German Dealers

[Donald Macpherson]

Hi All,

This is my first post so you'll have to bear with me!!

I've just started looking for my first 911 in the £10K-£15k bracket and have read with interest your comments on UK dealers. I am quite happy to buy a LHD car as a) I've had LHD cars over here before and don't find a problem driving them, b) I can get a better 911, so.......

Has anyone any experience of dealers in Germany, in particular the Suttgart area. I have family out there and tend to go out at least once a year so I thought that I may be able to miss out the UK importer and so save a bit.

Also in this price bracket I could get an early 964 C2 or C4, but would I be better getting what might be a nicer 3.0 or 3.2. Is the 964 that much a better drive to make it worth searching out a good un!!

Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I'm of to Fuchs this weekend to have a good look around.


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[Jamie Summers]

The Euro has rather moved against you in the last six months or so meaning that lhd cars sourced on the Continent aren't quite the bargain that they were. Also I seem to recall it having been made rather more difficult by customs and excise to make private imports. I have read (can't remember where) that it is actually cheaper at the minute, all things considered, to buy a lhd that's already been re-registered over here.

That said, German cars often have a higher level of spec and tend to have been better looked after as both parts and labour are cheaper in Germany (gross generalisation).

The big risk is that unless you can get the car properly inspected in Germany to a large extent you are buying blind and will have no come back should something go wrong once you're back in Blighty.

As far as models go price-wise there is little to choose between a late 3.2 Carrera and a 964 C2 or C4. Conventional wisdom has it that the 3.2 is a more solid car, a purer driving experience and is cheaper maintain. On the other hand the 964 is a much more 'modern' car with ABS, airbags (later models), better suspension, bigger more powerful engine, 4WD (C4) etc etc. The 964 had its problems, particularly oil leaks and a tricky dual-mass flywheel, but by now pretty much every 964 has had these problems sorted out - but make sure you look for the paperwork to make sure that it has.

At the end of the day it's a very personal choice, some people prefer the more modern experience of the 964 and others prefer the more raw 3.2 - both are well within your budget and I would recommend driving as many of each as you can before you make your decision.




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[James Ball]

Hi Donald. Welcome to the board. We like new members here so promise to be nice to you!!!

Jamie is spot on. Importing a car is not as easy as it was and the stronger euro means that there isn't really the cost saving there used to be. If you want to cut costs, buy a LHD car that is already in the UK.

Re 3.2 vs 964, the 964 is definitely more expensive to maintain (significantly higher servicing costs due to extra complexity of engine combined with the need to still adjust the valves, which went away with the introduction of the 993). Personally, the 964 is my asthetic favourite and does feel a lot more modern than a 3.2, but for £15k I would buy an excellent 3.2 rather than an average 964 (I think 964s are still slightly more expensive than 3.2s, apart from the very top condition ones). Just don't buy the car I am looking for, as I too am thinking of getting a LHD 3.2 at the moment!

James


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[noony]

Thought it was a 944 James?

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[James Ball]

Yeah. I am still thinking about a buget 944 just to tide me over but I really want a 911 (well, I really want a 964RS, but that is going to have to wait). I reckon a 3.2 might be the right blend of cost and power.

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[Donald Macpherson]

Thanks for the speedy responses and the sound advice.

I tooka visit to Fuchs at the weekend and saw and drove a couple of very nice 3.0 911s, Fuchs were very helpful and confirmed what you have said above re the 3.2v964. The maintenance cost/complexity is the one to swing me towards the 3.0/3.2 as I will be doing a lot of the work myself.

The one thing that surprised me was the quality of gear change, I had real problems finding third in both cars. Is this the norm and is there any way of improving it? Is the G50 box a lot better and worth getting?

Thanks again for the comments this has got to be the best way to research buying a car!

Donald


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[Luke R]

yeh ive heard G50 box is much better than the old one and heard of people maybe spending a bit more for a later model just for the G5o box. dont have any first hand experience tho, altho im sure a lot of people have on here.


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[SimonK]

I've not driven a car with the 915 box, but drove a few with the G50 before buying and it is absolutely fine. I think there is a good premium for the G50 cars though.

Simon


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[James Ball]

I've driven cars with 915 gearboxes but not G50. A well adjusted 915 gearbox is not bad at all. Yes, it feels "old fashioned", with a long throw and I don't think I could go as describing any of them as being "bolt-action" but they aren't too bad at all. The big issue is making sure the linkages are well adjusted and not worn. I am sure the G50 is better, but the 915 isn't that bad.

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[noony]

Variants of the G50 were used right up until the 996.

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