Older 911's - Top end rebuilds & other questions
Discussion
My MX5 is too feeble so time for a change, considered S2000's for a bit, then the thought of an older 911 popped into my head.
So, a couple of questions really:
Been reading older post's about top end rebuilds on the 3.6 964 engine's, would a high mileage 3.2 need it as well?
My budget is around 15k and currently im leaning towards a nice 3.2, am I right in thinking a 3.2 would be cheaper to run than a 964?
There is a 3.2 super sport lurking in Autotrader, are the porsche turbo brakes & suspension worth the extra compared to a 3.2 carrera coupe? (Assuming its guenuine of course)
Any thoughts/opinions greatly appreciated.
So, a couple of questions really:
Been reading older post's about top end rebuilds on the 3.6 964 engine's, would a high mileage 3.2 need it as well?
My budget is around 15k and currently im leaning towards a nice 3.2, am I right in thinking a 3.2 would be cheaper to run than a 964?
There is a 3.2 super sport lurking in Autotrader, are the porsche turbo brakes & suspension worth the extra compared to a 3.2 carrera coupe? (Assuming its guenuine of course)
Any thoughts/opinions greatly appreciated.
A good 3.2 will be cheaper to run than a 964....top end/engine rebuilds can be needed at as little as 70K miles, it depends how the car has been driven and looked after, you can spend £6K+ rebuilding a 964 engine.....best bet maybe to look for a car that has already had the work carried out, just check somebody who knows what they are doing has rebuilt it.....£15K should buy you a lovely 3.2
Dakkon said:
Any thoughts/opinions greatly appreciated.
3.2 'can' & 'should' generally be cheaper to run, but it all depends on the individual car.
You've got to drive 'em both tho. 3.2 vs 964 are quite diferent driving experiences.
Top end build- 3.2 no more immune than 964 for lack of power/compression with mileage, get cyl leakage test done as part of inspection.
3.2 supersport- personally I don't like em at all, why pay more ££ for what are IMHO worse looks, slower top end/accell, tramling, & a loss of that lovely classic 911 tactility.
If you are more a fan of front engine/RWD, given your budget an absolutely mint example of 944S2/994Turbo/968 may appeal more anyway, or indeed a beasty V8 growling 928 GT/GTS manual (as autos are of course the work of the devil)
Dakkon said:
Been reading older post's about top end rebuilds on the 3.6 964 engine's, would a high mileage 3.2 need it as well?
My budget is around 15k and currently im leaning towards a nice 3.2, am I right in thinking a 3.2 would be cheaper to run than a 964?
any older car might require a "top end rebuild" dependent on engine wear, condition of seals etc. In addition the 964 suffered from a specific problem relating to the increase in cylinder bore from the 3.2. Porsche themselves acknowledged this as a specific design flaw and offered a free re-seal at the time (1992-3?) but few took them up on it. So the 964 has an additional vulnerability built in whilst with the 3.2 you take your chances as with any other car
as Ive said on previous posts, there are plenty of 964s around now with this work done so it makes sense to include evidence of a top-end rebuild in your search criteria. I'd be surprised however if you were able to source a really good RHD 964 for 15K with this work done - possibly as a private sale, if youre really really lucky.
the 964 is a little more expensive to service because of increased labour time - e.g the difficulty in accessing the lower bank of spark plugs or the tappets (which have to be manually adjusted). That being said the ongoing running costs shouldnt be too far apart. The 964 and 3.2 carrera are now so old that with both its a case of buying the best condition, best looked after example then hoping for the best (with a few grand tucked away as a slush fund).
if youve not discovered it yet, try Hartech's excellent buyers guide:
www.hartech.org.uk/guide.htm
Thanks for the link to the buyers guide 
It has already been suggested by friends to go down the 944/968 route, however, the sound and the shape of a 911 grab the heart strings more, plus my mum & dad will actually know what it is without me having to explain it to them
Thanks for the replies.
It has already been suggested by friends to go down the 944/968 route, however, the sound and the shape of a 911 grab the heart strings more, plus my mum & dad will actually know what it is without me having to explain it to them
Thanks for the replies.
buy a 968, preferably a cab
prices have dropped a lot lately
a massively reliable and hugely capable car, built as only the Germans know how
looks the absolute dogs danglers
it wont stuff you backwards into a hedge
best of all, virtually no one will know what it is but they will ALL be jealous
not that I'm biased or anything
prices have dropped a lot lately
a massively reliable and hugely capable car, built as only the Germans know how
looks the absolute dogs danglers
it wont stuff you backwards into a hedge
best of all, virtually no one will know what it is but they will ALL be jealous
not that I'm biased or anything
softinthehead said:
buy a 968, preferably a cab
prices have dropped a lot lately
a massively reliable and hugely capable car, built as only the Germans know how
looks the absolute dogs danglers
it wont stuff you backwards into a hedge
best of all, virtually no one will know what it is but they will ALL be jealous
not that I'm biased or anything
Not biased at all
Most of the 968 for sale at present seem to be tiptronic's, which im sure is great, but I would prefer a manual.
I'd lean away from a Supersport too - drove a friends Cabrio version and found it a bit of a pig really - tramling, too much grip at the rear which meant to play around you were going far too fast, and the width of the rear arches was a pain on narrow roads.
Case of too much rubber for the engine I think...
Case of too much rubber for the engine I think...
just sold my 3.2 for a 964, and did plenty of research on both. 3.2's will need a top end rebuild between 80 and 120k miles. make sure you buy a post 87 3.2 with G50 gearbox as the earlier boxes require rebuilds, i sold my '88 3.2 with gen 55k miles for £16k and it was concours.
The 964 is faster, smoother and more complex, serving is more expensive. '89 and '90 models suffered from oil leaks and flywheel problems, can cost 7k for this work. post '91, porsche had sorted these problems. 911 and porsche world mags have buyers guids on both. well worth the read. or call ninemeister in warrington, dead helpful. 09125 242342
buy the porsche you'll never look back !
The 964 is faster, smoother and more complex, serving is more expensive. '89 and '90 models suffered from oil leaks and flywheel problems, can cost 7k for this work. post '91, porsche had sorted these problems. 911 and porsche world mags have buyers guids on both. well worth the read. or call ninemeister in warrington, dead helpful. 09125 242342
buy the porsche you'll never look back !
15k without a G50?
Eeek!
I helped a friend buy a mint '89 G50 from an indie in Coventry last year. FSH, black coupe with linen leather and a whale tail, RHD, and about 80k on the clock. With a years warranty and a fresh MOT and oil service, that car was 15k.
It's a gorgeous car. Only thing that's gone wrong with it in a year is the bl**dy Clifford that must have been fitted in the early 90's.
VS
Eeek!
I helped a friend buy a mint '89 G50 from an indie in Coventry last year. FSH, black coupe with linen leather and a whale tail, RHD, and about 80k on the clock. With a years warranty and a fresh MOT and oil service, that car was 15k.
It's a gorgeous car. Only thing that's gone wrong with it in a year is the bl**dy Clifford that must have been fitted in the early 90's.
VS
Circo - superb summing up - all anyone needs to know in a paragraph 
(and I'm not being facetious either 
)
One thing to add - I've seen plenty of 3.2s with up to 160k miles on the clock that haven't had their engines touched and pulled like a train.
Equally, when I sold my RS, complete with freshly rebuilt engine, the leakdown test indicated a substantial difference between cylinders - complete bollox and foun to be down to the equipment being used at the OPC that carried out that test!
(and I'm not being facetious either ) One thing to add - I've seen plenty of 3.2s with up to 160k miles on the clock that haven't had their engines touched and pulled like a train.
Equally, when I sold my RS, complete with freshly rebuilt engine, the leakdown test indicated a substantial difference between cylinders - complete bollox and foun to be down to the equipment being used at the OPC that carried out that test!
rubystone said:
One thing to add - I've seen plenty of 3.2s with up to 160k miles on the clock that haven't had their engines touched and pulled like a train.
How about the pair of 175k mile 993's in a certain Porsche magazine a few months back? Nothing wrong with them... all down to the way the miles were put on.
VS
Well of the 964/3.2 in my price range within 100 miles very few mention top end rebuilds.
I will go have a look, if I find a nice one it will then be inspected, and assuming that is good I will buy.
Unfortunately, if I remove the targa's, cab's and tiptronic's, starts to really cut down the number of cars for sale.
Or I travel further than 100 miles I guess...
I will go have a look, if I find a nice one it will then be inspected, and assuming that is good I will buy.
Unfortunately, if I remove the targa's, cab's and tiptronic's, starts to really cut down the number of cars for sale.
Or I travel further than 100 miles I guess...
Dakkon said:
Well of the 964/3.2 in my price range within 100 miles very few mention top end rebuilds.
I will go have a look, if I find a nice one it will then be inspected, and assuming that is good I will buy.
Unfortunately, if I remove the targa's, cab's and tiptronic's, starts to really cut down the number of cars for sale.
Or I travel further than 100 miles I guess...
When i bought my first 911, i was looking for a decent 3.2 coupe...I looked at 24 different cars in 6 mths,,better to put the work into finding a good car than rely on luck that the right one will turn up on your doorstep.
It took me 5 months to find my 3.2 but was worth the wait. I saw so many dogs that the owner had descibed as mint over the phone and FSH can mean 3 stamps in the book to some! Anyone that didn't know their car inside out or was in the slightest way vague was a wasted journey. If they say its got some stone chips ask him how many, if he knows it'll proberbly be a nice one !
Good luck
Good luck
Dakkon said:
buy a 968, preferably a cab
prices have dropped a lot lately
a massively reliable and hugely capable car, built as only the Germans know how
looks the absolute dogs danglers
it wont stuff you backwards into a hedge
best of all, virtually no one will know what it is but they will ALL be jealous
not that I'm biased or anything
Not biased at all
Most of the 968 for sale at present seem to be tiptronic's, which im sure is great, but I would prefer a manual.
Get the best of both worlds and buy a 968 Club Sport. I happen to know where there's a minter going.
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