M97 vs 9A2

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
9A2 BUY 80/100
+12 points over M97
0 / 100
ACCEPTABLE M97 Porsche
0 / 100
BUY 9A2 Porsche

Specifications

M97
9A2
Brand
Porsche
Porsche
Verdict
ACCEPTABLE
BUY
Reliability
68
80
Years
2005--2012
2016--present
Displacement
3800 cc
2981 cc
Layout
F6
F6
Type
Petrol Na
Petrol Turbo
Power
325--385 hp
370--450 hp
Known Issues
1
4
Total Risk Cost
€3,000--€10,000
€2,300--€6,100

Character

M97

"997 Carrera. IMS issue mostly solved in 2006+ (larger bearing). Bore scoring still possible but less common. More refined than M96. DFI on later 997.2 (MA1 series) eliminated IMS entirely."

9A2

"Modern 911 heart. No IMS drama (thats 996/997). Reliable, powerful, expensive to service. Porsche at its best."

Issues Comparison

M97 1

● MODERATE
Bore scoring (reduced but possible) €3,000--€10,000 80,000 km--200,000 km

9A2 4

● MODERATE
Coolant pipe leak (rear) €800--€2,500 60,000 km--130,000 km
○ MINOR
Spark plug replacement (access) €400--€800 40,000 km--60,000 km
○ MINOR
Sport exhaust valve actuator €300--€800 60,000 km--120,000 km
○ MINOR
Rear main seal weep €800--€2,000 80,000 km--160,000 km

Models

M97 11

911 997 2004--2008 911 997 2004--2008 Cayman 987 2005--2009 Boxster 987 2004--2009 Boxster 987 2004--2009 Cayman 987 2005--2009 911 997 2006--2009 911 997 2010--2012 911 997 2010--2012 911 997 2006--2009 911 997 2006--2009

9A2 8

Panamera 971 2017--2024 Panamera 971 2017--2024 911 Carrera 991.2 2016--2019 Coupe 911 Carrera 992 2019--present Coupe 911 Carrera Cabriolet 992 2019--present Convertible 911 Carrera S 991.2 2016--2019 Coupe 911 Carrera S 992 2019--present Coupe 911 Targa 4 992 2020--present Coupe
Full M97 Report Full 9A2 Report