M96 vs MA3

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
MA3 BUY 82/100
+27 points over M96
0 / 100
CAUTION M96 Porsche
0 / 100
BUY MA3 Porsche

Specifications

M96
MA3
Brand
Porsche
Porsche
Verdict
CAUTION
BUY
Reliability
55
82
Years
1997--2005
2021--present
Displacement
3596 cc
3995 cc
Layout
F6
F6
Type
Petrol Na
Petrol Na
Power
300--320 hp
500--525 hp
Known Issues
2
1
Total Risk Cost
€4,500--€15,000
€0--€0

Character

M96

"996 Carrera/Boxster. IMS bearing failure = catastrophic. RMS leak. Bore scoring (Lokasil). D-chunk crankcase fracture. Beautiful engine with a serious design flaw. IMS upgrade is mandatory."

MA3

"992 GT3/GT3 RS. 9,000 rpm redline. Derived from RSR race engine. No IMS. No bore scoring. Individual throttle bodies. Most exotic production flat-6 ever. Track-ready but street reliable."

Issues Comparison

M96 2

◆ CRITICAL
IMS bearing failure €1,500--€5,000 60,000 km--150,000 km
▲ HIGH
Bore scoring (Lokasil) €3,000--€10,000 60,000 km--150,000 km

MA3 1

○ MINOR
No known design flaws €0--€0 0 km--0 km

Models

M96 10

911 996 1998--2001 911 996 2001--2004 911 996 2001--2004 Boxster 986 1996--1999 Boxster 986 2000--2004 Boxster 986 1999--2004 911 996 2000--2004 911 996 2004--2005 911 996 1999--2001 911 996 2003--2005

MA3 4

718 Cayman 982 2019--present 718 Cayman 982 2022--present 718 Boxster 982 2019--present 718 Boxster 982 2020--present
Full M96 Report Full MA3 Report