997.1 - would you buy one that's had an engine rebuild?

[dbr84]

Been looking at 997.1's recently and wondering if it would make sense to buy one that has had a rebuild already, on the basis the engine *should* be relatively trouble-free at that point and someone else has already taken the biggest financial hit the car is likely to provide.

Or buy one with higher miles on the assumption that if it's lasted this long without needed a rebuild it's probably OK?

I suppose issues can happen at any time though. And a rebuild is no guarantee.


Just wondered which of the two camps makes most sense to you?

[stuckmojo]

If the rebuild was done by some of the reputable ones, I would go for it. With a replacement engine from OPC? no.

[ellroy]

I’d go with the rebuild. Especially if it was a Hartech or the like.

[skinny]

TBH I'd def get a 997.1 with a Hartech engine as a strong preference, unless it was lowish mile, recently borescoped, and had annual oil changes from the start.

One of the main failure modes (bore score) is wear related, therefore whilst a high mileage engine may have proven itself for IMS, it's still likely to go wrong in another way

Edited by skinny on Sunday 7th October 19:46

[Kettmark]

Id not buy one without a rebuild, either at an OPC or a reputable indi such as Hartech

[RJ5560]

Are the 3.6l 997.1’s a reasonable buy without a rebuild? From what I have read there are fewer that suffer from the ‘normal’ problems (score / IMS pre 06 etc) of the 3.8l S cars?

I have been looking recently as they appear comparatively low priced when compared to everything else..

[jakesmith]

RJ5560 said:

Are the 3.6l 997.1’s a reasonable buy without a rebuild? From what I have read there are fewer that suffer from the ‘normal’ problems (score / IMS pre 06 etc) of the 3.8l S cars?

I have been looking recently as they appear comparatively low priced when compared to everything else..

The 3.6 is not going to be a safer bet, it's just not such a common car as once you're spending that money on a new 997.1 the S is not a lot more cash for all the nice bits like the white dials, red calipers, bigger wheels, and the extra power. Bore score is rife on the 3.4 and the 3.8 engines so the 3.6 is not going to be exempt from that as it sits between them

[leegrear]

Just made the Jump into a nice Porsche 911. Read all the posts about bore issues and IMS. Decided I could not drive with Sword of Damocles hanging over me so went down the Hartech route and waited until I found a Hartech Rebuilt from a reputable Porsche dealer. I did see other cars that were tempting but just waited and they are out there and probably worth the wait to find as Baz at Hartech has rebuilt so many!!!!

[leegrear]

dbr84 said:

Been looking at 997.1's recently and wondering if it would make sense to buy one that has had a rebuild already, on the basis the engine *should* be relatively trouble-free at that point and someone else has already taken the biggest financial hit the car is likely to provide.

Or buy one with higher miles on the assumption that if it's lasted this long without needed a rebuild it's probably OK?

I suppose issues can happen at any time though. And a rebuild is no guarantee.


Just wondered which of the two camps makes most sense to you?

You need to find one in your Budget Example: Budget 27k find one for 20k and be prepared for a rebuild or find a Hartech rebuild which can range from 24k up to 31k from what I have seen on here. Investigate HARTECH and look at the issues and understand possible issues. That is not to say that every 911 (997.1) will be an issue.

[The_Doc]

There is some millage in believing that an engine that hasn't caused itself real damage (scoring) by 60k+ mile,s isn't going to in the near or mid term future. It has the good voodoo.
You treat it well, you let it warm up, you don't over-rev it.

I know that that no engine can last forever, but an inspected one at 60k+ surely has proven it will do another 60k... And there are lots of cars going strong at 100k+ and some at 200k+

Against this would be cases of no bore scoring seen at 60k miles, then engine dies at 70k..... anyone seen this?