Bore Score Photos

CharlieCirrus · 15 Nov 2017

Greetings everyone, brand newbie here. I've been looking for my first 911 for 2 years now and thought I'd found my dream car a 2006 MY Gen 1 997 C4S with every option ticked. I sent it for pre-buy inspection with a specialist recently and they came back with early signs of bore scoring in three cylinders. The car has done 45,000 miles, about 2000 miles a year for the last 5 years. Looking at the photos below would that put you off buying? My heart is drawn by the spec of the car. My head is saying potential 10k rebuild on the cards.

What would you guys do? Photos can be seen by clicking link below.

http://s780.photobucket.com/user/arrestahook/library/Bore Score

wasz · 15 Nov 2017

I vote walk.

Save up for a gen 2.

Unless its going to be garage queen.

Shurv · 15 Nov 2017

Any 996 or 997.1 has the spectre of bore score and an engine rebuild hanging over it. Try to look for 2002/3 cars which were still on the annual servicing schedule. A service every 2 years doesn't seem to have done the M96/7 engines any favours. My 2002 996 C4S has done 35k miles in the 5 years I have owned it, with no sign of bore score. or oil usage. It has been totally reliable, with only the usual wear and tear items needing replacing. A 996 C4S is a stunning car, go for an early one that has been used regularly, it's the low miles garage queens which seem to have the most problems. :thumb:

MisterCorn · 15 Nov 2017

Shurv said:
Any 996 or 997.1 has the spectre of bore score and an engine rebuild hanging over it. Try to look for 2002/3 cars which were still on the annual servicing schedule. A service every 2 years doesn't seem to have done the M96/7 engines any favours. My 2002 996 C4S has done 35k miles in the 5 years I have owned it, with no sign of bore score. or oil usage. It has been totally reliable, with only the usual wear and tear items needing replacing. A 996 C4S is a stunning car, go for an early one that has been used regularly, it's the low miles garage queens which seem to have the most problems. :thumb:

You forgot to mention that the 3.6 is more prone to bore scoring than the 3.4.

MC

Phil 997 · 15 Nov 2017

Charlie, It all depends what the car is up for and what price you can get it for with the borescore factored in eg if you can get it for £18/20k and you end up with a Hartech rebuild car with all the boxes ticked spec wise for 28/30k , well thats serious peace of mind . If that's within your budget . Also something Baz indicated recently you may find your waiting until Feb for the rebuild as they are stacked out but the scoring looks very slight so the car would be fine to drive until then anyway.
I would also get other opinions on the pics as many people mistake normal wear for Borescore as we know it . when its not . It takes a specialist eye to know the difference even some so called specialist misdiagnose it . call Hartech send them the pics and get a true assessment then you will know for sure.

:thumb: :thumb:

Oh yes and welcome to the forum and good luck finding the right car keep us posted. :grin: :thumb:

ragpicker · 15 Nov 2017

Are you going to be able to enjoy the car knowing that it was already scored, just waiting for the inevitable?

Personally I couldn't, so I'd walk.

I only caught a glimpse of the pics though before the whole page was taken over by adverts. Photobucket really has sold out hasn't it?

resigner · 15 Nov 2017

I would give Baz/Hartech a call and ask them.

Why are people discussing 996 engines.......

Or saying the ridiculous "save up for a Gen 2". Some people need to realise that isn't an option and give the OP credit for knowing his budget and want......

Dropbox are now a bunch of complete *****........

-- 997 -- · 15 Nov 2017

By the looks of those pictures with its1000 adverts etc, that scoring dont look bad, that to me looks like normal wear and not the dreaded scoring, the scoring i had on my car at 64000 miles were oblivious and the rough feel in the bores.. I don't think I'd worry to be honest!!! If it's a car you like with its spec then it's your call !!

J

jaychief · 15 Nov 2017

I have just bought a 997 C4S, which was checked and come back fine. However after speaking with the garage they have just seen a gen 2 with bore scoring so.......

bazhart · 16 Nov 2017

It's very difficult to diagnose bore scoring without using your own camera and simple polish marks can look like scores but have no depth to them and are not a problem.

Yours are in that category and do not seem to present a problem but a large piece of silicon could become dislodged at any time any cause a score.

Having said that there seems a variability in the distribution of silicon particles and your photos look quite good - perhaps this is why some score early and others last for tens of thousands of miles.

If the car is right for you in every other way - perhaps consider taking on a warranty with it that will reduce the cost of a rebuild if the worst happens (which it probably will not).

Baz

RXP. · 16 Nov 2017

Is this the Slate Grey one the Paul is selling?

If so, Have a look at the right side exhaust in the pre prep pictures, the right side looks to be more "sooty".

I guess it would depend on how much, if any, oil it is drinking currently.

If it is indeed the same car, I was toying with the idea of buying it and putting an OPC warranty on the car. When I searched online he didn't have very good reviews but mainly they were older and none recent.

So by the time I called I think you may have beat me to the punch.

On balance I think I would still opt to push for as much off the asking price as possible and then OPC warranty after 3 Months. Circa 2k for 2 years.

Good luck OP.

Phil 997 · 16 Nov 2017

Or A Hartech warranty depends what you want, as the OPC warranty will just put a new motor in the car whereas a Hartech warranty would rebuild to better than OE, but the Hartech warranty does need some contribution from you but makes the rebuild much much cheaper. :thumb:

RXP. · 16 Nov 2017

Phil 997 said:
Or A Hartech warranty depends what you want, as the OPC warranty will just put a new motor in the car whereas a Hartech warranty would rebuild to better than OE, but the Hartech warranty does need some contribution from you but makes the rebuild much much cheaper. :thumb:

Nice one Phil. I wasn't aware they did this. So for example I could buy a 997. Modify it etc. Take it up to hartech for a inspection and if they are happy will warranty it?

If that's the case that sounds very appealing.

I think i may have to give them a call.

bazhart · 16 Nov 2017

Phil 997 said:
Also something Baz indicated recently you may find your waiting until Feb for the rebuild as they are stacked out but the scoring looks very slight so the car would be fine to drive until then anyway.

Just for clarification, we have different staff (with different skill sets) and resources dedicated to different areas (although they can overlap). General servicing and maintenance work is usually carried out by a different internal team to the engine work. Yes, we are booked up for a long time for general servicing and maintenance work (particularly as the scheduled work for Lifetime Maintenance Plan customers is often booked well in advance) but we are usually able to start engine re-builds & cylinder work within days rather than months. Capacities change very quickly so it's always worth phoning for the latest position.

Alfaian · 16 Nov 2017

Those photos look very similar to mine when I had them done on major service in April this year.

Was gutted at the time, which was probably down to internet scaremongering.

At the time my specialist said not to worry about it as he's seen loads like it and they are still going strong and the marks could've been there before I bought the car 4 years ago.

Still no symptoms and no oil use 2k later.

I run millers 10w50 nanotechnology oil since I first had the car and done 12,000 miles with not a top up of oil in that time.

It's a gamble buying any used car but I wouldn't fret over the results of them photos.

Good luck :thumb:

Bore Score Photos

CharlieCirrus

New member

wasz

Paul Ricard

Shurv

Mexico City

MisterCorn

Fuji

Phil 997

Le Mans

ragpicker

Portimao

resigner

Barcelona

-- 997 --

Barcelona

jaychief

Trainee

bazhart

Barcelona

RXP.

Monza

Phil 997

Le Mans

RXP.

Monza

bazhart

Barcelona

Alfaian

Sao Paulo

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