I have been looking for a clean 2007 997.1 GT3. I came across a local car which has about 8k miles , but has its engine replaced at 3k miles. The carfax states the following:

3500 miles
Engine removed for repair
Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Fuel system checked
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
Engine cleaned
A/C refrigerant recharged
Body computer/module checked
Air flow meter replaced
Front crankshaft oil seal replaced

5650 Miles
Engine removed for repair
Front brakes replaced
Oil and filter changed chassis lubricated
Rear brake pads replaced
Front crankshaft oil seal replaced
Antifreeze/coolant flushed/changed
Transmission checked
A/C refrigerant recharged
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked

I talked to the owner of the dealership, a big car guy and has mutiple exotic cars , dealerships etc. He assures me that this was a common problem with 997.1 Gt3 and Porsche replaced the motor with a brand new one under warranty.

Not sure what to make of this...the car is loaded with GMG exhaust, Moton Clubsport pkg and overall drives well. If the car passes PPI and the price is right ...should i go for it? any advice is appreciated.

I know my 996tt with 650+ hp has been bullet proof thus far with many track days...can i expect the same reliabilty with these cars especially the 997 GT3?

Could this failure be as a result of improper break in ? or is it just a lemon ?
Sorry for being wordy...need help from you guys.

 

Run and run fast away from this GT3.
Sounds like this car has been beat to $h1t.
"Oh replacing an engine is routine"? WTF!

Ranger

 

Plus the front brakes were replaced within 5k miles, maybe they beat the hell out the car! he told me the RMS and Front crankshaft seal were common issues. But why would they replace the motor to change the crankshaft seal? IMO they would have to drop the engine and pulley to change the seal.

I will keep looking , but its much harder to find a good Gt3 than i thought it would be.

 

there were some 997.1 motors that had cases that didn't crank seal properly...with two rear main seal failures in a couple of thousand miles they may have very well replaced the engine under warranty...if it has been problem free since then I wouldn't give it a second thought...although with the front brakes gone in 5600 miles and rear pads gone it has likely been driven hard

 

I had this very issue on my 996 Turbo. Each time Porshce would replace the engine due to an RMS. It never was that big a deal in my opinion. I had the car for 5 years and used it on the street and track and it was bulletproof.

If you can verify the engine replacement was due to RMS each time I would be too concerned.

When you say the brakes were replaced within 5K miles, is that the rotors? Calipers? or what? Also, are these PCCB brakes or steel?

 

since this is the carfax info, why not ask the service department at the dealership to pull the service history and find out what was going on.

 

Ok, my problem is this.

Engine changed at 3k miles per your original post.

Engine removed for repair at 5650 miles per the carfax.

So the new engine they put in there has problems too? Or did they just repair the original motor twice?

 

Alright I got the full service records…way too many issues on this GT3.

• Engine replaced due fully damaged cylinder 6. A new engine was installed from Porsche
• Engine pulled out again for RMS
• Throttle body failure
• Front calipers and rotors replaced
• Brand new tires at 4 k miles
• Antifreeze filled twice
• Motons installed and corner balanced

I am not getting this car even though it runs perfectly fine now. Just don’t feel confident, but kudos to the owners for full disclosure of records.
Btw ..owner states the car was tracked only 20 laps in total…didn’t know the GT3 was so weak…might be lemon.

 

that is pretty unusual especially a cylinder failure...obviously was driven hard even if only 20 laps...and may not have been properly maintained...all the other stuff is ok...some people are just hard on brakes...but I am suspicious that this car had an incident at 4k miles that ruined the front rotors/pads and flat spotted the tires...the motons are a bonus if you are going to track

 

You hould contact GMG with the VIN number. Maybe they will be able to give you some info on the cars previous life. Just a thought.

-Mark