All,

I would guess many of you are lovely second car owners and a fair few will have good experience with porsches.

Thanks to another member of this forum, I've now got an itch for a porsche although this is my first venture and it's a slightly povery pork.

Car in question is a 1999 996 Carrera 4 Tiptronic. It seems to have been really well looked after by the current owner.

Has had a hartech engine rebuild (which I read is one of the better companies) about 2 years and 10k miles ago, which seems will also deal with any potential IMS and bore scoring issues, in addition to some other work/improvements on the brakes and replacement of few parts. MOT history since 2005 seems pretty decent, with just brake wear and a few issues with headlight level being the only things that crop up.

I'll obviously be getting a PPI done as they are quite inexpensive for the type of car but does anyone have any other advice or clues on the 'bork' factor? MY11 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - "African Queen"

My advice would be to join the Porsche owners club https://www.porscheclubgb.com/membership/join/become-a-member
and ask advice on their relevant forum. I think you will get lots of well informed advice.

Membership is not expensive ( around £60 IIRC) and the benefits include discounts at dealers.

Thanks - will look into that and probably join once the car is in place. MY11 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - "African Queen"

<---------- lives in Porschetown - my best friend is the head of the Stuttgart Porsche Center - do yourself a favour and buy a 997 and NOT a 996

PS. and raced for years on a Porsche 356 A....

thanks Angel, appreciate that

If the 997 didn't come into the equation (and it doesn't as way out of budget for now), is a 996 a complete no-no? MY11 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - "African Queen"

No one like the 996s here due to the bad engines and the front lights...... they are cheap for a reason  All my spelling errorz are belong to me!

2023 FFRR L460
2020 Range Rover Velar

so i read ...

this one has already suffered the dreaded engine failure and had a rebuild - funny how that's a good thing!

fine looking beast that is MY11 Vogue 4.4 TDV8 - "African Queen"

got some pics or a link ? All my spelling errorz are belong to me!

2023 FFRR L460
2020 Range Rover Velar

What a great car the 356 must have been. Apparently in the 60s the late Jim Clark used to drive his from London to Chirnside in the Scottish Borders (about 360 miles) in just over 4 hours. Only Range Rovers since 1988

yep mine was funny to drive instead of 75hp it had 120hp  All my spelling errorz are belong to me!

2023 FFRR L460
2020 Range Rover Velar

Mate of mine has a 356, mostly sits in his garage nowadays, which is a shame. Lovely car though. Another one had a 997 carerra 2, was a lovely car until the engine let go on the autobahn at 140. Whole new engine needed!! So it isn't just the 996 which can suffer failures. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
Fiat 500x 1.4 multiair Lounge 2015
2010 LR D4 Commercial 2.7 TDV6

We sold ours when our first son was due - we needed the money at that time  All my spelling errorz are belong to me!

2023 FFRR L460
2020 Range Rover Velar

Shalz

The early 997 suffered the same 996 engine issues so beware my friend

If it's had a Hartech rebuild it will be stronger than when it left the factory.

I had my 996 rebuilt by them .... looked around in detail and did lots of research .... they are leagues above all others in my opinion. Stephen Gazard

Range Rover L405 Vogue SE SDV8 - CamTech / Overfinch Bespoke
Maserati GT 2017
Mercedes SL55 AMG

Aston Martin DB9 07 - gone back to friend bought from, RR Classic 90 - gone, BMW 840ci - gone, RR TDV8 Overfinch 07 - gone, Porsche 911 (996 Carrera 2 98 - gone, BMW X5 3.0sd M Sport 08 - gone, RR Sport 4.2 Supercharged 05 - gone, BMW M3 Convertible 02 - gone, Range Rover 4.4 Autobiography 03 - stolen!, Range Rover 4.6 Vogue 01 - gone, Range Rover 4.6 Autobiography - gone

There are aftermarket replacement headlights to (maybe) improve on the horrible 996 ones...