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Would you buy this car? (over-rev data)

I have just spoken to the OPC, who performed the full 111 point PPI. The 1 & 2 levels are not a problem, and Porsche would provide a warranty with those present. Likewise, the level 4 is not a problem as it occurred almost 400 hrs ago. They would however, require that 200 hours had elapsed since the level 3 ignitions, before Porsche would provide a warranty. So far, we have just over 100 hours. They would also require a pressure loss & compression loss test, and I am waiting for them to come back to me with a price for this. It's pretty likely that I will drive it for a further 100 hours before selling it, which would take it past the 200 hour requirement, making it easier to sell. The OPC said it's a lovely car, and the PPI threw nothing else up. I have asked them to clarify with the technician, whether it's had a new DME, or whether the average speed has been 87 mph. I can't even see a track car managing that. So there we are. If it passes these further tests, I'm keen to buy the car. It appears that over-rev recordings are extremely common on these cars. The dealer will provide a 6 month warranty as well, including all major engine components. Yes it could have had further over-revs in the past, but these will be over 430 hours ago, and even if in 5 or 6 ranges, would be warrantied by Porsche if compression/leak down tests were satisfactory.
 
all seems reasonable. what colour is it? what year? what are they asking for it? -- all points to good value etc.

BTW I am not interested in buying it, in case you are coy, i just like to track values.
 
I'll let you know JCX, when/if I buy the car.

Ok so we’re moving forward with this vehicle. I’ve spoken to the Porsche main dealer, who did the inspection. They say it’s a lovely car, and have done their full 111 inspection. It has had a new DME in Feb’13, but they can fail (and I've had a Saab that needed a new ECU in the past), so that’s not a problem. Its average speed has therefore been 35 mph. I concluded after speaking to the OPC that I will require that the car has a pressure leak down test & compression test, and if it passes, I will buy the car. It would need to do another 100 operating hours before Porsche would warranty the engine, but note this from the 911Virgin website: "Industry experts would suggest a 50 operating hour window of danger after the point of an over rev where chains or associated inter-gear can fail or develop problems leading to costly engine work / engine rebuilds". It has now done 100 hours since the level 3 over-rev, which I'm pretty happy with. The OPC also told me that they are not bothered about level 1s or 2s. The level 4 of 26 ignitions occurred almost 400 hours ago, so no problem there.
 
Good to hear you're into the detail and making progress, with the OPC involved too to have a warranty option.
 
Yes, good luck with the purchase, Roderick. Cracking car although I am surprised this thread has got this far without anyone mentioning the bombproof Mezger engine in the Gen 1 car.[:)]
 
...it is often said "a man who goes out looking for a fight never walks very far."
 
Thanks everyone. It had a new DME in 2013 and the Porsche main dealer has confirmed.

I’m also looking at another car. The DME download is as follows. What would you advise? It is being sold by a very reputable independent Porsche dealer. They have agreed to do a compression test before sale and will provide a warranty that pays up to £10,000 per claim, for 12 months/12,000 miles:

6: 1 ignition @ 783hrs
5: 9 ignitions @ 946hrs
4: 27 ignitions @ 946hrs (9 revolutions, 0.22 secs)
3: 644 ignitions @ 946hrs (215 revolutions, 0.03 mins, 1.79 secs)
2: 5836 ignitions @ 946hrs (1945 revolutions, 0.3 mins)
1: 31260 ignitions @ 946hrs (10420 revolutions, 1.5 mins)

Total operating hours: 946.2. Mileage 28,000 miles
 
So all bar the range 6, which is probably a false one as I don't think just one is possible at those rpms, occurred just before they got the car? Someone having a final blast before they pxed it?
 
...so the report only shows the latest overrevs? Hmmm... strikes me that the best way to hide previous and large scale overrevs is to introduce very small and recent overrevs. These can be more easily explained and might be presented as fractions of a second long to wave them away as insignificant. Just saying...
 
Yes but the DME also records total, cumulative values for each range as well. You may be right, but in my view, recent over-rev data in ranges 3-6 will make it harder to sell a car than older data (ideally beyond 50hrs, or even the magic 200hrs that Porsche stipulate). The owner denies over-revving it. The Porsche specialist denies as well. That just leaves the driver who brought it back to the owner after it's service at the OPC last month. I would imagine the OPC would deny any responsibility as well. We will never know where they came from. The recordings in range 5 & 6 are less than 10, so spurious, according to 911Virgin's guide.

Seems that every car I look at has been over-revved. There is such a wide range of opinion on the significance. I like this one, despite it's data, so we have agreed that a compression test will be included in the price & a gold warranty, that covers up to £10k per claim. It's nice low mileage (28k miles), so it would seem to me that the best thing I can do is get 1500-3000 miles on it over the summer, whilst it has a rock solid warranty, and that should get it to well over 50 hrs of operating time, making it much more saleable, in case I ever needed to sell it (not that I hope I'll ever want to or need to).

I'm buying it primarily as an investment, in the hope that it will at least maintain its value over the next 10-15 years, but hopefully gradually increase a bit each year. I don't therefore plan to sell it for many years (if at all, and my son has already told me he's inheriting it :ROFLMAO:). It will also be great to have a 911 again though, as I enjoyed my 993 very much for 7 years. Assuming it gains value, and knowing it will have considerable fun factor, there is an argument that even more important as an investment are: low miles, manual gearbox, impeccable full Porsche main dealer service history, GT silver (rarer and some would say nicer that Arctic silver). Engines can need rebuilds for other reasons e.g. sudden coolant loss etc, so that's just a risk you take ultimately. I think I'll go for this one, as long as compression test & extended test drive are ok. Wish me luck!
 
Best of luck Scott. You are unlikely to lose much on the 997t unless it's through expensive and unplanned maintenance.
 
Thanks folks. If you’re at any R5 events later this year, or Llandudno, come & say hello. I’ll be the big guy in a GT silver 997 turbo. Unless it’s having an engine rebuild :ROFLMAO:[&:]
 
ScotDoc said:
Thanks folks. If you’re at any R5 events later this year, or Llandudno, come & say hello. I’ll be the big guy in a GT silver 997 turbo. Unless it’s having an engine rebuild :ROFLMAO:[&:]


[8|]
can you tell us yet where you are buying it from?
 

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