Porsche 911 carrera cabriolet problems

Common Porsche 911 carrera cabriolet problems

Based on the search results, there are several common problems with Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet cars, including:

• Cabriolet Top Malfunction: All of the cabriolet tops experience issues at one time or another. These vary from the degrading of the rear window to the unbalanced or lopsided opening and closing. The window is easy to fix by replacing the old, tired plastic rear window with a new one. The other issues with the top that concern opening and closing usually have a simple cause, such as the older Porsche 911 receiving a revised set of motors and drives to cure the most common problems. In many cases, this means you’ll have to replace the entire drive system, as the newer versions are not compatible with the older components. The bushings on some of the support arms can also fail over time, causing the common lopsided effect during a closing or opening of the top. This is a relatively inexpensive fix by replacing the support arm.

• Roof System: The roof system itself should open and close smoothly in around 20 seconds, and be in good condition. Also check the carpets are dry. If not suspect blocked drainage holes inside the wheel arches as the likely cause. It’s good practice to clean these out every six months or so to avoid problems, as water ingress could also damage electronic systems in the car.

• Engine Abuse: Rust isn’t an issue with 911s, but engine abuse can be. A decent specialist will be able to check how many times the engine has been over-revved, as well as trace the cause of any misfires. There are a few examples of failed engines with Gen 1 997s, which can result in a bill of £8,000 or more for a new unit. Warning signs include a blackened exhaust tip or a ticking sound at idle, so look out for these when viewing a car.

• Radiators and Air-Conditioning Condensers: With all 997s including Turbos it’s important to check the condition of the radiators and air-conditioning condensers behind the front bumper, because they are vulnerable to damage and costly to replace at about £600. You might find a 997 Turbo is fitted with carbon ceramic brakes, signified by yellow brake calipers. These are durable and extremely resistant to fade, but also hugely expensive to replace (as in several thousand pounds), so don’t be alarmed if a car that had them from new has been switched to conventional brakes with red calipers. The steel discs too can corrode on the inside, particularly if a car isn’t regularly driven, so ask a specialist or inspector to check this for you.

These common problems with Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet cars can be costly to fix, so it's important to look for a car with a full service history from either a Porsche main dealer or a well-respected specialist. A professional inspection is also a good idea when buying a 911, particularly if it's not from a Porsche specialist.

What year was the Porsche 911 engine problem?

The Porsche IMS bearing problem years are from 1997 to 2005, with the M96 or M97 engine in these models being particularly susceptible. The single-row bearing used from model year 2000 through 2005 is of the greatest concern. However, any IMS bearing can and will fail if not replaced as part of regular maintenance.

Are Porsche 911 high maintenance?

Yes, Porsches are expensive to maintain compared to most automakers' vehicles. Estimates from RepairPal show maintaining a Porsche costs an average of about 83% more than the industry average.

What is the life expectancy of a Porsche 911 engine?

Under the best circumstances, a Porsche could last you for 150,000 miles or around 10 years. With special care, many drivers can get even more than that out of their cars, even surpassing the 250,000-mile mark. Popular models that have been known to last 250,000 miles, include the Cayenne and the Porsche 911.

Is 911 Carrera reliable?

It's one of the best choices if you want to purchase a luxury sports car with some history. There are some issues with the Porsche 911, as with any vehicle. However, it's a generally dependable sports car choice, and some years are even better than classic cars like the Honda Civic.