I wish i hadn't asked....

[dann944]

took my car to my local specialist today to have my wishbones sorted, whilst they were doing it i asked them to check the car over and list its problems

here is the list :/

4 wheel alignment
steering wheel not been put on straight
fuel pipes corroded @ rear O/S
N/S/R Flexy Ferrule corroded (WTF is this?????????)
Oil leak O/S engine area
O/S/R Cill corroded very near to rear suspension fixing ((MOT Fail) Plate here perhaps?)
PAS Belt loose (that'll be why it squeaks at full lock then)
Bottom hose to water pump need renewing

and last of all

Cambelts!!!



Damn it!

 

[pauljmcnulty]

The joys of 944 ownership! [&o]

Being optimistic you need a full alignment after having the wishbones done anyway, and it'll transform the handling of the car. Fuel line can be repaired with a flexible pipe unless you want to go the whole hog and spend ££££s, I had my last one done for about £100 and I'd be happy to do that again with the S2.

Big one is the corrosion, plenty of advice here about that. I've seen them repaired from very cheap to very expensive, largely down to quality of finish and the expected longevity of the repair. Proper panels fit properly, but be prepared for a large bill to do a restoration that'll last another 20 years. Check the other side as well, and waxoyl like crazy.

 

[dann944]

i suppose its better i spend my money on my car rather than crack []

 

[carreraboy]

Clutch ok then []

 

[pauljmcnulty]

i suppose its better i spend my money on my car rather than crack

Probably! [&:]

One of the problems with these cars is that we forget they were a very well-designed, well-built and prestigious piece of kit when new. They were pretty close to 911 prices, so put them next to the current range and work out running costs today, including depreciation. I guess the nearest comparison would be a very well specced Cayman.

Whilst a 944 can be bought for £500, and a very decent Lux for under £2K or a very useable Turbo for £7K, they are still a high-performance car from a premium brand and will cost money to run properly. Allow at least £1k per year, as we suggest for a Lux, or £1500 per year for an S2 or Turbo, over many years, and you will be very happy. Accept that you might get a few big bills every 5, 10, 20 years and it's not a huge problem. The trouble is that many people buy these cars cheap, and get the big bills all in one go. I'd only run a classic car as a long-termer, and that way the costs don't seem quite so bad.

 

[Suffolk944]

Thats very true. There is a danger that folk buy them cheap, get hit by a few big bills, lose heart and sell up. Been a few such through the forum of late. You really do need to make a long term commitment to a 944 or indeed any classic for it to make much sense at all from a financial standpoint.

My own car is going to go in soon to have a a few worn out oily bits replaced which will cost a few quid plus at the same time am going to be stumping up for a couple rather more exciting additions too (hopefully) namely KW suspension and a MAF. The bill will be sizeable but then am planning at least another 4 to 5 years ownership all being well, so can almost convince myself that its all a good idea. [&o]

 

[sawood12]

ORIGINAL: dann944

took my car to my local specialist today to have my wishbones sorted, whilst they were doing it i asked them to check the car over and list its problems

here is the list :/

4 wheel alignment
steering wheel not been put on straight
fuel pipes corroded @ rear O/S
N/S/R Flexy Ferrule corroded (WTF is this?????????)
Oil leak O/S engine area
O/S/R Cill corroded very near to rear suspension fixing ((MOT Fail) Plate here perhaps?)
PAS Belt loose (that'll be why it squeaks at full lock then)
Bottom hose to water pump need renewing

and last of all

Cambelts!!!



Damn it!

Looking at this list there is only one item on there I'd be concerned with - the corroded sill. All the other items are fairly easy and cheap to have sorted and the cambelts is one of those normal maintenance items anyway. I'd hazard a guess that the oil leak in the O/S will be the gasket between the oil cooler. My car had this when I first bought it, took a bit of tracking down - the laws of gravity seem to break down under the bonnet of a 944.

 

[dann944]

forgive my stupidity but what is a "N/S/R Flexy Ferrule"

 

[944 man]

ORIGINAL: dann944
N/S/R Flexy Ferrule corroded (WTF is this?????????)

Its a rear brake hose.

 

[dann944]

ah thank you

 

[homesea]

Simons right, its the metal bit (ferrule) at the end of the rubber brake hose that holds the rubber onto the metal brake hose fitting.
If they corrod a lot the rubber hose could come away and you would lose all your brake fluid.

Not a big job, just replace the whole hose.

 

[Hilux]

Not a big job, just replace the whole hose.

If it`s that rusty then it will be luck if the brake hose comes away from it easily.

 

[Guest]

Im getting bits and pieces done with my car over the winter... Its going to take at least €1000 by the look of things. I dont mind really as you know that it will be reliable and pass any inspection.

Id let stuff off but dodgey brake hoses are a big no no. A bit of patience and plenty of penetrating oil should see it right.

 

[appletonn]

Still missing my old Turbo!

Dropped into Unit 11 yesterday (had taken my new 'Beetle' on a 100 mile round trip to work to hasten the running in process) and there was a nice straight S2 having a fettling. The guy had paid £3200 for the car and it needed about £1200 of various mechanical bits doing, which sounds a lot, but that was going to be a superb car for £4500!!

Do i wish i hadn't needed to sell my 944T, oh yes, oh yes, oh yes......?![8|][8|]

 

[mike220]

Ayup Nick, how's the beetle doing ? You ok ?

Mike

 

[appletonn]

ORIGINAL: mike220

Ayup Nick, how's the beetle doing ? You ok ?

Mike

Hi Mike, Beetle's getting better each time i drive it - up to 600 miles on the engine now, so can start to use a few more revs!

Is your car back on the road yet?

 

[dann944]

where abouts is the oil cooler in a 2.5 lux?

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Underneath and forward of the exhaust, the filter screws on to the casting. At least on my 2.5!

It is a s*d to remove in situ, especially if you have power steering and air-con.

Mike

 

[Mike_Pollock]

If you want to talk through it, call me (07811 944953) I replaced the gasket a couple of weeks ago!

Mike

 

[DavidL]

Actually with the exception of the sills (which could be minor or a real can or worms) the rest is "relatively" minor.

I've just had my turbo in for what I hope will be its last major changes for a while. Nothing had failed but it was only a matter of time.

Rear brake pipes (only MOT fail this year), new water pump, belts, alternator, turbo water pump, cooling system flush and check and other assorted sundries - bill 1500.
The car owes me about 7K, including purchase and a whole lot of body work, which it isn't worth but it probably isn't too far off now.

The money isn't entirely it but lets face it one of the attractions of old cars is knowing that there is no depreciation to pay for so you don't mind the repair/update bills!

Most importantly it is daily transport so I want it reliable (it hasn't let me down all year)
and it puts a smile on my face, especially when reps in their turbo diesel mondeos think they can out drag me uphill - he didn't quite manage - its hard when you're that far behind!!

Someone pointed out to me at an indie I use that my running costs are comparable or possibly more than a much newer 996 - I'm not sure whether the point was that I could afford a newer car or that they are not cheap to run. The latter is definitely true but you pays your money and takes your choice.