997 GT3 No Underseal?

[TheDeadPrussian]

Am I right in thinking the 997 GT3 despite having the options of Sat Nav, Air Conditioning and Telephone etc is going to do without underseal as a wieght saving measure.
I have a GT3 on order, and I will not be always able to garage it. What rust protection is there to counter the no underseal decision?
Does the 996 GT3 (Mk1 or Mk2) have a problem with living outside?

[Agent Orange]

I ve run 2 993 rs /cs and a couple of GT2 s thru English winters no underseal never a problem ...................only paint/rust prob was from rear screen flexing and rubbing off paint under rubber strip........done under warranty.

[TheDeadPrussian]

Are there any other common GT3 peculiarities I should be aware of (I will be coming out of a 997 C2S)?:confused

[DanH]

On the 996, I think only the RS has no underseal. It's galvanised though so should be ok.

[Pugsey]

IMO pretty irrelevant whether you garage it or not - if it rains it will only land on upper, protected, surfaces anyway and you won't suffer condensation. It's driving thru. water and on salted roads etc. that might cause the damage - although, as others have posted, actually unlikely to be a prob. Hope not anyway 'cos. intend to use mine as everyday car as well as track day warrior!

[TheDeadPrussian]

Absolutely, I will be using the GT3 everyday, not exactly as a daily commuter car, but certainly I will be spending as much time as I can in it.
I divide my time between the UK and Germany, so my concern really is the harsh German (and UK) winters. Anyone got any tips on looking after a GT3 in the deep mid winter?
Locking it away is not an option!

Edited by TheDeadPrussian on Wednesday 26th July 15:56

[CharlesW]

I've found Waxoyl to be pretty good at discouraging rust. You can get it black or clear. You have to reapply it every year or 2, but it is cheap.

[TheDeadPrussian]

Thanks Charles thats a good idea. Does anyone think it might be worth just having it undersealed by Porsche (obviously I will have to pay for the privilege)?

[DanH]

TheDeadPrussian said:

Thanks Charles thats a good idea. Does anyone think it might be worth just having it undersealed by Porsche (obviously I will have to pay for the privilege)?

I'm still not convinced it isn't already undersealed. Check with Porsche.

[pugsey]

The spec. sheet page headed 'Product differentiation' for 997GT3 has a Design/Body heading and under that heading the eight bullet point reads - 'Reduced PVC underbody protection'.

I think that means that there will be some protection but not as much (thickness maybe) as standard car. Trying to find out more. I believe that the body warranty was reduced from ten to eight years on 996RS for these reasons? In reality I don't reckon it's a prob. unless you're going to use the car continuously in appalling conditions.

[DanH]

pugsey said:

The spec. sheet page headed 'Product differentiation' for 997GT3 has a Design/Body heading and under that heading the eight bullet point reads - 'Reduced PVC underbody protection'.

I think that means that there will be some protection but not as much (thickness maybe) as standard car. Trying to find out more. I believe that the body warranty was reduced from ten to eight years on 996RS for these reasons? In reality I don't reckon it's a prob. unless you're going to use the car continuously in appalling conditions.

I looked for any funky warranty exclusions with my RS and can't find them in the book. Got it all properly stamped up at 2 years too. Assuming you look after the car and the metal doesn't get scraped etc I don't think its a huge problem. Can always pay Parr to waxoyl and clean it for you.

[wildoliver]

the only things to be careful of are grounding the floorpan out on speed humps, hitting rocks and flinging them up under the car, and taking it to tyre fitters who jack under the floorpan, all these will go through any protection and galvanising present and induce corrosion.

[pugsey]

Think the prev. two posts are spot on - I'm sure it would be damage rather than 'weather' that would cause any probs.

[TheDeadPrussian]

Thanks guys. Perhaps I am worrying too much. It just seems slightly ridiculous that the underseal is thinner on the GT3 to reduce weight, when you can fill it full of electronic "goodies".
Having said all of that, I'm probably as guilty as the next man, as I fully intend to stick SatNav, Aircon and Stereo in mine, but I'll try to make ammends by going for the CGT seats!