M8 AND 8 SERIES
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BIMMERPOST Universal Forums General Automotive (non-BMW) Talk + Photos/Videos Air-cooled 911 values and maintenance costs?

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-03-2020, 09:07 PM   #1
HadesM3
Private First Class
United_States
135
Rep
195
Posts

Drives: Pair of e90's
Join Date: May 2016
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

Air-cooled 911 values and maintenance costs?

Been dreaming about getting an 87-89 Carrera or 964 C2 coupe for years. However, the prices have gone crazy over recent years. I want something old school, raw, analog and something I can go into the garage to admire.

Do you guys think prices will come back down to reality?

The other concern I have is the cost of maintenance and repairs. Does anyone have a 3.2 or 964 that could shed some light on the average cost to maintain? My brother has a 993 and 928 and he spends $3-5k each time his cars go into the shop. I've seen one invoice that approached $10k. I thought owning an M3 was expensive, but classic Porsches seem much higher. Is this representative of old sports cars?

I would look for a clean and well maintained example, but maintenance/repairs scare me. This would be a weekend car driven maybe 1k miles annually.

Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      05-03-2020, 09:31 PM   #2
roastbeef
Lieutenant General
roastbeef's Avatar
United_States
11575
Rep
12,714
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Orange County, CA

iTrader: (4)

they are going to be the cheapest in the coming months.
__________________
Instagram; @roastbeefmike
Appreciate 1
eluded2960.50
      05-03-2020, 09:31 PM   #3
c1pher
Primo Generalissimo
c1pher's Avatar
United_States
4546
Rep
3,996
Posts

Drives: All of them
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: DC area

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Honestly, prices will only go up for good examples the older and rarer they become.
Appreciate 0
      05-03-2020, 09:51 PM   #4
Flacht3
Not Enough Garage Space
Flacht3's Avatar
1135
Rep
721
Posts

Drives: STO /765LTS/ Macan
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Yay Area

iTrader: (0)

Always hard to tell with air-cooled.

So much of it depends on the previous owner(s) and work already done. It's mostly about age with these cars...odds and ends start to fail and you may never know exactly what you're getting into but that's also what many owners love about these...the constant tinkering and wrenching.

I would guess $3-4k a year on average, with the occasional surprise visit that may cost 2x that every few years.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      05-03-2020, 10:16 PM   #5
dgoldenz
Lieutenant Colonel
1844
Rep
1,749
Posts

Drives: Vanquish, FF, 392 Wrangler
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Las Vegas

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by c1pher View Post
Honestly, prices will only go up for good examples the older and rarer they become.
X2, supply and demand. There’s never going to be a new supply and the existing supply will dwindle over time as cars get wrecked or taken out of service.

Do a lot of reading on Rennlist. I doubt anyone here will give you all of the info you’re looking for. Every model will have its own maintenance issues and quirks to be aware of.
Appreciate 0
      05-03-2020, 11:08 PM   #6
P1
Lieutenant General
P1's Avatar
11542
Rep
11,128
Posts

Drives: 2004 3/4 ton Duramax
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: United States

iTrader: (1)

Unfortunately, here in the US, getting older German cars worked on is likely not going to be cheap.

Last edited by P1; 08-30-2020 at 06:42 PM..
Appreciate 0
      05-03-2020, 11:14 PM   #7
clutchdj
Colonel
1852
Rep
2,384
Posts

Drives: a few cars
Join Date: May 2015
Location: NY

iTrader: (6)

There is no such thing as an old Porsche. Well, sort of. Valve covers (lower) always leak oil in that model year range. Older Porsche’s hate to sit. Anything pre 993 is going to require valve adjustments because race car. Those 80’s & early 90 engines have mechanical lifters the require valve adjustments. It is not a DIY job unless you are a tech. 993’s and on have hydraulic lifters however the motors do sound just as glorious as the 964’s pre 996.

BTW they will all stink like oil pre water cooling.

