MikeBat

Hey there,

I am close to pulling the trigger on a 964 with a rebuilt engine. The car has 150k miles on it, and the rebuild has only 10K miles.

Cosmetically, this car looks right. Suspension, wheels, steering rack, flywheel, intake, and some more was all performed at the same time of the rebuild.

What can I expect from a car with this many miles on the chassis, but with a rebuilt engine?

thanks.
Michael

stevepaa

sounds like mine and I expect another 150k miles without problems.

springer3

The value of the engine rebuild is negative if it was done on the cheap or by a less than competent mechanic. Search the threads on this forum. A few people had oil leaks and even catastrophic engine failures because of improper procedures used for a rebuild. If it was done at a reputable shop, the engine should be like new.

Does the owner have receipts? What year is the car? What are you proposing to pay? Any collision history? How does the transmission shift? How is the ride/handling? How is the interior?

MikeBat

springer, her are some details to answer your questions.

Engine was done by Franz Blum Racing. I have seen pictures, and the engine is clean. I have never heard of this rebuilder. The owners has all the receipts. It is a 1990. I want to pay in the low $20's.

The bumper was changed when they hit a small animal. The piece was purchased at a dealer(with receipt) and the hood was resprayed at the same time. No other known accidents.

No idea how it shifts, I am on the East Coast , the car is on the West Coast. Ride is firm, ajustable Bilsteins all around.

I have set up a PPI at the closest Porsche dealer.

joey bagadonuts

I would have to agree with everything Springer wrote.

I recently bought a rebuilt car (122K with 30K since rebuild) and found myself gravitating towards these cars during my search. Most folks selling "bone stock" high-mileage cars rarely have any idea about their leakdown numbers nor spend any time under them. The people who recently spent a small fortune fixing their cars, however, can tell you tons about the motor and other improvements.

With the cost of a rebuild heading towards $10K (according to my mechanic), there's a lot to be said for buying a car with a well-documented history. If you can manage it, you might want to see if there are any local Rennlisters who might be able to check out the car for you in person ... someone familiar with 964's, preferably. It's just nice to get another unbiased set of eyes and hands on the beast before you get too involved or attached.

You might also consider having the car inspected by an independent Porsche specialist. Dealerships tend to focus on selling and maintaining newer p-cars and may not have much experience with these "older" cars. Food for thought.

BTW, I just spent four days at the track with my new-to-me rebuild and it performed like a champ. Engine pulled strong, no oil gushers and no surprises. Perfect! And, yes, the PO produced tons of documenation and receipts from the past eight years!

Larry Herman

I'll vote for the properly rebuilt motor as well. After 150K these puppies are tired. And it doesn't take much to make you regret not having a bought one with a fresh motor. Wearing rings, worn bearings, and pitted camshft lobes are all things that may not show up in a PPI, but you know that after 150K it's happening inside that motor. And when it affects your motor, if you plan to keep it for a while, you are probably going want to pop for a total rebuild in the 8~10K range. It will not be a complete indicator, but if the rebuilt motor is dry (as in no leaks) then the guy probably knew what he was doing. Chris Cervelli (a Denver racer/mechanic) built the motor in my car and after 3 practice weekends and 1 club race it is absolutely dry, not to mention incredibly fast.

MikeBat

This is good info. Keep it coming!

Anyone in the Oregon area?

Bull

I suspect they mean Franz Blam Racing. Well known, well regarded and his son, Thomas Blam was/is the Chief Strategist with Flying Lizard Motorsports and their American Le Mans Series efforts.

http://www.franzblamracing.com/

MikeBat

that would make sense....

sheesh! The seller said Franz Blum, but he was not the owner at the time of the rebuild.

74911s

how did the ppi go?

Kahdmus

Ouch Joey!..Hey mine isn't rebuilt and I know tons of other enthusiasts who have decent mileage and no rebuild.

I also expect there are just as many owners who pour cash into their cars and are clueless as to what they have purchased. I visited my car in the shop a few times last week and there were owners there talking to the mech who obviously knew nothing about their cars...they just wanted to know if it was ready and how much the bill was...

Bottom line, ask as many questions as possible, ask for as much documentation as you can and get a PPI done.

joey bagadonuts

Certainly, the comment wasn't directed at an enthusiast like yourself, Howard.

I was just offering some perspective based on my recent car search. Most of the individuals or dealers I came across could hardly be described as enthusiasts and their familiarity with these cars reflected that.

Kahdmus

haha!!

Yep, I can imagine! I bet that's true regardless of rebuilds though!

911skb

Michael,
I've test driven the 964 you are looking at. It is definately a nice car. I've tested tired looking and tired feeling 964's and this is not one of those. The ride is a little firm, but I prefer it that way, plus with the 9-way adjustable setup, you can modify it to heart's content. I believe Rothsport did the suspension work, which is a very reputable shop (they are mentioned a lot on the forum).

The ONLY reason I didn't buy the car a couple weeks ago is unfortunately black is my least desireable color. I have weighed the idea of a repaint, but just don't want to go that route really.

The seller is a very nice guy, check out his webiste: www.camp914.com .
Stuggart Auto: 503-635-3098, Jess or Mike, can setup you up with a PPI. I believe they've looked over this car in the past as well.

Good luck!

Ken

Boeing 717

My dad knew Franz Blam for a while in the early 70's as he either owned or worked at northlake porsche in atlanta he may have sold my dads 911 to him, he has been around porsches for many years so i would assume they know what they are doing, My car currently has 132000 miles on it ( a 91 turbo) and it runs and drives perfect with no rebuild, the guy who owned it before me did take great care of it however. I guess if you want my opinion I would buy a cheaper 911 that looks nice and have the rebuild done myself then you know what your getting. I would imagine the cost would not be a whole lot more than buying one with a fresh rebuild already done. Either way good luck man, i hope you end up with a gem like i did.

JERRY