997.1 must haves - Page 1 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

Hi, I am hoping to buy a 997.1 C2s manual (£25k max) in spring/summer this year, leaving aside the engine issues for another topic, what work done would you guys call essential to avoid the big bills? I am competent with the spanners, but only have a single garage and no lift. TIA, Andy.

Proper service history. Indies fine.

Yes, I intend getting one with a proper documented history , but I was thinking more of which specific jobs you’d want done in say, a 2005 60-80k miles model.

In the same boat! After a 997.1 or .2 C2S Manual. I've a 987.2S at the moment so have a general idea of the options etc I want on a 997 (in order) PASM Lightronics PSE Heated seats Bose Other than that, check the history for coolant pipe replacement, condenser replacement, gearbox oil change and the age / condition of the tyres (around 1k for 4). Bushes can be expensive so worth seeing if they've been done. Early 997's are coming up to 20 years old so plenty of rubber bits will need replacing

andrew-494ym said: Yes, I intend getting one with a proper documented history , but I was thinking more of which specific jobs you’d want done in say, a 2005 60-80k miles model. Best thing to do is just get one that looks like it's been maintained properly and have a repair fund, I wouldn't rule out specific cars just because they haven't had certain jobs done. Things to look out for would be clutch, suspension arms, blowing exhaust, condensers, brakes, tyres.

Ok so a fighting fund is better than excluding cars without certain jobs done. I viewed the seal grey one in Harrogate, it was tempting, but I decided to wait till I’ve got more money saved, and sold the other toy first.

All vital points already mentioned. Also, don‘t discard the vanilla C2! The power difference is negligible. PASM is standard on the ‘S’ but I prefer a good passive setup. Come suspension refresh time, very few opt for new active dampers. Also PSE is nice, but again I prefer a simple sports exhaust. Lot’s of options available. Also standard exhaust can be reworked for always on PSE (Gundo/Banana hack) for not much. I haven’t missed Bose a single time in my very, very basic C2 either. I have the Bowers&Wilkins sound system in the Volvo V90, which I really enjoy, but in the Porsche I don’t need a concert hall rivalling sound system (which the Bose certainly is not). As I understand, having Bose complicates aftermarket stereo too.

I was in this position last year and bought the best I could after a LOT of research and looking at multiple cars. Wanted an engine rebuild (yeah Hartech is great but ultimately any rebuild resets the clock if it’s then well maintained and short journeys avoided). I also wanted a late 05/early 06 car for the magic big IMS but low tax rate. This is what mines had in the last 5 years (previously owned by a Porsche specialist owner so all done by them in their own time). I dread to imagine the cost if it had been billed work: Engine rebuild Suspension - top mounts, coffin arms, shocks… etc Coolant Pipes Brake lines Clutch & flywheel Exhaust Dozens of other smaller bits e.g. major services, climate buttons. AC condensors were on my wants list but mine were surprisingly fine, and are ultimately a very easy DIY job so don’t worry about this. Just keep the rads clean. Could also ask about y-cable (slow start, due to resistance between battery and starter). It was in the owners collection and I bought it from this so it went from low mileage to daily use, so despite all of the above I ended up spending another £3k fixing a gearbox weep (flange seal must have dried from low use), the last (over engine) coolant pipe whilst it was out and the oil level sensor for piece of mind. Then another £1k on tyres. £4K in 4 months. Ouch. Should just be services now, there’s nothing left to replace! And a bumper spray for the stone chips. Then it’s done, honest! Don’t buy cheap whatever you do - mine was treasured and still cost me a chunk. Look past the polished but not maintained ones too. Typically I got a new walking distance job in September so I don’t even know if I can justify keeping it, gutted I don’t have a commute any more ridiculously. Amazing cars though, I love even bumbling about slowly in it, so special to my humble self.

Whatever you get budget about £2k a year to keep it decent.