Believe it or the not, the leather Porsche used in those years was so rich, once you’re in the cabin you don't really smell oil anymore. Whatever you buy, make sure the car has the under tray attached. Most owners remove them on the summer for better airflow and put it back on during the winter/salt season.

They don’t really break, (engine or gearbox) but they are labor intensive (cost) when it comes to proper care. Def do all your research on rennlist and pelican parts.com You’ll find most of what you need there, less any burble tune info.
Appreciate 1
Murf99314114.00
      05-03-2020, 11:23 PM   #8
RM7
Brigadier General
RM7's Avatar
2872
Rep
3,445
Posts

Drives: Camaro SS 1LE
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Alaska

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by HadesM3 View Post
The other concern I have is the cost of maintenance and repairs.
That's kind of a non-starter for an older car. You will have costs, you will need to address things. If you are mechanically inclined and have access to some decent tools and lifts, you can usually do most of this yourself, or at least enough to offset the cost of the bigger stuff that you cannot. IME, you don't buy a 10+ year old car and expect to not have to do anything. The plus side is that some of these older cars are simpler, but the minus side is mechanical wear and that means fixing stuff. Personally, I look at a car and do a bunch of research, find the common issues, see what the remedies are, decide whether I am willing to do the remedy or perform the actual maintenance myself. Older cars will not be cheap. But competent mechanics can usually make the most out of them and you can have a good vehicle.

Foreign/sports car maintenance will not be cheap at any shop. It just never is.

I had a nice Mercedes 4matic 320 (great engine, so smooth), but some sort of HVAC actuation system was dead and fixing it was a 3K job to remove most of the front interior and replace the actuators. Was a nice car, rode nice, did awesome in the snow, was it worth it? Kind of. The defining factor is if you really like the car. Then it is worth it.

Also agree with the above about not letting cars sit. Cars that run more frequently are more reliable and better IMO.
__________________
Current: 2018 Camaro SS 1LE, 2023 Colorado ZR2. Former: BMW 428i Gran Coupe.
Appreciate 3
Murf99314114.00
W///7435.50
eluded2960.50
      05-04-2020, 05:57 AM   #9
Murf993
Major
Murf993's Avatar
14114
Rep
1,336
Posts

Drives: Porsche 993
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Dog Lake, South Frontenac, Ontario Canada

iTrader: (0)

On my third year with a 96 993. I bought the car from Pfaff just outside of Toronto, I think they are the largest Porsche dealer in North America. They had history with the car, and had spend $20,000 in repairs to make it right to sell. New breaks, tires and clutch plus some tuning as I recall. The car had 75,000 miles on it (originally from Texas) and was in decent shape. They gave me a one year warranty and a well sorted car. I think that was a smart way to buy some peace of mind. I am 100 miles away from Pfaff so I found a local guy who was the head mechanic on a Canadian Porsche racing team, all he does is Porsche....he will give you shit if he thinks you're not taking care of your car. He knows his stuff and doesn't charge Porsche dealership rates. So far I've been lucky and haven't had to spend more than $2K per year in maintenance. I have him do the oil change and give it a quick once over once a year.

They are a great car, and certainly worth it if you like driving something that isn't full of nannies. I'd say they will continue to go up in value but with this whole Covid19 thing who knows what things will look like economically in the near and not so near future. I think my car has gone up by $5-10K since I bought it, but it's difficult to say.

Good luck
Appreciate 3
RM72871.50
W///7435.50
clutchdj1851.50
      05-04-2020, 09:44 AM   #10
DGTLM2C
Private
9
Rep
51
Posts

Drives: 2020 M2C
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Sterling

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Murf993 View Post
On my third year with a 96 993. I bought the car from Pfaff just outside of Toronto, I think they are the largest Porsche dealer in North America. They had history with the car, and had spend $20,000 in repairs to make it right to sell. New breaks, tires and clutch plus some tuning as I recall. The car had 75,000 miles on it (originally from Texas) and was in decent shape. They gave me a one year warranty and a well sorted car. I think that was a smart way to buy some peace of mind. I am 100 miles away from Pfaff so I found a local guy who was the head mechanic on a Canadian Porsche racing team, all he does is Porsche....he will give you shit if he thinks you're not taking care of your car. He knows his stuff and doesn't charge Porsche dealership rates. So far I've been lucky and haven't had to spend more than $2K per year in maintenance. I have him do the oil change and give it a quick once over once a year.

They are a great car, and certainly worth it if you like driving something that isn't full of nannies. I'd say they will continue to go up in value but with this whole Covid19 thing who knows what things will look like economically in the near and not so near future. I think my car has gone up by $5-10K since I bought it, but it's difficult to say.

Good luck
any pix? pls provide.
Appreciate 0
      05-04-2020, 09:58 AM   #11
Murf993
Major
Murf993's Avatar
14114
Rep
1,336
Posts

Drives: Porsche 993
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Dog Lake, South Frontenac, Ontario Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by DGTLM2C View Post
any pix? pls provide.
With the Turbo Twist wheels is when I got it from Pfaff, and then a more recent pic.Name:  IMG_9749.jpg
Views: 1080
Size:  1.02 MB

Name:  60cf8efe-216c-4167-8ac6-8ef16ae8b891 2.jpeg
Views: 1075
Size:  96.7 KB
Appreciate 4
N54Yankee2706.00
HadesM3134.50
eluded2960.50
Rmtt8206.00
      05-04-2020, 10:46 PM   #12
HadesM3
Private First Class
United_States
135
Rep
195
Posts

Drives: Pair of e90's
Join Date: May 2016
Location: CA

iTrader: (0)

Thanks for the feedback guys!
Appreciate 0
      05-07-2020, 04:40 AM   #13
martin mustang
Major
Ireland
256
Rep
1,040
Posts

Drives: 640d,X5 45e, 911c4s, 635csi
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ireland

iTrader: (0)

With many now doing a Singer mod, snatching and converting more an more of the air cooled ones, I guess this may push prices up as less of them untouched will be around. I hope I am wrong am also looking for 964 with a manual gearbox.
Appreciate 1
Murf99314114.00
      05-07-2020, 04:55 AM   #14
M5Rick
General
M5Rick's Avatar
58914
Rep
19,255
Posts

Drives: M5 F10 DCT Gunmetal
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Southern England

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by roastbeef View Post
they are going to be the cheapest in the coming months.
Off the subject,I was wanting to ask about the front splitter on the M3,I haven't seen something like that before on any road going M.
Appreciate 0
      05-07-2020, 07:18 AM   #15
roastbeef
Lieutenant General
roastbeef's Avatar
United_States
11575
Rep
12,714
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Orange County, CA

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by M5theonlyone View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by roastbeef View Post
they are going to be the cheapest in the coming months.
Off the subject,I was wanting to ask about the front splitter on the M3,I haven't seen something like that before on any road going M.
It's just a gt4 style lip sir.
__________________
Instagram; @roastbeefmike
Appreciate 0
      05-07-2020, 08:59 AM   #16
M5Rick
General
M5Rick's Avatar
58914
Rep
19,255
Posts

Drives: M5 F10 DCT Gunmetal
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Southern England

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by roastbeef View Post
It's just a gt4 style lip sir.
Thank you.
Appreciate 0
      05-07-2020, 12:23 PM   #17
roastbeef
Lieutenant General
roastbeef's Avatar
United_States
11575
Rep
12,714
Posts

Drives: E92 M3
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Orange County, CA

iTrader: (4)

Quote:
Originally Posted by M5theonlyone View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by roastbeef View Post
It's just a gt4 style lip sir.
Thank you.
.
Attached Images
   
__________________
Instagram; @roastbeefmike
Appreciate 2
Murf99314114.00
M5Rick58913.50
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:02 AM.




m8
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST