To answer your original question, if you think you will sleep better at night, then pay the extra money to do the Bore Scope. You did not mention, but what is the mileage on the car you are looking at or what location it lived most of it's life. If it has high miles, then the scoring inspection may be worth it. If the miles are relatively low... It will probably be fine. Also a big factor is where and what types of temperatures the car spent most of its life. I hear that cars that get run a lot in freezing temps have more scoring issues due to the metals contracting and expanding at different rates in the engine. I would be interested to know how many owners have small or slight signs of scoring yet drive their cars for years with absolutely no problems or power loss...

I gotta say that I love Porsches. I am a huge Porsche enthusiast to say the least and I can appreciate each model for its strengths and unique characteristics. I also enjoy a good "momentum" car too that may have a bit less power and you have to wring it out to get the most of it. Yet there is also something very nice about having extra power/torque and a lot more brakes, suspension and performance in the S models.

With that said, I have to call attention to some misconceptions going on here when comparing the 3.6 to 3.8 reliability and performance. The largest percentage of Porsche IMS failures happened in model years 2001-2005 with the introduction of a single row bearing design . From model year 2002-2004 the 996.2 models ONLY used 3.6 liter engines with the smaller single row bearing design for All the Carreras. Therefore the highest percentage of 911 IMS failures happened with the 3.4 and 3.6 liter engines used in the 2001-2005 996 which is the same 3.6 engine used in the 997 base.

The 997 model 3.6 and 3.8 Liter engine with the smaller single row IMS bearing was only produced for 1 year of the 997 introduction in 2005 . So the 3.8 liter engines have a very limited production run with that smaller single row bearing design. Beginning with the 2006-2008 model year the 3.6 and 3.8 liter engines both have the latest, larger and more robust IMS bearing which has very few IMS failures.

The scoring issue is another matter and I do not have enough real data to form an opinion on as far as which engine sees more scoring. Keep in mind that for the 997, the 3.8 liter engine variants sold more than the 3.6. So that may also be why you are seeing more 3.8 liter stories of scoring vs 3.6. Keep in mind the temperature and location factors I mentioned earlier on where the car spent most of it's life.

I would be careful about lumping your opinion of which engine is more reliable by reading the forums. The forums are where car enthusiasts go to share stories both good and bad. It can become a concentrated and lop sided area to share problems too. There are still thousands of Happy Porsche owners who never visit the forums and who never have scoring or IMS issues.

I would agree with a previous comment by "steben I drove a base model before I bought the S. For the extra $$$, I would get an S model. I think you will be happier in the long run"

If you want the Carrera 3.6 because it is more of a momentum car, then that is awesome, go for it and enjoy it. It is a wonderful car!!

But, no need to try and bash the 3.8 Carrera S. The Carrera S 3.8 is a superior car in every way performance wise and that's how Porsche designed it. With the same driver the Carrera S will always be the faster model. You should weigh the amount of money you would have to spend to get a base model to similar performance levels as the S model. It may be better to just invest that money in the S model to begin with, because If you plan to race a base Carrera the first thing you should do is upgrade your brake fluid, brake pads, and eventually maybe even a larger brake kit. Then your suspension will need an upgrade to make a huge difference too. If you can, get a base Carrera with sport or PASM suspension as an option already.

What ever model you decide on will be great and awesome in it's own unique way! Enjoy it and drive it like a Boss ;^)

For an honest look and comparison between the Carrera vs Carrera S. this is a great video.

 

Thanks so much for the video and all the info! You're indeed right on all points. Please don't think I'm bashing on anything though. That was not my intention at all. I'm just going by my own searches.

I'll give you the details. I found the base Carrera 2006 with 48k miles on it. I've been looking for one that has not been up north (just in case) as this car has only been in California it ticks that box off as well. Budget wise they're asking 35k for it. I think that's decent for a solid somewhat option base carrera. I hope? I have a PPI/DME scheduled for it so hopefully everything will be good there .

 

Sounds like a great car. I hope it all checks out and you get it... just put a little money aside over the next year or so for a clutch job around 60-70k, although I have heard of many lasting much longer! That is usually the biggest maintenance cost that comes up over the life time of owning a Porsche.

just my humble opinion and thoughts when shopping for a used Porsche. I searched over 6 months to find mine. I find that a meticulous interior with few wear marks shows a previous owner that really took good care in general of the car. A beat up interior with a bunch a scratches, chipped paint, worn leather and wear marks all over usually shows a previous owner that may not have cared much about the car and may have let regular maintenance slide too. Also pay close attention to the transmission/clutch engagement noises and feel. As well as the steering and suspension. Porsches are all about the connection between you and the car. All the controls should make you feel confident and excited to go for a drive.

I would recommend going for a test drive in a fairly low mileage or newer car so you can feel how tight all the controls feel and how the car should sound rolling down the road.. Then take the used car with high mileage you want for a drive. You know you have found a good car when the ppi checks out and it feels like new regardless of the mileage. just some things to keep in mind!

All the best in finding the right car and keep us posted!

 

Proof of what, Cattman?

Your post about how Porsche describes the c2s is completely irrelevant to this thread . We are talking about reliability, not performance.


Yes the c2s is faster and brakes harder.


But the c2 is lighter by 75lbs according to Porsche and only behind 30 hp (997.1).


These things can be easily addressed with the money you save over buying an "S".



You've been on these boards for a long time now. I had my 997 for 6 years and read posts often.

We both know the 3.8 grenades every once in a while but there has never been a documented 3.6 IMS or scoring engine failure .

 

I'm talking specifically about 06-08 997 911's ONLY, as that is what this thread is Originally about from the OP anyways.

 

Hey can i get a 997.1 C2S with a 3.6L with 355HP

I bought the C2S for look, power, suspension, etc...would had bought a Corolla S for reliability or how about a "People S" (pic taken in Amsterdam 2015)