Poverty Pork - '00 986
Discussion
I used to commute (on foot) 1.5 miles each way for six months in Wycombe and I'm 5'3" 
Agreed re: PCP.
Unfortunately, still haven't managed to get it back on the ramps. It's looking like it'll be next week. I did just come back from filling up the tank and noticed my OSF rear side light bulb is out. Great. Not nearly as frustrating as the time I got the rear tyres changed and didn't think too much about the naff alloy valve caps that a previous owner had installed. A couple of weeks later, I went to fill with air and they were seized on solid...
Agreed re: PCP. Unfortunately, still haven't managed to get it back on the ramps. It's looking like it'll be next week. I did just come back from filling up the tank and noticed my OSF rear side light bulb is out. Great. Not nearly as frustrating as the time I got the rear tyres changed and didn't think too much about the naff alloy valve caps that a previous owner had installed. A couple of weeks later, I went to fill with air and they were seized on solid...
Edited by Rosewood Red on Friday 27th January 20:00
In an attempt to keep the thread alive...
My Polo ended up with a cracked windscreen yesterday. It's booked to be replaced tomorrow. Decided to take the Box to work today.
I ended up taking a detour on the way back. The outcome of which was this:
DSC_0942[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
Two trains and a taxi later, I end up home three hours after I left work. Normal journey time: 55 minutes.
To be continued...
My Polo ended up with a cracked windscreen yesterday. It's booked to be replaced tomorrow. Decided to take the Box to work today.
I ended up taking a detour on the way back. The outcome of which was this:
DSC_0942[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrTwo trains and a taxi later, I end up home three hours after I left work. Normal journey time: 55 minutes.
To be continued...
...so Cath phoned me on Wednesday to tell me the car was ready. I called her yesterday to tell her I'd probably be at Adlington station for 9am, but I'd update her once I was on the train. A few attempts at calling her as I was approaching the station were futile. Just kept ringing and no answerphone.
I got out of the station and walked up the cobbled path to see a familiar zenith blue 986 idling. Nathan, who works with Cath said she wasn't in yet, but told him I'd be there. We drove back to base.
DSC_0005[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
£700 odd lighter, I drove to my place of work in Southport and parked out of the way in the overflow car park. Haven't had the chance to really put it through its paces, but it definitely feels tighter and I did manage to induce a tiny bit of controllable oversteer being particularly enthusiatic on country lanes Wouldn't have had the balls to do that in the state it handled previously.
DSC_0006[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
During my last update, I 'forgot' to leave out the bit where my local independent pissed me off. Couldn't get the rear eccentric bolts loose and then couldn't pick me up or drop the car off, and suggest I get a taxi. I suspect he was being lazy / couldn't be bothered. Rather annoying as I have used him for the best part of five years. He'd also fitted the RARB bushes without checking if the play had gone.
I was left feeling utterly dejected and fed up at this point. An email to Cath followed by a call last Wednesday led her to suggest I bring the car to her. As I had takeen it to work, an impromptu decision was made to bunk off early and drop the car off. She did manage to get the bolts loose using penetrating fluid and elbow grease, but we agreed to replace the rear coffin arms and tie bars. In addition, a few other niggly bits were addressed, including the OSF radiator fan resistor and the xenon self-levelling mechanism.
Not particularly happy about the alignment report which I didn't have the chance to study in great detail until leaving as it cost £110 + VAT and they (outsourced) could have at least dialled in some additional negative camber on the NSF, even if both sides are within spec. I will mention this next time (probably March) and hope they can address this FOC.
DSC_0008[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
The OSF caster is out - this isn't adjustable. Cath suggested the shock absorber mounting may be slightly bent after taking a knock at some point. A common weakness apparently. Although, she said not to worry about it as it was out by a minor amount. The long term plan was to do shocks and springs all round as at 17+ years and 115k miles, they could probably do with a refresh. The fact that I have now done all front arms, front springs and rear arms bar the diagonal links means this will leave me with factory fresh suspension. That'll be later down the line.
I'm hoping to go abroad for a couple of weeks next month, during which time, the car will be left with Cath for a new clutch, flywheel and other bits.
It's getting there
I got out of the station and walked up the cobbled path to see a familiar zenith blue 986 idling. Nathan, who works with Cath said she wasn't in yet, but told him I'd be there. We drove back to base.
DSC_0005[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr£700 odd lighter, I drove to my place of work in Southport and parked out of the way in the overflow car park. Haven't had the chance to really put it through its paces, but it definitely feels tighter and I did manage to induce a tiny bit of controllable oversteer being particularly enthusiatic on country lanes
Wouldn't have had the balls to do that in the state it handled previously. DSC_0006[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrDuring my last update, I 'forgot' to leave out the bit where my local independent pissed me off. Couldn't get the rear eccentric bolts loose and then couldn't pick me up or drop the car off, and suggest I get a taxi. I suspect he was being lazy / couldn't be bothered. Rather annoying as I have used him for the best part of five years. He'd also fitted the RARB bushes without checking if the play had gone.
I was left feeling utterly dejected and fed up at this point. An email to Cath followed by a call last Wednesday led her to suggest I bring the car to her. As I had takeen it to work, an impromptu decision was made to bunk off early and drop the car off. She did manage to get the bolts loose using penetrating fluid and elbow grease, but we agreed to replace the rear coffin arms and tie bars. In addition, a few other niggly bits were addressed, including the OSF radiator fan resistor and the xenon self-levelling mechanism.
Not particularly happy about the alignment report which I didn't have the chance to study in great detail until leaving as it cost £110 + VAT and they (outsourced) could have at least dialled in some additional negative camber on the NSF, even if both sides are within spec. I will mention this next time (probably March) and hope they can address this FOC.
DSC_0008[1] by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrThe OSF caster is out - this isn't adjustable. Cath suggested the shock absorber mounting may be slightly bent after taking a knock at some point. A common weakness apparently. Although, she said not to worry about it as it was out by a minor amount. The long term plan was to do shocks and springs all round as at 17+ years and 115k miles, they could probably do with a refresh. The fact that I have now done all front arms, front springs and rear arms bar the diagonal links means this will leave me with factory fresh suspension. That'll be later down the line.
I'm hoping to go abroad for a couple of weeks next month, during which time, the car will be left with Cath for a new clutch, flywheel and other bits.
It's getting there
I think it's a Porsche specific thing, an amazing ability to chew through money in the first few months of ownership. I think mine ended up costing almost £4K in the first few months of ownership; I remember thinking at the time "what the hell have I gotten into here".
Since then the spending has calmed down a bit thankfully, but itheyre still not cheap cars to own. I think this year will be the time of a suspension upgrade/refresh too - I'm anticipating £2k of running cost this year!
I still think it's worth it though, and once you've gone through the initial pain you'll have the car you want, safe in the knowledge that it's been maintained to a high standard,
Since then the spending has calmed down a bit thankfully, but itheyre still not cheap cars to own. I think this year will be the time of a suspension upgrade/refresh too - I'm anticipating £2k of running cost this year!
I still think it's worth it though, and once you've gone through the initial pain you'll have the car you want, safe in the knowledge that it's been maintained to a high standard,
Mr Scruff: Had a quick look at your profile - I presume you're talking about your 996 C4? '99 too, so probably has the more robust dual row IMSB Do you have a progress thread? Would like to graduate to a 911 at some point, although I'm not sure which variant...
I've spent nearly £2.4k in 20 weeks and just over 2k miles. All of which was unplanned, save for maybe £500 on tyres, brake pads and other bits. My next bill for the clutch (maybe DMF) and other bits could be around £1500, which I thought was the only work the car needed. When you dig, you find dirt and all that. So, it's quite likely I'll have spent more than the purchase price on repairs!
Krikkit: I did mention my displeasure about this in the paragraph just above the alignment printout. I do have a tendency to ramble on a bit, so this may have well been lost
It would appear that the geometry place only adjusted settings that were in the red. Whilst I appreciate the front camber on both sides is within spec, minor +ve on one side and -ve on the other is just damn shoddy work IMO. I'll mention this to Cath next month, especially considering how much the alignment cost. The hope is that she'll be able to get the geometry place to tweak the settings FOC.
Do you have a progress thread? Would like to graduate to a 911 at some point, although I'm not sure which variant...I've spent nearly £2.4k in 20 weeks and just over 2k miles. All of which was unplanned, save for maybe £500 on tyres, brake pads and other bits. My next bill for the clutch (maybe DMF) and other bits could be around £1500, which I thought was the only work the car needed. When you dig, you find dirt and all that. So, it's quite likely I'll have spent more than the purchase price on repairs!
