spud72

Hi guys, largely a lurker here but have a couple questions to ask.

I'm looking at buying a low mileage 92 968 tip (approx 40K miles). I had a pp inspection done and about the only findings were:

very minor leak on lower balance shaft
Slight weeping on rear shocks

and that's about it. Tech figures timing belt easily has until next year. Everything else checks out fine.

I'm not terribly familiar with 968s but it runs very strongly although rides like a lumberwagon. I think that's just inherit to them being a sports car and not necessarily bad shocks.

How big of a pain is it to do the balance shaft seal? I presume the time to do it would typically be when the timing belt is done? Are rear shocks a pain to do?
Thanks

968gene

"Tech figures timing belt easily has until next year." Really? Maybe it has timed out. My last belt had only 3,000 miles on it but timed out.
"rides like a lumberwagon" Cab or Coupe?

spud72

Coupe. Timing belt was replaced by the same shop that checked it 3 years and about 15K earlier, hence why they say it'll last until the next year easily. I suspect longer in reality.

968gene

I would rather replace the belts, seals, and water pump etc. and sleep at night. I'm surprised that you don't like the ride of a stock coupe. Replacing the shocks is straight forward and probably need to be done as well. My car has 31k on the clock and needs rear shocks. Most people go from a casual owner to a 968 enthusiast pretty quickly. Coupes are becoming scarce! Is it a common color?

odurandina

after careful consideration i'm of the final conclusion that you need to stay the hell away from Cars.com and Autotrader. the sellers there totally suck. for the pirices they're asking you can almost get a good 911. instead buy off ebay. if you do your homework you can be a big winner on ebay. 2 gemstones sold reciently for pennies, and i am prepared to back up this statement.

spud72

Not sure what you're going on about, but as long as your posts include your avatar I'm game to read all of them!

I understand about the replacing and sleeping at night.. I see logic in that.

SpeedBump

3 years and 15k ago is fine for the belts, I usually do mine every 5 years since mileage is not really an issue. I've never drive a stock coupe so I cannot really comment on your ride quality. Have you ridden in an other 968 coupes for comparison purposes?

ad-01

good luck hope you get a nice one and I'm sure you will love it

RajDatta

Spud, there could be a conflict of interest since the shop that did the original work is the one giving it a clean bill of health. I would take it to a different shop. I doubt any shop would give it's previous work shoddy marks.
Get an independent opinion. Belts need to be changed more due to age than mileage. Max is 3-4yrs.

FRporscheman

+1, get another ppi at a different shop.

People's standards on ride quality have really changed in the last 15 years thanks to modern suspensions. The 968 uses "antiquated technology"... That's not to say it is bad - it handles superbly - but cars today have double wishbone and multilink suspensions that are road-holding as well as compliant. The catch is you have a million bushings and maintenance costs are way higher.

Resealing the BS housing involves considerable engine disassembly, including belts and power steering. I'd say just live with it, or try dabbing silicone on the leak (clean it first), that works sometimes. If it's just the rear round cap of the BS housing that is leaking, it's established that silicone fixes that leak excellently. I like Permatex Gray sealant, or Hondabond.

Best of luck and don't be a stranger.

spud72

Thanks for all the advice guys.
I decided that even though I would really like a 968, I just have a hard time settling for a tiptronic. I think I'm going to pass on it anyhow.

RajDatta

Wait for the right car. Don't compromise. If 6 speed is what you want, wait for it. You will be happier in the long run.

rixter

spud what's your budget?