997.2 is a superior car in power, handling and overall technology. From LED lights, to DFI, bigger IC's, Lighter rotating Engine mass etc. The car is just better. Also porsche seems to have a nicer finish to it for the interior and the radio and options work better.

 

Thanks, and congratulations! First Porsche a Turbo, that's great.

Yes 996 TT uses same Mezger engine, and yes, it will be a great and fun car - no question! I have owned a NA flat-6 997, and now V8 M3 with PDK, and the 997 Turbo; of the 3, the Turbo 997 with manual transmission is my favorite still. The torque pull of a turbo engine is extremly addictive and once experienced, you can't go back.

Just make sure you also post on the 996 TT forum as far as what to look for when buying a used 996 TT, and drive safely. Remember the mantra "slow in fast out," even more important for 911.

 

Apologies in advance for dredging up his necrotic post....!!!


I'm doing my legwork now on a 997 Turbo purchase and wanted to ask if there are any new opinions on this topic (997.1 vs 997.2) now that a few more years have passed...


Does the Metzger engine still reign supreme, or has all the concern about the newer 997.2 engine been overblown (no pun intended).


From what I can tell. The 997.1 with the Metzger engine is 2007-2009 only..... and within that sliver of years, the 2009 offers a better (PCU?) for Bluetooth/Nav?


Obviously, I'm trying to keep my options as open as possible. But I do want the 6-speed manual which is going to be harder to find.... trying to find a low-mileage example with SportChrono (and PCCB if possible).


Ultimately, I'm trying to avoid painting-myself-into-a-corner with an impossibly specific list of years/options/etc. So any new revelations about the 997.1 vs 997.2 now that we're looking at 5-10 years worth of real-world maintenance and tuning experience would help me a lot.




Thanks!


-G

 

...get an '09 and you will be glad you did

 

I posted this in a similar thread and still believe it....

I say this and get somewhat flamed...i bought into the 07-09 engine is bulletproof stuff, and the mezger heritage, and bought an 07 (would have had to pay 20k more for an 09). In fairness i have not had anything go wrong with my car, kow, but i have spent a lot trying to make sure i dont, ie preventative maintenance (About $5k). If i had to do it again i might have gotten a newer one if the right deal came up. So if you go 07-09 then make sure to look at the coolant pipe problem and the cam shaft problem as these are two very expensive fixes. 5-10k each ish depending on where you get it done.


To answer some of your questions...
The 09+ will have bluetooth built in and ipod interface with the right options but it can be added aftermarket to 07-08.

If you are going to mod the 07-09 is probably the better platform. The 10+ gets better gas milage and is probably a little faster stock.

Basically people generally say get the newest you can afford but IMO it is not worth the 20-40k a 09-12 would cost over an 07-08 but if there was a great deal on a newer one with right options/color i would buy the newer one.

 

And just to answer your other question

2007-08=PCM 2.1 (silver center stack, no touch screen, crappy graphics, but still plays mp3 cds and navigates, and can have bluetooth, ipod aftermarket)

2009-12=PCM 3.0 (black center stack, touch screen, bluetooth, and ipod with univeral audio interface option)

 

Been looking at the 997.1/.2 turbos myself. I really like the 09 interior upgrades but what sealed the deal for me to go up to the .2 was the DI motor and the PDK as an option.

I don;t mod my cars to much and a simple tune and exhaust on the 997.2 PDK car that I test drove was downright insane in terms of throttle response. Even the OEM stock car is amazing. I have been looking for a cab as well and the .2 car seems to have less, IE no, cowl shake as well.

I think you cannot go wrong with any model turbo. I will say that I do not like the tiptronic. Its non intuitive the way that it shifts. Plus it starts in 2nd gear and coupled with the high RPM range where the boost hits in the .1 car it feels a little off. Visually I like the .1, not sure why just looks more the way I like things.

So right now I am in negotiations to buy a 2011 Cab in Guards red and tan that was pretyt loaded up, no PCCB's as well. I don;t like the PCCB's for street use.

 

Fixed it for you. That other word is too scary LOL. And timeless so of course no, nothing has changed. All generations are good for one reason or another - I like both 997.1 and 997.2 and there is no right or wrong since it comes down to personal priorities, bias, preference, etc.

