996 GT3 mk1 running costs?

[DanH]

Chaps,

Anyone run one of these and used it for 10+ track days a year? Trying to get a feel for the running costs when used as god intended. Not just the costs & lifetime of pads disks, but also the other things that go wrong when you use the car reasonably hard. Do dampers fail? What about balljoints etc.

Also whats the situation with warranties? Is it only 3 years from Porsche, or do they let you extend it? Also does doing track days cause any problems on this front?

If you are uncomfortable sharing your experiences on the forum, please feel free to email!

Many thanks for any insights,

Dan

[superlightr]

3 years warrenty from Porsche ? :haha: make that only 2.

[glenn mcmenamin]

No probs with the car even if it's been tracked very hard.

Engine is bomb proof, and have not heard of any suspension problems at all.

I doubt you will see many MKI's still in warranty, unless it's been extended.
No probs from Porsche with tracking their cars, apart from abuse, which can be recorded by ECU so i'm told.

If you are going to do a lot of track work, you may want to look at upgrading brakes to the ones from the MKII, these can be bought as a kit from a few of the specialists out there.

G.

[DanH]

Thanks. Few more questions if I may.

Any idea how many track days you can get out of a set of pads/discs?

Also do Porsche let you extend the manufacturers warranty or does one have to resort to 3rd party? I'm under the impression that the engine is 27k to replace if it lets go, which I find a little intimidating!

Anyone got a rough figure for a years running?

[glenn mcmenamin]

DanH said:

Thanks. Few more questions if I may. Any idea how many track days you can get out of a set of pads/discs? Also do Porsche let you extend the manufacturers warranty or does one have to resort to 3rd party? I'm under the impression that the engine is 27k to replace if it lets go, which I find a little intimidating! Anyone got a rough figure for a years running?

Tough question re:the brakes.

I have MKII GT3, and on that
The discs tend to start developing little cracks when they got too hot, these themselves aren't too much to worry about, but when the cracks meet from hole to hole or to the outer edge of the disc, then they need to be replaced.
The annoying thing is, that this process tends to happen well before the discs are worn thin.

I beleive the MKI to have the same problem, and it hasn't got the extra cooling ducts that came standard on the MKII

I would say you should get at least 5 hard track days from a set of discs, really depends on how long you're out and how hard.
As for pads, you need to upgrade to some track ones, as the standard ones won't stand too much hard track work.

i think you can take your car for an inspection at an OPC, and then they will quote you on a years warranty, but don't quote me on that !!!

G.

[seandudding]

Hi Dan

All these cars use is oil, fuel, tyres and brakes.

Don't worry about the engine, never heard of one failing. The synchros on the MK1 are suppose to be an achilies heal, but when it goes you have them changed to the MK2 steel syncros so no major issue.

Oil, I have the oil changed every 2 -3 k miles as a precaution.

Tyres a set of Pirelli Corsa's will set you back about £950 and last for 10 track days.

Brakes, no need to worry about the rears, if the mk1 hasn;t got the 6 pot upgrade Glenn mentioned, then this is a worthwhile upgrade for about 1k. Then discs should last about 10 days, and pads about 5 days. Discs are approx £500 a pair, and pads approx £300 a set.

Fuel about £100 a track day.

So for a year of tracking you are probably looking at :-

1 x set discs £500
2 x Set Pads £600
1 x Tyres £950
2 x Oil Changes £350
Fuel £1000
Track day admnission £2000

So 10 track days will cost £5400. These are costs based on my experience in my GT3RS.

Cheers Sean

[steve rance]

I get 3 track days out of a set of cups, 3/4 days out of a set of front discs and pads. Rear discs are a low wear item.

A cocaine habit would be cheaper......but probably not as much fun.

Steve R

[seandudding]

Yeah, but Steve you drive like a girl

Using the brakess to often wears them out...

I am now running for cover...

PS Good to see Timbo pass Henry in his Cup Car

[911nutter]

another interesting thread to help procastinate the misery that is work...

i was speaking to tognola engineering in datchet yesterday about tracking my car and how frequently i should get the car checked over. the response was about every second track day i should pop it in to get it looked at. only a couple of hours labour for a routine look over(ie £100) although if anything needed doing there would obviously be extra charge for labour and parts as appropriate. this seemed like a fairly sensible way to proceed. would any of you experienced track people have a view on this?

[steve rance]

Thanks Sean!

[DanH]

Thanks for the info all. Anyone got any horror stories to share?

[johnny senna]

911nutter said:

another interesting thread to help procastinate the misery that is work... i was speaking to tognola engineering in datchet yesterday about tracking my car and how frequently i should get the car checked over. the response was about every second track day i should pop it in to get it looked at. only a couple of hours labour for a routine look over(ie £100) although if anything needed doing there would obviously be extra charge for labour and parts as appropriate. this seemed like a fairly sensible way to proceed. would any of you experienced track people have a view on this?

I think that is being cautious, but probably sensible. A lot dependes on how mechanically savvy you are yourself.

The way intend to procede with my 993 RS is:

I had new discs, pads, oil, brake fluid etc in January. Then I did Oulton, Vmax, Croft and will be doing Bedford the week after next. I'll then probably change the oil and have the car looked over by the local Porsche specialist. The tyres may need changing as well, but the brakes should be OK. Then it's off to Spa in May where the car needs to be right. Afetr that, I'll probably get the car looked at/change oil after every 4 track days.

[GreigM]

Warranty - my Mk1 has the porsche extended warranty - which can be extended straight away after the factory one finishes, or if there is a break (in my case) then it is a £200 inspection then £725 warranty (assuming all is OK with inspection).

Brakes - some debate here, plenty of Mk1s still running with Mk1 brakes and doing fine - provided some decent SRF fluid and good pads (pagid or PF) are used then there shouldn't be much of an issue. Porsche always insisted that Mk1 brakes were fine, it was the drivers who were the problem I have little track experience in my Mk1 but with good fluid and pads I've had no problems whatsoever. Same with discs - proper warm-up and cool-down laps should maximise life.

Brass Synchro rings - as stated above, can be soft and gearbox needs to be treated gently until warm - if you have the warranty though this would cover them, if not upgrade to steels when required and should be fine from then on.

Other running costs - nothing unusual although clutch replacement cost can be high if a clubsport with lightweight flywheel arrangement.

All in a FABULOUS car!!

[DanH]

Any idea what the synchro rings cost to repair? Also the flyswheels are different between comfort spec and sport spec or am I misunderstanding? How would a flywheel impact clutch costs as presumably they shouldn't fall apart particularly quickly!

Can anyone recommed a specialist near Docklands/E.London?

>> Edited by DanH on Wednesday 13th April 14:38

[zanzibar]

[quote=DanH]
Any idea what the synchro rings cost to repair? Also the flyswheels are different between comfort spec and sport spec or am I misunderstanding? How would a flywheel impact clutch costs as presumably they shouldn't fall apart particularly quickly!

Can anyone recommed a specialist near Docklands/E.London?

I had my MK1 box rebuilt with new synchro's, new 3rd gear, GT3 RSR LSD plus other various odds & sods budget for 4K ex vat. JZ Machtech {Kings Langley Herts} carried out the rebuild and its perfect, the design fault is the standard LSD wears and contaminates the oil with abrasive particles.

Russell