I was recently at a club event where a new member was asking me what to look for in a specific low mileage Porsche (997 chassis 911). The specific model isn’t critical for this tech article, but what I do feel is worthy of mentioning are a few key technical aspects to keep in mind when searching for a previously-loved low mileage Porsche. While lower mileage specimens can be of higher value, they can be quite a headache and costly if they’ve been neglected.

As I mentioned to the member, if I were given the option of a 10yo Porsche with only 25k on the odometer but no maintenance invoices in the glovebox, vs a 10yo Porsche with 75k on it and at least a small folder of preventative maintenance invoices (some repair invoices are ok, but you also don’t want to buy a lemon), with everything else equal, I’d most often choose the latter. As I’ve mentioned in previous tech articles, if your engine doesn’t achieve the recommended 3500-5000mi non-synthetic or 5000-7500mi synthetic oil change interval within a year, our recommendation is to have the oil and filter changed every year. Brake fluid on a street car should be flushed every 2years regardless of mileage, and every 4years for a coolant flush on the later watercooled cars. This is due to condensation and contaminants which build up in the fluid. One some vehicles, like vintage 356’s, 912’s, and 911’s, the worst thing you can do is let them sit (besides, it’s just not nice to make a Porsche lonely for so long!). This is where a vehicle with ultra-low mileage and no maintenance history can be a vehicle to possibly walk away from based on the cost to repair correctly. On these vehicles, the corrosion which occurs in the brake system due to moisture will cause the brake components will seize up.

brakes1

As well, seals and other rubber components can often dry up and get brittle due to little/no use, then start cracking and leaking. Thankfully this isn’t as much the case on the newer watercooled cars due to differences and improvements in component technology, however a 10yr old watercooled which has never had the brake fluid flushed could still have corrosion in the brake system. This might mean new brake calipers and possibly brake lines on a newer vehicle, which if properly maintained should never need to be replaced otherwise. As well, the safety/reliability of tires will typically be expired by the 10yr mark so be prepared for 4-5 new tires too. Moreover, the fuel tank will probably have water in it and the fuel has now turned towards varnish, so the fuel tank will need to be drained. The blinker fluid and the gefunkt tank might be comprised as well, so it wouldn’t hurt to have those checked while you’re at it. 😉

brakes2

 

 

Porsche’s were originally designed to be driven so get out there and exercise them, as well as your own heart!

Jeremy Williams is the Oregon PCA Technical editor. He co-owns Matrix Integrated Inc. (Matrix Integrated Inc.) with his brother Justin. Jeremy can be reached at [email protected]

2 Responses

  1. Hello,

    So, a low mileage 14 yr old 911 (48k kms) can still be used as a daily driver. Receipts for last 5 yrs of yearly oil changes with 3 to 5k kms per yr.

    What would you recommend for ppi, drop oil pan, oil analysis?

    Thanks

    1. Sorry for the delay Dale, your reply got caught up in Spam. So, 2004 911, so a 996 chassis? Yes, could certainly be used as a daily driver. Good to see the receipts of routine oil changes. During a PPI we’d recommend removing the oil filter, cutting open and checking for plastic and metal debris in the filter, then installing a new filter and topping the engine oil. Have a look at these blog posts here; https://www.oregonpca.org/blog/what-is-that-debris-in-my-986996-oil-filter-2017-05-09/ https://www.oregonpca.org/blog/oil-analysis-another-diagnostic-tool-2018-01-08/

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President's Message

Carol Hedstrom

People Power

I have been an advocate and cheerleader of our many volunteers for several years. This year we have
had even more members step up and help out! Clearly, in order to organize and host over 100 separate events, it takes some peoplepower. As we are at mid-year, I want to share an update on what our volunteers are doing for the Club. It’s your Club and we want all of you to enjoy the fun and of course help out if you feel inclined to do so. 

ORPCA’s Autocross Team layout courses, set up and take down cones, implement safety procedures, keep time, manage standings, train and encourage new drivers, and do it all at the break of dawn. This is a hardy, knowledge-heavy group of dedicated people who produce one of the strongest autocross organizations in the Pacific Northwest. If you have not participated in autocross, you should. You will be introduced to the sport by some of the best and probably become a better driver. 

Our Social Committee and volunteers organize our monthly dinners, scout locations for future events, and plan the new-member orientation as well as the holiday party. They also monitor tickets for each social event, help prevent allergic reactions, and are on the lookout for all mobility needs. Have you tried one of the new Road and Fork events? These small-scale, intimate, elevated experiences are the brainchild of the Social Committee. Cheers to this team! 

Drive Team volunteers scout routes and roads, lead drives, curate drive groups with leads and sweeps, check out potential stops for restroom breaks, maintain a large library of routes, handle oodles of pre-and-post drive logistics including insurance and follow-up reports. The drive team works closely with the Web Team to ensure that all drives (70+ this year) are listed and described accurately on our website and that registrations open in a timely manner to keep it easy for members to join in drives throughout the year. 

The Membership Team orders and distributes name badges and anniversary pins. Name badges are key, but only one element of the many tasks involved in the Membership purview. Team members are master spreadsheet and database gurus. When questions arise around membership dues: what’s included, when and how to pay, this Team jumps in and clears the confusion. Additionally, Membership and supporting volunteers staff our tents and booths at public events to encourage new members to join and answer all questions relating to ORPCA. 

Our new Community Outreach Committee is currently a small group of volunteers strategizing on how to serve others. This team guides our charitable giving efforts as well as finding opportunities to enhance our image and reputation in the small towns and cities we pass through on our drives. We will hear more from them as the year goes on. Please be sure to check out the June Anzeiger message from member Wendy Wells regarding this team effort. Your input is needed; remember, it’s your club and you can help guide the future. 

Web Team, oh geez, what don’t they do? The Web Team, together with Social Media and Member Email, are the heartbeat of your Club. These people guarantee that you know about drives and upcoming events, and that you can register for events. They maintain lists of who is attending, handle cancelations, provide instructions, share information, and announce changes when needed. 

Northwest Passage Team, a stand- alone, perpetual group, handcrafts an epic journey every spring and then does it again a few months later in the fall. These people know their stuff and are quick to adapt to conditions and unexpected events like road closures due to weather and those unfortunate seasonal fires that pop up in our part of the country. While on the tour they are alert to pitfalls like rocks on the road that may take out tires or create other hazards. They and the event they organize are an example of planning success on every level. 

Your member newsletter, Anzeiger, is produced by a team of people, but mainly the editor and editorial support team. They are joined by a small group of experienced proofreaders, and many member contributors. Anzeiger is a big monthly project that showcases our many events and entices members to participate in future events. 

ORPCA’s Board Members are a classic working board. This group of people, along with numerous chair-people, manage the behind-the-scenes workings of the organization. That means everything from finances and calendar of events to interfacing with the national organizer, outside clubs, advertisers, sponsors, and kickstarting many sub-committees that make up the greater ORPCA organization. They are the hands that guide the other teams and committees and try to stay in the background. 

While I have not listed the names of everyone on the above teams, the list is long. I want to thank the entire unnamed list of people for their efforts, commitment and sense of fun for all that they do. I hope you thank them too! I know that after many events, some people will drop a short line of thanks to the organizer. You may not realize how good that makes them feel, but trust me, a little thanks goes a long way. If you enjoyed reading an article, had a good time on a drive or one of our multi-day tours, please give a nod and a thumbs-up to the organizers and volunteers who made it happen. It’s your club and it is 100% volunteer run.

Let’s Drive!

You can reach me at [email protected]