GT3 Mk1
Author
Discussion

asterix

Original Poster:

24,438 posts

258 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
Hi all,

Rather than look at a new Cayman S, I'm now seriously looking at a Mk1 GT3, theres one I'm looking at now - it has 50,000kms on it (just over 30k miles) I've know the owner for a while - it has been tracked but he's one of the instructors at the Dubai Autodrome and a constant winner in the UAE Porsche Owners Club race days so hopefully as been sympathetic with the car through good form.

Now, he's said that it has run very well since he's had it but the only thing he's noticed is the gear change is getting slighty stiff - something to do with the syncros on the 1st-3rd being brass, the rest steel (is this correct?) and the drivers seat (alcantera) is a bit worn.

So my question is... is the gearbox thing an issue? The seat, unless I get one shipped out or something, I can probably live with.

I'm having a drive of it tomorrow.

Many thanks.

slippydiff

16,400 posts

253 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
IIRC a known MK1 GT3 "weakpoint" addressed in the Mk2 version by using steel synchros on all gears.

asterix

Original Poster:

24,438 posts

258 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
I've done a search regarding the gearbox, but not much came up.

Is it a serious issue or one just to keep an eye on - is it better to be pro-active and have the syncros upgraded should I buy it as a preventative measure or see how they go and replace them if it gets too bad - which is the more reasonable option?

Many thanks.

nervous

24,050 posts

260 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
you could try talking to the folk on titanic-gt3.co.uk im sure theyll be able to best advise you.

asterix

Original Poster:

24,438 posts

258 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
Many thanks - not the easiest place to read!

slippydiff

16,400 posts

253 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
Give Steve McHale at JZMachtech or Parrs a bell, they'll soon put you right.

nervous

24,050 posts

260 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
asterix said:
Many thanks - not the easiest place to read!


god, tell me about it.

asterix

Original Poster:

24,438 posts

258 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
Ahhh that was the other thing - I'm in Dubai!

So I'm assuming that the only place I could get a check on the car done is at the OPC here. I don't know of any other indies that could look at it.

peterpeter

6,438 posts

287 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
asterix said:
I've done a search regarding the gearbox, but not much came up.

Is it a serious issue or one just to keep an eye on - is it better to be pro-active and have the syncros upgraded should I buy it as a preventative measure or see how they go and replace them if it gets too bad - which is the more reasonable option?

Many thanks.



steve (paul burrell) seems to know alot about the synchros..


Steve? what you you think?

ballcock

3,855 posts

249 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
asterix said:
Ahhh that was the other thing - I'm in Dubai!

So I'm assuming that the only place I could get a check on the car done is at the OPC here. I don't know of any other indies that could look at it.


I confess to not knowing much about GT3's , synchro's etc , but a fair plan would seem to be ... Get it OPC checked (the 111 pre-warranty one), and if the syncho's are high-lighted then get the seller to sort them .. If they're not high-lighted then put it on the opc warranty , and if the gear box gives , you'll be sorted under the OPC scheme ....... No?

Vesuvius 996

35,829 posts

301 months

Thursday 3rd August 2006
quotequote all
ballcock said:
asterix said:
Ahhh that was the other thing - I'm in Dubai!

So I'm assuming that the only place I could get a check on the car done is at the OPC here. I don't know of any other indies that could look at it.


I confess to not knowing much about GT3's , synchro's etc , but a fair plan would seem to be ... Get it OPC checked (the 111 pre-warranty one), and if the syncho's are high-lighted then get the seller to sort them .. If they're not high-lighted then put it on the opc warranty , and if the gear box gives , you'll be sorted under the OPC scheme ....... No?


Yes sir.

slippydiff

16,400 posts

253 months

Friday 4th August 2006
quotequote all
Worn synchro hubs most likely viewed as fair wear and tear and not a failure as such ? so possibly not covered by warranty ?

ballcock

3,855 posts

249 months

Friday 4th August 2006
quotequote all
Yeah Slippy you might have a point .. It'd be worth doin a bit of homework on that before handing over the wads.....

paulburrell

648 posts

263 months

Friday 4th August 2006
quotequote all
I've heard a number of MK1 owners have had them changed under warranty without a problem. However the latest OPC warranty schedule is less than clear about this, it mentions transmission and then a number of specific components that are covered. Synchro's are not specifically mentioned and the best bet is to ring an OPC and ask them for a definitive answer. They will usually contact Reading and then if you are lucky they will call you back with an answer.


silver993tt

9,064 posts

269 months

Friday 4th August 2006
quotequote all
paulburrell said:
I've heard a number of MK1 owners have had them changed under warranty without a problem. However the latest OPC warranty schedule is less than clear about this, it mentions transmission and then a number of specific components that are covered. Synchro's are not specifically mentioned and the best bet is to ring an OPC and ask them for a definitive answer. They will usually contact Reading and then if you are lucky they will call you back with an answer.




Why would an OPC in Dubai contact Porsche Reading about anything?

johnfm

13,751 posts

280 months

Friday 4th August 2006
quotequote all
I don't recall the synchro's being a huge mk1 problem.

slippydiff

16,400 posts

253 months

Friday 4th August 2006
quotequote all
johnfm said:
I don't recall the synchro's being a huge mk1 problem.


Who said anything about it being a "huge" problem ? I think it's more of a known "weakness" if used hard on track, (I was going to use the word abused, but maybe it's too strong)
The fact the MK2 was fitted with steel synchros on all gears would indicate Porsche felt it was an area of gearbox longevity that could be improved upon ?

ChrisEvo2

41 posts

257 months

Friday 4th August 2006
quotequote all
Not a problem on MY 2001 MK1s either

Edited by ChrisEvo2 on Friday 4th August 15:12

asterix

Original Poster:

24,438 posts

258 months

Friday 4th August 2006
quotequote all
Cheers guys - having driven the car today - I really couldn't feel any problem apart from the long throws