Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Well just got back from the post purchase inspection.

I guess its a bit of a mixed bag as far as results goes. They said she's actually quite tidy with most of the 'bad' jobs having been done, which was good. There's a leak from the cam chain casing so they recommended taking a look at that, along with the belts etc. They think its also worth checking the head gasket as a precaution, and there are a couple of bushes that need replacing and re orientating. They also said the front shocks need doing, and a few other minor bits. Oh and they said the gear box / clutch noisy so may need rebuilding in a year or so. All in all the immediate stuffs going to cost £750's, which isn't the end of the world.

After the inspection I took it round to the body shop they use for a quote. They said that there wasn't really any way to repair the front wheel arches, and recommended that I replace both front wings if i want to do it properly. In addition they'll need to take the windscreen out to do the small bits around that. The rear wheel arches also need doing.

He didn't give me a full quote but said it would be in the region of £3000.

So basically I'm looking at 4000 all told to get everything done. I'm just about to head of and get a second quote on the bodywork, (http://www.911virgin.com/bodyshop.htm so I'll let you know what they say.

Damien

Umm.. doesn't seem too bad.

Gearbox noisy may need oil change, use Swepco from Bert at Berlyn, quietened mine down a fair bit.

Front shocks easy to do yourself, did my ARO's last year, note if the fronts need doing then the backs are probably shot as well.
Not sure how you "check" a head gasket other than replace it!

PS AFAIK Virgin 911 don't have their own bodyshop they use others.

PPS WHere are you?

Hi Jim,

Yeah as you say its not 911's body shop, its one they recommend called Langley Auto craft. I went over there this afternoon to let them have a look. They basically said the same thing - new front wings, cut and plate the rear wheel arches, then re spray both sides, front and roof.

They reckon it will take three to four weeks. I should get the quote in a couple of days.

It's kinda strange but I'm getting very attached to this car, kinda feels like it needs me as much as I need it . Today felt a bit like being at the vets with your pet, and them saying 'well we can do this but its going to cost £'s or we can put her to sleep'

I'd love to get her sorted out, but have to do the maths.

Damien.

I've been there before you But they are worth sorting. Just had the front end resprayed (Bonnet, bumper, spoiler, wings & rear spoiler) for £500. Did one of the wheel archs last year. Will do the roof & remaining wheel arch next year! Theres a small patch of rust on the passenger side a post next to the screen. Rubbed it down & painted it. No one ever notices it. Big job to take the screen out. Wings you can find on ebay for very little. Spent a bundle on mine in the last 18mths. But it's still a cheap car! If I keep it long enough it will be completly rebuilt
Wouldn't touch the head gasket unless you have to.

Noisy gearbox is common mines been rattling like a box of matches for 20,000 miles.

There are some very sorted cars out there that would need nothing doing for not much more than the cost of your repairs.

Hi guy's,

Yeah sounds like a similar story JJ. I thought about spreading the work / cost, but both places have said that it should all be done in one shot to ensure a colour match. £500's sounds really good!

I guess the question is whether to go ahead and do the work, or sell it on and spend longer looking for a car that's in better shape?, I'm in a real dilemma but am gonna wait for the quote to come through. Mechanically she's in good shape, seems thats where the moneys been spent, so its a shame about the bodywork.

I thought i was getting a sorted car, and in many ways i was, but i didn't realise the severity of the rust. Just saw some surface bubbling and thought it would be an easy fix ... Dooooh!

Drive out to Kings Langley was great though! It was more like flying that driving, so she might have earnt herself a respray

Damien.

You just need a good body shop. Mine has a colour card for matching. They always blow into the next panel to ensure a match. All I have to do is put some polish on it now. The front end respray included clear coat over the top to make it more chip resistant. OK a full respray would be better. But I don't have £1800 for that. It's 22 years old. You will struggle to find a car in good cosmetic condition as they have so little value now. When you do it will be 5K+ if you really want it. (More for a S2 or turbo.) Do what you have to when you have to & spread the cost. So long as it's got MOT & runs well your laughing! You would be surpriced what a good cut & wax can hide! Painting the wheels helps too. Draws the eye away from the chips. If it Aint broke don't fix it

Hi mate,

Yeah, I just got the lecture from my parents 'you want to spend how much! Just patch it up'

To be honest I don' t have three grand for the work, and it would take me at least a year to save it up assuming nothing else needs doing in the interim, which I know is a big assumption.

The problem is I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I’d like to do it 'properly'. The quote should arrive tomorrow, but maybe I can just go with having the front wings replaced and sprayed for now. I know it won't be a perfect colour match but its a half way house.

Damien

Recommend you do the front end complete. What ever paint they decide on they store the mix on the computer. (It will have faded from the original.) Then in the fullness of time when you get around to the rest they can match it to that. (lots of wax & elbow grease on the rest until then.) Should then be pretty good. Well it works for me I'd say £700 is the guide price + £100 for a couple of good wings off eBay.
You should expect 1K /year to keep it on the road in good mechanical knick. Average. Some years just a service. Spent 3K+on mine last year. But the last service was only £90 as everything else has now been fixed! (Forgot 4 new tyres £300) Hoping just to do the cosmetics now & enjoy. Before the government tax us off the roads.