The two generations of the Porsche 996 base model – which excludes the Turbo S, GT2 and GT3 variants – were in production between 1997 and 2004.

The production of the 996 was provoked by how the 1990s and early 2000s had plagued Porsche with financial struggles; signature features of the previous 911 models were closing in on their potential and previously novel Porsche parts were now impacted by new vehicular emission regulations and a lack of available funding.

Ask any Porsche fan today, and you would know that the 996 is notoriously known within Porsche communities for being a major turning point for Porsche 911 model variants – not least in terms of functionality.

Although it has had its setbacks during its lifetime, the Porsche 996 provides a more accessible way to experience the power of owning, driving and modifying a 911 – with its more affordable price tag, contemporary aesthetic and robust specs, these models are a great option for any budding Porsche fanatic.

So why is the 996 range so often subject to grilling by the Porsche base, many of which call it an unreliable 911 model?

Despite the models having their issues, to call them unreliable is somewhat unfair; their major issues are easily remedied, and, once fixed, the 996 can provide years of dependability.

The idea that the Porsche 996 is unreliable largely stems from the IMS Bearing and M96 engine (which it shared with the Boxster 986) issues that the model encountered during its time in production.

At the time of its release, they were extremely costly issues with a shortage of solutions. Luckily, today’s advancements in both genuine and aftermarket Porsche upgrades allow us to fix these issues with relative ease.

Most Common Issues With Solutions

1. IMS Bearing Issues

The Porsche 996 saw two different IMS bearings implemented during its base running years – three if you include the ones that finished production later.

Ironically, the IMS bearing that was first produced and featured on the 996 until late 1999, is considered more reliable than its redesigned counterpart that can be found on the 2000-2004 models (also 2005 non-base models).

Despite this, it is still advised to upgrade the IMS bearing irrelevant of which year Porsche 996 you own – this is because neither of them are considered suitable enough to depend on.

What happens if this part fails?

Failure of the IMS bearing often leads to total engine failure, which is one of the worst possible events for any car owner to experience – not to mention it is extremely costly.

So this IMS bearing upgrade is absolutely crucial if you plan on going out for a Porsche 996, or have recently picked one up.

This IMS Eternal Fix retrofit kit installs in-car without removal or disassembly of the engine required, making this a super simple job for any makeshift car tamperer. 

The Cylindrical Bearing has a Thrust Control design that has a load capacity 5 times greater than the other inferior, failure-prone, Ball Bearing solutions on the market!

Why is a Cylindrical bearing the best?

Aside from a higher load capacity, Cylindrical Bearings are also used in High Temp & Low Viscosity Lubrication such as Automatic Transmissions and they can carry extreme lateral pressure without wear to the friction surfaces – this is because the bearing friction surface is flat, not concave.

You can shop this IMS bearing upgrade here.

2. Damaged Rear Main Oil Seals

The rear main seal acts as a tool to keep all the oil secure within the crankcase – if this oil were to leak, it would drench the transmission which would, in turn, have potentially disastrous consequences.

While a damaged rear main oil leaking isn’t an issue exclusive to Porsche 996 models, the seal that comes with 996s is susceptible to dryness.

When the seal becomes dry, it can begin to break down and eventually begin to let the oil, kept in the crankcase, seep through it.

If you’re considering a 996 that hasn’t seen a lot of time out on the roads recently, or if your 996 hasn’t been properly maintained, it is well recommended to check your rear main oil seal.

A solution to this is the EPS Rear Main Bearing Seal and Housing.

The EPS team of technicians has developed a Rear Main Seal that corrects the notorious rear main oil leaks on the M96 and M97 engines. 

It has been developed to solve the twisting of the last journal of the crankshaft, reducing engine vibration and extending engine life. 

On top of this, it helps prevent engine failure by replacing your factory rear main seal with an upgraded rear main bearing seal and housing.

You can shop it here.

 

3. A Lack Of General Maintenance

A lack of maintenance on the Porsche 996 can lead to some extremely costly issues.

The 996, like many older Porsches, are susceptible to age-based wear – especially when they have been left unattended for long periods of time.

If you’re picking up a 996 that looks worse for wear and has not regularly been cared for, it’s likely you could suffer from an issue such as cylinder cracking and scoring when you do eventually get going.

Costly issues like a cracked cylinder – caused mainly by the cylinder head bolts producing excess torque which, in turn, puts pressure on the heads – can be avoided by simply ensuring you properly maintain your vehicle on a regular basis, and consistently changing your oil.

One of the easiest to maintain your Porsche 996 is with the full-package maintenance kit.

That’s why we’ve comprised these 4 kits that are tailored for each different variant of the 996 which can be found here, here, here and here.

The majority of these kits are comprised of an Oil Filter, Pollen Filter, Air Filter, Sump Plug Ring and six Spark Plugs.

If you are looking to make any upgrades to your 996 or any other Porsche model for that matter. Please visit our website where we stock millions of parts ready to be delivered next day. Alternatively, you can phone or email our sales team who will be more than happy to assist you with which part will best fit your needs.

996 (911) (1997-2005)