981 servicing schedule
Discussion
I’m in the early stages of looking for a 981 as a weekend car and for some road trips.
I enquired about a 2014 2.7 manual car which was listed as having part service history.
Turns out it’s only had its 2 and 4 year services, and has missed its 6 and 8 year services.
Appreciating there are plenty of cars out there with full histories and anything I went for I’d get a pre purchase inspection on, I have a few questions.
1. How much of an issue could those two missing services cause?
2. What work would likely need to be done to rectify the missed services?
3. Any indications of typical costs with an indie to get it done?
Know I should be patient, but combo of spec, mileage and potential to get a deal are appealing to me.
For the record, plan would be to keep the right car, so resale value not a huge issue and suspect as time passes those two services being missed would have less of an impact on value.
I enquired about a 2014 2.7 manual car which was listed as having part service history.
Turns out it’s only had its 2 and 4 year services, and has missed its 6 and 8 year services.
Appreciating there are plenty of cars out there with full histories and anything I went for I’d get a pre purchase inspection on, I have a few questions.
1. How much of an issue could those two missing services cause?
2. What work would likely need to be done to rectify the missed services?
3. Any indications of typical costs with an indie to get it done?
Know I should be patient, but combo of spec, mileage and potential to get a deal are appealing to me.
For the record, plan would be to keep the right car, so resale value not a huge issue and suspect as time passes those two services being missed would have less of an impact on value.
aussieal said:
1. How much of an issue could those two missing services cause?
2. What work would likely need to be done to rectify the missed services?
3. Any indications of typical costs with an indie to get it done?
So, thinking of buying a 9 year old sports car that has not had any fluids changed or anything for over 5 years? 2. What work would likely need to be done to rectify the missed services?
3. Any indications of typical costs with an indie to get it done?
How many miles has the car done and how many since the last service?
Is it a cracking price compared with everything else the same age/spec/mileage?
deutsche.diagnostics said:
So, thinking of buying a 9 year old sports car that has not had any fluids changed or anything for over 5 years?
How many miles has the car done and how many since the last service?
Is it a cracking price compared with everything else the same age/spec/mileage?
Exactly the kind of home truths I needed How many miles has the car done and how many since the last service?
Is it a cracking price compared with everything else the same age/spec/mileage?
It’s done 30k in total and was on 14k at the 4 year OPC service.
Suspect it could be had for probably £5k less than similar age and spec cars with higher miles based on conversations I’ve had.
The scale of the issue depends to a large extent on the mileage since the last service, presumably the 4 year Major service in 2018. If no more than 20K since then and assuming the mileage intervals to the 2 and 4 year services didn't exceed the 20K max mileage interval between services then I wouldn't be too concerned about the car itself.
It will need a Major with plugs, filters, belt change and brake fluid change and probably tyre puncture sealant replacement to bring the mileage/time based replacement items back in date. Plus any on-condition wear items such as brakes, as required.
My 981S had a Major with plugs and brake fluid change 18 months ago at a reputable indy for £625. I'd guess these plus air filters, drive belt, tyre sealant and inflation would be getting on for £1K from the same indy now and approaching double that from an OPC.
It will need a Major with plugs, filters, belt change and brake fluid change and probably tyre puncture sealant replacement to bring the mileage/time based replacement items back in date. Plus any on-condition wear items such as brakes, as required.
My 981S had a Major with plugs and brake fluid change 18 months ago at a reputable indy for £625. I'd guess these plus air filters, drive belt, tyre sealant and inflation would be getting on for £1K from the same indy now and approaching double that from an OPC.
So driven for 5 years and 16k miles, with no servicing, not a great start?
I seen no mention of any change of owners in that time? Do the MOTs in that period support the claimed mileage?
Given that the plan is to ‘keep the right car’ I would rather start with the right car, the only thing this one seems to have going for it is the initial purchase price.
I seen no mention of any change of owners in that time? Do the MOTs in that period support the claimed mileage?
Given that the plan is to ‘keep the right car’ I would rather start with the right car, the only thing this one seems to have going for it is the initial purchase price.
