Eleven After Nine | A Porsche Culture Podcast

The Real Reason Porsche IMS Bearings Fail—And How to Stop It

Is the Porsche 996 or early 997 a radioactive ticking time bomb, or is the internet completely blowing the IMS bearing issue out of proportion?Today, we're cutting through the forum noise and going straight to the horse's mouth. I sit down with my friend Charles Navarro, the founder of LN Engineering—the company synonymous with fixing the infamous water-cooled Porsche intermediate shaft issues since the early 2000s.We break down the actual engineering decisions behind the M96 and M97 engines, the brutal financial reality that nearly bankrupted Porsche in the '90s, and the real mathematical difference between a 1% and an 8% failure rate. Charles shares actionable advice for buyers and owners, explaining why garage queens are at the highest risk, how to properly update a non-serviceable bearing, and why he’d personally rather own an early water-cooled car over anything built post-2017.If you've been too paralyzed by analysis paralysis to buy your dream 911, Boxster, or Cayman, this episode is exactly what you need to hear.Stop waiting for life to begin. Get out and drive.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━► CONNECT WITH CHARLES & LN ENGINEERINGLN Engineering Website: https://lnengineering.com/IMS Solution Info: https://imssolution.com/Follow LN Engineering on Instagram: @lnengineering━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━► SUBSCRIBE & CONNECT WITH ELEVENAFTERNINESubscribe to the Podcast Channel: @ElevenAfterNinePodcastFollow on Instagram: @theelevenafternineOfficial Website, Consulting, & Gear: www.elevenafternine.comListen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify: Eleven After Nine | A Porsche Culture Podcast━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━► CHAPTERS0:00 – Meet Charles Navarro of LN Engineering02:21 – How a Russian Repair Shop Trained the Guru04:43 – The Birth of the M96 Fixes07:37 – Are These Engines Actually Junk?10:33 – Why Porsche Switched to Water-Cooled (Emissions vs. Cash)12:18 – The Accountants' Fingerprints: Designing the IMS14:51 – Porsche Kindergarten: What an Intermediate Shaft Actually Does17:05 – The 1% vs 8% Failure Rate: The Dual-Row to Single-Row Shift22:21 – The Redesigned "Non-Replaceable" Bearing (06-08 Cars)26:31 – Wives' Tales: Do High-Mile Cars Dodge the Bullet?28:55 – Why Sitting is the Absolute Enemy of a Porsche31:13 – The LN Ceramic Hybrid Solution Explained34:47 – The Ultimate "One-and-Done" Pressure-Fed Fix40:14 – What to Do If You Have a 997.1 Engine43:19 – The Rear Main Seal (RMS) Myth & Factory Errors48:29 – Can You Actually Hear An IMS Failing?49:36 – The Real Costs: Parts, Labor, and the "While You're In There" List54:26 – Oil Analysis: Blackstone vs. Speed Diagnostics56:22 – Don't Run Away: Why the M96/M97 is Still Worth It59:44 – The Nightmare of Modern Porsche Upkeep (Post-2017)#Porsche #Porsche911 #Porsche996 #Porsche997 #IMSbearing #LNengineering #ElevenAfterNine #PorscheMaintenance #CarBuyingAdvice Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 07, 2026 62 min 109 annotations

Why You Can’t Pull the Trigger on a Used Porsche

Buying a Porsche is the ultimate enthusiast dream, but let’s be honest: when it comes down to actually signing the paperwork on a 10, 15, or 20-year-old German sports car, absolute panic sets in.In this episode, we address a brilliant question from viewer Twingo Ease that hits right at the heart of the enthusiast struggle: How do you justify spending $50k to $80k on an older Porsche when that exact same money can buy you a brand-new, highly reliable sports car with a factory warranty?Before you run down to the dealership to buy a new BMW M2 or Toyota Supra, we need to talk about the brutal financial reality of absolute dollars, depreciation curves, and what happens after a car drops off the depreciation cliff. We’re breaking down the data, looking at the hard numbers, and giving you the honest truth about what you're actually paying for.Stop waiting for life to begin. Get out and drive.TIMESTAMPSCHAPTERS 0:00 The question I could not stop thinking about 1:30 By the way, I have two YouTube channels 3:00 Why this is a completely rational question to ask 5:00 The honest part, the M2 and Supra hold their value 7:00 Where BMW really bleeds, the M3 and the M5 9:00 Why absolute dollars still favor a used Porsche 11:00 Free miles and why I stopped fearing the odometer 13:00 But Derek, a new car comes with a warranty 14:30 CPO, the best of both worlds 16:00 Reliability is really a maintenance history question 18:00 The part a spreadsheet cannot measure 20:00 Bertie, my 1972 911, and why she is still my favorite 22:00 The manual problem nobody wants to talk about 23:30 I drove my brother's 2026 M3 26:00 Just get off the bench and drive- CONNECT WITH ELEVENAFTERNINEMain YouTube Channel: ElevenAfterNine Main ChannelPodcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevenAfterNinePodcastInstagram: @theelevenafternineOfficial Website & Consulting: www.elevenafternine.com- JOIN THE CONVERSATIONAre you sitting on the fence trying to decide between a brand-new driver's car and an older Porsche? Do you agree with the data on the absolute dollar depreciation, or does the safety net of a warranty still win you over? Drop a comment below—I read and try to respond to every single one!#Porsche #Porsche911 #BMW #ToyotaSupra #CarBuyingAdvice #ElevenAfterNine #GetOutAndDrive Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 30, 2026 23 min 28 annotations

