M3 TWT

Hi,

My first ever post here and ohh dear the bowels are churning, the sweat pouring; will I embarass myself horribly???.

Anyway, that aside, I am going to test drive a rather cute looking 993 tomorrow and was wondering if anyone could offer a bit of advice. I think it looks (relatively) cheap even though it has nearly 70k on the clock, the only explanation I can find is that it will need some major job doing in the near future.

Any ideas for things that really really should have been done in recent services? Am I being too cynical and it's just a sign that the market is f****d?

Ta

LG John

You wouldn't be a hair dresser by any chance would you?

Yex

Have a look at www.911virgin.com

These guys offer sound advise and may be able to offer some guidance on the model in question

Yex

PS: remember a 993 will have cost c£50k when it was new and will still have running costs to reflect this.

davyboy

I disagree about the running cost, there are a fair few specialist out there who can keep you pride and joy on the road, for what I feel is a reasonable amount. I would expect the a NA 993 to be cheaper to run than my 944 Turbo.

M3 TWT

Hairdresser, me? Wish I did something that useful. I'm a good new-fashioned white collar worker who uses the latest PC technology to add value in a customer oriented fashion, oh and browse ScoobyNet.

I've had a browse round 911virgin (many times) but as I'm buying from another dealer it feels a bit saucy asking them for advice but I'll give it a go, tvm.

As to the running costs, well I put my M3 Evo through its second inspection 2 (yep a biggie) a few months ago AND bought a new pair of front tyres at the same time. Oooooyah that stung.

Its just that I would rather buy a more expensive car that is already sorted than a cheaper one which then needs some expensive work doing. Not a rational view I know but what is rational about buying a fast car?

Thanks again.

Stephen Read

Look for one with the 6-speed box (1996&7 model years?). The later model years also come with a little spoiler at the top of the rear window - although clearly that is cheaper to add than the 'box!

M3 TWT

davyboy,

what would you expect as a rule of thumb figure for running costs?
I know my m3 is fairly expensive, although my attitude is to pay up and deliberately avoid adding up an annual/average figure.

Ta

davyboy

Have a quick look on www.jzmachtech.com who service my car, they have fixed price servicing costs, I have listed them below. Its actually a little bit more than my car, but still not that bad, I would think its no more than your M3. There is a mailing list for 993 drivers http://www.titanic.co.uk/993/

993 servicing
12,000 Service £280.00
24,000 Service £435.00
6,000 Service £185.00


[Edited by davyboy - 1/17/2003 3:54:58 PM]

M3 TWT

Thanks - the JZ site looks well worth a browse. Sorry for the noddy level of the questions, you must get sick of them.

Looking forward to the test drive tomorrow.
Ta

clarence

That little spoiler is an accessory add-on. Later post-95 cars have more torque & power due to the Varioram system.

MarkCSC

I've heard a lot of people complain about squeaks and rattles especially comming from the windscreen. So if it does squeak it really is a case of "they all do that sir". Bit of a bugger to fix as well.

M3 TWT

Squeaks? With two urchins in the back you bet the damn thing will squeak. One more shouldn't hurt.

MarkCSC

lol

bashful

Somewhat hijacking the thread, does the above schedule indicate that the 993 needs servicing every 6000 miles? Surely that's a spirited weekend's driving for these machines?

Gastro

993's are solid cars....

Don't be fooled too much about fixed price servicing.... Fixed price is the price of labour and minimal replacement parts ! - after you need some new disks, a microswicth here and there + further labour - add another 30% on to those prices...
There aren't any big engine problems with 993's and they wear their miles well. Servicing is 12000 miles or 12months.

One of the most expensive things is setting up the suspension geometry - its is *highly* complex and requires specialist equipment and takes *along* time to do -- figure on up to 6-8 hours labour alone if the geometry is out

Don't get me wrong - I'm not trying to be negative - just trying to draw it into perspective. It will cost as much as your M3 at least to maintain.

On a more positive note - 993's are the least depreciating of the 911's are there is no sign of their prices dropping especially if they are well maintained.

