Update on Wandering 996TT

[paulm]

Thanks for all of the comments so far.

Latest situation is that my car went into Reading OPC to investigate a grinding noise in the front end which turned out to be a front diff bearing (front diff being replaced under warrenty), however when the mechanic took the car out for a test drive he commented on my car's wandering tendencies. His conclusion was, yes, you need to replace the tyres, but, there was no question that the car needed a four wheel alignment also. When the OPC checked this out for me a month or so before, they said this was not neccessary! The mechanic (who was great by the way) also recommended I replace the Pirelli's with Michelin tyres as they are quieter and handle better.

So, my cunning plan is to firstly have four new Michelin Pilot Sports fitted next Saturday and then, have the alignment done - I will let you all know which solution makes the biggest impact and answers the question!

Cheers

 

[garyw]

Glad to hear you've got the diff sorted.. I had a similar situation on my 996 Turbo, it went in and just happened to be there at the same time as the Porsche engineer due to two other Turbos making the same complaint/noise...

They came back to me via a letter stating it wasn't a fault but a characteristic of the cars !! I stated the obvious that a charateristic would be there from new, not something that developed over time.? they once again sent me the same letter so I did what any self respecting person would do ..... Sold the car [] and I did like that car[]

As I say, I'm glad they have agreed to do yours..[]

garyw

 

[Rintoul]

It is amazing how we continue to put up with this kind of treatment from Porsche. If the diff was faulty surely it should have been replaced. Firstly only a 2 year warranty from new, then a Porsche backed used warranty (that we can continue to pay for) that excludes numerous "consumable items". What like the PCM?? Some customers have paid over £2k for it as an extra and Porsche will only fix it for 2 years!!!![&:] I deliberately avoided ceramic brakes for this very reason, a £10k consumable repair bill would be rediculous. I have had a Porsche for 18+ years and love my 996TT[] but I regularly get the feeling that we are sometimes taken for a ride[], which spoils the pleasure of ownership a bit. The last was my battery at only 3 years old (already posted). Prior to that a few months ago, bolts in the rear suspension to carry out the alignment (all suspension is consumable apparently), prior to that on the previous C4 it was air con condensors at 4 years old (no warranty), the dreaded oil seal done twice (all at about 25k miles) & the list goes on. "Normal" cars I have owned have never had these kind of problems at such low mileages and most things are covered by warranty, it does not look good for Porsche. It appears the only thing in its favour at present is the driving experience[]. My wifes John Cooper Works S[8D] has servicing under the 5 year package that cost £150, has an extendable warranty (starts at 3 years of course) that doesn't seem to exclude much. Volvo have given a 2 year used warranty for some time (and everything seems to be covered)(in fact I think I saw Ford advertising it the other day)??
If the mass market can provide it on high volume , low margin cars surley these high margin cars could come with either fully comprehensive cover (or bullet proof build quality). Winge over.

 

[juliany27]

Perhaps the Directors of PCGB could take up this issue with PGB on behalf of members/owners. And a suitable article in PP with the results of discussions might help allay fears/concerns.

 

[Geoff_Fields]

ORIGINAL: juliany27

Perhaps the Directors of PCGB could take up this issue with PGB on behalf of members/owners. And a suitable article in PP with the results of discussions might help allay fears/concerns.

As John Wayne used to say "That'll be the day"

 

[juliany27]

Wasn't that Buddy Holly?

In any event, surely PCGB should try to take this up with PGB or the German parent company?

 

[sailor]

Julian
(a) think you are right. Believe Buddy beat the Duke to that saying by about 3 years. The Duke said it several times in "The Searchers".
(b) one thing I have noticed after reading the forum for a few years is that Porsche seem to be rapidly adopting some of the worst attributes of the mass-market manufacturers. They can presumably do this because they make a shedload of money.

And I expect the CoC puts a gag on the Club.

JohnC
993turbo

 

[Gordon Attar]

ORIGINAL: juliany27

Perhaps the Directors of PCGB could take up this issue with PGB on behalf of members/owners. And a suitable article in PP with the results of discussions might help allay fears/concerns.

YEAh.......

VEry unlikely interview with with POrsche GB are run in the magazine and they never address any of the members concerns, must be something to do with the £150k pa sponsorship

 

[Gordon Attar]

Real answe you need a 4 wheel alignment and the tyre story is a common OPC rip off, though the Pilot Sports maybe better!

 

[paulm]

Had the new diff. fitted this week - no real difference - 996TT still dancing around country lanes.

The Pilot Sports are going on this weekend and the four wheel alignment is booked in for the following Friday, so I will know the truth pretty soon!

Cheers

Paul

 

[Grant]

ORIGINAL: paulm
Had the new diff. fitted this week - no real difference - 996TT still dancing around country lanes.
The Pilot Sports are going on this weekend and the four wheel alignment is booked in for the following Friday, so I will know the truth pretty soon!
Cheers
Paul

Paul, much depends on what sort of B road you are driving, if it is very lumpy you will find that the 030 sports supension will feel like the car is being thrown around, on one very bad road near me it blurred the vision & felt like it was moving around every where, but in reality it was more sensation than reality the car tracked straight & true.
So my question is, does the car feel like it is moving around because of the ruts etc or is it actually not holding your intended course & heading for the wrong side of the road?? Does it do it on smooth A roads? Are there any ruts in the road you use to cause tramlining?
Tyres wear is usually the culprit if it is actually sliding around, particularly because they tend to wear more on the inner edge than the outer, so grip level changes slightly accross the tyre width particularly on a bumpy road! With regards to wheel alignment, I think you would have major uneven wear issues with your tyres if the setting were well out!

 

[paulm]

Hi Grant,

Thanks for your comments.

I think you are spot on. On Saturday I had four Michelin pilot sports fitted and it's like driving a new car.

To your point, there is still a little wandering on very bad roads, (which I guess is the 030 sports suspension you mention) but as you say, this 'feeling' is not making the car change direction as it was with the worn out tyres.

Just to make sure and complete the exercise, I am having the alignment done at Reading OPC tomorrow so I'll let you know if the car gets even better.

Appreciate your help.

Cheers

Paul

 

[Gordon Attar]

Paul
I'm still 90% certain you are suffering from a 4 wheel alignment issue.

The new tyres will cover it up for a few hundred miles as you have 4 very new, full tread, with no wear, tyres on the car unfortunately the alignment tests will show up ant problems.

and in future dont use AFN go to Northways its half the price and no risks of being taken for a ride!

 

[paulm]

Thanks Gordon,

I'll ask AFN to let me know if the alignment was out and let you know.

Thanks also for the Northway tip - I don't know them and will check them out.

Cheers

Paul

 

[Gordon Attar]

AFN should/ must give you a a before and after sheet so that you know the before and after settings.

Northway are at Beenham Ind Estate just of the A4 opposite Aldermaston train station or just past the small roundabout for Aldermaston and are one the best known independants, most of the mechanics are ex AFN! I've used them for 9/10 years.