150k Miles in a 3.4 C2 AeroKit - What now?
Discussion
Hi Everyone,
I am looking for some advice, not on what car to get next, but more on what to do about my current car.
I bought the car around 5yrs ago and it's now just crept over the 150,000 Miles mark. I have not done much over the years apart from tyres the odd coil pack, a new oil breather/seperator thing and refurbed alloys etc.
It's been very reliable and it's kept outside all the time as I do not have a garage, I am also not much of a poseur and as such it rarely gets washed (Service time only maybe?) and has quite a few stone chips.
I am now in a position to spend a little on it and give it some love and attention. BUT before I go spending some money on getting the Air con working again, some refreshing of trim etc. I want to make sure the internals are ok, It's not been Harteched, but for the sake of what is now an 8-12k car, I don't want to spend 8k getting it improved. But I would like a little peice of mind as I enjoy the car and wish to keep it.
So my question is: What sort of maintenance would you recommend, that isn't going to cost more than the car is worth and would a normal service/inspection reveal most of the engine wear that needs some attention?
I am looking for some advice, not on what car to get next, but more on what to do about my current car.
I bought the car around 5yrs ago and it's now just crept over the 150,000 Miles mark. I have not done much over the years apart from tyres the odd coil pack, a new oil breather/seperator thing and refurbed alloys etc.
It's been very reliable and it's kept outside all the time as I do not have a garage, I am also not much of a poseur and as such it rarely gets washed (Service time only maybe?) and has quite a few stone chips.
I am now in a position to spend a little on it and give it some love and attention. BUT before I go spending some money on getting the Air con working again, some refreshing of trim etc. I want to make sure the internals are ok, It's not been Harteched, but for the sake of what is now an 8-12k car, I don't want to spend 8k getting it improved. But I would like a little peice of mind as I enjoy the car and wish to keep it.
So my question is: What sort of maintenance would you recommend, that isn't going to cost more than the car is worth and would a normal service/inspection reveal most of the engine wear that needs some attention?
Wow, nice effort ...
Most people looking at one of these with this mileage will want to know the following have been done at some point:
Suspension refresh
Rad replacements inc air con bits.
Pads / Discs done recently ?
Clutch ?
Beyond that they'll want a well documented history of all the work that has been done and by who ....
Sounds like you have enjoyed it, but based on what you've written I think you'll be very lucky to get 5 figures for it and the work above wont be cheap.
Most people looking at one of these with this mileage will want to know the following have been done at some point:
Suspension refresh
Rad replacements inc air con bits.
Pads / Discs done recently ?
Clutch ?
Beyond that they'll want a well documented history of all the work that has been done and by who ....
Sounds like you have enjoyed it, but based on what you've written I think you'll be very lucky to get 5 figures for it and the work above wont be cheap.
Always good to hear about the ones that haven't gone "bang" 
I'm convinced that regular use is good for these cars and it's the weekend garage queens that have most of the problems.
I have to agree with the above though, £10k is probably a bit optimistic with those miles on it. Get a suspension refresh at the next service and carry on enjoying it. Don't worry about the resale value unless you *have* to sell.
I'm convinced that regular use is good for these cars and it's the weekend garage queens that have most of the problems.I have to agree with the above though, £10k is probably a bit optimistic with those miles on it. Get a suspension refresh at the next service and carry on enjoying it. Don't worry about the resale value unless you *have* to sell.
Hi,
Thank for the comments. I agree it's probably worth nearer 8k than 10k, but as mentioned I plan on keeping it.
I will add that pads, discs etc have all been replaced recently and rads only 2yrs ago. I will agree that a Suspension refresh sounds like a wise move too. It does have a GT3 bodykit on it including the wheels, hence they have been refurbed recently as well.
The clutch was done at 95k miles and not done since and I find no slippage or undue pedal travel.
What I was more wondering was whether it was worth disturbing what seems to be a really nicely running engine with an inspection or boroscope or similar to check wear?
As maybe some data for others, I will add that I drive the car at least 2/3 times a week and always make sure it's up to temp before giving it the beans.
I do also give it a regular bit of leg stretching shall we say, which again may be testament to the engine being designed to be used hard and not driven like show car.
