Time to say goodbye to my beloved C4S?

Was driving to work on Tuesday and as I turned off the motorway ther ewas a loud whining noise and when I went onto the next roundabout the noise came back again as I put more lock on the wheel. Knowing what it was straight away and coincidentally being at the junction of Jasmine Porsche in Brierfield I took the car straight there. Waited a few hours and was informed that as suspected the pipes to the power steering were corroded and the seals were weeping. Good news, a reconditioned steering rack was £300 plus fitting. Bad news, it would need new pipes to the pum at the back as they were badly corroded too. £311 each. 4 wheel alignment also re required as front geo will be messed with and a quote for £1600+. For me I am thinking that with be it for me and my 996. Only in Feb did I have the AOS replaced which ended up an engine out job and in excess of £1200, shortly followed by failed water pump. The car needs a bit of paint as the arches have started to bubble but I am seriously struggling bringing myself to spend any more on it. On top of all this we now have a 3 year old boy and looking to extend the family shortly. I am really at a loss as to what I'd get to replace the C4S as it has truly been a dream to own and drive for the past 5 years. Watch out for post on SC when its back from the garage.

They're taking the P155 mate. Go somewhere else and have a couple of jubilee clips fitted on the pipes for £50.

Sorry to hear of your issues. Par for the course unfortunately, given the age the cars are now. I doubt I could stomach the bills using one as a daily. The other reason I don't is because I like the car to feel special and derive no fun from my straight line drive to work. I want my boring commuter miles and daily stuff to be as cheap as possible hence I always have an old Volvo estate for that. In fact I've just changed my trusty £700 Volvo after 5 years and 50k trouble free miles. I've bought an identical one for a heady £800. That's inflation for you. :grin: I'd suggest that to you but given the fact you have a young family I'm guessing the 996 would see little to no use if it was only used for pleasure on nice days. Worth thinking about, but it sounds like you've fallen out of love with the car a bit. I sometimes think I'm finally growing out of them. Things change huh. Good luck with your decision. :thumb:

Any photos of the corroded pipes? I have a full set of basically new PS pipes removed from a 2001 C4, not sure if they fit or not. Would be a lot cheaper than new ones. As said, get a second quote for it. MC

Sadly due to the inability to drive the car and the fact its been with then since Monday I am due to collect the car on Friday now so the work will have been done. Once its back with me I will take stock and have a good drive out to Kirkby Lonsdale. I know I still love it but with the knowledge of more money to be spent on paint it is tarnishing my opinion. We'll see.

Fair enough. Make sure you get to keep the parts they removed so we can see the state of them. MC

Ah, I feel for you.... However, for a car approaching 20 years old, the work you have outlined is not unusual. If it was me, I would get the work done and take the car to a trusted Indie to have a thorough check over. If there is nothing likely to bite you in the next 3 years, it's probably worth keeping. As it is, you are paying for repairs that will keep the next owner going for a number of years - at your cost!! Of course, with the paint concern you have already identified and other maintenance work that could come along in the pipeline, now could be a good time to let it go. I think only you know the answer to this and whether it fits in with your growing family!!

+1. Although I suspect your steering rack will be on the shelf as the next recon one.

It would be a shame to part company for the sake of a bit of rust. As the car is now mechanically sound I'd leave the paintwork and get on with enjoying the ownership/driving experience, especially as even two youngsters will fit nicely in the back. In a couple of years you can 'take stock' again and either fix the bodywork (for yourself or to maximise resale value) or just sell it 'as is'.

This happened to my c4s last month lost all power steering fluid when out for a short drive my local indy had to put a recon rack in which i believe he already had in stock the pipes had corroded and snapped off when trying to replace he put new pipes on the recon rack fresh mot minor service and front coffin arms as there was a creak coming from front end and a 4 wheel alignment he wanted £800 for work got him down to a bargain £600 cash!

Can relate to this post 100% jaykay127 I have the same feelings and want to sell my C4S!! Just got my car back today with a £3.5k bill for two cooling pipes (engine out) plus what else to do while we're in there jobs... :sad: Anyway I think I must be up there with the very unlucky one's as In 4 years ownership and sadly 2k miles (due to other commitments!) I have spent approx. £10k I knew when I bought it there were a few things to do but it's amazing how it all mounts up and subsequently takes a lot of the joy out of owning it. Almost all of the jobs have been serviceable items like Suspension, Radiators, condensers, brakes, battery, alternator, plus, plus plus..... So like your self I have the feeling of - when the next large bill comes along what then or like T8 said just drive it and enjoy :dont know: I may give it a few weeks to recover from the money drain/pain and rethink and hope I make the right decision and like wise with your self. Good luck what ever you do :thumb:

...I will make you all feel better Purchased immaculate low mileage,low owner 996 C2 ...lovely ! Engine shat itself less than 1000miles and three months later...£14k bill And of course it has during the last three years required other bits and bobs... Feel any better?

Wow ! feel your pain GMG. Do I feel any better....yes slightly but that might be the wine :thumb:

...whatever dulls the pain :thumbs:

Hi That is terrible, what caused the engine to destroy itself if you don't mind me asking. All the best Berni