[Syvee]

As the above title reads... Has anybody owned or had any experience in the Porsche 996 C2 or Cayman S?.. Just browsing the classifieds and you can get a good example of either for around £17000 - £18000.

Any options would be grateful...

Thanks guys

 

[jon_R32]

I nearly bought one (non turbo) a few years ago 996 but the engine issues basically requiring a complete rebuild or new engine put me right off, turbos have cast iron blocks and dont suffer the same issues apparently.

 

[SplitPersonality]

My mate had a 996 C2S with the Areokit fitted, was his second Porsche and my, we had some good times in it. Including our first trip to the Ring.

As said, the IMS and RMS problems are a real concern.

I would have to disagree with Jon_R2 on the TT suffering the same issues, I believe the TT, the GT2 and the famous Metzger engined GT3 do NOT suffer from these problems. This can be cleared up be frequenting 911uk though!

http://www.911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=76800&sid=e6fa7f3626ff57e0d64065f9e898141b

The C4S is the most desirable of the non Turbo'd or GT variants and this is reflected in their value. I've thought about the C4S, but as my mate with the long line of Pork pointed out. You'd be a lot safer with a Cayman in terms of engine failures.

 

[jon_R32]

I would have to disagree with Jon_R2 on the TT suffering the same issues, I believe the TT, the GT2 and the famous Metzger engined GT3 do NOT suffer from these problems. This can be cleared up be frequenting 911uk though!

Sorry that was meant to read TT's DONT suffer but then we all make mistakes in our posts who's jon_r2???? Haha anyway the gt's don't suffer the engine probs due to using the TT cast iron block.

 

[IainR32]

Cayman s what a nice car, handles so well

 

[SplitPersonality]

Sorry that was meant to read TT's DONT suffer but then we all make mistakes in our posts who's jon_r2???? Haha anyway the gt's don't suffer the engine probs due to using the TT cast iron block.

Haha 1-1 then mate, we see eye to eye on the subject matter though

 

[SplitPersonality]

I see the mk1 Cayman S has 295bhp and weighs circa 200kg less, I don't suppose in terms of straight line speed it's a million miles ahead of an R. Of course balance wise, it's a whole 'nother level.

 

[simonmac]

I have been having the sell the R32 and buy a 996 issue for 3 years now, just can't decide, even started the odd look at a turbo now. would like to rent one for the day really just to see if I still like them after that time, or I might buy one before selling the R just to make sure I make the right choice.

 

[SplitPersonality]

I really would like an older Porsche to be my next car, but I do love having a boot and rear seats that can be removed for large items.

 

[Syvee]

Thanks for your comments guys... I think the Cayman would be easier to live with on a daily basis..I'm well aware of the IMS and RMS issues, although I believe that's its not as bigger problem as people make out.. The RMS on the 996 does leak but as far as I can work out on various forums its really no big deal with most owners saying all they get is a few drops of oil on the drive every now and again.. Apparently this is due to the rear main seal not having a lip on the housing the grommet fits into and oil leaks past this.. Just a matter or topping up and keeping you eye on the oil level (having had two civic type Rs EP3 and FN2 and an S2000 and Mazda RX8 this is something I'm used to) ... However this only seems to really affect the 3.4 .. Although it has been reported in the 3.6 but doesn't seem to happen as frequently .

The Cayman S just seems to get good reports all round.. And it's relatively cheap to insure (£240 fully comp!).

I just really fancy a Porsche again (had a 2.7 Boxster a few years back.. Just wasn't quick enough for me ) .. For my budget of around £18k this also puts me into C4 money, which adds another car to the list.

So my options would be :

996 C2
996 C4
Cayman S

With the two 996s the next questions would be would you go for the tiptronic and would you bother with a convertible ..convertible seem cheaper to buy than the coupe and come with the added bonus of having a hard top for the other 12 months when the sun isn't out...

Admittedly I'd like a C4S but it would be really tight getting it in and out of my garage.. I'd also consider a Targa.. But iv read some reports of the roofs getting rattley with age and I think that would drive me nuts...

 

[Syvee]

By the way have you guys seen he new Targa??

It's beautiful

 

[SplitPersonality]

Just love Porsches to bits!!! Suppose if I ever did get one, I could have an old Turbo Diesel something to move the push bike around in haha.

 

[duncan1969]

Do the 997's have the engine problems too , or are they still too expensive to consider? Ive always wanted a 911 me , the big bills put me off a tad though.

 

[Andrew21]

Il offer up some info from personal/family experiance! Hopfully somthing helps haha

My dad has a 996 facelift, the 3.6L C2, basalt black hardtop.
Incredible car! He loves it to bits! Got a lovely low miles example about 2-3 years ago. (Guy that owned it from new has a F430, Lambo, aston etc etc lol )

He has had zero issues with the car. I think the problems are more so with the pre-facelift 996, the 3.4L
On the topic of the 996T, its a 'known' point that all problems with the 996T go before 40k i think it is, if a 996T reaches 40k miles, it will now live on forever and ever haha
Basically there has been little to no reports of problems after this milage.