Porsche's $300 Suspension Cheat Code

We are back with Joe Finkel from FCP Euro! In this episode, we tackle a brilliant factory suspension "cheat code" for water-cooled Porsches, bring you boots-on-the-ground stories from Porsche Parade, and discuss the absolute baller move of street-parking a $2M Porsche 959 in a rainstorm.But first... Derek has to confess his sins. After preaching the gospel of DIY wrenching, a nightmare of rusted exhaust manifold hardware and a crazy schedule forced him to do the unthinkable: he outsourced his Fister exhaust install and DT40 oil change.Once the guilt is cleared, Joe breaks down how Porsche silently updated older lower control arm blueprints to mirror modern 718 geometry—and how you can score this massive handling upgrade on a budget. We also debate the "500-HP cap" for usable street performance and name the #1 diagnostic tool every owner needs in their garage.🛠️ WEBSITES & RESOURCES MENTIONED:Lemon Manuals (Free OEM Service Manuals): https://lemon-manuals.la914-6 Infonet (Classic Air-Cooled Workshop Manuals): http://p914-6info.net/Manuals.htmFCP Euro DIY Guides: Check out @FCPEuro on YouTube for step-by-step Porsche maintenance.⏱️ CHAPTERS:00:00 – Catching up with Joe Finkel & FCP Euro Summer Rush01:25 – Confessions of a Porsche Poser: The Fister Exhaust Drama03:15 – The Oil Change Absolution (Driven DT40 Oil)05:05 – Wrenching vs. Time Management: Balancing Life & Projects06:37 – What Makes the Fister 997 Exhaust So Special?09:22 – Triple Zero "Rare Shades" Event: A Masterclass in PTS Colors13:48 – The $300 Suspension Cheat Code: 718 Control Arms on Older Porsches20:13 – Free Workshop Manual Hacks: Lemon Manuals & 914-6 Infonet26:30 – Left Turn: Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR Motorcycle Adventures)29:35 – Inside Porsche Parade at Lake Placid: Summer Camp for Adults32:41 – Baller Status: The Rain-Driven, Street-Parked Porsche 95934:00 – The Great Concours Debate: Art Pieces vs. Dirty Drivers44:30 – First Looks: The New Electric Cayenne & Macan Tech Specs46:39 – The 500-HP Cap: How Much Horsepower is Actually Usable?51:23 – GT3 vs. GT3 RS: Is the Aero Worth the Jump?53:16 – The #1 Specialized Porsche Tool Every Owner Needs in Their Garage1:03:30 – Outro & See You Next Tuesday!🎙️ CONNECT WITH ElevenAfterNine:Podcast: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.YouTube: @ElevenAfterNineInstagram: @theElevenAfterNineContact: www.ElevenAfterNine.com🏁 GUEST & PARTNER LINKS:Joe Finkel & FCP Euro: https://www.fcpeuro.comFister Exhaust Systems: https://fdmotorsports.net/fister-sport-exhaust/ / Darren FisterVintage Sports Restoration: Bedford, NH (Thanks, Chris!)Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR): https://ridebdr.com (Thanks Tim!)Make sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE! Tell us in the comments: Are you a fastidious Concours cleaner, or are your Porsches wonderfully dirty from daily driving? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 23, 2026 64 min 101 annotations

Stop Calling These Restomods | Zack Klapman (The Smoking Tire)

This week I sat down with Zack Klapman, co-host of The Smoking Tire and the man behind the Hilarious car-nerd game show Driver's Test, to map the whole restomod world for anyone who's new to it. We get into what these cars actually are, what they cost, and whether a one and a half million dollar Porsche can possibly be worth the money. From there we wander, the way these talks do, into the Lexus LFA, the Audi R8, hydraulic versus electric steering, why modern engines keep grenading, and the most useful thing Zack said all night: power gets boring, and the base model is usually the smarter buy. If you've heard me preach that on this channel, you'll like where this one goes.Zack has driven the stuff most of us only get to read about, and he talks about it like a normal person, which is the whole point of this show.Also: Check out The Smoking Tire Live Show with the amazing Christian Hand!!!https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-smoking-tire-podcast-christian-james-hand-tickets-1991203255539Chapters 0:00 Meet Zack Klapman 1:13 Why restomods, and who this episode is for 2:19 What a restomod actually is 4:36 Why a Singer or Gunther Werks isn't really a restomod 5:40 Singer's ethos vs Gunther Werks' ethos 7:34 What these cars actually cost 8:14 Is a 1.5 million dollar Porsche worth it 11:00 Driving a Singer, and the Lexus LFA comparison 14:40 The supercar the market never understood 16:46 The LC500, the R8, and great cars that stayed cheap 22:14 Hydraulic vs EPAS, and why "old is always better" is lazy 25:12 Porsche curmudgeon culture 28:08 Why modern engines keep breaking 32:00 The walnut blasting BMW story 35:01 What it's like to drive a million dollar car 37:20 Getting jaded, and Jay Leno's rule 39:49 The perfect horsepower number 42:18 Why the base model is usually the smart buy 45:49 The one Porsche Zack would actually buy 49:36 Is the Porsche market finally softening 51:00 Go watch Driver's TestFind Zack: Driver's Test: https://www.youtube.com/@ZackKlapmansDriversTest The Smoking Tire: youtube.com/thesmokingtire Instagram: instagram.com/therealzackklapmanElevenAfterNine: Main Channel: youtube.com/@ElevenAfterNine Instagram: instagram.com/TheElevenAfterNine Web: www.ElevenAfterNine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 16, 2026 53 min 89 annotations

