[thstone]

I have a Boxster and a 996.

My understanding is that the M96 engine issues with cylinder walls were early failures and pretty much sorted out by 1999. Even less concern if the car is still running well today.

Of course, the 3.4 M96 engine has all of the same concerns as the 2.5/2.7 Boxster engines in terms of intermediate shaft bearing, timing chains tensioners, etc. The Turbo engine doesn't share these same concerns.

My 99 996 has 132,000 miles (original IMS bearing). It runs great and I use it as a daily driver. Of course, your mileage may vary.

The Turbo is, as you note, a completely different engine that changes the dynamics of the 996. The 01 Turbo 3.6 isn't just an enlarged version of the 996 3.4, its a version of the GT-3 racing-based engine and is considered to be the "real deal". To some, that alone is worth the price of entry into Porsche Turboland.

Most people would love to have your problem (986 + 996 3.4 OR 996 Turbo)!