Help needed - 911E running costs etc
Discussion
Hi all, I'm contemplating buying an RS replica based on a 911E. The car in question has a 3.2 sc engine conversion and the 915 gearbox from same.
What are the likely running issues and costs of parts like on the early cars? I'm sure they are cheap compared to modern Porsche's but this would be used soley as a Sunday car and i don't want to worry too much about fragile components ad expensive repairs?
Any advice is gladly recieved!
Thanks
Mike
What are the likely running issues and costs of parts like on the early cars? I'm sure they are cheap compared to modern Porsche's but this would be used soley as a Sunday car and i don't want to worry too much about fragile components ad expensive repairs?
Any advice is gladly recieved!
Thanks
Mike
I think it's impossible to predict the running costs.
It sounds like a bit of a 'hybrid', so any number of issues could arise - mechanical, electrical, corrosion, wear and tear. And you would probably struggle to get much over 20mpg.
Definitely recommend an expert appraisal before buying.
It sounds like a bit of a 'hybrid', so any number of issues could arise - mechanical, electrical, corrosion, wear and tear. And you would probably struggle to get much over 20mpg.
Definitely recommend an expert appraisal before buying.
I'd also be careful assuming that parts for old cars are obviously cheaper than parts for new cars. There were less of the old cars in the first place, plus the parts do become less available as the car ages. I saw some big increases for prices on particular parts in the time I owned my 964 - and some of them were really silly. The accelerometer springs to mind.....
If you're lucky, and don't use the car much, running costs might not be too bad. On the other hand you could get stung with some very big bills indeed, especially if there is corrosion in all the usual places.
Many people would be put off by a hybrid pretending to be something it isn't. Is it an E ? a 3.2 ? It sounds like it's trying to be an RS.
My general feeling is - "Avoid."
Many people would be put off by a hybrid pretending to be something it isn't. Is it an E ? a 3.2 ? It sounds like it's trying to be an RS.
My general feeling is - "Avoid."
I don't think that it's running costs in the terms of a modern car. Servicing, brake pads and stuff are all going to be moderate.
However, you are in the land of buying an old porsche which is utterly frought if you don't buy well. Essentially you could have all the things that are wrong with old 911s...rust and completely shot and unreliable mechanics.
If you buy well, you'll be ok. If I were you I'd get over to DDK-online where a lot of beardy men and women (sorry Helen) hang out. They know all there is to know about this stuff and far more than me.
If you want a case study of how badly it can go wrong, let me know!
Bert
However, you are in the land of buying an old porsche which is utterly frought if you don't buy well. Essentially you could have all the things that are wrong with old 911s...rust and completely shot and unreliable mechanics.
If you buy well, you'll be ok. If I were you I'd get over to DDK-online where a lot of beardy men and women (sorry Helen) hang out. They know all there is to know about this stuff and far more than me.
If you want a case study of how badly it can go wrong, let me know!
Bert
BertBert said:
I don't think that it's running costs in the terms of a modern car. Servicing, brake pads and stuff are all going to be moderate.
However, you are in the land of buying an old porsche which is utterly frought if you don't buy well. Essentially you could have all the things that are wrong with old 911s...rust and completely shot and unreliable mechanics.
If you buy well, you'll be ok. If I were you I'd get over to DDK-online where a lot of beardy men and women (sorry Helen) hang out. They know all there is to know about this stuff and far more than me.
If you want a case study of how badly it can go wrong, let me know!
Bert
Helen has a beard ? that's a liiiittle bit scary . . . . However, you are in the land of buying an old porsche which is utterly frought if you don't buy well. Essentially you could have all the things that are wrong with old 911s...rust and completely shot and unreliable mechanics.
If you buy well, you'll be ok. If I were you I'd get over to DDK-online where a lot of beardy men and women (sorry Helen) hang out. They know all there is to know about this stuff and far more than me.
If you want a case study of how badly it can go wrong, let me know!
Bert
DDK is indeed the place to go. Just remember that the body is the most important thing cost wise on these old 911s and it is quite possible to buy a superficially OK car with a MOT and then find it needs thousands of pounds to make it safe - let alone close to right. They all have rust unless completely rebuilt - a process that took close to 500 hours with my 911s (body prep alone and not including spraying!)
Also part prices can be crippling - old does not always equal cheap. Try a refurbed 7 inch rear alloy (popular upgrade) at £900 a pop? And I came froma GT3 where you get used to big bills....
Also part prices can be crippling - old does not always equal cheap. Try a refurbed 7 inch rear alloy (popular upgrade) at £900 a pop? And I came froma GT3 where you get used to big bills....
Edited by drmark on Monday 7th November 20:28
A few years ago When I mentioned to Andy Fearn that I was looking to buy an RS Rep, he shook his head, sucked his teeth and said "money-pit" 
Now I bought in haste - not wise, and I spent about £25k to get a "fully restored" car up to some sort of decent condition. To be fair, it was a complete hooligan in the end and I miss that. 2.7 on mfi (or 2.4s come to that) is stunning to behold. Although even after all that spend there were still too many things I wanted to attend to, so I cut my losses and sold.
Caveat emptor indeed!
Bert
Now I bought in haste - not wise, and I spent about £25k to get a "fully restored" car up to some sort of decent condition. To be fair, it was a complete hooligan in the end and I miss that. 2.7 on mfi (or 2.4s come to that) is stunning to behold. Although even after all that spend there were still too many things I wanted to attend to, so I cut my losses and sold.
Caveat emptor indeed!
Bert
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