early 981 - Any known major problems?
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I'm giving serious consideration to buying an early 981 over this coming winter and for it to be used as my daily driver.
Haven't decided whether it will be an "S" or not yet.
I can't seem to find any buyer's guides and just wondered if there are any the more major problems to keep an eye out for?
The maximum mileage I would consider would be 40,000 miles, but may well end up going for one with half the miles.
Any thoughts or comments would be very much appreciated. Thanks
I'm giving serious consideration to buying an early 981 over this coming winter and for it to be used as my daily driver.
Haven't decided whether it will be an "S" or not yet.
I can't seem to find any buyer's guides and just wondered if there are any the more major problems to keep an eye out for?
The maximum mileage I would consider would be 40,000 miles, but may well end up going for one with half the miles.
Any thoughts or comments would be very much appreciated. Thanks
No major engine issues have cropped here on PH as far as I'm aware. I think one or two engines have had issues but not part of an underlying issue, just from manufacturing tolerances.
Condensors can get damaged from road rash, dynamic engine mounts on Sports Chrono equipped models have failed occasionally and third gear on the manual gearbox can fail on later cars with heavy track use. I think the odd PCM nav unit has packed in too, plus rear spoiler alignment can go out of whack from time to time.
Other than that, it's just usual used car stuff to watch out for. The 981 seems to be very solid.
Condensors can get damaged from road rash, dynamic engine mounts on Sports Chrono equipped models have failed occasionally and third gear on the manual gearbox can fail on later cars with heavy track use. I think the odd PCM nav unit has packed in too, plus rear spoiler alignment can go out of whack from time to time.
Other than that, it's just usual used car stuff to watch out for. The 981 seems to be very solid.
Edited by Twinfan on Monday 17th September 09:25
Says the 981 owner 
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I also had a new pdk under warranty in the first year...
Don’t let that warranty lapse is all I would say!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I also had a new pdk under warranty in the first year...
Don’t let that warranty lapse is all I would say!
Thanks Guys.
In all likelihood it may well be out of manufacturers warranty, so just want to make sure that I am is aware as much as I can be about the worrying aspects that seem to be common.
I'm not planning on doing too many miles, no more than 10,000 miles over a 12 month period and then probably change to another car.
In all likelihood it may well be out of manufacturers warranty, so just want to make sure that I am is aware as much as I can be about the worrying aspects that seem to be common.
I'm not planning on doing too many miles, no more than 10,000 miles over a 12 month period and then probably change to another car.
About £300 a year to get the vitals covered on my car by Warranty Direct, and that's with unlimited labour rate so you can get the work done at an OPC.
That price alone indicates they're not too troublesome.
If you can get underneath the car, check the bolts that hold the silencers to the cats. There was an 17K mile 3 year old car that I looked at that needed them replacing as the exhaust was blowing. The car I ended up going for car will need attention very soon and it's 4.5 years old and 30k miles. Quoted £500 from a specialist because it's a pita to do. Good ammunition to get a discount if it hasn't been done.
That price alone indicates they're not too troublesome.
If you can get underneath the car, check the bolts that hold the silencers to the cats. There was an 17K mile 3 year old car that I looked at that needed them replacing as the exhaust was blowing. The car I ended up going for car will need attention very soon and it's 4.5 years old and 30k miles. Quoted £500 from a specialist because it's a pita to do. Good ammunition to get a discount if it hasn't been done.
Sam_A said:
About £300 a year to get the vitals covered on my car by Warranty Direct, and that's with unlimited labour rate so you can get the work done at an OPC.
That price alone indicates they're not too troublesome.
That sounds incredibly cheap. I've always been a little bit dubious when it comes to non-manufacturer warranties.That price alone indicates they're not too troublesome.
I think I might be tempted to run the car without worrying about warranty - can't imagine the main dealer warranty will get much change from £1000 a year?
Twinfan said:
£660 a year I think, a slight discount if buying two years at a time.
This must be the gift that keeps on giving. My Porsche savings have just increased from £1,000 to £2,000!I keep a mental jar on the mantelpiece with these savings in it. Adds up nicely over many years of car ownership.
rockin said:
This must be the gift that keeps on giving. My Porsche savings have just increased from £1,000 to £2,000!
I keep a mental jar on the mantelpiece with these savings in it. Adds up nicely over many years of car ownership.
That's exactly how I've always thought with most of my use cars. If I added up the amount that I haven't spent on warranties over the years I could probably buy a couple of cars.I keep a mental jar on the mantelpiece with these savings in it. Adds up nicely over many years of car ownership.
Having said that I have a Jaguar F-type (V8) tucked away in my garage and I decided to take out the manufacturers warranty, I don't know why, probably because it's British. I did make a claim on the warranty in the first year for the pop-up ventilation gadget on the dashboard which just decided to stop working one day.
Schmed said:
Says the 981 owner
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I also had a new pdk under warranty in the first year...
Don’t let that warranty lapse is all I would say!
PDK boxes aren't given to problems BUT a fault means a replacement box and (depending on who you beileve) perhaps £8k. So worth thinking about..https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I also had a new pdk under warranty in the first year...
Don’t let that warranty lapse is all I would say!
jredram said:
42000mls 2013 S with no major problems, just had heater fan replaced under warranty. Still solid,sounding better every day and hasn't even needed oil in-between services. Well pleased. Happy to pay £600pa for peace of mind and guilt free ragging
Exactly the same age and mileage on mine and only warranty claim has been a coil pack. Everything else has been spot on. Has been under warranty since day one for piece of mind and hopefully makes it more attractive when it comes to sale time. If I ever sell it. 30k and only issue has been a flashing warning light, which result in the need for oil top up in the pdk gearbox. I did take out the OPC warranty for two years, for peace of mind, and also because I’m likely to have to sell it early next year, and will try a private sale (OPC warranty gives peace of mind to would-be buyers).
JetskiJezz said:
Hi Guys,
I'm giving serious consideration to buying an early 981 over this coming winter and for it to be used as my daily driver.
Haven't decided whether it will be an "S" or not yet.
I can't seem to find any buyer's guides and just wondered if there are any the more major problems to keep an eye out for?
The maximum mileage I would consider would be 40,000 miles, but may well end up going for one with half the miles.
Any thoughts or comments would be very much appreciated. Thanks
Having owned many 981 series (99 in total), only had 1 issue related to a failed coil pack.I'm giving serious consideration to buying an early 981 over this coming winter and for it to be used as my daily driver.
Haven't decided whether it will be an "S" or not yet.
I can't seem to find any buyer's guides and just wondered if there are any the more major problems to keep an eye out for?
The maximum mileage I would consider would be 40,000 miles, but may well end up going for one with half the miles.
Any thoughts or comments would be very much appreciated. Thanks
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