repair / maintenance costs

[Lowlander]

Hi there,

Before taking the plunge and buying an SC I would appreictae any advice on likely / possible repair costs. Buying a 25 year old car for regular use will inevitably result in some repairs along the way.

Can anyone give me approx. prices for the following at a porsche speciliast.

1. Top end engine rebuild.
2. Gearbox rebuild.
3. Full exhaust system.
4. Fitting of hydraulic tensioners
5 major and minor service


Any other areas that are prone to failure? electrics? suspension? bodywork?

Thanks.

Martin.

 

[Guest]

I have not been a Porsche owner for very long but i have read a lot of posts and did hours of research on the net before finally buying my current SC.

Appologies if my estimates are a little wrong my prices are from what i have read not from personal experience with the exception of the exhaust.

Top end rebuild 2-3K
Gearbox rebuild 2-3K
Full exhaust system - (mine is a Dansk sports pre silencer and Hayward and Scott rear box) £550 for the pair £150 & £400 respectively. If you need heat exchangers or performance manifolds add at least £1000
Hydraulic tensioners - not too sure (sorry)[]
Major service (depending on parts and where you take it) £500 - £1000
Minor service - £100 - ? remember 10L of oil will cost at least £50.

Once again apologies for any errors and anyone feel free to put me right.

 

[bruceb]

Martin

These prices look about right, the big one to watch out for is corrosion. look very carefully around the door shuts to rear wing and sill area. This is a common area to corrode and about £1250 per side to repair and paint.

Minor bubbling on the bumpers where they meet the bellows is not cheap either. Front and rear sections at about £500 to get repainted including new bellows etc.

Interior trim can also be expensive to get repaired seats at about £350 for recovering excluding any replacement foam supports.

Overall I would budget on around £1500 per year to keep the car up together without any upgrades or enhancements. This would allow a planned changeout of some old part such as suspension bushings, shocks etc which make such a difference to how these cars perform. An old SC with standard but good condition suspension, brakes, gearbox etc will perform very well.

Bruce

 

[bones]

I know it's wise to be prepared for all eventualities but try to buy a car without the need to have all this work done. Higher mileage cars don't mean they have to have extensive engine work done, SC engines in particular run for 150,000 miles plus without needing major surgery if they have been looked after, pick a car with a sound engine and gearbox to start with. The 'need' for hydraulic tensioners is over stated , 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' but I think the stock mechanical tensioners should be inspected periodically as a precaution. Unless you drive the car in all weathers there is no need to buy an expensive stainless steel exhaust system, so you can save a considereable amount of money there. I bought used but as new HEs, a cracking Triad West Performance exhaust and the oil pipes for £650.00. You just have to shop around and do the research. Ring your local Independent for a fixed price on servicing but an SC runs out at about £350.00 ish now for a major service.