what is an 'early' 3.4 996?

[Chris Stott]

The sills were cut out and replaced by someone else as part of a full restoration of the underneath of the car earlier in the year.

Then the body guys did the front and rear arches, finished off the sills and did the paint.

[six port]

It would be nice to pick something up without any rust to be honest this will be my first big car purchase and the idea of it having rust is pretty scary - it is however a lot more justified in sorting it out than flogging it as per old CLK500!

I know with rust it can escalate and I know with painting rear quarters it has to be perfect.

[Chris Stott]

996’s aren’t bad… that’s pretty much the only places they go. My car has >200k miles and has lived outside it’s entire life, so some rust is to be expected.

[six port]

nunpuncher said:

shalmaneser said:

ATM said:

abucd4 said:

Chris Stott said:

You’re approaching this in the right way…

If you can get some thing super solid for 15, and have up to 5 left to make it perfect, you should end up with a pretty much perfect car.

Fresh suspension is the thing that makes them feel right to drive… so i’d look for a sub 100k mile manual, with fresh brakes, recent clutch (& RMS), evidence of rads, water pump, AOS, decent tyres, no rust and good paint (in a colour you like) for sub 15… then get the suspension done with all new parts.

That’s a good checklist for me to work from, thanks. Good to know I’m not far off the mark.

Well hang on slow down. That's a big wish list. You might find it hard hitting all of those for 15k let alone sub 15k. If you do then yes go for it. I'd be expecting you to only hit a subset of those in the wish list. But shopping should be fun so keep us posted with what you find.

Agreed that sounds like a good place to start but I'd be impressed if you manage all those bits done for the price.

Definitely worth having a good listen to the gearbox too - both ATM and I and others on the thread have had issues with these and it's not a cheap fix. Listen for a whining that increases with speed.

I've mentioned it here before but still not got round to advertising. Mine (manual C4 on 82k miles) will be going up for 16.5k ono when I eventually get round to it.

In the last few years and last 2k miles It's had:
Clutch
RMS
brake discs and pads
brake lines
callipers rebuilt with new seals and valves
tensioner pulley bearings replaced
water pump
low temp thermostat
ARB bushes
drops links
Coffin arms (all round)
tuning forks (all round)
front top mounts (997)
Springs and shocks (BC Racing coilovers)
All 6 Ignition coils
Spark plugs and spark plug tubes
New OE coolant reservoir (a far more expensive and difficult job that anyone would believe)
New battery
4 Michelin PS4 with C 1500 miles on them

It also has 997 seats with Carbone 911R houndstooth inserts, D911 ducktail, Boxster/GT3 lower console delete with continental bluetooth stereo, GT3 brake ducts, GT3 lip spoiler. Plus all the original parts ie original engine cover, original black leather seats in good condition, original dash parts with PCM1 so it's ideal for anyone converting back to standard or wanting to do a double din.

So aye. 15k(ish) with loads of stuff done might not be THAT far fetched.

ETA. Oh! I also had the rust on the rear arches and sills properly fixed (cut out and fresh steel welded in earlier this yearlong with having the mounting points for the front sub frame checked. As despite what was said on the last page, these things do suffer from rust.

Edited by nunpuncher on Wednesday 21st September 13:09

Be interested to see this..

[SteveStrange]

six port said:

Evening all!

Been on the look out on and off for a nice 3.4 coupe a while now.

After joining various FB groups one came up that I recognised as it’s at the end of my street!

3.4 1999 Vesuvius Grey with factory aero - looks unreal and the owner has clearly looked after it.

It has however got rust bubbling on the rear quarters where they meet the bumper.

Not seen this on any other 996 could it be due to accident damage? It’s the kind of bubbling I had on my rusty generation CLK not what you see on these from my limited experience anyway.

Has anyone encountered this and/ or know the depth of the work involved to remedy?

Fellow Vesuvius Grey owner here! Although I've got the smooth look, no aero. Also have some bubbling on the rear arches so you're not alone...

[six port]

SteveStrange said:

six port said:

Evening all!

Been on the look out on and off for a nice 3.4 coupe a while now.

After joining various FB groups one came up that I recognised as it’s at the end of my street!

3.4 1999 Vesuvius Grey with factory aero - looks unreal and the owner has clearly looked after it.

It has however got rust bubbling on the rear quarters where they meet the bumper.

Not seen this on any other 996 could it be due to accident damage? It’s the kind of bubbling I had on my rusty generation CLK not what you see on these from my limited experience anyway.

Has anyone encountered this and/ or know the depth of the work involved to remedy?

Fellow Vesuvius Grey owner here! Although I've got the smooth look, no aero. Also have some bubbling on the rear arches so you're not alone...

What a colour, reminded me of BMWs violet colour.

Although I think aero is a nice bonus I’m not riding everything on it, quite like the low key look of the standard Carrera too plus you get the pop up spoiler!

Cost of living crisis, mortgage just went up, have a 1 year old, perfect time to get a 20 odd year old 996 then!

[ATM]

six port said:

nunpuncher said:

I've mentioned it here before but still not got round to advertising. Mine (manual C4 on 82k miles) will be going up for 16.5k ono when I eventually get round to it.

In the last few years and last 2k miles It's had:
Clutch
RMS
brake discs and pads
brake lines
callipers rebuilt with new seals and valves
tensioner pulley bearings replaced
water pump
low temp thermostat
ARB bushes
drops links
Coffin arms (all round)
tuning forks (all round)
front top mounts (997)
Springs and shocks (BC Racing coilovers)
All 6 Ignition coils
Spark plugs and spark plug tubes
New OE coolant reservoir (a far more expensive and difficult job that anyone would believe)
New battery
4 Michelin PS4 with C 1500 miles on them

It also has 997 seats with Carbone 911R houndstooth inserts, D911 ducktail, Boxster/GT3 lower console delete with continental bluetooth stereo, GT3 brake ducts, GT3 lip spoiler. Plus all the original parts ie original engine cover, original black leather seats in good condition, original dash parts with PCM1 so it's ideal for anyone converting back to standard or wanting to do a double din.

So aye. 15k(ish) with loads of stuff done might not be THAT far fetched.

ETA. Oh! I also had the rust on the rear arches and sills properly fixed (cut out and fresh steel welded in earlier this yearlong with having the mounting points for the front sub frame checked. As despite what was said on the last page, these things do suffer from rust.

Be interested to see this..

There is a small queue forming.

[ATM]

six port said:

I know with rust it can escalate and I know with painting rear quarters it has to be perfect.

I have some little rust spots on one rear arch where discussed on my older 1998 996. It has been there for years and not gotten any worse. I will try to get a pic later. I'm not sure mine is as bad as other have discussed. I guess all cars are different. Mine may have been attended to before I got it - over 5 years ago. Or maybe mine is not that bad.

I'd guess not all cars will rust at the same time or as bad so it just depends.

[Slippydiff]

ATM said:

I have some little rust spots on one rear arch where discussed on my older 1998 996. It has been there for years and not gotten any worse. I will try to get a pic later. I'm not sure mine is as bad as other have discussed. I guess all cars are different. Mine may have been attended to before I got it - over 5 years ago. Or maybe mine is not that bad.

I'd guess not all cars will rust at the same time or as bad so it just depends.

There is a caveat to that though, and it should read “that I can see from the outside” because there’s every chance the tin worm is quietly doing its thing without appearing any worse from exterior year on year.

[ATM]

Here it is and I think it has gotten a little worse.

[six port]

ATM said:

Here it is and I think it has gotten a little worse.

Only image I could grab from the video of the one I’m going to see, seemed like an odd place for it to come up.

[SteveStrange]

That pretty much mirrors the location and extent of the rust on mine.

[Slippydiff]

six port said:

Only image I could grab from the video of the one I’m going to see, seemed like an odd place for it to come up.

Possible previous repair. But there's a return/flange on the panel there, and it's probably a good trap for mud etc.
Through Winter it will get hot cold, hot cold from the exhaust/engine, whilst all the time remaining damp, and if there's any weakness in the paint, it'll corrode over time.

[Mariosbt]

ATM said:

There is a small queue forming.

The queue just got longer.

[ATM]

Mariosbt said:

ATM said:

There is a small queue forming.

The queue just got longer.

I wouldn't know. I cant see the back from the front where I am.

[nunpuncher]

ATM said:

Mariosbt said:

ATM said:

There is a small queue forming.

The queue just got longer.

I wouldn't know. I cant see the back from the front where I am.

I really should get my finger out. The MOT is due next month so I'd want to do that first.

Regarding the rust areas on the rear quarter. Porsche used speed nuts (think that's what they are called, basically U shaped bent bits of metal that slide onto the metal lip of the quarter then a self tapping screw secures the bumper to the car through the speed nut).

Through normal use over years the speed nuts will move slightly and wear through the paint, primer and galvanising. As the area is also a lip and not far from the rear wheels you end up with a load of wet grit and dirt sat up there. Basically a perfect situation for rust.

The front arches rust simply through stone chipping but it's not that big a deal as you can just bolt the front wings and replace easily enough.

For their age they aren't that bad but they do have a few areas that rust and it could be expensive to fix depending on how many old school body shops you have in your area. I really struggled to find someone local that was willing to cut panels and fabricate repair sections. Part of the problem with the rears being repair sections can't be bought and a whole quarter costs c£3k

So you're better off buying one that already has all that work done (like mine, hahaha).

[six port]

nunpuncher said:

ATM said:

Mariosbt said:

ATM said:

There is a small queue forming.

The queue just got longer.

I wouldn't know. I cant see the back from the front where I am.

I really should get my finger out. The MOT is due next month so I'd want to do that first.

Regarding the rust areas on the rear quarter. Porsche used speed nuts (think that's what they are called, basically U shaped bent bits of metal that slide onto the metal lip of the quarter then a self tapping screw secures the bumper to the car through the speed nut).

Through normal use over years the speed nuts will move slightly and wear through the paint, primer and galvanising. As the area is also a lip and not far from the rear wheels you end up with a load of wet grit and dirt sat up there. Basically a perfect situation for rust.

The front arches rust simply through stone chipping but it's not that big a deal as you can just bolt the front wings and replace easily enough.

For their age they aren't that bad but they do have a few areas that rust and it could be expensive to fix depending on how many old school body shops you have in your area. I really struggled to find someone local that was willing to cut panels and fabricate repair sections. Part of the problem with the rears being repair sections can't be bought and a whole quarter costs c£3k

So you're better off buying one that already has all that work done (like mine, hahaha).

Stop teasing us already

Whole rear 1/4 panel only sounds like things could get very pricey. I know with my ok E36 there were aftermarket companies doing the rear arch sections pre galvanised but it’s a chance on fit I guess.

[Dammit]

All this talk of rust has reminded me - my decklid has rust in the lower seam, the place that painted the car did their best to attend to it but it has returned.

My assumption is that the rust is inside the folded metal and therefore would need, erm, extensive measures that would likely be prohibitively expensive/destructive to implement.

Before I amaze myself with how much a genuine decklid costs from Porsche does anyone know of a source for composite decklids that are not total crap and/or a million pounds?

I should add - just a standard decklid, not a ducktail or anything of that nature.

[Fast Bug]

My decklid is showing signs of rust about to break through as well. I thought it was a good excuse for a duck tail, but you could try 9apart and places like that for a used one. Reproduction panels are always hit and miss in my experience

[ATM]

Fast Bug said:

My decklid is showing signs of rust about to break through as well. I thought it was a good excuse for a duck tail, but you could try 9apart and places like that for a used one. Reproduction panels are always hit and miss in my experience

My CSR Carbon ducktail doesnt fit very well at all.