I was tempted to upgrade to a 997 Turbo, but in these uncertain times, i see no reason to invest in a depreciating assett, when in truth the car I have now does everything I want it to and still gives me many, many smiles per miles. Yes, it may not be as impressive to others, but I really don't think us true petrol heads care what others think, it's all about the drive!
Thank for the comments. I agree it's probably worth nearer 8k than 10k, but as mentioned I plan on keeping it.
I will add that pads, discs etc have all been replaced recently and rads only 2yrs ago. I will agree that a Suspension refresh sounds like a wise move too. It does have a GT3 bodykit on it including the wheels, hence they have been refurbed recently as well.
The clutch was done at 95k miles and not done since and I find no slippage or undue pedal travel.
What I was more wondering was whether it was worth disturbing what seems to be a really nicely running engine with an inspection or boroscope or similar to check wear?
As maybe some data for others, I will add that I drive the car at least 2/3 times a week and always make sure it's up to temp before giving it the beans.
I do also give it a regular bit of leg stretching shall we say, which again may be testament to the engine being designed to be used hard and not driven like show car.
I was tempted to upgrade to a 997 Turbo, but in these uncertain times, i see no reason to invest in a depreciating assett, when in truth the car I have now does everything I want it to and still gives me many, many smiles per miles. Yes, it may not be as impressive to others, but I really don't think us true petrol heads care what others think, it's all about the drive!
steve singh said:
Pugley said:
Hartech lower temp thermostat certainly wouldn't do any harm and would be an excuse to refresh the coolant.
In a 996 as opposed to the usual 997 where the cooling is an issue?I'd suggest getting it boroscoped but perhaps wait until the plugs are being changed. I had a low temp 'stat fitted when the water pump was done and the car had the intermediate shaft bearing replaced as it was noticed as being noisy when running on a ramp ( very rare to have caught it - the first most people know is when it goes bang without warning). I'd certainly consider doing this as a precaution with yours if it's otherwise all OK. Mine gets similar use, no low rev labouring when cold which can do far more harm than a good thrashing once warmed up.
6C4GTS said:
steve singh said:
Pugley said:
Hartech lower temp thermostat certainly wouldn't do any harm and would be an excuse to refresh the coolant.
In a 996 as opposed to the usual 997 where the cooling is an issue?The focus on the 996 has always been the IMS failure, whereas on the 997 it has been about bore scoring / heat damage ? Hence why people have added a 3rd radiator to their 997s...
Also if the engine has done 150k, even if there was a cooling issue surely the major damage would already have been done?
Very pleased to say that the chaps at Northway have done me proud once again. I don't think there are many garages/workshops that I would trust with my ageing 911, but those guys are a breath of fresh air.
I asked them to take a good look at the suspension and a number of areas that I needed some fixing done (Sticky door handle, adjust on bonnet lid, oil pipes etc) and also a replacement rear exaust system. They could have pulled the wool and told me other things needed doing, but as usual Northways are a garage I wish I could take other makes of car as they really are superb and trustworthy.
I have no affiliation apart from being a very happy customer that had to share my good experience.
I now have a new Dansk exhaust which didn't cost the earth and sounds far better than the standard PSE and a lot cheaper. Thanks again guys!
I asked them to take a good look at the suspension and a number of areas that I needed some fixing done (Sticky door handle, adjust on bonnet lid, oil pipes etc) and also a replacement rear exaust system. They could have pulled the wool and told me other things needed doing, but as usual Northways are a garage I wish I could take other makes of car as they really are superb and trustworthy.
I have no affiliation apart from being a very happy customer that had to share my good experience.
I now have a new Dansk exhaust which didn't cost the earth and sounds far better than the standard PSE and a lot cheaper. Thanks again guys!
All2Chewy said:
Very pleased to say that the chaps at Northway have done me proud once again. I don't think there are many garages/workshops that I would trust with my ageing 911, but those guys are a breath of fresh air.
100% seconded as another happy customer! They take a very realistic/practical approach to maintenance. Most dealers and specialists seem to have no regard for the fact that money is hard earned for most people, whereas Northway instead seem to understand this and save you from spending s unless its actually required.Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff