I was going to buy a 1975 Porsche 911S, in a private sale, which was in really nice shape. No rust, new paint, overhauled engine and a new trans. There were some minor issues that I could have fixed myself. I took it in and had a PPI done. They did a leak dowwn test and reported to me that one of the plugs could not be removed so they weren't going to touch it. It appeared to be cross threaded and to be fixed, the engine would have to be removed. I decided not to buy the car based on that. The owner was unaware of this since he had bought the car three years ago from someone who did the work or had it done for him.

Other than that, the car was really nice and fun to drive. It's a real head turner, so looks like I'll be looking for a 911. The right one will come along.

Obviously, the owner will have to deal with the bad plug sooner or later. I won't though.

That was the best 200 bux I ever spent.

__________________
Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

Although an engine r&r in a 911 is not a real major job having a cross threaded plug is evidence of some really sloppy work. Who did your PPI? Years ago autothority in fairfax was the premier porsche shop in that area. A 911 is a car you want to have someone who has experience looking at it. Its not really a difficult car to work on you just need the right tools for it.. Like pulling the plugs on a 911 requires the correct magnetic socket otherwise its fairly easy to botch a simple job.

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Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
Calvin Coolidge (1872 - 1933)

He hadn't changed the plugs in three years? If I had known this I wouldn't even have paid for the PPI Funny how people own up to things when caught red handed.

You could, in a pinch, work on the heads with just removing the rear mounts and axles, engine still mated to tranny. Your problem would be coughing up the $200 crowfoot when you need to dial in the cam.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

12 years of experience with Porsche mechanics are the reason I sold mine and switched to Mercedes....

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

I have rebuilt a 911 engine (turbo) and found it simpler than the MB engines I have rebuilt - you could have fixed the stuck plug in a weekend, but of course if the negligent owner hadn't changed the oil for three years that could have been the least of your problems.

Better luck with another 911, best car I've ever driven (or worked on).

And the difference is... ???

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

A lot. Here’s the short list:

First, MB always has a free loaner. I can’t tell you off-hand the number of MB loaners I’ve gotten. I was never able to even get a ride from a Porsche shop....

Second, the MB dealers always stand behind their work. It is not always done right the first time, but they always stand behind it.

Third is the quality of work. In all the times the Porsche went in for repairs, it never once came back without the work either not quite done or some mysterious new problem, that the dealer or repair shop refused to take responsibility for, being part of the package.

Fourth is the “phuch you” attitude that is pervasive amongst every Porsche shop I’ve been to.

Fifth, the Starbucks coffee you get at a MB shop.

Sixth, timeliness: Last time my Porsche was in the shop it was there for a month. The shop owner, who, by the way was recommended by none other than the local PCA club chair, said the delay was due to his scheduling. Gosh, I'm so happy that my car and business are so important. See point 4, above.

Seventh, every Porsche shop I took my car to managed to “forget” to do some part of the project. Of course, they never forgot to charge for it, and all refused to refund for the work they didn’t do. The standard refrain is “next time you bring it by, we’ll do the work for free."

Eighth, and last are the cool mechanics at the MB shop. Friendly helpful and a great source of excellent information.

In short, Porsche shops suck. The overwhelming majority of Porsche shops round these parts have gone out of business over that time. Hmmmm. Couldn’t imagine why...

Porsche makes several of the worlds great cars, without a doubt. But there are so few of them around that the customer has to pay a number of penalties every time the car needs work.

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

I'm sure JS would agree with you.

Sorry you had such a bad experience. I've had similiar bad experiences at an MB dealer, maybe not so much due to the mechanics but due to MBUSA policy. I worked for a really cool P-car mechanic as a kid. Independent former factory tech. Never really seen the inside of a Porsche dealership.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

At the time I bought Casper I considered getting a Carrera 4, but after 12 years of a great car crippled by greedy careless mechanics, I gave up on Porsche.

BTW MB has a long way to go too, but they shine like a solar flair compared to the goof balls - at least around here - that take care of Porsches. Waaahhhh

Oh, yes, and the Porsche dealership is a story onto itself. 3 times, ordered parts for minor things. 3 times the parts were never ordered, but the credit card billed. Each time I had to turn to the credit card company to get the bill cancelled as the dealer refused. Nice guys. Again, I have to guess it is because they simply don’t push enough cars to pay for the support – which I found to be the real cost of Porsche.....

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

RPM in Newington did the PPI. They had two race Porsches in their shop when I was there. They were also one of the recommended shops by the local PCA.

Also, the owner bought the car three years ago and hasn't driven it much. He uses Mobil 1 in it. The car also has antique Va. plates so it doesn't get driven much. There is no state inspection nor personal proberty tax. It's a great way to own a performance car.

__________________
Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.