I used to run Rotella T6 in my S6 ('95 Avant) and had great results. It's dirt cheap compared to Mobile 1, but appears to be a great product. And...if you are burning through it at 1qt/1k miles, it starts to matter.

 

One thing I did about 5 months in was change out the transmission oil with redline and it made a HUGE difference. I think that the SSK I had was making the not so smooth shifting even worse, but redline fixed it right up.

Probably the most noticeable preventative thing I did. The coil packs were actually noticeable too, which really surprised me. It just ran much smoother.

 

if more knew about the advantages of a redline gear oil flush, more would happen

 

Not everyone can wipe their *** with $100 bills

It was dirt cheap in comparison to M1 and Amsoil. $4/qt versus $11-13.

There are some vendors on here who swear by it, but I'm not going to mention which.

I use AMSoil because I've seen the blackstone reports. However, I change it often enough that it really doesn't matter.

 

LOL. I was not being intentionally vague. So on cold mornings (which you probably don't get many of in your area) I always felt like the 1-2 shift was particularly rough. Like, the synchros made it happen, but it didn't seem smooth. I didn't want to do damage, so I opted to change out the tranny fluid and it immediately fixed the problem.

It was pretty much the 1->2 shift in the first 3 minutes of driving. Even on warm days it was still not super smooth, so the change just made me feel better about everything.

 

i was being vague and immodest. pretty sure it was i that originally suggested you flush the oil w redline lol. glad it helped..

and we had 29 temps here a few weeks back. my early morning shifts were notchy as **** fresh 90 or not! but still, i have no doubt that gear oil changes are sorely overlooked in these cars.

 

Gotta love Red Line fluid, it does make a difference and is great stuff.

 

I'm one of the only Red Line retailers in MI and I sell a lot of it. OP FWIW I just completed replacing every fluid in my 996TT as it hit the 10 year age milestone.

 

I am in a similar boat to the OP, as I'm looking to pickup a 996tt to drive in my home state of Colorado. There are very few market-priced 01-03 turbos in Denver, so I am most likely going to pick one up out of state. I like the advice offered so far, but I wonder if there any preventative maintenance items specific to moving the car from sea level to a mile high Denver?

 

Where have you looked? There is an '02 black/black at Stevenson that they will let go of for $44. Or an '05 turbo S at Avalon for $60k. Both are very nice.

 

There is a new oil out called Joe Gibbs DT40. High zinc formula. I don't know the specifics. Some out there think Mobil 0-40 burns up too quickly and also shears down to too low of a viscosity. Mobil does make a 5w50 rally formula that is Porsche approved. If it sheared, it would still be a good 40 wt while hot. I personally also run Amsoil Euro 5W40 mid saps. It is full synthetic class IV and holds up well. Even with this, I change the oil every 3K roughly.

 

With all the info and oil testing that I have read about modern synthetic oil,,I believe 3K is way to soon unless its in extreme conditions and climate...
Even Porsche and oil companies agree to a certain extent about going longer..
But to each his own on how to care for our baby..

 

Good advice above. Change front diff fluid and gear oil. Delvac.
Bosch 710N are good DVs.
Oil is debated ad nauseum, but I use Mobil 1 5w-50.

 

Thanks for all the advice, I have a great list to go after. I took delivery on Monday and put about 150 miles on it so far. What a crazy fun car! I've had M3s, S4s, S6s in the past - and this is a whole new world!

Initial observations, hoping some of these are easy fixes:

• Passenger window doesn't like to tuck into the top lip when you close door. It's easy enough to roll the window down and up again which resolves it. Windows goes up/down without issues.
• Oil Pressure gauge bounced from 5 to zero a couple times, flashing the warning lamp. A search shows the wires come loose or the sensor needs replacing. Hasn't happened since.
• How ofter are you folks checking and adding oil? Topping off every other gas fill up? Just wondering how much extra oil to keep on hand at home.
• Sunroof rattle - when the sunroof is all the way open, it rattles a bit. Seems common on German cars, easy fix?

Thanks again!

 

- For the window issue you'll need a new latch assembly. Contact Suncoast parts for a great $. Before I replaced one I pulled the outside dorr handle JUST enough to pop the door and the glass would stay "down" so it could shut then seal.
- Oil pressure sensor is on its way out. Not a terrible fix or too costly.
- I have to add about a quart every 1000 miles. (Pentosin 5w40)
- Not sure about rattle as I do not have any.