Buying a 993 - advice please

[anguspatterson]

Looink to upgrade 89 carrera to a 993 with 100kms on the clock - what major issues should I be aware of prior to buying the car? Car will be a daily driver so wish to understand what mechanical work the car may need (eg when belts need to be replaced, major engine overhaul required, potential cost etc). Any and all advice welcome please ! th e more specific the advice the better - don't want to find out that car is going to cost thousands to service every 3/4 months.
Car has full service history at porsche dealer and will speak to them as well.

Thanks all for the comments - greatly appreciated !

Edited by anguspatterson on Monday 2nd July 12:27

[hugoc2s]

When I was looking for my current 993 I relied heavily on these two documents. Mr Hartech gives a very in depth insight.

http://www.hartech.org.uk/

In here you will find a 993 specific e-book, if you will, is excellent at informing of potential pitfalls and provides a checklist for you to take with you when inspecting potential buys. It allowed me to confidently buy a cracker of a car. Small charge for this one though.

http://www.911secrets.com/

All the best,

Hugh.

[Lurking Lawyer]

There's a Buyers FAQ in the 993 Register section of the PCGB website - I found it quite helpful as a complete Porker n00b when I was looking for a 993.

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=112417

[hartech]

Just to inform you that our current web address has changed and is now www.hartech.org

Baz

[jeremyb]

I just bought a 100K miler 993C2 (private, friend of friend) and had it inspected first by Peter Morgan's company, it highlighted some fairly minor points which I have had fixed (some gaskets, flexible oil transfer tubes, clutch was due to pop) - I thought the report was invaluable, gave me peace of mind. www.petermorgan.org.uk/. I think clutches are common but otherwise I expect to pay ~£2K a year to have it serviced and the obvious bits replaced (mind you this is a 3rd car not daily driver). They're pretty bullet proof and if it's full OPC history so much the better. I also bought Adrian someones 993 book - massive tome with chatty advice on many aspects of the car. Friend of man I bought it off has one with 250K and nothing outrageous gone wrong yet. Good luck.

Edited by jeremyb on Wednesday 4th July 21:30

[Murray993]

jeremyb said:

I just bought a 100K miler 993C2 (private, friend of friend) and had it inspected first by Peter Morgan's company, it highlighted some fairly minor points which I have had fixed (some gaskets, flexible oil transfer tubes, clutch was due to pop) - I thought the report was invaluable, gave me peace of mind. www.petermorgan.org.uk/. I think clutches are common but otherwise I expect to pay ~£2K a year to have it serviced and the obvious bits replaced (mind you this is a 3rd car not daily driver). They're pretty bullet proof and if it's full OPC history so much the better. I also bought Adrian someones 993 book - massive tome with chatty advice on many aspects of the car. Friend of man I bought it off has one with 250K and nothing outrageous gone wrong yet. Good luck.

Edited by jeremyb on Wednesday 4th July 21:30

I used the same guy and would say at best he was ok. Pointed out faults that where obvious but missed things I expected him to pick up on. If the car is really what the seller says have an indie garage tell you whats wrong for less.

[Pickled Piper]

Yep, like the previous posters say use the free guides on the net, get the car inspected by a specialist(I used Peter Morgan - I thought he was great). Also, Peter Morgan's book/pamphlet buying guide is well worth a tenner.

pp

[SunDiver]

What kind of things would you say Peter missed? There's few folk about who've seen as many 993s as he has. I've used him twice recently - still searching - and he's been really really good. Very knowledgeable, pragmatic and objective...

[VerySideways]

£2k a year? I can't see how you can spend £2k a year on maintaining a 993 unless you're doing pretty decent mileage in it...

I pay £200 for a 12k service, £400 for a 24k service, £370 for rears every 8k miles and £280 for fronts every 10k miles. Typical 24k miles equals £2300, and i know i go through tyres quicker than most! Over and above that it's just incidentals - things like brake pads (which aren't expensive and i fit myself in 40 minutes per axle set) and occasionally wiper blades, etc.

Main points IMHO are:
When was the clutch replaced?
Is there any rust anywhere (especially windscreen corners)?
Steering rack leaking?
Uneven tyre wear?
Are the brake discs in good nick?
Does everything work - windows, mirrors, guages, etc?
Is there any sign of leakage from under the car?

Clutch is around £700
Windscreen rust can be £200 to £2000 to fix
Steering rack can be replaced for £500
New set of tyres for £700 (18's) plus £200 for geometry if the old tyres wore unevenly
New discs and pads all round for about £400 fitted
Everything should work electrically
Leakage is usually oil and usually lower valve covers leaking - £200 to rectify

I'll get me coat (well, okay, anorak)

[nrayner]

I've owned for a year (5000 miles all weathers). Costs so far :

Nearly £300 for an annual service (AutoStrasse) with nothing big to do.
£65 aircon regas.
£8 trinket tray.
£88 Rocker cover gasket + fit.

Cheaper than my old beemer to run !

May replace shocks etc next year as my 68k car is still on originals -although handling feels fine to me. £800 budgeted.

I also expect rear tyres next year as it seems to be eating them quite quickly