High mileage 993

[Mr Fix it]

Looking at trading the TVR in for a 993 c2 or c4. May now have to use it for work, and so put a few miles on it! Found a few c4s that have 120,000 - 140,000 miles.

Are these going to be reliable? What should I look out for on such high mileage cars? or should I really be looking at ones around 60 k. Will the 4 wheel drive give up soon at such high miles with large bills to come? They are all FSH.

Many thanks for any comments

Dave

[scottster]

Mine is in the middle with 85k miles, there's nothing wrong with it but things will start to wear out like on any car. Engine will be solid as long as it's serviced and looked after properly. It's being traded in cheaply this week so you'll have to be quick if you're interested.

I won't sell it too much here myself as you can ask any of the other PHers here for opinions.

Dave

[domster]

Yeah, Scottster's car is very nice, certainly a good example of a LHD 993 and exceptional for the money. I have driven it, and it is quite superb, even if I like my 911s a little rawer and stripped out

There is no reason why a decently cared for 911 can't go on for 160-200k miles, so long as certain items are replaced or refurbished along the way. Stuff like injectors can wear out at 100k miles, for example.

>> Edited by domster on Monday 21st October 09:39

[iguana]

domster said:
There is no reason why a decently cared for 911 can't go on for 160-200k miles, .

I would add to that comment that if you do not have a 'Top end rebuild' ie strip heads & replace valve guides, piston rings etc before this type of miles the engine will be quite down on power and ususlly drinking a fair bit of oil. The bottom end of the engine is practically bullet proof and easily good for 200,000 miles but although the top end may get to that mileage i guarantee it will not be producing 272bhp (or 285bhp Varioram engine)

[iguana]

PS don't mess about with huge miles cars, buy Scottsters good example so then he doesnt have to loose thousands by sellling to a greedy trader and you will get a decent 993.

[steve1968]

i recently bought an 88 911, i looked at lots of cars ranging from 50-140k miles.
i bought one with 52k miles , exceptional condition , car that had not been used much for the last 7 years, in the last 4 months the clutch slave cylinder popped ,sunroof cable broke,original immobilliser went haywire and the heater motor has now broke twice.
i think these problems on my car are due to LACK of use
hope this helps .

[iguana]

Low miles cars usually have more niggles than normal miles cars anyway. Also particually on 911s low miles can mean an engine strip down is needed coz of either high oil consmption and/or low compressions. Ive seen it on quite a few low mile & stored 911s that have not been run regually

[kevinday]

Absolutely, all cars, including Porsches (and TVRs) are meant to be driven and need to be used regularly (more than once a week) to keep on form.

[Mr Fix it]

thanks for the reply's. As I mentioned, the cars I was looking at had over 100k, one had 136 k and I think was a 97, so about 22k per year. That must be a lot of motorway miles, so as you say, it could be ok- not driven them yet. Looking for a RHD, so if anyone has a black wide body C2 or C4 they want rid of......

One thing that did cross my mind was resale. I was hopeing to put quite a few miles on it, so thought trying to sell a 993 with 190 k on the clock may be difficult to shift on. I was hoping to get one at around 60k but price may be an issue.

I was unsure that if I bought a 100k + miles car, that I could have a lot of worn parts to buy. If this was to be the case I might as well stick with the TVR (which is quite low mileage), as the cost would probably not be too different. Looks like if I can find a good one, it will last a few more years ok. Bring on that 200k car.....

[verysideways]

I'm never going to sell my 993 C4S. It's my daily driver at the moment but when i can afford an E55 AMG as a daily driver then the 993 will become a weekend car.

The last of the air-cooled 911's are so over-engineered that there's no reason it won't last if it's looked after.

Just came back from the Cannonbal Run a month ago and one of the other competitors was in a 1970 'H'reg 911. Inspirational.

P.
www.VerySideways.com