***WARNING***:what you are about to read is probably due to my car being in several pieces in my garage in order to replace my cam chain housing gaskets. I've been without the car for a few days as I'm only able to work on it for a couple of hours at a time. It will be done tonight and maybe I'll feel better.***END OF WARNING***

Please talk me down. I'm absolutely in love with my 930. I have lusted after this car ever since I was a kid reading those R&T Road Tests from the mid 1970s. Every time I open my garage door, I can't believe it's actually in there. There is not a mark on this car. No kidding, it's like showroom perfect. It draws attention wherever it goes. Even my wife's girlfriends tell her how gorgeous it is. And with only 40,000 miles on the clock, you'd think that she's (the car) got a lot of life left in her.....or does she? I seem to hear so many horror stories about this engine and it's seemingly short life. I'll just tell you guys that I am not a wealthy man and I have sold my soul to own this beast. This car is my daily driver. So far it has been pretty reliable...had to work out a few minor bugs (new starter and some leaking gaskets). But I feel like I'm holding my breath....just waiting for it to break...in a really big way. I have all the service records for it and it has been lovingly cared for. And I too will lovingly care for it, but I'm wondering why so many people have had a total rebuild before they even get to 60,000 miles? I know that boosting an engine can add an entirely new dimension to reliability (or lack there of). There are also many people who's original engine has held together for many trouble free miles (with in reason). In short, I need this thing to stay together for me...a total rebuild would spell $$$$ disaster right now...even with me doing all the work. Part of me is telling me to dump the car while it's still pristine and go back to a no-brainer reliable thingy. The other part is telling me to just hold tight...take care of it and it will take care of me. In all honesty, I would feel better if I had a spare engine sitting in my garage...when this one goes bad, BAM, new one goes in. Unfortunately that's $$$$ prohibitive for me. So am I alone here, or do any of you ever feel the same about the 930? Just not sure what to do...the car is everything I thought it would be and more. Even the regular maintenance is not a problem for me....I just can't seem to get a handle on the total engine rebuild on so many low mileage cars.

Thanks For Listening To My Pathetic Whine,
Jeff

 

Don't freak out and don't get worried... If the engine is left stock, or certainly at stock boost pressure with CIS, then you should have many years of trouble free driving.

The issues you'll see are the possiblity of broken head studs, especially in the Northeast when driven in winter (not snow, but even dry roads). The other are the valve guide wear at higher mileage. Other than the normal maintenance issues such as rubber centered clutch, and turbo rebuilds, they are reliable, especially when driven daily.

Where people get into trouble is when the boost is increased because you need to ensure proper fueling exists and that the timing is set conservatively enough that it does not detonate.

As far as modifications, if you install a set of heat exchangers, you'll reduce much of the heat from the stock system and allow for better breathing and less back pressure. I don't see any downsides of this modification. A larger intercooler is also a no risk modification that solves the compressor bypass failures by upgrading to a better designed unit. I see a k27 as a good upgrade that if fueling is adjusted properly and stock boost pressure maintained, it should be a low risk upgrade.

 

Thanks for the advice. The car has just had B&B headers and exhaust installed...maybe about 500 miles ago. With the exception of a more efficient turbo, I really do plan on leaving the engine stock. It's plenty fast for me the way it is...famous last words, I know. As I mentioned, I total expect to maintain this thing, and I don't even expect that maintenance to be cheap. I just can't see a total engine rebuild before 60K when soooo many other German cars are just breaking in. I feel better, though. Thanks!

 

As far as maintenance, I'd use a good synthetic oil every 2500-3000 miles, ensuring to always let the turbo cool down before shutting the car off. Adjust the valves every 15k and the normal other maintenance items such as air filter, spark plugs, cap/rotor, etc. when they are due. When the valves are adjusted, you can have the head studs checked so you'll know if one or more is broken. Over time, the engines do develop leaks which will need to be fixed as well. Areas of most common oil leakage are the rocker shafts, cam seals, and oil lines.

 

hope this helps too...
I have 105k miles, put 30k on myself in 2.5 years, I live in the Northeast and mine still runs strong without a rebuild. only mods (so far) are breathing related... cat bypass and a K27-7200. my wrench says 'she plenty peppy for 100+', and suggests to move forward with headers, muffler, K&N intake and 1 bar spring to complete the easy breathing this fall.
it sips oil at only 1 quart per almost 2000 miles and most of that is from oil leaks... like the cam cover and few other minor locations, driven almost daily in spring, summer and fall. my commute is mostly hwy 100 miles RT.
total maintenance has been $4000 which included:
4 wheel alignment/ balance with 4 new Bridgestone Potenza tires
6 oil changes
air pump and associated plumbing removal
valve adjustment
new wires and plugs
A/C service (now disconnected and removed because the AC sucks)
Dyno run
cat bypass, and barely-used K27 purchase (self-installed)

 

Not to be a bad guy here, but if yo are so worried, and something happens, you might be SOL. That is the reality of owning these cars. I knew that going in when I bought my car. I knew that if I couldnt afford to repair, rebuild, or modify the car, I shouldnt own it. But maybe you will not have thing to worry about. But it sounds like you worry quite a bit. Thus, if it causes you this much time on your brain, it might not be the car for you. Just trying to be the devils advocate on the reality of it all. The truth is, it is a used car. No warranties. Just you and the check book when problems arise.

 

SoFast,

I don't think you're being "a bad guy" at all. I can always aprreciate the devil's advocate. However, for the record, I DO NOT "worry quite a bit". And most of my cars over the years have been VERY old (1960s and even some 1950s), so I'm well versed in the art of the used car and no warranties. I'm also not looking for a warranty on the 930. Mostly my concern was/is with why so many of these engines have had a major overhaul well before (dare I say) the 100K mark. Geoffrey helped shed some light on that for me. Honestly my goal is to keep this car as healthy as possible...I do enjoy wrenching on it and a side from a complete engine rebuild, most of the repairs are affordable for me. I'll feel better once I get it put back together...I miss driving it dearly.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

Dude! Don't be so concerned....the 930 will be plenty reliable. Take a look at Gino's car - 105k and still running strong and be upgaded as we speak! My uncle has a '85 930 and it has 80K and it runs plenty strong still too. The Manager of BlackForest in San Diego who is a well reputed Porsche Independent told me that he sees bottom end rebuilds on 930 well past the 150K mark and top end rebuilds at around 100K.

I am like you, this is the most expensive car I have ever owned and definitely the most exotic \ rare. I always wanted one since a kid, and I was going to wait a few more years, but could not pass up on the '89 that I just bought before you purchsed yours.

Everyone one I know and even the guys on Rennlist (ahem "SoFast"...)gave me a hard time that I upgraded it after owning it for only one week and driving it only 30miles, but I knew there was more power to tap and I was on a quest to get all 400 of it.

When I removed all the emissions crap from my car and it had alot (trust me on that) as it was originally a Cali car, I was worried that it would not start or run like garbage, but it fired up first go (after being down for a month - even the battery did not drain down) and it purred like a hungry lion with the B&B headers \ muffler.

I had the biggest smile on my face and when I took it for a spin and the new K27 kicked it and the boost gauge was pegged, crap cakes was it ever transformed, it was a completely different car!

I would say I make "OK" money but I can see there are some well paid members on here, and if my engine ever required a full rebuild, yes it would cost some bank but I would do most of the labor and sometimes that is just the cost of ownership of these types of cars. I have friends who have spent $5,000+ on their Turbo Honda engines and friend's who have spent $10,000 on their Turbo Supras. If you want to play you just have to pay, that is the nature of this hobby.

I would say enjoy your car - heck its only got 40K on it and drive it, that's why you bought it and cross whichever bridges you need to cross at that time and not "crystal ball" too much.

Have fun!

Yasin

 

HAHAHAAHA! Yes I seem to remember those "Yasin will be dismatling his entire car" remarks from <cough> <cough> SoFast! I thought that was funny as hell! At least SoFast calls 'em like he sees 'em and I appreciate that ...the world doesn't need another "yes man"!

So...enjoy the car I will

 

Hi Sand_man,
you and I are in the same boat. My '81 930 has 80,000kms on it, I've had it 6mths and drive it daily. So far all I've had to do is replace the syncros on 3rd and 2nd but I knew about that when I bought it. Any major repairs would be a big problem for me as my wife disaproves of my nasty habit (a previous dalliance with a 928 caused much unhappiness). In a few months time I hope to convince her that the exhaust system is about to fall off and I should replace it with some headers and there's a spring thing that protects the engine that should be replaced with a stronger one at the same time. Lets keep our fingers crossed as we travel down this road tgether.

 

sandman,
As long as your car is maintained regularly just like any other car needs to and driven regularly, your pretty much safe. Just enjoy it as much as you can and do the correct mods like Geoffrey has advised. These mods help, for example a bigger intercooler gives better cooling.

 

I'm going to hit 230,000km this weekend. Top end rebuilt at 200,000. No leaks, no smoke, very little oil consumption and it pulls like a runaway freight train with the new K27-7200 (thanks for the advice Stephen). Still has good oil pressure so I'm not planning on a rebuild anytime soon. One more thing, the original chain tensioners lasted until they were replaced a couple of thousand kilometers ago. If they're taken care of and driven properly these engines / cars last a long, long time. Second and third gear synchros have been replaced and the car drives perfectly....Don't worry too much, just take good care of it and enjoy.

 

OH MY GOD!!! Are you certain we aren't married to the same woman?! My wife is as far removed from an auto enthusiast as you can get! I think she thought that she'd break my habbit when we were dating many moons ago (I was driving a mint 1962 VW 23 Window Deluxe Microbus, then). I have had to literally tip-toe around to enjoy this hobby. To be honest, my wife was another reason I posted this thread to begin with....she was extremely pissed at me for spending so much time in the garage fixing a couple of oil leaks on the 930. The last thing I need to do is tell her that I'm gonna need to drop another $8k to $12K to rebuild the engine...after I just got done telling her what a wonderful car this is! Well I'm back to driving it...got it all put back together last night...it's a keeper!

JL

 

Of course I could always exchange my 911 Turbo for this one:

It's sure to be more reliable! HAHAHAHA! And I'm sure the wifey would approve, too!

 

and so would the men in blue