What state are the brakes and tyres in? I’d presume if the owner hasn’t serviced the car and given the age/mileage that these will need attention. Costs would outweigh fixing the missing servicing, which whilst by no means ideal isn’t necessarily a deal breaker if you intend to keep the car. Has it been kept outside or stored in a garage? Even 981s are starting to suffer from age related issues now like radiators, condensers etc as you might expect on cars up to 10 years old. PPI would be essential I’d have thought.
If it’s a shorter term proposition you have to think of how easy it will be to move on. Unless it’s an ideal spec I think I’d look around - plenty of cars for sale over the next few months.
If it’s a shorter term proposition you have to think of how easy it will be to move on. Unless it’s an ideal spec I think I’d look around - plenty of cars for sale over the next few months.
Agreed with the above. If it's a keeper then I wouldn't buy a slightly older sports car where maintenance was an afterthought. Plenty of good examples out there.
FWIW, my 981 GTS is having its 8 year service at an OPC and the bill is about £1200. That was after shopping around. Some of them quoted the thick end of £2k.
FWIW, my 981 GTS is having its 8 year service at an OPC and the bill is about £1200. That was after shopping around. Some of them quoted the thick end of £2k.
One thought is if the previous owner(s) have skimped on the services for 4yrs, what else have they looked to save money on? And who has done the work?
Main advice is to buy a car on condition. However, with the facts presented it would be worth getting a Pre-Purchase Inspection done by a Porsche specialist at a minimum, and probably getting it on a ramp at one of the Indy's to be thoroughly checked over.
Main advice is to buy a car on condition. However, with the facts presented it would be worth getting a Pre-Purchase Inspection done by a Porsche specialist at a minimum, and probably getting it on a ramp at one of the Indy's to be thoroughly checked over.
, if you are asking these questions and unsure on purchase, any future buyer would most likely be asking the same if you are ever selling. 
This wouldn’t happen to be a private sale red manual 2.7, based in Carlisle would it? If it is it’s been up for sale for a few months and the price keeps tumbling down.
If it is I was interested myself but yeah needs a bit of cash spent on it to bring it up to speed with maintenance. At the least I’d probably get a pre-purchase inspection before any purchase.
I’ve been keeping an eye on decent spec and condition 981 for a while and the going rate for that is around 30k.
If it is I was interested myself but yeah needs a bit of cash spent on it to bring it up to speed with maintenance. At the least I’d probably get a pre-purchase inspection before any purchase.
I’ve been keeping an eye on decent spec and condition 981 for a while and the going rate for that is around 30k.
Edited by JamesA95 on Saturday 15th April 11:03
JamesA95 said:
This wouldn’t happen to be a private sale red manual 2.7, based in Carlisle would it? If it is it’s been up for sale for a few months and the price keeps tumbling down.
If it is I was interested myself but yeah needs a bit of cash spent on it to bring it up to speed with maintenance. At the least I’d probably get a pre-purchase inspection before any purchase.
I’ve been keeping an eye on decent spec and condition 981 for a while and the going rate for that is around 30k.
Yeah, that’s the one. Seller was happy enough to answer questions but didn’t seem to appreciate that the price only reflected that it was due a service, and not that it had a chunk of missing history. If it is I was interested myself but yeah needs a bit of cash spent on it to bring it up to speed with maintenance. At the least I’d probably get a pre-purchase inspection before any purchase.
I’ve been keeping an eye on decent spec and condition 981 for a while and the going rate for that is around 30k.
Edited by JamesA95 on Saturday 15th April 11:03
I’m on the fence at the moment, if it could be had for low enough I think it would be worth it. As you say that mileage and spec is £30k with a FSH.
This was a really interesting thread for me as I was also interested in the car in question, and had arranged to view it today, which I did.
It looks really nice visually. Prior to viewing I spoke to my local respected indy and explained the service history issues. He said if it had a full service now it should be fine. My plan was a PPI to make sure nothing hugely expensive needed doing, then if all good, buy it and then get a full service. A service now should mitigate the one missed last year a little. There is documentation from the time of purchase- 2020, deep into covid time, and this shows a multipoint check prior to sale, but the selling dealer didnt appear to carry out a service. The advert missed out that the car has heated seats and sports mode.