Krikkit: I did mention my displeasure about this in the paragraph just above the alignment printout. I do have a tendency to ramble on a bit, so this may have well been lost
It would appear that the geometry place only adjusted settings that were in the red. Whilst I appreciate the front camber on both sides is within spec, minor +ve on one side and -ve on the other is just damn shoddy work IMO. I'll mention this to Cath next month, especially considering how much the alignment cost. The hope is that she'll be able to get the geometry place to tweak the settings FOC.
Seeing as the alignment (interesting front camber aside) is within spec, as opposed to maybe once every two weeks at a push, I have been using it once a week or so for my 70 mile round commute. Last Friday was when I picked it up from Cath. So I thought I'd take it to work the Friday just gone, seeing as storm Doris had passed and it was actually looking sunny for once.
So Thursday night, I decided to check my tyre pressures. Started up, drove two miles to my garage (yes, I will be buying my own pump at some point), turned off for two minutes whilst filling with air. Went to restart, and it kinda went like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8guShb27zTM&fe...
Never a dull moment with Suzi...
After the first cranking attempt, it died completely. Alarm blaring and everything. Silenced the alarm and it'd barely turn over and was doing the 'angry relay click'. Just my luck. How it'd managed to start and then die a couple of miles down the road was beyond me.
DSC_0011 by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
RAC man confirmed a dying battery - was actually somewhat relieved as I thought it may be the alternator. Rather annoyingly, the Varta that was in there wasn't that old. But, it always sounded rather weak cranking over. I politely declined the circa £150 quoted for a new battery.
Rang my contact at ECP who did me a good deal on a Bosch S4. Slightly lower spec than the existing Varta (both Bosch and Varta are the same with different stickers), but he did chuck in a no-quibble lifetime warranty. £95 and some pennies. Could have got it cheaper from Tanya, who I've used in the past. The existing Varta had actually been supplied by them. But good luck trying to claim under warranty with batteries. I've been using my local ECP for a while, know the staff and have never had issues returning faulty stuff before. It sometimes pays doing things face to face.
It wasn't raining for once this morning, so out with the old (carrier bags over the cable terminals):
2017-02-26_02-26-18 by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
In with the new:
2017-02-26_02-26-46 by ash_ashy_mo, on Flickr
Hard to say, but does seem to spin up with more authority. Will have to try later in the coming week.
Thanks for reading.
So Thursday night, I decided to check my tyre pressures. Started up, drove two miles to my garage (yes, I will be buying my own pump at some point), turned off for two minutes whilst filling with air. Went to restart, and it kinda went like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8guShb27zTM&fe...
Never a dull moment with Suzi...
After the first cranking attempt, it died completely. Alarm blaring and everything. Silenced the alarm and it'd barely turn over and was doing the 'angry relay click'. Just my luck. How it'd managed to start and then die a couple of miles down the road was beyond me.
DSC_0011 by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrRAC man confirmed a dying battery - was actually somewhat relieved as I thought it may be the alternator. Rather annoyingly, the Varta that was in there wasn't that old. But, it always sounded rather weak cranking over. I politely declined the circa £150 quoted for a new battery.
Rang my contact at ECP who did me a good deal on a Bosch S4. Slightly lower spec than the existing Varta (both Bosch and Varta are the same with different stickers), but he did chuck in a no-quibble lifetime warranty. £95 and some pennies. Could have got it cheaper from Tanya, who I've used in the past. The existing Varta had actually been supplied by them. But good luck trying to claim under warranty with batteries. I've been using my local ECP for a while, know the staff and have never had issues returning faulty stuff before. It sometimes pays doing things face to face.
It wasn't raining for once this morning, so out with the old (carrier bags over the cable terminals):
2017-02-26_02-26-18 by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrIn with the new:
2017-02-26_02-26-46 by ash_ashy_mo, on FlickrHard to say, but does seem to spin up with more authority. Will have to try later in the coming week.
Thanks for reading.
Warranty returns are definitely a downside with online order batteries. I just popped into my local Halfords today to replace a dead 3.5 year old battery, and it took less than hour from removing the old one to picking up the new one.
Hopefully with more regular use the Bosch should last you well
Hopefully with more regular use the Bosch should last you well
What battery did you have Codswallop?
