Buying a 981, red flags?

[ATM]

I bought some wheels for my BMW. The seller had only used them on his e36 M3 for 3 trackday sessions. They came with the used r888 tyres. I think they were a medium compound but cant be sure. So I bolted them on just to try it. The grip was insane. Made me laugh out loud. You could just turn the wheel and the car would turn at much higher speeds than you were used to. I was addicted. I even went out for some fun drives. It wasn't just the grip but the feedback too. Reasonable steering feel in a BMW estate. But then it rained and everything changed. The car was useless. So I get it. If you have never experienced grippy tyres like this on a simple road car then I'd say dont do it because you will be spoiled, forever.

[paulguitar]

ATM said:

I bought some wheels for my BMW. The seller had only used them on his e36 M3 for 3 trackday sessions. They came with the used r888 tyres. I think they were a medium compound but cant be sure. So I bolted them on just to try it. The grip was insane. Made me laugh out loud. You could just turn the wheel and the car would turn at much higher speeds than you were used to. I was addicted. I even went out for some fun drives. It wasn't just the grip but the feedback too. Reasonable steering feel in a BMW estate. But then it rained and everything changed. The car was useless. So I get it. If you have never experienced grippy tyres like this on a simple road car then I'd say dont do it because you will be spoiled, forever.

The biggest shock is the first time trying slicks. Obviously, this can only be on a circuit, but wow!

And then, for full-on hilarity, slicks in the wet...

[testdrive]

A bit late but 2 pages later I'm not sure anyone actually answered your original question.

I wouldn't assume it's an over zealous OPC, tyres and discs perhaps but the exhaust leak is incredibly common and they will or have all suffered from it. As long as you take it anywhere but an OPC it's a low cost repair. Remove old studs and replace.

The oil leak is rare but on that basis I'd tell you it's not worth the risk or hassle. The colour combo is a personal choice, rare but ultimately undesirable for the vast majority of buyers.

I don't think an inspection or OPC warranty are essential on these cars they are generally one of the more reliable within the brand in recent years. As was said the drains need to be cleaned out on day 1.

Edited by testdrive on Thursday 21st March 21:59

[paulguitar]

testdrive said:

A bit late but 2 pages later I'm not sure anyone actually answered your original question.

I wouldn't assume it's an over zealous OPC, tyres and discs perhaps but the exhaust leak is incredibly common and they will or have all suffered from it. As long as you take it anywhere but an OPC it's a low cost repair. Remove old studs and replace.

The oil leak is rare but on that basis I'd tell you it's not worth the risk or hassle. The colour combo is a personal choice, rare but ultimately undesirable for the vast majority of buyers.

I don't think an inspection or OPC warranty are essential on these cars they are generally one of the more reliable within the brand in recent years. As was said the drains need to be cleaned out on day 1.

Edited by testdrive on Thursday 21st March 21:59

Thanks for the reply.

I've been told a minor oil leak from there is an easy fix, do you think that's not the case?

[MitchT]

Armitage.Shanks said:

Except you'd have to fix most of the stuff first before you can get the warranty.

I guess I'd have to persuade the owner to take it to a Porsche dealership for the assessment, which I'd have to pay for. Then, if it was elegibile for a warranty without any (or too much) cost to get it to that place, I could go ahead and buy it, otherwise walk away.

[testdrive]

paulguitar said:

Thanks for the reply.

I've been told a minor oil leak from there is an easy fix, do you think that's not the case?

Depends what it is and who is paying ! Tough question for a guy on the internet to answer with certainty.

[paulguitar]

testdrive said:

paulguitar said:

Thanks for the reply.

I've been told a minor oil leak from there is an easy fix, do you think that's not the case?

Depends what it is and who is paying ! Tough question for a guy on the internet to answer with certainty.

I've called a couple of Porsche indys to ask about this and neither thought it was a cause for particular concern. So I won't let it put me off the car.


I'd like to use it as a negotiating tool, but the seller is seemingly not for budging from his asking price.

[andygo]

paulguitar said:

The biggest shock is the first time trying slicks. Obviously, this can only be on a circuit, but wow!

And then, for full-on hilarity, slicks in the wet...

I did a tarmac rally at Oulton park years ago.

Snow, on slicks, Mk2 Escort. Not recommended.

Start from pitlane, going anti clockwise, you approach Lodge corner and it's blind. You know there is zero run off.

I gave up after SS1 and went home.

[paulguitar]

981Boxess said:

paulguitar said:

I'd like to use it as a negotiating tool, but the seller is seemingly not for budging from his asking price.

Lovely looking car, really, and I see the £25k price being debated, but what is it (year/engine/miles/owners) if it is posted above I can't see it.

It's a 2012 'S'. Three owners, 62,000 miles. Full history which comprises five services, all at OPC. The last one was carried out in September 2022.

Options include:

PSE
Bose
Parking sensors front and rear
Extended leather package.
Heated seats and steering wheel
Dynamic lights
Satnav

[elan362]

If the owner isn’t going to negotiate on price (which they are perfectly within their rights to do) You need to weigh up whether the car is good enough (overall) as is compared other cars on the market and whether you want to buy it or move on.

What are other similar cars on auto trader advertised for?
A Quick Look today shows 11 blue 2.7l 981 with prices ranging from £21k to £32k, with mileages from 18,000, to 100,000

So you need to make your call based on that - if you pass on it, how much would it cost to get a similar car elsewhere?

If it is already priced fairly, then if you make an insulting offer, the seller may decide not to sell it to you no matter what.