Anyway, im not buying it as my last car was a 997.2 and I think that has spoilt me, so its back to a 911 I think. No reflection on the Caymans condition though. Probably a good cheap 981 Manual for someone !
It looks really nice visually. Prior to viewing I spoke to my local respected indy and explained the service history issues. He said if it had a full service now it should be fine. My plan was a PPI to make sure nothing hugely expensive needed doing, then if all good, buy it and then get a full service. A service now should mitigate the one missed last year a little. There is documentation from the time of purchase- 2020, deep into covid time, and this shows a multipoint check prior to sale, but the selling dealer didnt appear to carry out a service. The advert missed out that the car has heated seats and sports mode.
Anyway, im not buying it as my last car was a 997.2 and I think that has spoilt me, so its back to a 911 I think. No reflection on the Caymans condition though. Probably a good cheap 981 Manual for someone !
Bustlepuncher said:
This was a really interesting thread for me as I was also interested in the car in question, and had arranged to view it today, which I did.
It looks really nice visually. Prior to viewing I spoke to my local respected indy and explained the service history issues. He said if it had a full service now it should be fine. My plan was a PPI to make sure nothing hugely expensive needed doing, then if all good, buy it and then get a full service. A service now should mitigate the one missed last year a little. There is documentation from the time of purchase- 2020, deep into covid time, and this shows a multipoint check prior to sale, but the selling dealer didnt appear to carry out a service. The advert missed out that the car has heated seats and sports mode.
Anyway, im not buying it as my last car was a 997.2 and I think that has spoilt me, so its back to a 911 I think. No reflection on the Caymans condition though. Probably a good cheap 981 Manual for someone !
Interesting that you viewed it and had that thought, looks like a few of us think there could be a decent deal to be had! It appears to be a good car, condition, spec etc.. but the servicing lets it down.It looks really nice visually. Prior to viewing I spoke to my local respected indy and explained the service history issues. He said if it had a full service now it should be fine. My plan was a PPI to make sure nothing hugely expensive needed doing, then if all good, buy it and then get a full service. A service now should mitigate the one missed last year a little. There is documentation from the time of purchase- 2020, deep into covid time, and this shows a multipoint check prior to sale, but the selling dealer didnt appear to carry out a service. The advert missed out that the car has heated seats and sports mode.
Anyway, im not buying it as my last car was a 997.2 and I think that has spoilt me, so its back to a 911 I think. No reflection on the Caymans condition though. Probably a good cheap 981 Manual for someone !
The advert now says it has a sports exhaust, is this the switchable exhaust or just the sports tips?
Cheers
Ross
I have quite a low mileage 2016 GTS. It will supposedly need its 8 year sevice next year. Its had a full OPC service history to date with an Porsche warranty until 2024.
I can't really justfy in my head spending over £1000 for the major service. Having run rce and rally cars all my life it goes against the grain to pay for the oil change (already done one at 5,000 miles after purchaseing and its last service) changed brake fluid after the supplying OPC replaced my 2 rear calipers due to seized inner nipples (after 3 months after alleged fluid change carried out by them), spark plugs an hours work and a cost of circa £40 for 6 plugs, etc.
Should I pay to have it (allegedly) done or diy and take a bit of a hit when selling? If I DIY at least I know its been done - the last 2 Porsches had fully stamped books, but clearly older parts were still in place, for example date stamped filters same as age of car....
I can't really justfy in my head spending over £1000 for the major service. Having run rce and rally cars all my life it goes against the grain to pay for the oil change (already done one at 5,000 miles after purchaseing and its last service) changed brake fluid after the supplying OPC replaced my 2 rear calipers due to seized inner nipples (after 3 months after alleged fluid change carried out by them), spark plugs an hours work and a cost of circa £40 for 6 plugs, etc.
Should I pay to have it (allegedly) done or diy and take a bit of a hit when selling? If I DIY at least I know its been done - the last 2 Porsches had fully stamped books, but clearly older parts were still in place, for example date stamped filters same as age of car....
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