I Waited 15 Years For My Porsche. Now I'm Scared To Drive It | Listener Q&A

Buying a used Porsche sight unseen, talking a cagey seller into a PPI, or finally landing the 996 you waited 15 years for and being too scared to drive it. This week on ElevenAfterNine it's a full listener Q&A: the nerves, the second-guessing, and the search fatigue that come with buying and owning one of these cars. If you're listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, drop a star rating and a few words in a review. Believe it or not, that goes a long way toward bringing the show to new people. Chapters: 0:00 Why this Q&A 2:30 How fast do you move on a clean Cayman? 8:30 Is buying sight unseen actually crazy? 15:30 The seller won't let you PPI it 22:00 I finally bought my 996 and I'm miserable 28:00 Just drive the car More ElevenAfterNine: Website: www.ElevenAfterNine.com Instagram: @TheElevenAfterNine Main channel: ElevenAfterNine on YouTube #Porsche #996 #PorscheCayman #UsedPorsche #PorscheBuyersGuide #PPI #911 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 09, 2026 34 min 37 annotations

996 Turbo: The Porsche Worth the Risk | with Andy from While You're In There

The 996 Turbo is the most supercar you can buy for sports-car money — and the one a lot of people are still too scared to own. So Derek sat down with Andy from the "While You're In There" Youtube Channel to settle it: is the bargain-Turbo reputation real, or are those coolant pipes a clock you'll regret ignoring?They get into the Mezger engine and why it sidesteps the IMS and bore-scoring drama, what these cars are actually like to drive once they're dialed in, and exactly what to look for before you buy one. Plus a detour into Andy's 987.2 base Boxster — the port-injected 2.9 nobody talks about — and the auction that sold it for nearly double.PLEASE go check out and Subscribe to Andy's youtube Channel━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━► Andy — While You're In There: www.youtube.com/@whileyoureinthere━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━CHAPTERS00:00 Meet Andy (While You're In There)02:03 Why a base Boxster — twice06:54 The 987.2 secret: the port-injected 2.912:48 Selling it: the auction that went 2x18:32 Enter the 996 Turbo (2001, Forest Green)21:06 Buying off the internet: cracked wheels & hidden costs23:28 The coolant pipe problem, explained26:57 Pin vs. weld29:11 What it's actually like to drive35:56 Buying a 996 Turbo: what to look for41:20 Why the 996 is the underrated one46:01 What's next for the Turbo + send-off━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ElevenAfterNine━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Website: https://www.ElevenAfterNine.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/TheElevenAfterNineFacebook: ElevenAfterNinePodcast channel: https://youtube.com/@ElevenAfterNinePodcast#Porsche #996Turbo #911Turbo #Mezger #PorscheBoxster #ElevenAfterNine #WhileYoureInThere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 02, 2026 49 min 54 annotations

Nick Murray Is About To Upset Every GT3 Owner

Nick Murray joins ElevenAfterNine for a conversation about what's actually worth owning in the Porsche lineup right now — and his answer just might ruffle some feathers in the GT3 community.We get into the Lemon Law saga that put Nick on the map, why most first-time buyers over-spec their cars, the options that are a complete waste of money (PDCC, we're looking at you), and why Nick says he'd sell a free GT3 to buy something he'd actually drive. Plus: why the current Carrera T might be the most complete 911 Porsche makes, the truth about the understated horsepower numbers on the turbocharged cars, and a 993 cabriolet love letter that'll make you rethink the "coupes only" crowd.This one's for people who drive their cars.FOLLOW NICK MURRAY YouTube: youtube.com/@NickMurrayInstagram: instagram.com/droppedbaby1 Facebook: facebook.com/kiwinicktubeELEVENAFTERNINE Website: ElevenNine.com Instagram: instagram.com/theelevenafternine Main Channel: youtube.com/@ElevenAfterNine Podcast Channel: youtube.com/@ElevenAfterNinePodcastCHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome Nick (and the Casio calculator watch club) 02:30 The 991.1 that started it all: Nick's Lemon Law story 07:00 Picking up a broken car and the buyback fight 09:30 Why the video blew up — and why he didn't want it to 13:30 Becoming the Erin Brockovich of Porsche 16:30 Over-speccing your first Porsche (and what to skip) 17:30 PDCC: the expensive option nobody needs 20:30 Why dynamic chassis control makes passengers car sick 22:30 Deviated stitching, leather dashes, and other money pits 24:00 Speccing a new Carrera T: what you actually need 27:30 "If Porsche gave me a free GT3, I'd sell it" 30:30 GT3s on track vs. GT3s in real life 31:30 Base vs. S: the case for buying less car 36:30 The Plaid Effect and why the Turbo S gets boring 38:00 The slowest 911 you can buy (it's not what you think) 39:00 Why the base, T, and S are wildly underrated on horsepower 40:00 A $1,500 tune makes more power than a GT3 43:00 PDK vs. manual: the honest answer 46:00 The 4.0L Cayman/Boxster engine nobody talks about honestly 49:00 Nick's 993 cabriolet: the underdog love story 54:00 The time Nick cooked his 993 in his own garage 57:30 Why air-cooled cars refuse to die Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 26, 2026 59 min

