Costs for rebuild work

[Guest]

OK I'm in contemplative mode tonight[&:]

Guys thinking tonight, the biggest deterent from buying some of the current 968s on offer is the high mileage, with this in mind what would be the approx costs of say a full engine rebuild, a top end job and lastly a gearbox job ?

What other parts may need consideration.

The method behind my thinking is I've been re-evaluating the high mileage (130,000mls) left hooker on the autotrader site which is near as dammit 8K probably less with some bartering. I could buy this and still keep the MG for the time being so it would give me time to fettle and ensure its right for day to day use. Best case is its a peach and it costs me next to nothing worst case the gearbox is shot and it uses a gallon of oil to every ten of petrol.


Anyone got some rough figures ?

Cheers

Mike[8D]

 

[Mark_Bennett]

What makes you think that is a high milage?

It should be good for a further 130,000miles!

 

[Guest]

If that was the case why do I read about folk having problems at a lot less miles ? seems a lot to me [&:]

Mike

 

[John H]

The problems are serious, but perhaps they are also a bit overstated, so I wouldn't let that put you off.

The major issue is that Porsche really ought to have specified checking and changing the cam chain as part of the regular maintenance schedule. Some folk have sadly had this fail, and it can cause serious problems. If however this is regularly inspected, and changed at appropriate intervals, there does not seem to be any other inherent weakness. In all the time I have been reading the various forums, I don't recall seeing reports of other major problems, such as bearing failure, valve train failure, or bores wearing out.

The lesson would seem to be to do MORE maintenance that Porsche suggest, and the car will be fine. I am impressed by Porsche engineering, but I would be more impressed with them as a company if they recognised such weak spots as the cam chain retrospectively, and revised their maintenance schedules to suit.

The trouble is that the whole product liability culture which the Americans have foisted upon the world, does not encourage such honesty. The engineers might recognise that there is a problem, but the lawyers would over-rule it. Porsche are by no means alone in this, it is just a sad fact of the world we now live in.

John H

 

[wedgepilot]

Any make of car, new or old, high or low mileage, will suffer if it isn't maintained properly. Knowing the weak points and looking after them properly is 95% of the battle. With a Porsche, there are just fewer weak points to worry about. []

Slightly OT, but apparently the number of new cars needing replacement engines after a couple of years has sky-rocketed recently, because most owners (the kind that don't read the manual) just aren't aware that modern 'performance' engines burn oil at a fairly high rate and run them dry.

 

[2alexcoo]

Mike, I think you'll be unlucky to find a 968 in imminent need of an engine rebuild, unless it's been neglected. Obviously a compression test would be reassuring to have done though.

Naturally the car will have potential issues to watch out for (belts, cam chain, clutch etc), but then this applies to any 968 whatever the mileage. In terms of driveability and durability, the mileage in itself isn't a problem - the car's condition and maintenance history are more important. In financial terms, obviously the up-front price has to be right as it'll be harder to sell on. But at that price (assuming it's a good 'un), it's the sort of car I would buy with the intention of keeping it forever and a day...

 

[Guest]

Mike

I phoned about the car in Topmarques for £8.2k and its still available. It has a fsh from Germany and was imported in to the UK a couple of years ago. In reality it doesnt sound like a bad car atall. The seller has a 964 also and wants to buy a more 'family' orientated car. Hes had a couple of offers on the car but wants to hold out for £8.2k. That sounds a bit odd to me as his price doesnt sound unreasonable if his description is correct and why would someone quibble over a few hundred pounds? Anyhow, I might go and have a look at the weekend as hes literally 10 mins from me. However, the one on ebay sounds a totally different car and is more what Im looking for. But then James does want another £4k for it. I guess at the end of the day you get what you pay for.



Glenn

 

[Guest]

I must admit James' car is a peach and when you consider how much he's spent on it, it would be worth the 12K for the peace of mind of trouble free motoring as you know all the nasty bits have been seen to. I know which one I'd go for if I'd got the cash in my hand now.

Mike []