993 routine maintenance vs. '86 3.2 Carrera
06-06-2003, 06:33 PM
#1
Pro
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993 routine maintenance vs. '86 3.2 Carrera
What is maintenance like on a 993 compared to say a 86 3.2 911 Carrera as far as a DIY wrench goes? Can most routine maintenance (oil change, tune ups, minor repairs and upgrades, etc.) be done by a DIY wrench with some skills? I do all the routine maintenance, minor repair and upgrades on my '86 now. The prices on 993s are becoming very attractive. I'm think I'm talking myself into beginning a search for the right one. Thanks for input.
06-06-2003, 08:19 PM
#2
Track Day
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I'll chime in on this Jim,
having previously owned an SC and having done my basic maintenance, likewise with my 993, I'd have to say the 993 is by far more expensive to maintain. You don't have the valves to adjust but, since it was your labor and the cost of a gasket kit is small, there still is a pretty big difference. Brake rotors at $110-$120 are about double that of an SC, oil change; now two filters, I used dino oil in my SC, now I use Mobil 1. I could go on and on. What matters is, I enjoy this car more than my SC. Its more comfortable,more sophisticated, but has that raw edge that I really liked about the SC. The price of admission is definitely greater, but if doing your own work gets you into the car, you should go for it. the timing and prices are right....right now! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
having previously owned an SC and having done my basic maintenance, likewise with my 993, I'd have to say the 993 is by far more expensive to maintain. You don't have the valves to adjust but, since it was your labor and the cost of a gasket kit is small, there still is a pretty big difference. Brake rotors at $110-$120 are about double that of an SC, oil change; now two filters, I used dino oil in my SC, now I use Mobil 1. I could go on and on. What matters is, I enjoy this car more than my SC. Its more comfortable,more sophisticated, but has that raw edge that I really liked about the SC. The price of admission is definitely greater, but if doing your own work gets you into the car, you should go for it. the timing and prices are right....right now! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
06-07-2003, 02:56 AM
#3
Passed On
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Similar opinion as Jeff.
Went from a '84 Carrera to my '95 993. 993 for the most part is much more complicated (oil/filter changes, spark plugs, fan/alternator belts). Nice thing is you don't have to do valves.
Brake rotors were about the same, but I had a Turbo-Look Carrera (930 brakes). On the other hand, tranny/clutch I find MUCH more reliable (Carrera needed a clutch and tranny rebuild at 50K miles and again when sold at 120K, 993 is beautiful at 75K).
And yes, all of these maintenance items I do myself.
Went from a '84 Carrera to my '95 993. 993 for the most part is much more complicated (oil/filter changes, spark plugs, fan/alternator belts). Nice thing is you don't have to do valves.
Brake rotors were about the same, but I had a Turbo-Look Carrera (930 brakes). On the other hand, tranny/clutch I find MUCH more reliable (Carrera needed a clutch and tranny rebuild at 50K miles and again when sold at 120K, 993 is beautiful at 75K).
And yes, all of these maintenance items I do myself.
06-07-2003, 07:14 AM
#4
Rennlist Member
Ditto Jeff and Ray's comments. Parts wise, the 993 has about twice as much of everything, so there is less DIY savings. However, the service interval periods are longer, so that helps somewhat.
06-07-2003, 12:08 PM
#5
Racer
I had an '86 Carrera for 10 years before getting my TT. Since you are comfortable doing maintenance on the '86, you'll be OK with the 993. Biggest difference: No valves to adjust on the 993 vs easier spark plug change on the '86, with the advantage going to the 993 since you don't need a plug change every 15K miles.
Otherwise the advantage on most everything else goes to the '86. For example, take the pollen filters in the 993, a pair of expensive little devils. But on my '86, when I replaced a leaking evaporator, the old one was about 50% clogged with dirt. No wonder the cooling was slowly degrading! Those filters will prevent this.
As for the belts, I wish Porsche had kept the design on the '86, which worked great for 25 years. The seperate belts for fan and alternator on the 993 is more complicated than the single belt, and harder to get everything "just right", which it needs to be. Just check the archives.
As for the 993's having two oil filters, no big deal once you do it.
Get yourself a 993. A little more trouble to maintain, but the transmission and clutch are much nicer than the cable clutch/915 transmission in the '86, the AC works great, (your '86 has Freon, checked the price on that?), overall the 993 is so much more refined, you'll love owning it and soon adjust to the maintenance changes.
Otherwise the advantage on most everything else goes to the '86. For example, take the pollen filters in the 993, a pair of expensive little devils. But on my '86, when I replaced a leaking evaporator, the old one was about 50% clogged with dirt. No wonder the cooling was slowly degrading! Those filters will prevent this.
As for the belts, I wish Porsche had kept the design on the '86, which worked great for 25 years. The seperate belts for fan and alternator on the 993 is more complicated than the single belt, and harder to get everything "just right", which it needs to be. Just check the archives.
As for the 993's having two oil filters, no big deal once you do it.
Get yourself a 993. A little more trouble to maintain, but the transmission and clutch are much nicer than the cable clutch/915 transmission in the '86, the AC works great, (your '86 has Freon, checked the price on that?), overall the 993 is so much more refined, you'll love owning it and soon adjust to the maintenance changes.
06-09-2003, 11:04 AM
#6
Pro
Thread Starter
Thanks all, just the input I was looking for. I was anticipating parts to be more expensive and was hoping the actual "wrench work" was not too much more complicated. It sounds as if I could handle most routine repair/maintenance. Need to get a couple of things in order, however I believe my search will begin soon.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
06-09-2003, 11:29 AM
#7
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I owned an SC as well. Though I don't have a clue about mechanical stuff, I used to do the little things, panels, sunroof, electricals, filters etc...
The 993 might be more complicated, but the existence of Robin's site makes some stuff actually simpler: <a href="http://www.p-car.com" target="_blank">www.p-car.com</a> has DIY guides for practically everything. Case in point, in a week after I got my 993, I did the spoiler wall, ballast resistor, relays, radio, sunroof arms and seals, jumper the Hi-peed fan for a DE, hood shocks, Idle stabilizer valve, airbox etc... All following instructions. Piece of cake! I hear oil and plug changes are a pain but I'd rather pay for those so as not to mess up my garage...
So, go for it ! The engine torque on the 993 is still giving me goosebumps !
The 993 might be more complicated, but the existence of Robin's site makes some stuff actually simpler: <a href="http://www.p-car.com" target="_blank">www.p-car.com</a> has DIY guides for practically everything. Case in point, in a week after I got my 993, I did the spoiler wall, ballast resistor, relays, radio, sunroof arms and seals, jumper the Hi-peed fan for a DE, hood shocks, Idle stabilizer valve, airbox etc... All following instructions. Piece of cake! I hear oil and plug changes are a pain but I'd rather pay for those so as not to mess up my garage...
So, go for it ! The engine torque on the 993 is still giving me goosebumps !