I don’t know what age the car is, but it could be 10-12 years old - and people have to accept that and that they are not buying a new car and there be I’ll be some age related issues and consumable items

[paulguitar]

elan362 said:

If the owner isn’t going to negotiate on price (which they are perfectly within their rights to do) You need to weigh up whether the car is good enough (overall) as is compared other cars on the market and whether you want to buy it or move on.

What are other similar cars on auto trader advertised for?
A Quick Look today shows 11 blue 2.7l 981 with prices ranging from £21k to £32k, with mileages from 18,000, to 100,000

So you need to make your call based on that - if you pass on it, how much would it cost to get a similar car elsewhere?

If it is already priced fairly, then if you make an insulting offer, the seller may decide not to sell it to you no matter what.

I don’t know what age the car is, but it could be 10-12 years old - and people have to accept that and that they are not buying a new car and there be I’ll be some age related issues and consumable items

Agreed.

It's a case for me of weighing it up against a couple of others I am looking at. There is a 2014 2.7 that is not quite as special in terms of trim/spec, but the mileage is lower (sub 50,000) and the seller is willing to negotiate. I reckon that could be had for £20k. It needs a major service and the tyres are from 2016, so need to factor that in.


There is also a competitively priced 'S' at Portiacraft:

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16175342

[Ed.Neumann]

1. Porticraft are nice guys, they will help if any issues.
2. It is an S.
3. See points 1 and 2.



I love light interiors, Porsche is the exception, far too much beige in that other one, I don't want a beige dash, steering wheel, carpets. blah, blah, blah.

[Ed.Neumann]

Also, it has PASM and sound package plus.

That would be all I need to be honest.

[paulguitar]

Ed.Neumann said:

Also, it has PASM and sound package plus.

That would be all I need to be honest.

The Portiacraft one?

I see mixed reviews for them, but I am surprised that that car has not sold yet.

Have you dealt with them, Ed?

[NRG1976]

paulguitar said:

Ed.Neumann said:

Also, it has PASM and sound package plus.

That would be all I need to be honest.

The Portiacraft one?

I see mixed reviews for them, but I am surprised that that car has not sold yet.

Have you dealt with them, Ed?

They always strike me as the Lidl version of the Porsche independents, but that is not to say it’s a bad place to buy from.

[Ed.Neumann]

paulguitar said:

The Portiacraft one?

I see mixed reviews for them, but I am surprised that that car has not sold yet.

Have you dealt with them, Ed?

No, but I know people who have, All have been happy with the service and more importantly, after sales support.

I think they are just more realistically priced than some of the other indys, who often charge the same, if not more, than OPCs.

[paulguitar]

Ed.Neumann said:

paulguitar said:

The Portiacraft one?

I see mixed reviews for them, but I am surprised that that car has not sold yet.

Have you dealt with them, Ed?

No, but I know people who have, All have been happy with the service and more importantly, after sales support.

I think they are just more realistically priced than some of the other indys, who often charge the same, if not more, than OPCs.

Good to know, thanks.

[981Boxess]

paulguitar said:

It's a 2012 'S'. Three owners, 62,000 miles. Full history which comprises five services, all at OPC. The last one was carried out in September 2022.

Options include:

PSE
Bose
Parking sensors front and rear
Extended leather package.
Heated seats and steering wheel
Dynamic lights
Satnav

It isn’t a colour combo I would have thought of choosing but in the pictures it looks really nice. I think the wheel is possibly a step too far for me, and I would be tempted to go to black to tone it down a little, but if it works for you that is what it is all about.

Has it got phone integration? Cruise is an easy retro fit if you want it. The recent OPC service may open up the factory warranty option, relatively cheap peace of mind.

I would rather have an ‘S’ if you have the choice, but again if a perfect spec/history non ‘S’ turned up I would not dismiss it. The mileage wouldn’t put me off on a car with the right servicing history.

[981Boxess]

Ed.Neumann said:

Also, it has PASM and sound package plus.

That would be all I need to be honest.

No PSE on the Portiacraft car as far as I can make out, that might be why it hasn’t already sold at a fair price, it is quite a desirable option and not cheap to retro fit.

Even if you are not sold on wanting PSE a lot of people are and come resale time it would be worth having.

[paulguitar]

981Boxess said:

paulguitar said:

It's a 2012 'S'. Three owners, 62,000 miles. Full history which comprises five services, all at OPC. The last one was carried out in September 2022.

Options include:

PSE
Bose
Parking sensors front and rear
Extended leather package.
Heated seats and steering wheel
Dynamic lights
Satnav

It isn’t a colour combo I would have thought of choosing but in the pictures it looks really nice. I think the wheel is possibly a step too far for me, and I would be tempted to go to black to tone it down a little, but if it works for you that is what it is all about.

Has it got phone integration? Cruise is an easy retro fit if you want it. The recent OPC service may open up the factory warranty option, relatively cheap peace of mind.

I would rather have an ‘S’ if you have the choice, but again if a perfect spec/history non ‘S’ turned up I would not dismiss it. The mileage wouldn’t put me off on a car with the right servicing history.

I love the colour combo, I'd probably have specced a black dash and 'wheel but otherwise, that's my dream combination. It looks stunning in the flesh. Yes, it has 'phone integration, and if I get that one I will indeed have cruise control retrofitted.

I'm also looking at a 2.7 in a similar colour but with a standard interior (alcantara) and not many options, I think the seller of that one is far more open to negotiation on price.