Check out the Friends Green Porsche channel on YouTube, everything you need to know re 997 maintenance and issues. Brakes, top mounts, suspension arms, cross over pipes, RMS, rads, etc

Typically I got a new walking distance job in September so I don’t even know if I can justify keeping it, gutted I don’t have a commute any more ridiculously. Sods law isn’t it. Do you fancy selling in 4-6 months!

abucd4 said: I was in this position last year and bought the best I could after a LOT of research and looking at multiple cars. Wanted an engine rebuild (yeah Hartech is great but ultimately any rebuild resets the clock if it’s then well maintained and short journeys avoided). I also wanted a late 05/early 06 car for the magic big IMS but low tax rate. This is what mines had in the last 5 years (previously owned by a Porsche specialist owner so all done by them in their own time). I dread to imagine the cost if it had been billed work: Engine rebuild Suspension - top mounts, coffin arms, shocks… etc Coolant Pipes Brake lines Clutch & flywheel Exhaust Dozens of other smaller bits e.g. major services, climate buttons. AC condensors were on my wants list but mine were surprisingly fine, and are ultimately a very easy DIY job so don’t worry about this. Just keep the rads clean. Could also ask about y-cable (slow start, due to resistance between battery and starter). It was in the owners collection and I bought it from this so it went from low mileage to daily use, so despite all of the above I ended up spending another £3k fixing a gearbox weep (flange seal must have dried from low use), the last (over engine) coolant pipe whilst it was out and the oil level sensor for piece of mind. Then another £1k on tyres. £4K in 4 months. Ouch. Should just be services now, there’s nothing left to replace! And a bumper spray for the stone chips. Then it’s done, honest! Don’t buy cheap whatever you do - mine was treasured and still cost me a chunk. Look past the polished but not maintained ones too. Typically I got a new walking distance job in September so I don’t even know if I can justify keeping it, gutted I don’t have a commute any more ridiculously. Amazing cars though, I love even bumbling about slowly in it, so special to my humble self. Same here with ours. 2008 65k mile C4S. Now a Hartech 4.1 and like Trigger's broom. Great car. A keeper.

andrew-494ym said: Typically I got a new walking distance job in September so I don’t even know if I can justify keeping it, gutted I don’t have a commute any more ridiculously. Sods law isn’t it. Do you fancy selling in 4-6 months! Possibly - I’ve never managed to keep a car more than 2 years, despite always planning for them to be keepers! It’s an affliction. Too many cars to try, and I think I enjoy the chase of finding the perfect one. DM me if you’re serious nearer the time.

abucd4 I’ve DM’d you.

Can only echo the advice in this thread. Look for well-maintained cars and don't let mileage put you off if the car has been looked after. My C2S has had an engine rebuild, a comprehensive cooling system refresh, a new AOS, common electrical fixes (charging cable and power distributor post), and a suspension refresh. Despite being on 120,000 miles now it still drives like a new car and is still my daily driver. When I bought it, I disregarded a C2S with sports chrono and half of the mileage for the fact mine had a full engine rebuild, new clutch, front coolant crossover pipes replaced, and evidence the drain holes were serviced. It has needed some typical old car stuff in my ownership including the electrical fixes, suspension refresh, proactive replacement of some old coolant hoses, etc. Ultimately the bill has been a lot less than the potential damage fund of not addressing the other issues! In short, age creeps up on these cars quicker than mileage does. I also have PCCM+ and that does refresh the car very well - hence something over 15 years old still works well every day. Would highly recommend especially if you have the Bose system.

Thanks for the input everyone, you have confirmed my own thoughts. I got two differing opinions about engine rebuilds from two local specialists. One said liners are the way to go, the other said they’d not entertain one done that way, and they only rebuild with new Porsche blocks.

andrew-494ym said: Thanks for the input everyone, you have confirmed my own thoughts. I got two differing opinions about engine rebuilds from two local specialists. One said liners are the way to go, the other said they’d not entertain one done that way, and they only rebuild with new Porsche blocks. A new Porsche block? As in the exact same spec as the one that failed prematurely in the first place? No thanks.

Yes, my thoughts exactly. Replacing one faulty design block with another….

Discombobulate said: andrew-494ym said: Thanks for the input everyone, you have confirmed my own thoughts. I got two differing opinions about engine rebuilds from two local specialists. One said liners are the way to go, the other said they’d not entertain one done that way, and they only rebuild with new Porsche blocks. A new Porsche block? As in the exact same spec as the one that failed prematurely in the first place? No thanks. I’d guess there is possibly only one specialist there.

No, there’s at least three within 30 mins of me.