Mileage - how much difference?

[topgear253]

Hi
I posted the other day about looking for a low mileage Carrera and it seems that most cars for sale are between 70 and 100,000 miles which although unsurprising I guess I was hoping there would be more weekend cars with 50,000 maybe. Clearly everyone enjoys driving them too much!

Knowing how good the engine's reputation is, I was wondering just how much power loss is there on these higher mileage engines, does the power drop off a lot and is it worth planning for an engine rebuild at 100k? If so how much does this cost, and afterwards is the engine almost as good as new?

Many thanks,
Alex

 

[John Maddox]

Mine has done 171,000 miles without the lid off and still pulls like a mad thing and uses hardly a drop of oil. I reckon if you change the oil and both filters every year and let them warm up before giving them work to do they will go on forever.

I don't know about the power loss but in all the years I have owned it I have never noticed any difference.

I honestly believe they should be used regularly - I've been to Switzerland often in mine on holiday and it has never missed a beat - 700 miles in a day when we go and same comimg back (obviously !)

Don't worry too much about high mileage if there is proof of regular maintenance with quality oil.

 

[Bertroex]

What John says. During a dyno day wit hthe older models, -and I have no reason to doubt any loss in quality between the 3.2 carrera and 993- we could do a few observations.

1. Porsche quotes "minimum power output values" for their engines. Often a well driven, correctly maintained 911 will still make over 100% of their minimum value. A 3.2 carrera with 100 000 would make factory 231 bhp, but on the rollers still sets down 237bhp in standard guise.#

2. Porsche cars which are not driven regularly develop a host of problems regarding electrics furring up, component seizing or failing to work optimally, engine feeling gutless and nothing but torquey. A healthy engine will feel nicely torquey and then, once coming on cam, will zoom like a turbine to the redline.

3. these era porsches are over-engineered.

4. Service history is paramount.

5. I have seen or driven a few incredibly high mileage porsches which felt solid like day one and had excellent compression on all 6 cylinders; on the contrary: the short inner- city driver with 55000 miles was the one needing a top end rebuild .

A pre purchase inspection by an aircooled porsche specialist is PARAMOUNT and this includes a compression test. Do not even contemplate buying without that.

Hope this helps,


Bert

 

[topgear253]

Thanks Bert and John, that is useful info. Do either of you or anyone else have experience of a top end rebuild, I'm just curious to know what it costs and whether the result is an engine that performs as new again? Sorry if this is a silly question...

 

[burrow01]

ORIGINAL: alexoctagon

Thanks Bert and John, that is useful info. Do either of you or anyone else have experience of a top end rebuild, I'm just curious to know what it costs and whether the result is an engine that performs as new again? Sorry if this is a silly question...

Hi

I have the invoices for the top end rebuild on my car that was done by the previous owner @ a cost of £6500 - this included new cams though - was undertaken at 113,000 miles

Had the engine on a dyno acouple of times and seems to match other 993's without a problem, no noticable oil usage (although had to have a gasket replaced recently due to a small oil leak)

I would not get too hung up about a specific maximum milage, - the main thing is how the car has been treated/serviced during its life

Pete

 

[Mark Elder]

Agree with everything above. From perspective of someone who purchased a car at 27K miles (and within 3K I had to replace the clutch), I see no particular sign that mileage is worth thinking about. Now it's over 50K and I seem to be spending less on it the more miles I use it (touch wood).

 

[edelschmetterling]

171K Do you drive about the house in it opposed to walking!? This is perhaps the highest mileage 993 I have even know of. In many respects it is a comforting indication that I will potentially also enjoy my car as much as you have without ever having to lift the lid. I too take much Care in maintenance etc...
With regards to power, well never thought about it really. Just an utter joy to drive, even when in traffic because eventual the traffic stops and the fun just goes on. []

 

[boo152]

Bought my December 1993 C2 in '98 with 39k on the clock.
11 years later it has done 107,000 and drives just as good (if not better) than when I bought it!

As previous posters have said meticulous maintenance and always warming up properly before booting it are essential.

PS I will never sell it.

 

[LK_991GTS]

I was just reading a thread on Rennlist where someone had done 250,000 miles without anything other than normal servicing.

 

[Porker993]

I agree with Bert. Mine has done 98,400 miles (can't wait for the big 100!) and pulls like a train. It is as quick and smoke free now as it was at 45,000 when I bought it.

Replacing the worn HT leads did a world of good last month - the engine is noticeably smoother at lower revs, and pulls perfectly from idle to the red line in any gear.

I have always been told by those that know, that driving these cars is what is good for them, and my experience bears this out.

They must be properly maintained though, which is not always cheap.

 

[graham m]

I've looked at few 993's over the past few weeks, with various mileages - what does amaze (and annoys) me is the fact some would be sellers think that 'mileage' and service intervals don't corrolate. i.e. "Oh I know it hasn't been serviced for the last 3 years, but I've only done 9000 miles over that period, and its not due for another 3000 miles!" Donkeys!
Graham

 

[sawood12]

Attachment (1)

ORIGINAL: edelschmetterling

171K Do you drive about the house in it opposed to walking!? This is perhaps the highest mileage 993 I have even know of. In many respects it is a comforting indication that I will potentially also enjoy my car as much as you have without ever having to lift the lid. I too take much Care in maintenance etc...
With regards to power, well never thought about it really. Just an utter joy to drive, even when in traffic because eventual the traffic stops and the fun just goes on. []

I very nearly bought one a couple of years ago with 185k on the clock. Had been owned by 3 previous owners, all Doctors, all knew each other and the car had done mainly motorway commutes. The thing was tight as a drum and pretty much immaculate, but timing with my first child got in the way of that one. Still i've got the 944 turbo to keep me going!

 

[zrcg1]

175k and still going strong .... no rebuild to date - the engine is still sweet as a nut.

 

[sjd]

Bought my 1997 targa last year with 47k miles. Now 14 months later with 62k miles and drives much better. Key for me as with others is the service history.

 

[ubertub]

As everyone says... swap oil and filters often and warm up well before spanking and it'll live for ever (one sincerely hopes)
Mines just passed 105K and showed 309bhp on the rollers with no mods at all. (Optimax fuel tho)
One previous owner who clearly loved it...
I use mine as a daily whip in all weathers and it never misses a beat. If properly maintained and driven regularly they are just superb cars. I'd consider 100k just about run in!