Your Porsche Is Dying In The Garage (And You're Helping It)

We think we’re protecting our Porsches by keeping them tucked away, but we might actually be accelerating their demise. In this episode of ElevenAfterNine, I’m joined by Porsche Master Mechanic Joe Finkel from FCP Euro to debunk the myths of "garage queen" ownership.From the "stasis" trap of battery maintainers to the hidden dangers of winter idling, we break down exactly why these cars need to be exercised—and how to do it without causing catastrophic engine damage.In this episode, we cover:The Battery Myth: Why "floating" your battery might be killing the plates.The "B-Word": Does Bore Scoring actually affect the 997.2 and 991 generations?Cold Start Danger: Why idling in your driveway is the worst thing you can do for your cylinder walls.The 194° Rule: The specific temperature you MUST see before driving hard.The "Secret Sauce": Joe’s specific oil and additive cocktail to keep bore scoring at bay.Connect with ElevenAfterNine:Main YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@ElevenAfterNinePodcast YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@ElevenAfterNinePodcastInstagram: @theelevenafternineBusiness & Consulting: ElevenAfterNine.comListen to the Audio Podcast:Apple Podcasts: Click HereSpotify: Click HereParts & Resources Mentioned:FCP Euro: https://www.fcpeuro.com (Home of the Lifetime Replacement Guarantee)Joe’s Oil Recommendation: Driven DT40 or Amsoil 5W-50 + Liqui Moly MOS2Timestamps (Chapter Markers)00:00 – Welcome back to ElevenAfterNine 00:56 – Why Porsches "sit to death" 01:43 – The truth about battery maintainers and amperage 04:12 – The Winter Storage Debate: To start or not to start? 05:34 – How idling "bombs" your catalytic converters 06:15 – Cylinder Washout: How bore scoring starts in the garage 07:15 – The 194° (90°C) "Mash the Throttle" rule 08:29 – Don't "Lug" your engine: Proper hill-climbing technique 09:29 – Bore scoring on 997.2 and 991 engines (The MA01) 11:00 – The "Fingernail Test" vs. The Guitar Pick 14:06 – The 5W-50 "Secret Formula" for high-mileage Porsches 17:42 – Baselining your Porsche: Why trust no one Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 19, 2026 20 min 56 annotations

The 987.1 Porsche Cayman Drives Like a 993 — For 1/5 the Price

In this episode of ElevenAfterNine, Derek sits down with Jeff Lehman, author of "A Porsche Enthusiast's Guide to the 987.1 2.7 Boxster and Cayman" and the guy people actually trust on first-generation base Boxsters and Caymans.Jeff recently drove a 993, his own 987.1 Cayman, and a 997.1 back-to-back — and his takeaway flips conventional wisdom on its head. We get into why the base 2.7 motor is more fun than people give it credit for, why the IMS and bore scoring panic on 2007-2008 cars is overblown, and why the .1 cars might be the last honest value play left in the Porsche lineup.If you've ever talked yourself out of a Boxster or Cayman because it wasn't an S — this one's for you.📖 Grab Jeff's book on Amazon (proceeds go to car-related charities):A Porsche Enthusiast's Guide to the 987.1 2.7 Boxster and CaymanGIVEAWAY: Drop a comment and STAR rating for the podcast and we'll pick one listener to receive a signed copy of Jeff's book, courtesy of Jeff himself.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Hook & Intro: Meet Jeff Lehman, the 987.1 savant02:25 — Why focus on just one generation? The case for the 2.704:36 — Jeff's first Porsche: the 1976 912E06:03 — Porsche history nugget: the original 356 was mid-engine08:04 — Confessions of a reformed "S" guy10:29 — Why base cars sound better (engine, induction, exhaust)13:30 — IMS bearing & bore scoring on 2007-2008 cars: the real data16:36 — The Blackstone Labs 3% figure & forum misinformation18:36 — DIY-friendly? What you can (and shouldn't) tackle yourself24:17 — Why these cars are still actually affordable26:00 — 981 vs 987.1: hydraulic vs electric steering28:30 — The big test: 993 vs 987.1 Cayman vs 997.1 back-to-back32:06 — Power-to-weight: why the Cayman feels closer to the 99335:00 — Do you really need more than 325hp?39:50 — Why the .1 beats the .2: aesthetics, scarcity, and DFI concerns43:01 — The perfect second Porsche45:09 — Buying advice: spec, options, and the rear wiper47:30 — PPI red flags and the importance of receipts50:00 — Importing a Cayman from Canada (and the TPMS gotcha)52:43 — Carrera GT design DNA in the 987.1 headlights53:38 — Mods worth doing (and the Carniwal exhaust trick)57:04 — Final verdict & the signed book giveaway━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🎙️ ABOUT ELEVENAFTERNINEElevenAfterNine is a Porsche podcast for people who actually drive their cars. Website: www.ElevenNine.comYouTube: @ElevenAfterNineInstagram: @TheElevenAfterNineListen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts live.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━#Porsche #987Cayman #987Boxster #PorscheCayman #PorscheBoxster #993Porsche #997Porsche #PorschePodcast #ElevenAfterNine #JeffLehman #PorscheBuyersGuide #AirCooledPorsche #PorscheEnthusiast #IMSBearing #BoreScoring Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 12, 2026 61 min 114 annotations