Good luck,

Gastro

(Carrera 3.2 - still having open heart surgery )




[Edited by Gastro - 1/17/2003 7:27:42 PM]

Tommy 2000

Running costs shouldn't be that much worse than your M3 Evo, as davyboy has found you can service a supercar for reasonable money.

However, with 70k on the clock, you have to expect potential 'big' bills if the clutch, gearbox, etc need replacing. As mentioned above, you will be buying parts for a 50/60 grand car.

Get the car well checked and make sure the mileage is reflected in the price, Parkers will give you a good guide.

T

[Edited by Tommy 2000 - 1/17/2003 7:24:51 PM]

M3 TWT

Yeah, that was really the aim of my original mail - was there any jobs which really really should have been done by 70k which, if they hadn't been done, would cause big drop in the price.

Anyway went to see the little puppy dog and OH MY GOD, its beatiful. The only niggles I could see on the body were front passenger side indicators which looked to have been bumped slightly so that they weren't flush with the fog lights. More worryingly there were rust bubbles under the paintwork around the nozzle just below the front driver side light. The paintwork was in good nick and it looked ok inside so where the **** did that come from.

Worst aspect of it was the trade-in for my BMer, J**us H Christ. Mind you this one is depreciation-proof (hah!).

Ta

Tommy 2000

Honest John will give you a guide of what to look out for...

workshy_fopp

Sounds like front end accident damage to me, rust, loose lights etc. was it temptingly cheap? Walk away...

M3 TWT

Workshy,

Crying 'cheep' so hard it nearly grew wings and yellow feathers. C4S from what is suppose to be a good dealer (Paul Stevens) at £31k. Just feel a tad nervous about the price - I know its stupid but I would (almost) feel happier if the price were too high, at least I wouldn't be looking for reasons why it were so!

Beautiful car though. Never mind eh?

workshy_fopp

Theres a lovely polar silver C2 in my local BMW dealer M reg 28,000 miles

£34k, but I think they will come down a little.

www.easternbmw.co.uk - they will pay for your flight up, hotel and will pick you up in a chauffeur driven 7 series too ........

M3 TWT

Is that in their private jet? Certainly not economy class I hope?

davyboy

Have you had a look at www.911virgin.com

They have a few nice ones in, and a lot of people talk highly of the dealings with them.

M3 TWT

Oh yes - every morning, into work, open the coffee, check thesun.co.uk then 911virgin, I am nothing if not predictable.

There a couple of very nice 993 S2s there, though I do think the one at 38.5 had better be in very very good nick. I don't have the cash to buy now, got to wait till mid Feb till I start really hunting one down. The price of the C4S that started this thread was so good I had to go have a look.

davyboy

I like the look of the 996!

M3 TWT

The new one? Yeeees, very nice. Must have sky high miles though cause the R-reg cabriolet thats further down the page is in at a more traditional 996 price. The cabrio bit can't be worth that much can it?

Mind you the 2S beneath it!

Tommy 2000

What about a left hooker to keep the cost down?...30 grand would then get you a nice 996

Stephen Read

The 993/996 debate!

My view is that the 997 will seal the fate of the 996 as the new 964 (if you get my drift?).

Early 996's are going to fall in value compared to mint/late plated 993's and thus even though they are very nice in many ways, the 993 could prove to be the better 'cough' investment, especially if you plan on keeping the mileage down.

The solution is to remortgage and get on the 997 waiting list!

M3 TWT

Left hooker would be nice but I'm left handed myself so I'm not used to using the spack hand to change gear - it's very embarassing test driving a lhd porker when you go repeatedly from first to fourth. Guess it would get better with time but could well be dicing with death until then.

Myself I think a top spec 993 2S is the best bet for "depreciation proof" driving. Come to think of it I'm sure The Motley Fool listed it in the alternative investment section.......

I have to face it I am not the calibre of driver required to write off either model, all I want is a pu55y wagon!

Did I say that, good lord, I hope my urchins aren't reading this.

Tommy 2000

Pu55y wagon in Essex...doesn't that need to be a white XR3i convertible?! Now that would keep the cost down!!