100,000th mile in my 996 3.4 and...
Discussion
it's still going strong!
Picked up my 996 last night (full savannah interior BTW, still a much less oppressive place to sit than black, blue or grey) from Hartech after a minor oil leak had been fixed (crankcase, not RMS you doom mongers!) and it flew past its 100,000th mile on the M6 toll.
I've owned it for three years and it's still on its original engine, probably won't use any oil now the leak is fixed and it really doesn't clonk and rattle much more than it did when I bought it.
Talking to Grant at Hartech it seems that the 3.4 996 doesn't suffer the potential overheating problem as the later 996's and 997's which is an added bonus of the older cars.
Much as I occasionally get the urge for something newer, shinier and faster (although one of the mags figured a 996 3.4 at 4.6s 0-60 which compares well to the later slightly heavier cars), its now worth peanuts and I can't imagine what i'd do my annual trips over the Alps in instead.
Roll on the next 100,000!
Picked up my 996 last night (full savannah interior BTW, still a much less oppressive place to sit than black, blue or grey) from Hartech after a minor oil leak had been fixed (crankcase, not RMS you doom mongers!) and it flew past its 100,000th mile on the M6 toll.
I've owned it for three years and it's still on its original engine, probably won't use any oil now the leak is fixed and it really doesn't clonk and rattle much more than it did when I bought it.
Talking to Grant at Hartech it seems that the 3.4 996 doesn't suffer the potential overheating problem as the later 996's and 997's which is an added bonus of the older cars.
Much as I occasionally get the urge for something newer, shinier and faster (although one of the mags figured a 996 3.4 at 4.6s 0-60 which compares well to the later slightly heavier cars), its now worth peanuts and I can't imagine what i'd do my annual trips over the Alps in instead.
Roll on the next 100,000!
danielw said:
Much as I occasionally get the urge for something newer, shinier and faster (although one of the mags figured a 996 3.4 at 4.6s 0-60 which compares well to the later slightly heavier cars), its now worth peanuts and I can't imagine what i'd do my annual trips over the Alps in instead.
I know exactly what you mean - I remember an issue of EVO comparing the 996 3.4 against the Ferrari 355 and guess which car was preferred? It was the Porsche! Fantastic value for money they are too - I do not really see why - perfect sister car to my GT2.
danielw said:
Much as I occasionally get the urge for something newer, shinier and faster (although one of the mags figured a 996 3.4 at 4.6s 0-60 which compares well to the later slightly heavier cars), its now worth peanuts and I can't imagine what i'd do my annual trips over the Alps in instead.
+1 
Only on about 73,000 miles here, but off to the Lake District for the weekend 
There was an interesting article in one of the Porsche mags back in 2008 when the recession first hit, discussing bargain Porsches. One prime example was an early 996 (going for £15K at the time which was considered rock bottom back then). They rated the 3.4 very highly even compared to the '08 997 and of course fantastic value for money. Even better value today with similar cars hovering around the £10K mark! Though it should be noted that the car in the article was on engine number two, the original having blown up at 30K ish miles if I remember correctly.
The first 996 I had with over 100K on it was a 1997 C2 coupe in 2000!!
It had been owned by the chairman (or similar) of DFS and was absolute Christmas tree spec - ruffled savannah leather, nav, phone, sport chassis with traction control, bum-wart parking sensors, 18's, DSP (pre-BOSE), memory seats, sunroof, heated seats.
I wonder how many miles that's done now (assuming it's still going and not been altered 
)
It had been owned by the chairman (or similar) of DFS and was absolute Christmas tree spec - ruffled savannah leather, nav, phone, sport chassis with traction control, bum-wart parking sensors, 18's, DSP (pre-BOSE), memory seats, sunroof, heated seats.
I wonder how many miles that's done now (assuming it's still going and not been altered )
Good work but touch wood too. I said this about my clutch which felt amazing at 45k miles after everything I'd read said it would need replacing... 3days later I felt it slip, 1 hour after that I was barely able to drive it 
sods law must have been laughing at it's success.
sods law must have been laughing at it's success.Edited by Niffty951 on Thursday 10th November 21:09
One other thing, whether it's how well owners look after these cars or how well they are put together, I am amazed at just how solid and tight it feels being 10 years old and having done over 100 k. I have had much newer, lower mileage cars that have felt their age. Another reason why the 3.4 is such good value for money, it doesn't feel a lifetime away from being new. That and the performance on tap, handling, controls and heritage - such a bargain.
I've said it before & I'll say it again, there's sine bloke who bimbles arou d Carlisle in an early (R reg) silver 3.4 & it just looks so good. Perfect stance (sits quite low compared to modern cars), sensible wheels & fried egg headlights.
The 3.4 renaissance* is upon us!
The 3.4 renaissance* is upon us!
- or at least they're so cheap now they can't fail to look great
What great timing for this thread - off to look at a 3.4 996 C4 Cabrio tomorrow. All boxes tixed except heated seats but Southbound Trimmers can retrofit them for me if Ebay doesn't turn up a set.
What a car for the money, hope this one checks out service history wise.
71k miles seems fine as well, just hope he can prove it with a few old MOTs etc.
What a car for the money, hope this one checks out service history wise.
71k miles seems fine as well, just hope he can prove it with a few old MOTs etc.
Yeah ffs keep the good news quiet! I have my eyes firmly fixed on a fried-egg from the late 90s/2001 and want it cheap. Am budgeting for 12-15k for a decent one in the next 3-6 months.
Really really want to get one that has been driven, appreciated, and is honest. I know you take a chane with IMS and bore-scoring etc but the early 996 really appeals to me - hoping the prices stay where they are!
ps what's the average mpg people are getting for a standard 996 carrera?
Really really want to get one that has been driven, appreciated, and is honest. I know you take a chane with IMS and bore-scoring etc but the early 996 really appeals to me - hoping the prices stay where they are!
ps what's the average mpg people are getting for a standard 996 carrera?
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