If you are going for 997.1, as already mentioned 2009 is best since aftermarket bluetooth and Ipod add-on's could be such a b**** :-).
My opinions on 4 important factors - still the same, and still just my personal preference, no flame please :-):

1. Newer and lower mileage is better, obviously. These cars do need repairs when they get old.
2. PCCB is a bucket list item even for street driving. Once in your life it's good to feel the initial bite of the hands of God . I've had both types in my 2 Porsche 911 - Big Red iron brake is excellent, but PCCB hands down the winner even though stopping distance is same. It's all about that initial bite. For example I would take 2008 with PCCB over 2009 without PCCB.
3. Equal power PDK is faster, period (particularly for turbo cars because of no release of boost between shift), but manual is, *for me*, still more engaging. (I have both, M3 with PDK type and my 997.1 Turbo with manual I prefer manual still.) If you are a manual die-hard, think VERY hard before getting PDK. If you are the automatic type, PDK is a no brainer. The fact that Porsche might discontinue manual in future paradoxically makes it even MORE desirable to me :-).
4. Is Mezger better for modding? For min/moderate engine mod, no. For extensive 1000 hp mod, yes. But look for posts from the very many more knowledgeable people on this forum.

 

Can,

BT was still an option in 2009 so some do not have it including mine. Also, factory BT option isn't that great since you can't stream audio!!

Also, I had the chance to go back to back with my 997.1 and a friends 997.2 and have three observations and of course only my opinion:

1. 997.2 handled better but if I add the TPC module to mine I think it would be much better than OEM 997.2. Would be nice to compare a stock 997.1 & 997.2 with the TPC module.

2. Mezger engine sounds more race car/raw/noisy compared to the DFI engine. Feels and sounds special and I like it.

3.Both cars were manual and the difference in power to me was not that noticeable.

 

 

They don't make the Turbo S in manual so you'll never find one and the 997.2 is likely more rare in manual than the 997.1.

Don't worry too much about PCCB damage. Be careful when you remove the wheels and use 2 hangers. If a shop damages them they will be buying you new ones.

Clutch...well depends how the previous owner drove and how many owners adding to the unknown abuse or lack of. Some have 100k + on the original clutch. Expect to put one in the near future if you're modding....

 

Very good and interesting info. I didn't know Porsche had the ***** to make bluetooth an option on a $150,000 car! Oh well... should have known by now LOL.

Greg, 997.1 Turbo's have been out 8 plus years now and PCCB's damage from STREET use (not track) is practically non-existent. The life of the rotor is actually kind of unknown since none of us has seen it worn out yet - do expect something north of 100,000k miles for PCCB rotor. It's not an absolute, absolute, absolute must, but if you see a car with it, jump on the deal quick if car checks out fine otherwise (low mileage, no extensive engine mod, etc.).

 

Regarding BT and PCMs...

One of the first upgrades I did on mine was update with the Dension unit. Last year I changed to the AVIC-8100NEX.

Seriously, I would highly recommend it to everyone. The 997.2 PCM system is antiquated compared to this.

Apple car play - I have no idea how I even lived without it. Full voice activation for everything also means I can get rid of the multi-functional steering wheel

Boys, seriously, I highly recommend ditching the OEM PCM2 and PCM3. Those are only good as door stops IMHO.

...and you can watch netflix on this too
Not that I do, but its cool that you can!
Oh and the firmware is update-able free of charge.

 

Can:
I remember reading a few posts on this board or on renlist, when I was changing out my rotors (to steel giro disk), of folks that had to replace their PCCB rotors from normal street use at the 80,000 km mark (if I recall correctly) - it was a VERY expensive exercise.

 

Possible, but I find that hard to believe, link? How about on THIS forum - any report that I might have missed? My own car's PCCB is at 110,000 km and shows essentially NO sign of wear/tear (though supposedly you have to weigh the disc to know wear). S*** could always happen but again IMHO and base on my own reading, the life of PCCB with normal street use is indeterminate at this point, and somewhere north of 100,000 miles.

I would agree that for the track, all bets are off. It's actually interesting that a system with characters made for track, is best used only for streets. The ironies of life.