997 low miles v 991 high miles / worried about bore score

[stagmark]

The background is that I currently have a 986, which has developed a loud ticking or knocking / suspected bore score. I need to get rid as I don’t have the time or money to dive deep into the engine.

Since I am looking to sell this, I am thinking of stepping up to a 911 (added benefit of 2 rear seats as I have 2 kids!).

In terms of budget I am comfortable around 997 money, rather than 991…

Though given I have had my fingers burnt with bore score, I am needless to say a little concerned about going down the 997 route.

My questions are therefore:
- if I get a low mile 997 (say 35-65k miles) pre inspected by a specialist, including bore scoped, how much protection and comfort should that really give me?
- should I think about bore scoping annually, at the same time as servicing? Does anyone else do that?
- should I just wait and save up some more and try and get into a 991, which I understand doesn’t have the same risks?

I cannot be the first worried about this, and trying to work out what to do… so any help from the forum would be really appreciated.

Many thanks
Mark

 

[T8Turbo]

If your budget stretches to it, go for a Gen2 997 and your concerns should be far less of an issue.

 

[stagmark]

Thanks, though I heard from a specialist that 997.2 suffered in a similar way to Gen 1’s? Their view was to go for a lower mileage gen 1 rather than higher gen 2 at similar prices…

Though there seems to be so many conflicting opinions and views kicking around…!

 

[AndrewCS]

Speak to ... https://www.hartech.org/contact-hartech

 

[stagmark]

Thanks Andrew, that is a good shout

 

[Motorhead]

I’m not aware that the Gen2 engine is as susceptible to [internet!] reported bore scoring compared with the Gen1. In addition to other upgrades the Gen2 engine block is an Alusil rather than a Lokasil casting which appears to be more robust, and I don’t recall having heard of the catastrophic D-chunking reported occasionally on Gen1 engines. However that’s not to say that higher mileage Gen2 997s won’t experience a degree of bore wear, dependent upon usage and regular maintenance.

In addition, don’t forget that the Gen2 engines are in use successfully on race cars like the Cayman GT4 Clubsport, so you’d expect to hear about any fundamental design issues.

Although I’m sure that the Gen1 bore scoring issue is stoked by the internet, I think that I’d be tempted to take a well maintained higher mileage Gen2 car over a lower mileage Gen1 car, but as always buy on condition and service history. A borescope check on either car would be a useful precaution prior to purchase.

Jeff

 

[stagmark]

Thanks Jeff, appreciate your comments and insight.

You make a lot of sense re gen 2, though I still cannot get over whether a low mileage gen 1 would be a better bet (tend to find lower mileage cards generally in better shape…?!). Though you are definitely right about going off service history etc.

I would have also tended to agree about the internet stoking bore score, though given I have had my hand burnt on a 986, I do feel nervous (and the wife is keen for it not to happen again as well!!).

 

[Motorhead]

Given your previous bad luck re bore scoring I can understand your concerns!

Just to take up a point you made regarding a 997 vs 991, I hope you realise that the Gen2 997 and 991 share the same DFI engine, although there could have been some very minor updates in between. I think you should have a high level of confidence that history won’t repeat itself if you opted for a Gen2 997, although nothing’s guaranteed of course.

Jeff

 

[stagmark]

Thanks Jeff - that is really interesting to know - I didn’t realise that at all. As you can tell, I am quite new to Porsche and my research and understanding clearly isn’t as good as it should be…!

 

[docandy]

Both 997.2 cars and 991.1 cars have scored but no where near the degree of the 997.1/987.1 cars.
The mechanism of the latter cars tends to be different (injector issues is one example) and the scoring is generally at much higher miles, and the cost to sort out the latter cars is huge. Usually whole new engine (28k on a 991).
If you really want to be safe get a 991.2 with the sumebore linings, used by Toyota without issue for years.
Alternatively, do what i did, buy a great 997.1 without issues, classic insurance and lower tax, and budget for the rebuild one day.