997 - daily driving through winter

[g.pm]

Hi, first post on here but hope this’ll get you going. Finally found an ideal 997.1 C4S in really good nick, about to have an independent look it over. I live in Scotland and do about 12k miles a year. Am I mad to consider driving a 19 year old Porsche every day for the next few years and not expect it to decay into a pile of rust? It looks pretty good underneath from what I can see (apart from the usual exhausts, various fixings etc) and has been treated in the last year or so. This is the only thing stopping me buying!! I’m happy to get my hands dirty but don’t want to set myself up to destroy a nice car! All thoughts welcome 🙏

[james28]

Nothing wrong with using them in the winter
Just keep on top of the maintenance.
If your using it on the salted roads just hose off the underside with clean water and dry the best you can.A bit of lubricant and grease won't go a miss either.

[g.pm]

Thanks - will be kept outside so unlikely to be able to dry off but I think I’ll invest in a good jet wash!

[maz8062]

Best to get a beater - the 997 will be expensive at those kind of miles. The C4S is the best for the colder temps, but unless you’re prepare to spanner the thing yourself the maintenance costs will rack up big time.

[chris-e]

I have a 2002 996, lived outside most of its life and used every winter, still in remarkably good condition. As already mentioned - keep it clean, pay attention underneath with a jetwash if you can. Grease and usual rust inhibitors add another layer of protection. On a side note its actually fairing much better than my 2018 GTS! already corroding bolts...

[_kitt_]

As long as you keep up with proper cleaning and protection the usage will be good for it. Leave it with copious amount of salt both on the body and underneath and parked on a wet lawn will accelerate decay. It wouldn't hurt to spray some cavity protection products in the cavities too.

[g.pm]

Thanks - all good advice. After paying over £2k for tyres, a service and gearbox oil change for my Q5, I’m hoping costs will be around that a year. In general how many miles to you get out of the tyres on a C4s?

[FriedMarsBar]

You could get it protected from rust with Dynax or Lanoguard etc. I use my car in the winter but not everyday so can avoid the worst of the weather. Make sure you don't use PZeros either, in my experience they're shocking in the damp.

[g.pm]

Thanks, it’s on P4s

[wax lyrical]

I agree with all the comments above (apart from the plonker telling you not to drive it through the Winter). I've had my Gen 2 997 C4S for over a year. Kept on the driveway and used throughout the Winter. Just keep clean and wash road salt off it regularly. Before this coming Winter I'm planning to get the underside & wheel arches cleaned and rust protected. Probably no real need - just peace of mind.

I used to have a 996 (for 9 years) - daily driver - used every Winter - no issues. Engine eventually failed (at 150k miles - RMS) but that was unrelated to Winter driving.

I have Michelin PS4's on my car. 15k miles and still loads of tread. I don't drive like a hooligan and don't do track days.

[g.pm]

Thanks - it’s all stacking up 😀. Maybe I’ll buy a shed and shift all the bikes and crap out and use the garage for intended purpose! That’ll give me somewhere to work on the car too.

[ChrisW.]

The greater corrosion on later fixings would suggest some cost saving from Porsche ... I had a 987 Cayman used every day of the year and the only place I saw any corrosion was at the lips of the wheel arches which I should have kept clean of mud ... and forgot.

Also some gravel rash along the sills behind the front wheels ... a good jet wash is a very useful thing but it doesn't get into the corners which need a little more effort, but worthwhile IMHO ...

The only issue with a car that may have recently been rust proofed is "what lays beneath" ? Which is why I like clear waxes such as Bilt Hamber UC ... or Lanoguard (?) which has also been suggested. Important to be done when dry and clean to avoid potentially sealing water inside rubber gaiters etc ...

[Reggie20]

Definitely worth clearing the garage out. Did mine Spring time this year so I could get a car in - its quite cathartic doing numerous tip runs to clear all the c*** out that you were convinced you needed but actually never used in 10 years! Go for it!

[FriedMarsBar]

g.pm said:

Thanks, it s on P4s

Excellent news :-)

[FriedMarsBar]

g.pm said:

Thanks - it s all stacking up ?. Maybe I ll buy a shed and shift all the bikes and crap out and use the garage for intended purpose! That ll give me somewhere to work on the car too.

I'm very jealous, I have a garage but it's only just big enough to park in, no space to wield a spanner.

[Discombobulate]

Fixings are an issue, but you can replace these (although the exhaust ones are a pain).


I would have no issue running one all year round (we have had ours for 16 years) BUT you need to put some effort in. Rust in the arches is becoming an increasingly common issue on older 997s and expensive to repair. Prevention is key.

First get the car up on axle stands and take out the wheel arch liners. Remove all the crud in the wheel arch lips and the front wall of the rear arches (where there will be loads). Clean and then cover in something like Dynax UC/UB or equivalent. Spray the coil springs too.
Also remove the rearmost belly pan and clean up and treat the 2 cross members at the back. They will already be rusty but are strong so can just be cleaned up.
Having checked the rest of my car under the other belly pans it was pristine so I wouldn't worry too much about these.
Last, but not least, as above check for gravel rash / surface rust on lower edge of body behind the front wheels (and sometimes in front of the rear ones). Rust treat, prime, paint and Dynax UB.

Then drive

Edited add: this shows what can happen if you don't take preventive action. A bad case, but...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9PzQjR7Is0

Edited by Discombobulate on Friday 3rd October 17:47

[maz8062]

wax lyrical said:

I agree with all the comments above (apart from the plonker telling you not to drive it through the Winter). I've had my Gen 2 997 C4S for over a year. Kept on the driveway and used throughout the Winter. Just keep clean and wash road salt off it regularly. Before this coming Winter I'm planning to get the underside & wheel arches cleaned and rust protected. Probably no real need - just peace of mind.

I used to have a 996 (for 9 years) - daily driver - used every Winter - no issues. Engine eventually failed (at 150k miles - RMS) but that was unrelated to Winter driving.

I have Michelin PS4's on my car. 15k miles and still loads of tread. I don't drive like a hooligan and don't do track days.

“No issues” but the engine eventually died. Who’s the plonker?

My point to the op is that 12k miles a year in a 20 year old car will be expensive as things will go wrong. But it’s your cash, your choice.

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Do what you want but this was my 997.2 after a few winters

[g.pm]

Just bought my “first” 911. A 2006 997.1 carrera 4s manual. Very happy so far. Drove it from Newbury to its new home in Stirling (400 miles) on one tank of petrol averaging 30mpg. Since then been a bit more realistic 19mpg but I bought it to enjoy. A few things needing done but nothing major came out in the pre-purchase inspection other than the usual rusty split exhaust boxes. What’s the general thoughts on replacement? It has the sports chrono pack so would like to retain those features. It also has the LSD and lowered suspension (non PASM). I guess it will take a while to get to know the car, happy to hear any and all advice and comments…

[Discombobulate]

g.pm said:

Just bought my first 911. A 2006 997.1 carrera 4s manual. Very happy so far. Drove it from Newbury to its new home in Stirling (400 miles) on one tank of petrol averaging 30mpg. Since then been a bit more realistic 19mpg but I bought it to enjoy. A few things needing done but nothing major came out in the pre-purchase inspection other than the usual rusty split exhaust boxes. What s the general thoughts on replacement? It has the sports chrono pack so would like to retain those features. It also has the LSD and lowered suspension (non PASM). I guess it will take a while to get to know the car, happy to hear any and all advice and comments

Congratulations!
Now get yourself over to the 997 forum on 911uk
All your questions will be answered.