993 buying advice - what goes wrong?

[Darren Earl]

Hi, I've just joined this formum after lurking for a bit so please go easy on the newbie.

I'm planning to purchase a 993 later this year, after having to part with a Boxster S when my daughter arrirved. I've read a few buying guides which has given me some background information on what tends to go wrong & when, but I'd like to back this up with some real world experience from you lot.

I'd read that from about 60k miles the valve guides can start to wear and that to fix this problem you'd be looking at at £3000 bill ?

I'm thinking about having a look at a C4 N-reg 1995 with 82k miles - what sort of maintenance work receipts should I expect to see?

My guess is that the car should be on it's 3rd clutch & set of brake discs by now? Should the engine have had any top-end (cyclinder head) work done for this sort of mileage ?

The car's Aventura green from what I understand isn't a particular popular colour?

Does £25k seems a fair price (without warranty)? I've seen 993s with 70k miles on Paragon's website, selling for £30k

Any advice on any of the above questions is greatly appreciated. :?


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[Porsche]

each clutch should last about 60k..

engines last 150-200k+ min'..i'm on 95k & the engine fine...

green... er only if you like green ! and paragon are expensive..


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[Shed17]

Clutches on average last for about 50K, some a bit longer.

Discs and pads will wear down at varying rates depending on the type of driver you are.

Valve guides - have not heard that one before.

Top end work - These engines are bullet proof as long as they have been maintained properly There was an article in 911 & Porsche World not that long ago about two 993's that had each racked up over 150k without any major work.

Don't trust places selling cars, always get an independent PPI carried out. I know of a guy who paid £33k from a 'reputable' dealer only to find that the car had been involved in an accident and the repair work had not been carried out to a very high standard. This did not show up on the HPI search as it had never been declared to the insurers.

This brings me on to another point, don't be afraid of an accident repaired car. As long as it has been done to a high standard by a reputable indie you can end up with a car that is in far better condition than many so called accident free cars. If you are looking at a car like that make sure it has been checked over by Autolign.


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[Martyn1]

Darren, my 2cents.

82k is no big deal if its been properly looked after, check for service history, expect to see non-opc servicing from specialists, thsi is normal. If the suspension is the original its probably tired, and ready for renewal - options here for improving on Porsche standard equip if you so wish. Possible that the bushes on the suspension wishbones will need replacing too.

Bottom line get a PPI ( Pre purchase inspection, cost about 150-250 depending on who does it ) be prepared to walk away, and budget for 1500-2000 in case something breaks in first year.

Re price, depends on condition servicing etc, green isnt everybodies favourite, and as a 95 its probably not varioram, but 25K is in the right ball park. Of course if you bought LHD it would be nearer 20K.

Good luck and dont be afarid to ask questions.

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[Used Porsche]

Look for condition.
There are so many cars out there that there is no need to accept compromises.
Then a FULL service history backed up by bills - basic!.
Make sure the seller has the correct DVLA registration Document and actually owns the car.
Have an HPI check done.
Main dealer servicing for its early life and then a recognised Porsche specialist independant is fine.
Cars owned by Porsche owners club members are a good place to check.
Fanatics with lots of cash as previous owners are easy to spot from service history and are a good thing.
All MOT certificates should be available.
Avoid scruffy high mileage examples from a housing area which indicate cheapskate cowboy owners.
Check this site, Autotrader for selling prices and buy 911 and Porsche world magazine.
Check the 993 forums on Rennlist.com and PelicanParts.com for owners actual problems. (Bear in mind that American cars have problems that UK ones dont)
As previously mentioned - get an independant inspection done unless you want to miss the obvious disasters.
Get both sets of keys (so it cant be nicked) and full keys / master unit and information for the alarm system.
Get an owners manual!
Ask someone who has owned one for a few years to go with you - and dont buy the first one you see.!!!
Good hunting!!


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[Darren Earl]

Many thanks for all the replies.

It good to hear than I shouldn't necessaryily be expecting a major top-end overhaul at around 60k miles and that a clutch is good for 60K miles - I'd read that clutches went from about 40k.

I'd read about worn guide valves in the GT purely porsche magazine though it did state that short journeys did increase the likeihood of the valve guides wearing out.

Martyn1 had stated that the suspension could need work at approx 80k miles - I'd read that Bilsiten make the best dampers ? Can anyone back this up ?

A PPI check seems to be essential - does anyone know of any other specialists in the North East that offer PPI's other than Tom Fergeson ? I've not always heard positive reports.

Thanks once again.


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[Tiptop Topcat]

Peter Morgan - has car - will travel.

Green; bathrooms and kitchens - don't go there.

White; Well I like it but apparently white cars always stick on dealers forecourts.

Just what I'm told so .......


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[Carrera]

Quote: Originally posted by Darren Earl on 13 April 2005

Martyn1 had stated that the suspension could need work at approx 80k miles - I'd read that Bilsiten make the best dampers ? Can anyone back this up ?

The original 993 shocks are either Boge or Monroe, not the greatest and they don't last. Generally shot by @40k, the thing is, you won't tell until you put new ones in just how much better it handles with proper shocks.

Instead of putting OEM shocks which will need to be replaced again, Bilstein seams to be the most popular one to use for 993, and it lasts much longer and it can be reconditioned if need be. Might need to make sure the springs on the car would work with the shocks. If money's not too tight, go for a matched springs/shocks kit like the Roock suspension kit (Bilstein + H&R ).


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[Shed17]

Just replaced the springs and shocks on my car with a Bilstein & H&R package.

The difference is unbelievable. If you want more info on the suspension mod go to the Rennlist forum for the 993. Loads of info on there.

Also check out carnwal.com who have the best prices.


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[Hasan Ramadan]

Dear Darren,

Please look in the Owners cars section....as I am selling my 993 and you may be interested as I've spent thousands upgrading and is in excellent cond.

Hasan


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[Robertb]

Quote: Originally posted by Anthony Corbett on 13 April 2005

Peter Morgan - has car - will travel.

I asked Peter to do an inspection on a car in Kent. He declined, and said he only does cars in the Home Counties, or East of London. On the other hand, he did a 'tried and tested' in Yorkshire for 911&PW.


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[Daniel]

I Had Peter Morgan check me 993 about 2 weeks ago, in Brighton !

The best PPI I have had done..

Not owning a 993 for long, but I was in the same boat before I collected mine 2 weeks ago, I bought a 993 Carrera 4 96/P with full OPC history done 99,000 and Peter told me the engine is a good as what it was when new.

I had 30k to spend and wanted all I could get (hard back seats, climate Control ect..)

But ended up paying 23,500 for mine, which I thought was fair with the toys she has. One way to check the history, is call the dealership in the service book, mine is only 2 owners from new but with no service bill i was worried, so I called 3-4 of the serivcing dealers to check. (I was told the first owner gave the serivce bills to his accountant so this was the reason for no bills)

I love mine, and wish i had brought one sooner, she is only used at weekends, so the miles she has covered does not worry me, but I have brought her cheap and when i sell her in 3-4 years i will sell her cheap. (I hope to get £15-17k back) but for the fun, looks i get and the noise, I would not of brought any other car..

Good luck.

And yes to the rest of you, I WILL put some pics on soon !!

Dan


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[Martin Rose]

Quote: Originally posted by Butzi on 13 April 2005

The original 993 shocks are either Boge or Monroe, not the greatest and they don't last. Generally shot by @40k, the thing is, you won't tell until you put new ones in just how much better it handles with proper shocks.

Assuming normal driving (ie not too much track work etc) what causes the shocks to wear out more - the age of the vehicle or use? I mean if you have 1995 car which has done only 20,000 miles will the shocks be as worn as a 1998 car which has done 70,000 miles. Hope that makes sense :?




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[Tiptop Topcat]

Asking costs .............?


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[Carrera]

I would think millage would matter slightly more than age as far as shocks wear's concerned, but don't quote me on it. If you look up rennlist, most mentioned about 40k being the rough millage the OEM shock last.

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