Moving Up or Modding Out: The $10,000 Porsche Dilemma

This week on ElevenAfterNine, we’re slowing things down to tackle one of the most debated topics in the Porsche community: "Do I upgrade my car or upgrade the Model?"Today, we do the math on the $10,000 Dilemma: Should you save that extra cash to jump a trim level, or should you spend it on the "Touchpoints" and "Soundtracks" that actually create the "Fizz"?Support the Show:If you enjoyed this episode, the best way to support us is to leave a review!Apple Podcasts: Leave a Review HereSpotify: Rate us on SpotifyJoin the ElevenAfterNine Community:Official Website: ElevenAfterNine.comInstagram: @theelevenafternineSubscribe to the Podcast Channel: @ElevenAfterNinePodcastAre you Team Upgrade Car or Model? Let me know in the comments below!#ElevenAfterNine #Porsche #981Boxster #Porsche911 #CarMods #PorscheCulture #DrivingExperience #BaseVsS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 05, 2026 18 min 60 annotations

The Most Reliable Porsche You Aren’t Buying

Is the Porsche community sleeping on the best daily driver ever made? In this episode of ElevenAfterNine, I’m joined by my "brother from another mother," Angelo Scuderi.Angelo isn't just a Porsche enthusiast; he’s the Service Director at Porsche of Nashua and a Goldmeister Master Mechanic. He’s the guy I trust with my own cars, and today, he’s dropping some serious truth bombs that might make you rethink your next purchase.In this episode, we dive into:The "Zero-Failure" Engine: Why Angelo has never had to tear down a 4-cylinder 718 motor in all his years at the dealership.The Daily Driver Myth: Why the 987.2 Cayman might be the best "bang-for-your-buck" Porsche on the planet.930 Turbo vs. The World: I tell Angelo why his dream 1979 Turbo is a "beautiful piece of crap" (and he explains why I’m wrong).Maintenance vs. Oil Changes: The critical distinction every owner needs to understand to save their engine.The Death of the Manual: Why the manual transmission is disappearing and what it means for the secondary market.Whether you're looking for your first Porsche or you're a seasoned Rennlist regular, this conversation is about the real-world usage of these machines—not just the spec sheets.HELP SPREAD THE WORD I’m focused on creating the best content possible for the "regular" Porsche enthusiast, which means I don't have a ton of time for social media marketing! If you enjoyed this conversation, please:Share a link in your local PCA WhatsApp group.Drop a post on the forums (Rennlist, Pelican Parts, etc.).Subscribe and hit the bell so you don't miss next Tuesday’s episode.CONNECT WITH ELEVENAFTERNINEYouTube Main Channel: ElevenAfterNineInstagram: @theElevenAfterNineEmail: [email protected]: ElevenAfterNine.com#Porsche #Cayman #718 #911 #930Turbo #PorscheMaintenance #ElevenAfterNine #CarPodcast #Goldmeister Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 28, 2026 54 min 158 annotations

Never Pay For a Porsche Oil Change Again (The FCP Euro Loophole)

Is the "Lifetime Replacement Guarantee" at FCP Euro actually real, or is it too good to be true? Today, we’re joined by Joe Finkel, former Porsche Master Tech and current Porsche Product Manager at FCP Euro, to pull back the curtain on the ultimate European car ownership hack—including how to never pay for an oil change again—while diving into which specific Porsche models and years are actually the most reliable to own. Whether you’re a DIYer trying to save on the "Porsche Tax" or a 911 purist looking for the best-engineered parts, Joe breaks down the mechanics of the FCP program and shares his expert verdict on the 997.1 vs. 997.2 debate, the hidden issues with modern "plastic" engines, and the exact Panamera and Macan years that deserve a spot in your garage.In this episode, we discuss:The Oil Change Hack: How the Lifetime Replacement Guarantee (LRG) works for consumables.BMW vs. Porsche Engineering: A Master Tech’s honest take on who builds a better machine.The "Plastic" Problem: Why modern engines feel more "disposable."Reliability Guide: Why Joe thinks the 997.1 Carrera S is the sweet spot of the 911 lineage.Panameras & Macans: Identifying the common "Achilles heel" (like those aluminum timing cover bolts) and the specific years you should buy.-LINKS FROM THE EPISODEFCP Euro Official Site: https://www.fcpeuro.comThe Lifetime Replacement Guarantee: https://www.fcpeuro.com/page/lifetime-guaranteeFCP Euro YouTube (DIY Guides): https://www.youtube.com/@fcpeuro-CONNECT WITH ELEVENAFTERNINEOfficial Website: https://www.ElevenAfterNine.com (Send your questions here!)YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevenAfterNineInstagram: @theelevenafternineSupport the Show: Please leave a worded review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help us grow the community!New episodes every Tuesday! ElevenAfterNine is an independent enthusiast podcast and is not affiliated with, authorized, or endorsed by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.#Porsche #911 #FCPEuro #Porsche997 #CarMaintenance #PorscheDIY #ElevenAfterNine #PorscheMacan #BMWvsPorsche #PorscheCulture Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 21, 2026 47 min 117 annotations

Bore Scoring Is A Myth? Blackstone Labs Porsche Data Revealed!

