I think that has to be the case, I doubt they can force you to go to a dealer to have scheduled maintenance done. That being said, on private sale strong service records are pretty golden. On trade-in, not sure where that weighs in. I have serviced my cars at home up until the 997 C2S as we were doing oil changes every 5k and air filters every 10k, but decided to stick to factory on the 997 C2S. Both BMW and Audi were recommending long oil and air filter intervals (likely since they were paying for it) so we opted to self-service to keep the cars fresh.

 

1) Maintenance - The biggest expense is rear tires and overall the car is not a huge expense . It's slighly more than the "free maintenance" of a new BMW but replacing those run flats levels the score .

I have owned many BMW's and currently have an 08 M3 along with my Porsche.


2) I've seen many who opt for the bumper minus the wing but I feel that the aerodynamic design has a function . I vote no to an incomplete kit .

I even have issues with mixing Techart type 1 with type 2 parts . I EVEN have issues mixing Techart with different suspension. In short --I like the aerokit and suspension to remain consistent with an intended and tested design.

 

Thank you all for the warm welcomes, you guys are truly great.

So it looks like 997 here I come!

Anything I need to look out for when looking at a MY2005 C2S(Manual)? Common Problems?

I did not want to track the car, I guess because I wanted to baby it, but now when I think of it, does sound pretty dumb.

As far as the GT3 front bumper/no spoiler, for me its strictly a cosmetic mod, I just really like the look. I read somewhere that you have to be driving 150mph or over for it to cause a problem, is that true?

 

A common problem with the 911 is that once you get one, it is very hard to be without one.

Other than that.... not really any major issues with the 997 except the occassional RMS (Rear Main Seal) which is covered under warranty - so the best advice I can give is make sure you get the extended warranty, if you buy your car from a Porsche dealer it comes with it, otherwise there is a number of aftermarket ones, but my research showed for the same coverage they all cost a few hundred more than getting it from Porsche (my dealer quoted me $2000 off to sell me the car without it).

 

I've had 2004 X5 4.8is, 2006 E90 330i, and I have a 535i as our company car. I drive my commuters about 40k a year , so I really find out the quirks of each and every car I drive. I would say that the BMW spends more timein the shop just because stupid things like rattles, nav, window switches, weird brake noises and such happen on these cars. But in my opinion no car is bullet proof so some problems are expected as long as they aren't major mechanical issues. I've had my Porsche for a while now and it has never once touched the dealership for anything other then maintenance.

Time is money these days and I hope that helps...

 

I've had a 997S Cab for two+ years now (yes, bought it used) and had to exercise the warranty a few times. Once for a major and very elusive issue that, had it not been under warranty and had I not had a very patient and expert dealer/tech, might have gone unrepaired. I sometimes think that the reason I got a reasonably good deal (at the time - these days it looks like I overpayed) is that the prior owner might not have been able to get this one fixed and just sold it. It was extremely intermittent. It ultimately required pulling and replacing the flywheel to replace a bad sensor that only occasionally triggered a 'check engine' during the first 10 seconds of start-up. It required four visits, calls to Germany by the dealer. All handled professionally. Kudos to Carlson Porsche in Redwood City. BTW I did not buy the car from them.
Other visits were for a minor relay failure or some such.
That said, the car does seem like it's built like a tank. With proper care and feeding, it seems like it will run forever. But like modern BMW's and others, they are very complex, stuffed with mechanical and electronic technology, and just probabilistically, failures will occur.
Finally (sorry for the long entry here), I do recommend going to a dealer, or a well versed Porsche-certified tech, for oil changes. Normally, I do that kind of stuff myself. And when I do, it's because I spend some time under and around the car to look for early/obscure issues that may not have yet evidenced themselves (e.g. loose exhaust mounts, fluid levels, other small leaks, etc.). I like the ideal of my Porsche dealer tech checking TSB's, poking around under there during routine work. And trouble is, I don't trust myself to be significantly knowledgeable in P-cars to find the squawks that they can. So, you pay a bit more, but may avoid a more expensive repair or a roadside failure.
BTW, I recently had the dealer change the oil on my Ford GT (with a formally qualified FGT tech) and they found a small oil leak that required a new gasket. I likely would have spotted that one, but would not have wanted to fix it.
Anyway, best of luck. Like others said, the cars are iconic and addictive. Drive it and mod it as you'd like. Take good care it it and you'll always smile when you step out of it - the ultimate test of a great automobile.
Enjoy.

 

Thanks again guys for all the great replies. I am ready and looking for a 997 as we speak, it's a little hard because of the bad weather here. I am also considering importing one from the states, since you guys have WAY more to choose from.

Sounds like I will not have much problems with these cars and I am really excited to join the club!

Once again I appreciate all the help.

 

GL in your hunt !
I found mine locally...
Found and drove it out same day !
There are some real good deals right now,but just be sure on all the fees that you will have to pay when you bring it across the border,sometimes it just isn't worth it !

Stacy

PS great car and a ton of fun to drive !

 

Hey GL man hope you find exactly what you are looking for. I couldn't find mine here in Toronto and had to get it from the States. Way more selection there. Once i found one i liked, i actually flew down to see it, closed the deal and had it shipped up here. I too would not put only the front minus the rear GT3 aero kit. I like knowing everything on my car has a purpose and works well in conjuction with all the other mods. It will cause an imbalance in stability at higher speeds. Porsche won't even install the front without the back or vise versa. I guess if you never expect to go 150mph or so then it may not affect you. I must addmit I've seen a black cab in my area with the GT3 front and RS rear bumper and no wing, it looks intense.

 

Hello.
I understand your mindset. I have just acquired a 2006 997 S2 (19k miles) with the CPO and extended warranty. I bought it from the dealership ( where it currently is as the sunroof motor did not work when I bought it so I am using the warranty already). I just love it. I have a 06 S4 and the handling of the 997 crushes my S4 though the AWD does level the playing field a bit. THe best part is I am driving a machine I have lusted over since a kid. I get giddy thinking about it.

 

It's a fuel system cleaner...which you probably don't need and it's not a Porsche part.

Here..

http://www.autobahnpower.com/main.as...nd+BG+Products

Dave

 

I had an 05 launch car . Each dealership was given one at the launch and it was fully loaded (even had ceramics) . I had no problems at all . The car faced a small recall (while you wait) service but I had already sold the car. I only kept it one year . My biggest issue at that time was car theft --particularly xenon light theft . It was rampant in my area at that time and the problem was so bad i had to sell the car .
I missed it EVERY day afterwards for 18 months until I bought another 997S .

The car is thst good .

Even now that i have my Turbo which is a low mileage pampered car I would like to have a 997S as a daily car and almost got one --still might .. at some point .. it's just a matter of when.