Hi all,

I'm about to purchase a '99 996 with about 50k miles. I know this is the first year of the water-cooled 996. What are the problems associated with this year model? Should I pass and buy a later model? I've heard nothing but problems about this year engine but the one i'm buying has had the IMS, RMS, clutch replaced and the rear main seals redone......am I safe?
1999 owners, help me out here before i make a mistake....thanks.

 

Hi Tom,

Search is your friend. This has been discussed often.

Most common issues include leaking RMS and detonating IMS (relatively infrequent - but not as infrequent as it should be)

I believe there were also some issues wrt to alloys used in the engine that made D chunks more common.

There are lots of people on this list who are very happy with the '99 996, however, my recommendation is to buy the newest 996 you can - especially if that gets you past 2002 (there are a number of significant changes introduced in 02)

 

I'm sure you've done your research. No one can predict 100% what may/may not happen. That one may run many many miles without problems or it may kaboom soon.
If you're going to worry about the engine etc etc...not enjoy the car...i'd say just walk away...it's not worth it....Buy it to enjoy it and it if kabooms...and you the funds for it to rebuild etc..go for it....
I have a 99....wear and tears item have mostly been changed/upgraded....still on OEM IMS...112k+ miles....original motor.....just drove 550 miles throughout 7 hours...
no problem yet....if something goes.....I'll just fix...I don't worry about it...I just enjoy the drive...
BTW I had a 01 M96 3.2 that had more leaks/noise etc etc that I got rid of at 90k

 

There are as many horror stories as their are happy endings with the 99 996. 50k miles puts you out of the early mile failures <30k miles. As long as it has been regularly serviced, maintained and with a proper pre inspection, this car can have years of trouble free driving,. On the other hand it could go bang without warning. Check the forums.

I'm partial to the 99, as I have one thats been fairly trouble free. At the 60k service i will replace the IMS bearing with the LNE upgrade. I think the IMS bearing should be viewed as a wear part and as such replaced.

 

It appears that all the major issues have been addressed: the IMS, RMS, clutch replaced and the rear main seals redone.... My 99 has 47K on the clock with all OEM parts still intake. And, she runs just fine. Nonetheless, I do plan to address the IMS/RSM issues on it's next clutch application. I'll pay the price for peace of mind. These P-cars like to be run in the higher RPMs which it turn reduces the IMS's main culprit: condensation. Drive her like you stole it. And, enjoy the pure rawness of these early 996's.

 

I have a '99 with 55k miles on it and I love the car. Try and find one with 50K miles or less and do what I did, buy a warranty. I have a friend that sells them so I got an EFT Deluxe, 48 months, 48 K miles plan.
So far one claim, the coolant recovery tank, the passenger seat switch and a horn. They paid $1700 I paid $100. The warranty cost me $2250, money well spent with 3 years to go.

I love '99's they are still old school but with A/C that gets freezing and all of the features you could want not to mention, you pay only $20-21K for a cherry of a car vs. $$$$$$

 

I got a 99 and besides reg. maintenance it’s been a great ride. Reading all the forums and posts is a double edged sword. You get amazing information but it also fills your head with other people’s negative experience. If the car is a good deal....buy it!

 

on eBay, it looks like a sweet 996 and the price is great.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/911-9...t_52530wt_1210

 

OP: It looks like the preventative stuff has been taken care of..so if you feel good & he has proof he did all this stuff then go for it!

 

My '99 has 71k miles. Original motor and IMS. RMS was replaced at the last clutch change. It's got the occasional minor electrical gremlin and things do wear out on 11 year old cars, but I still don't think there's a better $20k bang-for-your-buck car out there.
You can't get away from the IMS issue when you're reading these forums, but if you look at the main '996 reliability threads' on this website and Renntech, those posts have been viewed tens of thousands of times over quite a few years but there is only a couple dozen people posting with first-hand experiences of the bearing letting go. So the problem is there, but it's overblown (unless you're one of the unlucky ones, of course).

 

99 with 84k. No problems here. Love the 996.

 

+ 1 for 99c2----Enjoy it----flaunt it----and as mentioned...drive it like you stole it )

 

Where are people finding these $20,000 cars? I have been researching for a little while now and hope to buy my dream car, a 1999 c4 cab. But, it seems like every c4 cab I find with under 60,000 miles is +$27,500. Most in my area, (Northeast) are going for north of $30,000. Thanks.

 

Amazing car! 51K on the clock and only replaced the coolant recovery tank.

Does everything exceptionally well! The 99 is bullet proof.
Would do it again in a heart beat..............

 

Get a California Car - lots <$25K on autotrader, cars.com etc. ... get a good PPI and even after shipping to NE you'll have a car that did not sit in the rain/snow/humidty etc. for most it's life....