...mooty's at 624 and 644 also worth reading)

"Bottom line, get your pipes fixed. And for the newbies that hit this thread, yes your car is affected if it's a:
996 turbo, 996 gt3, 996 gt2, 997.1 gt3/rs, 997.2 gt3/rs, 997 gt3rs 40, 997.1 turbo, 997 gt2/rs - ANYTHING that uses the mezger design."


I had a 997.1 GT3 in Houston...managed to decorate I-59 with coolant.....not cool (no pun).

Either way pin or weld the coolant hoses - especially if you will be tracking - the thread above gives much details...


Edited by BMCG on Tuesday 12th July 19:46

isaldiri

18,407 posts

167 months

Tuesday 12th July 2016
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heard the same as RDMcG I have to admit. Asked Manthey the last time I was there and they said the gen2 car they haven't really seen any issues. That said the Cup car does have them pinned afaik so that's probably telling.

Harris_I

3,225 posts

258 months

Wednesday 13th July 2016
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isaldiri said:
heard the same as RDMcG I have to admit. Asked Manthey the last time I was there and they said the gen2 car they haven't really seen any issues. That said the Cup car does have them pinned afaik so that's probably telling.
I suspect it becomes an issue once the car has seen plenty of years, mileage and track action. My 6GT3 coolant pipes became an issue after around 5 years and lots of tracking in a hot climate.

The 7.2 cars are getting to that sort of age now...

LaSource

2,622 posts

207 months

Wednesday 13th July 2016
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Generally its been more of an issue in hotter climates....however, I guess worth doing/keeping an eye on here as well with the advancing years. Certainly should be considered seriously if the engine is out for any other maintenance.