Do you want the actual data from the expert that disputes everything you have heard about Bore Scoring? Every forum, Facebook group, and "expert" corner of the internet would have you believe that if you own a water-cooled 911, your engine is a ticking time bomb. I’ve spent countless nights losing sleep over this—so I went straight to the source for the real numbers.In this episode of ElevenAfterNine, I’m joined by Joe Adams of Blackstone Labs. Joe isn’t guessing; he’s looking at a database of thousands of Porsche engine samples. We break down the actual failure rates for the 996, 997, and 991 generations, and the results are not what you’ve been told.Connect with ElevenAfterNine:• Official Website: ElevenAfterNine.com (Leave a topic suggestion or question!)• Instagram: @theelevenafternine• Podcast: Search "ElevenAfterNine" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.Connect with Blackstone Labs:• Website: Blackstone-labs.com• Podcast: Check out Joe on the Slick Talk podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 14, 2026 51 min 31 annotations

Best $40k Porsche and is Porsche the Next Ferrari?

Is the "Everyman’s Supercar" disappearing? This week on The ElevenAfterNine Podcast, Derek dives into Porsche’s recent financial shift toward a "Value over Volume" strategy. With operating profits seeing a massive shift and a new focus on ultra-exclusive halo cars, we discuss the "Vacuum Effect"—how rising new car prices are sucking up the values of the 997, 991, and 981 generations.Later in the episode, Derek answers a high-stakes listener question: If you have $40,000, should you buy a high-mileage 997.1 911 or a modern 981 Boxster/Cayman? We break down the "Loyal Friend" vs. the "Idiosyncratic Icon," the reality of the maintenance myth, and the one "Don't Settle" rule every first-time buyer needs to hear.Links & Resources:Official Website: ElevenAfterNine.com (Send your questions here!)YouTube: ElevenAfterNine – Watch the new 991.1 vs 991.2 Gearbox Comparison!Instagram: @theelevenafternineSupport the Show: Please leave a worded review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help us grow the community! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 07, 2026 30 min 32 annotations

The Do's and Don’ts of Buying Your First Porsche 997

I just bought a 2005 Porsche 911 with 102,000 miles on it. And I'd do it again tomorrow. In this episode I break down exactly what to look for — and what to run from — when buying a 997.1. IMS bearings, bore scoring, Carfax red flags, and why a set of cheap tires can tell you more about a previous owner than they ever would. Whether you're actively shopping or just dreaming about it — this one's for you. Quick Apple Podcasts note. If you see “Episode Unavailable,” unfollow the show, then refollow. That fixes it #ElevenAfterNine #ElevenAfterNinePodcast #Porsche911 #Porsche997 #CarPodcast Find the video at ElevenAfterNine on YouTube, follow @TheElevenAfterNine on Instagram, and visit ElevenAfterNine.com.

E2 Mar 31, 2026 21 min 31 annotations

A New Chapter | Big Things Are Coming - ElevenAfterNine

The drive continues. After an incredible year of building this community, I’m thrilled to officially welcome you to ElevenAfterNine. This is a new chapter focused on the honest, unfiltered, and educational Porsche content you’ve come to expect—just Derek, some fantastic friends & experts, and the machines we love.We're taking the cars out, leaving the noise behind, and taking this show to levels you haven't seen yet.Join the conversation:Website: ElevenAfterNine.com (Leave a topic suggestion in the comment box!)Instagram: @theelevenafternineYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevenAfterNineElevenAfterNine is an independent enthusiast podcast and is not affiliated with, authorized, or endorsed by Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

E1 Mar 23, 2026 1 min 4 annotations

Why the 997.1 Is Such a Sleeper Buy Right Now ($38K Porsche 911)

Why is the 2005-2008 Porsche 911 (997.1) so much cheaper than the 2009+ models? In a market where 911 prices are skyrocketing, Derek just picked up a high-mile 997.1 Carrera for the cost of a used Boxster.In today’s episode of Rennthusiast Radio, Will and Derek break down why this generation is the ultimate sleeper. We look at the real ownership data, the apparent truth about Bore Score, and why the base 997.1 might be the best analog driving experience for the money.What you will learn:The real-world cost of a 100,000 mile 911.Why the "unreliable" reputation is keeping prices low.How to find a $38k 911 that won't ruin you.Why Derek prefers the 997.1 engine over the newer 997.2 DFI.The specific things to look for in a 997.1 PPI.Subscribe to Rennthusiast Radio on YouTube. Check out Rennthusiast.comSubscribe to ElevenAfterNine on YouTube. Check out ElevenAfterNine.comListen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. New episodes weekly. Leave a comment with your car, your year, and your biggest ownership surprise.Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Rennthusiast Radio 01:58 The 996 vs 997: Watercooled evolution 05:30 Why 997.2 prices are out of control 09:52 Market Report: What a 997.1 costs in 2026 15:30 The 100k Mile PPI: What Derek found 18:00 The 3% Rule: Bore Scoring data from Blackstone Labs 23:21 The $38,000 reveal 28:30 Why the 997.1 is the better analog experienceKeywords: Porsche 997.1 buying guide, $38k Porsche 911, 997.1 vs 997.2 price, Porsche 911 reliability, 997.1 Carrera review, affordable 911, high mileage Porsche 911, bore scoring facts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 10, 2026 34 min 33 annotations

The “Bore Scoring” Scare: Something Doesn’t Add Up, Blackstone Interview

In this episode of Rennthusiast Radio, Will and Derek sit down with Joe Adams, Senior Analyst at Blackstone Laboratories and host of the Slick Talk podcast, to separate Porsche engine fear from real data.We hit the stuff that keeps owners up at night. Bore scoring. Oil brand tribal wars. Additives. Long oil change intervals. Winter storage. Track use. And whether the internet’s “it’s inevitable” talk matches what Blackstone actually sees in thousands of oil reports.Joe breaks down what oil analysis can and cannot tell you, what patterns point to real problems, and why trends matter more than one scary forum post. If you’re shopping 996, 997, 991, or you just want to sleep better with your current car, this one is for you.Listen for:Bore scoring reality and why the numbers surprise peopleWhat actually matters with oil choice, viscosity, and API certificationWhen longer oil change intervals are fine, and when they are riskyWhat storage does to oil, and whether you should change it before winterHow Blackstone processes samples and what $40 testing includesFollow and support:Will’s YouTube: RennthusiastDerek’s YouTube: ElevenAfterNinePodcast: Rennthusiast Radio is on YouTube and all major podcast appsWant to run oil analysis on your Porsche?Order a kit from Blackstone Laboratories, take a clean sample at your next change, and build a baseline so you can track trends over time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 03, 2026 48 min 28 annotations

Why Owning Multiple Porsches is Actually... Practical?

Owning more than one Porsche sounds ridiculous on paper. Then you live it.In this episode of Rennthusiast Radio, Will and Derek talk through why a multi Porsche garage can actually be practical, and how it can make your ownership life easier, cheaper, and more fun when you set it up the right way.We get into:What you learn fast after buying and selling a lot of PorschesHow your taste changes once internet opinions stop matteringWhy the best two car setup is one dependable car plus one special carHow to avoid overlapping experiences, drivetrain, transmission, and purposeHow repeat buying builds a network for off market cars and faster dealsHow experience helps you spot seller red flags and walk away cleanWhen “too many cars” turns into a chore, and what to do about itWill’s early take on 996 GT3 ownership and what it teaches you about limitsIf you’ve ever thought about adding a second Porsche, or you already have multiple cars and feel the squeeze, this one will hit.Listen on your favorite podcast app:Search Rennthusiast Radio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listenWatch more from us:ElevenAfterNine on YouTube, DerekRennthusiast on YouTube, WillFor business, guest requests, or sponsorships:Email us! [email protected]@gmail.comInclude “Rennthusiast Radio” in the subject line Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 24, 2026 41 min 36 annotations

Stop Wasting Your Porsche: The Truth About Garage Queens, Lot Rot, and the 100k-Mile Myth

Porsche Paradox: Is Your Garage Queen Actually Rotting? Think your low-mileage 911 is a "collector's dream"? You might actually be killing it. This week on Rennthusiast Radio, Will and Derek dive deep into the brutal truth about Porsche ownership, from the psychological "mileage buckets" to the high-stakes world of impulse buys and "while-you're-in-there" repair bills.Whether you're daily driving a GT3 or wondering if your air-cooled beauty has "lot rot," we’re answering the most controversial questions from the community.In This Episode:The 40k/100k Rule: At what mileage does a Porsche stop being a collectible and start being a "free" driver?The Italian Tune-Up: Why babying your car under 3,000 RPM is actually doing more harm than good.The "While-You're-In-There" Trap: How a simple $10 gasket turns into a $6,000 engine-out service.The Air-Cooled Holy Trinity: The 3 items you must carry in your glove box to avoid being stranded.Mod Sins: The specific modifications that instantly ruin a car's soul (and its resale value).Bucket Seat Brutality: Are carbon buckets worth the "athletic" exit strategy, or are you better off with "sofa" seats?Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Why we listen to your comments 02:38 – Teaser: Derek’s mysterious new water-cooled arrival 03:45 – The Mileage Barrier: Collectible vs. Driver 08:40 – The hidden dangers of "Low Mileage" older Porsches 11:45 – Is 3 weeks without driving "wasting" the car? 14:20 – What is "Lot Rot"? 21:30 – The "While-You're-In-There" maintenance spiral 31:50 – The Air-Cooled Emergency Kit (The Holy Trinity) 38:50 – Modifications that ruin a Porsche instantly 45:00 – Fixed-back buckets: Are they actually a nightmare?Connect with the Rennthusiasts:Derek Youtube: ElevenAfterNine Will Youtube: Rennthusiast Got a question? Drop it in the comments below for our next Q&A!#Porsche #911 #997 #993 #GT3 #AirCooled #Porsche911 #CarPodcast #RenthusiastRadio #PorscheMaintenance #GT4 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 17, 2026 51 min 33 annotations

Do You Own Your Porsche or Does It Own You?

Rennthusiast Radio is back with a simple question that hits every Porsche owner.Do you own your Porsche, or does it own you?This episode started with Will parking his 997.2 at the airport and posting one quick photo. The response was huge, and it exposed something we all deal with. Fear of door dings, theft, bad luck, and the stress that comes with driving a car you worked hard to earn.We play a fast “would you or wouldn’t you” game with real-life scenarios. Airport garages, street parking overnight, grocery store runs, packed lots, and valet parking with a manual. Then we get into the bigger topic, tool car versus trophy car, and how your choices change based on mileage, rarity, and replacement cost.We also talk original paint, why it matters, when it should not, and how chasing perfect paint can make you drive less. We cover PPF, buying repainted cars the right way, and why surprises in the history can ruin the whole experience.If you’ve ever skipped a drive because you didn’t want to risk the car, this one is for you.Watch and listen hereYouTube, Will: RennthusiastYouTube, Derek: ElevenAfterNinePodcast: Rennthusiast Radio on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 10, 2026 49 min 32 annotations

How To Stay Happy With The Porsche You Own

In this episode of Renthusiast Radio, you and I get real about something a lot of Porsche owners are feeling right now. Prices are up, the hunt is harder, and it’s easy to sit on the couch every night scrolling listings and thinking “what if.”So we talk about how to stay happy with the Porsche you already own, and how to make it feel fresh again without doing something dumb, expensive, or irreversible.We start where most people do not. Baseline. Because a lot of “my car feels old” is really “my car feels tired.” Worn tires, sloppy bushings, tired alignment, old plugs and coils, mushy shifter parts. Fixing that stuff can make the car feel like it did when it left the factory, and that alone can make you fall in love again.Then we get into the fun part. The upgrades that actually change the character of the car, fast. Derek’s rule is simple. If you don’t feel it in the first three minutes from the driver’s seat, skip it.What we cover in this episode: Touch points that change your relationship with the car Steering wheels, what works, what feels wrong, and the safety tradeoffs Shifter feel, short shift kits, weighted knobs, cables, and why this is the first mod Derek would do CarPlay and PCM upgrades, why this can modernize the whole cabin Sound upgrades, how to avoid drone, and why Porsche Sport Exhaust is worth hunting for when you buy Why some mods are only worth it if the car is a forever car How a road trip can reconnect you to the car more than any part you can buy Why having two very different cars can cure boredom, even if both are Porsches Detailing as therapy, and why a truly clean car changes how you feel about it Track days as a reset button, even if you are not a track personIf you’re tired of shopping your own garage and you want to actually enjoy what you already have, this one is for you.Tell us in the comments: What is the one change you made that made your Porsche feel new again? What mod did you regret?Listen to the podcast: Rennthusiast Radio is available on all major podcast apps.Watch more from us: Will’s YouTube channel, Rennthusiast Derek’s YouTube channel, ElevenAfterNine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 03, 2026 44 min 35 annotations

Porsche’s Biggest Wins and Biggest Missteps of 2025

In this episode, Will and I break down Rennlist’s “Porsche’s Biggest Wins of 2025, And the Quiet Missteps.” We go point by point and tell you where we agree, where we push back, and what actually matters if you drive your cars and pay the bills.We cover:The 992.2 transition and the hybrid GTS, smart move or the start of the slideThe manual squeeze, and why Porsche keeps boxing you into certain trimsWhy GT cars still carry the brand, and why buying one feels like a gamePorsche EVs, great design, brutal depreciation, and what that means for real ownersPricing drift, option creep, and why sticker shock finally hit the mainstreamTrim overload, too many variants, and why it matters when you’re shopping usedWeight gain across the lineup, and how Porsche hides it better than anyoneThe hardest truth, Porsche ownership feels less accessible than it used toDerek’s biggest 2025 miss, the Boxster and Cayman ICE pause and the messy EV rolloutRennlist article we discuss:https://rennlist.com/how-tos/slideshows/porsche-s-biggest-wins-of-2025-and-the-quiet-missteps-1002636#introListen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, etc.Watch our channels:Will - Rennthusiast YouTubeDerek - ElevenAfterNine YouTube Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 27, 2026 37 min 36 annotations

The 996 GT3 Wants To Bite You, Here’s Why

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Jan 20, 2026 34 min 16 annotations

Porsche Dealership Secrets Revealed - Interview with Top Porsche Dealer Shannon Harper

Shannon Harper of Harper Porsche, Knoxville, Tennessee runs a Porsche store the way most of us wish every dealer did: No games and no nonsense. We talk pricing, ADMs, and the stuff you ask us about all the time, especially allocations and why some cars feel impossible to get.What we coverWhy some dealers add big markups, and why Shannon refuses to do itWhat really happens when someone flips a new GT carHow allocation works, and why GT cars stay tightHow Porsche rewards dealers, and what the “hoops” actually look likeWhat a Gen 5 Porsche dealership is, and why it feels like a Porsche clubhouseShannon’s personal collection, and why he is obsessed with green carsThe most reliable Porsche pick for a normal owner who just wants a car that worksPLATICA, how it started, and how it turned into a serious eventPorsche PLATICA infoKnoxville, TennesseeSunday, May 3, 2026Follow @porsche_platica on Instagram for ticket announcements and updatesWebsite: porsche-platica dot comRennthusiast RadioListen and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and SpotifyWatch WillRennthusiast on YouTubeWatch DerekElevenAfterNine on YouTubeIf you have a dealer experience that made you swear off a store forever, tell us in the comments! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 13, 2026 41 min 38 annotations