Refresh time.

[rogertill]

23rd June 2006, at the Monaco world launch my 997 turbo was displayed and handed over to the new owner. Well 90,000 miles and 18 years later, after being driven regularly, time for a refresh. All services have been carried out by dealers or independent specialists. Don’t want Erica (my name for the car) pristine since I will continue to drive irrespective of the weather and roads conditions. Car drives well so what do I want doing. Talked with the engineer who maintains the car and this is what I would like doing.

• Replace front top mounts, bushes and coil springs. Last major suspension work carried out at 70,000 miles and 5 years ago.
• Replace rear top mounts, bushes, shock absorbers and coil springs.
• Replace front crossover pipes and wheel alignment.
• Replace engine coolant pipes.
• Replace rear spoiler actuator. Hydraulics were replaced but after two hours running it still fails.
• Replace front and rear brake pads for carbon brakes. Last replaced 5 years ago.
• Replace door seals where necessary
• Headlight refurb
• Get second horn to work
• Refurb body work. Not to show standard, since our roads are appalling, but just to touch up vulnerable areas.
• Check front condensers and replace if necessary. Zunsport grilles were fitted 3 years ago and they have worked well
• Check exhaust and turbos. One turbo was overhauled at 70,000 miles and 5 years ago.
• Check condition of undertrays. 2 months ago, a branch of a tree jammed in the undertray and after about 20 miles on the motorway it fell out and the thumping noise stopped. It was checked and there was minor damage.

The front screen has a few dings, well after 18 years what do you expect but the engineer says with the current state of the roads it is not worth replacing.

I asked about the water pump being replaced when the engine is out but the answer was if it works no need to replace.

Of course, when the work is being carried out, if anything additional appears, I will be called to look and the issue and discuss what is the best course of action.

I’ll post an update on progress when the work starts. Oh, as to cost I have no idea. I will review an estimate before the work starts, but I think it will be more than £10.

 

[JMR]

Nice little list that is Roger

I would replace the water pump for how much extra it will cost.
You're spending all that money, might as well tick it off the list and there's no need to worry about it in the future.

Zunsports as you note, work well, worth the money for that added layer of protection to the rads/condensors.

 

[rogertill]

Nice little list that is Roger

I would replace the water pump for how much extra it will cost.
You're spending all that money, might as well tick it off the list and there's no need to worry about it in the future.

Zunsports as you note, work well, worth the money for that added layer of protection to the rads/condensors.

Thanks for that. I was thinking along the same lines and as long as it doesn't double the bill( sorry for my humour) I think I will take that path.

 

[rogertill]

Work started, just waiting for some parts from Germany. Water pump also being replaced. Don't ask about the
PAS Reservoir £661.46 + vat and the PAS Pipe/Hose £192.24 + vat additional cost. It just reflects Porsche parts pricing and how replacing a small clip requires you to buy a whole unit.

 

[rogertill]

Coolant pipes now fitted. Unfortunately the Gear Cable connector cracked so a new one from Porsche £248.82 + vat has to be fitted. The centre radiator was fine but the two side radiators had to be replaced.The exhaust system is OK but one of the undertrays needs replacing where a tree branch got lodged. The PAS reservoir and pipe has been ordered to replace the old one. Headlights next to be dealt with. Still awaiting one part from Germany.

 

[rogertill]

I have had a number of people ask me about the cost. One good point is none of the brake pads need replacing so that saved me some money. However, excluding any bodywork repairs the approximate total is £11,970 including vat. However, since the work has not been completed, additional costs could still be incurred.
I’m just trying to work out how many sandwiches I’ll need to make to pay for the work!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Greenman986S]

It will be worth it - you'd love far more than that in depreciation on a new(er) model

 

[rogertill]

It will be worth it - you'd love far more than that in depreciation on a new(er) model

You bet. Earlier this year I was approached to buy a new car before the hybrid model comes out. If I swapped my car and paid £145,000 I could get the new replacement. I could even borrow a car to test for a day to help me decide. To be polite I waited 30 seconds to decline the offer.

 

[rogertill]

Job finished? Not quite. It was noticed that the propshaft coupling is quite cracked. I have the photo of its condition. As its stripped out there would be no extra labour to replace, just the cost of the part which is £79.15 + vat.

 

[rogertill]

Car rebuilt and passed its MOT with no advisories. Paperwork being done today and tomorrow the engineer wants one final drive to check all the major work carried out is working well. Hopefully, I will get the car back tomorrow afternoon and I will be able to drive "Erica" which I am really looking forward to doing after over three weeks in the workshop. I will share some pictures and the final cost of the work in the not too distant future.

 

[rogertill]

Car back and managed to do a short test drive. Significant improvement in steering and suspension performance. Tighter steering response much less noise from suspension.

This is a list of all the work completed:

• Initial vehicle check
• Fit new A/C condensers fill with gas and check system
• Polish headlamps
• Fit new rear shocks, coil springs, top mounts, bearings and bump stops
• Fit new front coil springs, top mounts, bearings and bump stops
• Fit new boot spoiler wiring loom
• Fit new front coolant pipes/hoses
• Remove engine and gearbox fit new over engine coolant pipes and fit new coolant hoses
• Fit new water pump, hose and auxiliary belt
• Refit engine and gearbox
• Fit new NS intercooler hose
• Renew gearbox cable
• Fit new prop shaft coupling
• Fit new front body underlay
• Fit new NSF headlight load level push rod
• Engine oil service
• Fill with new anti-freeze
• Run engine and bleed cooling system
• Four-wheel alignment
• MOT test
• Road test vehicle

The job took 39 hours of labour at a cost of £4080 including VAT. Parts cost £7588 including VAT. Total cost including MOT was £11713.

I am very happy with the work carried out by a person who really knows about Porsche cars and who has a good eye for detail. His wife does the accounting and kept me informed each step of the journey.
Since the weather was awful today, I have not taken any pictures of the car.

 

[Greenman986S]

Well worth the investment

Even for a Trigger's Broom

 

[rogertill]

Drove to Goodwood to watch the track day. Car's handling much improved so I don't notice all the potholes.

 

[BrianJ]

What a great write-up. The 997 Turbo always looked just right to me and yours looks fantastic.