i hope everyone saw in australian dollars

 

My 944S2 (1990 model) has had some of this work done in the last few years and a mate also has an S2 that had a full service and belts done last month by the local dealer. I think he said around A$1,600 for the lot, so I'd say you are definitely spot on in saying that they are gold plating their prices (don;t think he had the water pump done, but not sure).

December 2001 my car (previous owner) had a lot of work done - some of it the same as this one you are looking at. The seat switch is OK (mine were $400+ each for the 4-way switches). Similarly the steering shaft.

Spark plugs, manifold gaskets and sway bar bushes are way too high. Do them yourself and save heaps.

Don't know about clutch pipe or door seal - may be reaosnable - depends on parts prices (door seal do yourself).

Depending on the disk conditions plan on anyhting from $85 to $380 for pads plus sensors. Performance 9 in Melbourne are a great source - www.performance9.com.au

I would not be too worried about the electrical gremlins - that can be your project.

Compressions all look good - and even which is very important.

Having looked at the other thread I'd offer:
- tyre squeal - most likely pressure, but also the PPI notes alignment, so could be a combination of factors - I run my S2 at 36psi front (205/55) and 44 rear (225/50) Pirelli P6000.
- slow start - mine is the same - takes a few seconds, so no it's not unique to the 951. Just make sure that the battery is in good health
- turbo lag - check to make sure it has not been modified - a different chip may make a difference (don't know) - and also check that the mechanical boost adjustments are standard. Also, check vacuum hoses as any leak can change the way that the boost control system operates

If the PPI you posted is all that they could find, it sounds like a very good car. But, as someone on the other thread said - check for rust given that it is ex UK.

Good luck.

 

To be honest from that ppi It looks a little neglected to me, but full service history means a lot, and first impressions are useful.though I am curious as to which po took care of it.The clutch, brakes and cambelts are important and consumable. Bodywork and interior are going to be a lot better than an Australian car,if no rust.
I had a ppi done for mine at TDI in Brisbane, they missed the clutch and valve guides, as there is so few in Australia you don't have a lot of choice,M030 is worthwhile unless are going to upgrade anyway.

 

Goods points, thanks guys. Great to see some more locals here!

I made a deal just an hour ago on the car. The dealer is commiting to fix/replace the manifold gasket, sway bar bushes, steering shaft, rear right brake sensor, alternator pipe and clutch pipe. They will not take on the belts as they are standard servicable items. The other little things like door seal, interior light and seat switch will be on me.

I will have the belts done while it's in getting the other items completed and as a bonus the work will be carried out by the local specialist I take my 911 to.

So overall I think it's a nice deal, but I definately would have been walking if they hadn't come to the party on the PPI.

Once again thanks for all the advice! These forums are worth their weight in gold if you ask me. How did we even think about buying cars before the internet???

Simon.

 

Umm, something about just picking a random ad in the bargain finder and showing up with a pile of money?..
I forget how car sales used to work, I'm only 21, too young to know

 

Simon,

Sounds like you are happy with the deal and that's the main thing. When I bought my car the PPI (one of the Sydney Porsche centres) showed that the sway bar bushes were shot and that I also needed to replace one of the bottom arms (as well as a long list of really minor things like a missing cover from one of the coat hooks and a slit grommet on the boot lock).

When I had a close look at what they highlighted I decided that I could just leave it for now and that they were probably only looking for more $. For example, they also highlighted the steering column, but when I checked the history I found it had been replaced only a couple of years ago and had done less than 13,000km. The only issue with it was that the paint was burnt (because of the proximity ot the exhaust manifold) - the joints and everything were fine. When I checked the sway bar bushes they felt really good and tight - yes they could be better but are fine for now. I came to the conclusion that they were looking at a 16 year old car and expecting it to be brand new - totally unrealistic.

The only other advice I'd give is to not assume that parts from a Porsche dealer are more expensive than froom elsewhere. There are bargains to be had. A new brake pedal rubber cost me abotu $2.60 from the dealer, or over $8 if I bought it from the VW dealer, and I've seen them on Ebay for a lot more - similarly key heads (with the light) are probably dearer on Ebay. Bonnet struts are another story at around $90 genuine or on Ebay, but about $70 plus postage from Performance 9.

Cheers and Good Luck

 

Sorry should clarify. Bonnet struts are about $90 EACH from Porsche, $90 a pair on Ebay and $70 a pair from Performance 9.

 

Good point, so it's a mere $130 for 4 spark plugs.

 

Curious - when you were getting boost at 4k rpm, what gear were you in?

 

Thanks for the advice moronputz. Like you I have found cheap parts for my 911 from Porsche when I thought they would be huge $, and of course I have also found the opposite. As a rule I will call Porsche for a price just as I would any other place. I also agree on your point that OPC PPI' s will mark down anything that is not shiny new as a needing replacement, and really it's in there interest to do so and I guess it's good to know if something is looking even a little worn! But of course not every little thing on a list is going to need replacement.

 

ilikemy944, upon driving the car a second time for a much longer run I realised that I was not quite correct on the boost issue. At 3000 it was definately coming on boost according to the guage and the noticable torque improvement, and by 4000 she was well and truely away.

As this was the first turbo I had driven 'properly' I had been expecting full boost around 3000. Also the lag took me a little by surprise compared to the very useful low end torque of the 911 which I am used to.

Simon.