I don't seem to have much luck with batteries. The original OE (but Varta branded) battery lasted well over eight years on my Polo. Died once over winter, but the RAC guy said it had just run low and didn't need replacing. Cue Mr preventative maintenance deciding to replace it a few months later with a higher spec Varta (equivalent to the Bosch that I just put in the Box'). Didn't even last four years
I don't seem to have much luck with batteries. The original OE (but Varta branded) battery lasted well over eight years on my Polo. Died once over winter, but the RAC guy said it had just run low and didn't need replacing. Cue Mr preventative maintenance deciding to replace it a few months later with a higher spec Varta (equivalent to the Bosch that I just put in the Box'). Didn't even last four years
Rosewood Red said:
What battery did you have Codswallop?
It was a Halfords Advanced battery (though all of their batteries are made by Yuasa). I'm a serial battery killer though; used to commute by public transport and had 3 vehicles, so barely used some of them. All credit to Halfords though for making swaps a problem free experience, and new job means my vehicles are likely to get much more regular use now.Very tempted to consolidate two of my cars into a 986 or 987 as a one car does all, but having just spent £700 on tyres and £1500 on a clutch change and some associated preventative maintenance on my Monaro, I'd like to get some more use out of it first
Just had a nosey at your garage - I wouldn't get rid of the Monaro. Wonder if I'll get the chance to try one - the originals are climbing in price. Also, one of my close friends from skydiving circles works (did? - she's currently doing a PhD in something related to further her career) in a similar field.
I was contemplating a Yuasa. A motor factors down the road from work quoted me about £70 for one with a 4 year warranty. Seem to be commonly found on bikes back in the day (really back in the day...without a licence; too young, and it was India). I do really need to get round to obtaining my bike licence...
I was contemplating a Yuasa. A motor factors down the road from work quoted me about £70 for one with a 4 year warranty. Seem to be commonly found on bikes back in the day (really back in the day...without a licence; too young, and it was India
). I do really need to get round to obtaining my bike licence...Think the Monaro will be staying until I finish my PhD (2 more years), but you know how it can get sometimes with the petrolhead itch to change. The Monaro is awesome and has been supremely fun, rumbly and reliable over the past 4.5 years I've had it, but it's more of a GT and I think it may be time to try a grunty roadster.
I love the drivetrain in the Monaro, and the lightness of the Mr2. A mix of he two would be great, but v8 engined fly weights aren't exactly cheap or common
A Boxster seems like a good compromise therefore - quick enough, interesting engine, decent economy for 10-12k miles a year, and shouldn't cost any more to run than my current two cars.
Got a Yuasa battery in my bike, and it puts up with long periods of sitting very well. Biking is well worth getting into IMO
I love the drivetrain in the Monaro, and the lightness of the Mr2. A mix of he two would be great, but v8 engined fly weights aren't exactly cheap or common
A Boxster seems like a good compromise therefore - quick enough, interesting engine, decent economy for 10-12k miles a year, and shouldn't cost any more to run than my current two cars.Got a Yuasa battery in my bike, and it puts up with long periods of sitting very well. Biking is well worth getting into IMO
Codswallop said:
I love the drivetrain in the Monaro, and the lightness of the Mr2. A mix of he two would be great, but v8 engined fly weights aren't exactly cheap or common A Boxster seems like a good compromise therefore - quick enough, interesting engine, decent economy for 10-12k miles a year, and shouldn't cost any more to run than my current two cars.
SLK55 would fit the bill. Thunderous engine and mini GT abilities. Have one myself, throughly recommended A Boxster seems like a good compromise therefore - quick enough, interesting engine, decent economy for 10-12k miles a year, and shouldn't cost any more to run than my current two cars.rgv250ads said:
SLK55 would fit the bill. Thunderous engine and mini GT abilities. Have one myself, throughly recommended
I do like these, and the sound is sublime. Trouble is, it's only about 140kg less than the Monaro (and half a ton up on the MR2), so worry it won't have the flick-ability I'd want. Also, not sure I want an automatic at this stage of my life, but can definitely see myself coming back to one at some point. Granted, I do need to try one out and it may quash my concerns.Shame they didn't offer the supercharged 5.4l engine (would probably be stepping on the toes of other models up the hierarchy) in those...
I am toying with the idea of adding a C125 CL55K or bi-turbo CL600 to the fleet further down the line. Due to some reason, past 2005 or so, nothing interests me. Everything got a bit too big, blingy and ostentatious for my liking, even though I am talking about a 5.5 m long Benz...
I am toying with the idea of adding a C125 CL55K or bi-turbo CL600 to the fleet further down the line. Due to some reason, past 2005 or so, nothing interests me. Everything got a bit too big, blingy and ostentatious for my liking, even though I am talking about a 5.5 m long Benz...
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