Only thing to bare in mind is costs. Service, tyres, brakes etc etc are costly, and if you want to retain the value of the car, you are looking at porsche dealership or a specialist.
Luckily we have a porsche specialist local to us who is a complete wizard! He has forgotten more stuff about porsche than most guys know lol

Where abouts are you from?

Some prices off the top of my head:

Back tyres = £600 (full set just over £1000 i think) (insurance companies stipulate a certain rating of tyre of the insurance is void)
Disks and pads all round bought from the dealers (Not fitted) = £1200 (If a mechanic etc buys these, they are obv cheaper on trade price)
Service = around £400 i think

Also you can find oil can lie in the cylinders after a good thrashing, then on next start up a cloud of smoke. Doesnt always happen but is a characteristic of the engine. Nothing to worry about really, providing it clears immediately and isnt a constant stream of smoke obv haha

One point to note is, just driving my R, he said, in some ways he preferes mine and doesnt think his is all that much quicker, altho on paper is definately is. Iv driven his a few times and it is a lovely car and great soundtrack too

Of course most of what i said is 2nd hand knowledge from what my dad has said, so I may have picked a few details up wrong, so do correct me if im mistaken! lol

One thing to note is a member on here, Robin, he has both an R32 mkiv and is a porsche specialist mechanic (works for the guy i mentioned above), and Robin is a complete wealth of knowledge and a top guy! So he may be the best guy to answer some questions about what issues there are to look out for etc!

Can't think of anything else at the min, but any questions just ask and il ask the old man the answers to them sure!

 

[Syvee]

Il offer up some info from personal/family experiance! Hopfully somthing helps haha

My dad has a 996 facelift, the 3.6L C2, basalt black hardtop.
Incredible car! He loves it to bits! Got a lovely low miles example about 2-3 years ago. (Guy that owned it from new has a F430, Lambo, aston etc etc lol )

He has had zero issues with the car. I think the problems are more so with the pre-facelift 996, the 3.4L
On the topic of the 996T, its a 'known' point that all problems with the 996T go before 40k i think it is, if a 996T reaches 40k miles, it will now live on forever and ever haha
Basically there has been little to no reports of problems after this milage.

Only thing to bare in mind is costs. Service, tyres, brakes etc etc are costly, and if you want to retain the value of the car, you are looking at porsche dealership or a specialist.
Luckily we have a porsche specialist local to us who is a complete wizard! He has forgotten more stuff about porsche than most guys know lol

Where abouts are you from?

Some prices off the top of my head:

Back tyres = £600 (full set just over £1000 i think) (insurance companies stipulate a certain rating of tyre of the insurance is void)
Disks and pads all round bought from the dealers (Not fitted) = £1200 (If a mechanic etc buys these, they are obv cheaper on trade price)
Service = around £400 i think

Also you can find oil can lie in the cylinders after a good thrashing, then on next start up a cloud of smoke. Doesnt always happen but is a characteristic of the engine. Nothing to worry about really, providing it clears immediately and isnt a constant stream of smoke obv haha

One point to note is, just driving my R, he said, in some ways he preferes mine and doesnt think his is all that much quicker, altho on paper is definately is. Iv driven his a few times and it is a lovely car and great soundtrack too

Of course most of what i said is 2nd hand knowledge from what my dad has said, so I may have picked a few details up wrong, so do correct me if im mistaken! lol

One thing to note is a member on here, Robin, he has both an R32 mkiv and is a porsche specialist mechanic (works for the guy i mentioned above), and Robin is a complete wealth of knowledge and a top guy! So he may be the best guy to answer some questions about what issues there are to look out for etc!

Can't think of anything else at the min, but any questions just ask and il ask the old man the answers to them sure!

. From Nottingham pal.. Thanks for the info plenty of Porsche specialists round here too.. Iv ran a E46 M3 before so should be cost wise about the same

 

[Coupester 996]

Hi there, I've owned a C2 996 for the last 8 1/2 years. It's a '99 3.4 tiptronic. I'm new to this forum as I've recently bought a 58 plate 5 door R32 for family duties.

Both cars while not too dissimilar in performance are very different with the steering feel and accuracy being the star of the 996. I must admit having been used to just driving the 996, the R32 now makes it feel quite dated.

I bought the Porsche with around 60k miles and is now around 90k without any serious issues. Servicing was initially carried out by JZ Machtec who are brilliant (as I worked not too far from them) but in recent years I've used a local specialist as I now work near home.

The Porsche, now relegated to weekend status, still feels like an event to drive and if the R32 successfully fills the role of family car and we keep it, in the long term I'd quite happily keep the 996 too, especially as all the depreciation must be out of it now and with tax and insurance less than £500 / year combined it doesn't cost a lot to keep. Alternatively we could replace both with the obvious fast family estate solution of RS4 / 6

If I had the choice again I think I'd try a manual as I think that would complete the brilliant driving experience you get with a 911.

If you have any specific questions feel free to ask,

Cheers.