1987 carrera g50 buying advice please.

Orange914-6 · 02-10-2010, 12:58 PM

Hello,

I sold my 77 recently to move on up to a g50 coupe and I've been looking at a few around town in the under 20K range. I'm a good DIY mechanic with a lot of bmw experience and have read 3 or 4 buyers guides already on the 3.2 carreras but none really seems to mention mileage concerns.

My question is should I worry about mileage in the 140K range if the engine has never been rebuilt? the car I am looking at has had a recent clutch done and has a nice stack of records going back about 20 years. But the engine has never been out. it did pass smog without "help".

Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks!

jackb911 · jackb911's Garage

Broken head studs and worn valve guides are the main engine issues to look out for on 3.2's, especially the higher mileage ones.

lava · 02-10-2010, 01:39 PM

I have an 87 Carrera with lower milage, it runs strong with no leaks. I would look for leaks if you were considering this car. If it has been tracked and there were leaks that resulted in overheating there could be damage. I love my car and wouldn't trade it, well OK if a 993 S at the right price came along, but otherwise I would not trade it for the world.

ths911 · ths911's Garage

Nothing to worry about if the PPI comes back good. Take the receipts to the shop that is doing the PPI, they will be able to figure out what has been or hasn't been done to the car.

Hard to go wrong with a well sorted '87 Carrera.

MOMO3.2 · 02-10-2010, 02:17 PM

I own a 1987 Carrera 3.2. It has 180,000 miles on the original engine and trans. I bought the car with 134,000 miles on it. It had a good PPI and a new clutch had been installed as well.

Anyway, my car runs just as good or better than the day I bought it nearly 7 years ago. Many SC's and Carreras rack up 250,000 miles or more before rebuilds are performed. Excellence ran a story on a Carrera that had 440,000 miles on the motor before the owner/mechanic sold it as a strong runner.

If the body/chassis is solid and the mechanicals check out on a PPI, I would go for it.

Good luck.

Mike

aigel · aigel's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackb911

Broken head studs and worn valve guides are the main engine issues to look out for on 3.2's, especially the higher mileage ones.

Head studs break on low mileage cars just as often. The valve guides are a concern at 140k. There are cars that make it past that but they may be getting there. Issue is that checking for worn guides is tough. Oil usage and any smoke besides at start up are the only good indicators.

George

DanielDudley · 02-10-2010, 02:39 PM

I really like a car that has had a top end and stud replacement, and I have no problem with 100K + cars. The rub of course is that not every Carrera will have had this done, nor will they all need it.

FenderGuy · 02-10-2010, 02:45 PM

140k miles for 20k? Ive seen cars 65k to 100k miles for around $17k to $20k ...if its straight out cash make a offer...money now-a-days seem to move people

Orange914-6 · 02-10-2010, 02:46 PM

Thanks guys, the body and underbody are in great shape minus a few minor blems. Interior is in very good shape, After driving my CIS 2.7 with a 915 gearbox, this carrera feels silky smooth.

I have not gotten a PPI was considering skipping it because it does run and drive very well with no smoking. The engine/tranny are slightly oily as I'd expect from a 23 year old carbut there doesnt seem to be any major leaks. It had a valve adjustment and tune recently.

FenderGuy · 02-10-2010, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vespam5

I have not gotten a PPI was considering skipping it because it does run and drive very well with no smoking. The engine/tranny are slightly oily as I'd expect from a 23 year old carbut there doesnt seem to be any major leaks. It had a valve adjustment and tune recently.

Don't skip on the PPI worst mistake you can do with these cars...I'm bothered by slightly oily sights. How do you know there is no broken head studs or other issues ? Do the PPI, it's worth the insurance to make sure the car won't turn into a money pit , I made the mistake of not doing one on my first 911, next one is getting checked out

Cattler · Cattler's Garage

If the engine's never been out, then I suppose the 87 recall work wasn't done on the clutch. Might not matter to you, but it'll cost $ to have done later.

David

Orange914-6 · 02-10-2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenderGuy

Don't skip on the PPI worst mistake you can do with these cars...I'm bothered by slightly oily sights. How do you know there is no broken head studs or other issues ? Do the PPI, it's worth the insurance to make sure the car won't turn into a money pit , I made the mistake of not doing one on my first 911, next one is getting checked out

Will do then! What does a PPI consist of? I have a Snap On compression guage.

Orange914-6 · 02-10-2010, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cattler

If the engine's never been out, then I suppose the 87 recall work wasn't done on the clutch. Might not matter to you, but it'll cost $ to have done later.

David

It has had the clutch done twice according to the records. the second time at a cost of 3000 dollars!

Hodgey · Hodgey's Garage

My question is should I worry about mileage in the 140K range if the engine has never been rebuilt? the car I am looking at has had a recent clutch done and has a nice stack of records going back about 20 years. But the engine has never been out. it did pass smog without "help".

Vespam, I bough my 87 Coupe with 182+ k miles on her: near as I can tell full history also, engine had a valve job at 129k........make sure you get a PPI, I cannot recommend you do this enough..........saved me a bunch of money off the purchase price because I had solid back up.

The mileage is not an issue if it has been maintained adequately....just my opinion of course.....

88-diamondblue · 08:15 PM

Get the PPI. Carrera's have valve guides that would be suspect of being worn out at this mileage. Head studs need to be checked as well. Mine had two broken head studs at 88,000 miles. Get a experienced Porsche mechanic to do the PPI. They know what to look for. I wouldn't let a buyer do a PPI on my car. Not doing a PPi could be a $5000+ mistake. The mileage would not bother me at all if it looks good as you say and the PPI comes out good. Guide to a PPI Pelican Technical Article: Prepurchase Inspection

Don't let emotion affect your decision.

FenderGuy · 02-10-2010, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vespam5

Will do then! What does a PPI consist of? I have a Snap On compression guage.

Its more then a compression check or leakdown...Hey its your money you asked for advice

aigel · aigel's Garage

You should search a little on PPI. There is a list of items on PP that you could even give to the shop doing the PPI> I would ask for the following:

- Dynamic compression check (followed by leak down only if it turns out abnormal)
- Remove lower valve cover and check for broken head studs
- Check body for anything pointing to accident damage. Paint work, repaint, color change, trunk, underbody, engine compartment, suspension, tread wear on tires etc.
- Leak check of window seals
- full function check of all systems, lights, heater system, a/c, power options etc.
- test drive with check on brakes, shifting WOT, part throttle operation, steering etc.
- check for leaks after test drive.

George

rnln · 02-10-2010, 10:43 PM

just out of curiosity. If the car is in nice condition and leak (or anything happen) after the PPI but buyer doesn't buy. Would the buyer come back and deal with the mechanic or seller eat it himself?

aigel · aigel's Garage

The potential buyer just pays for the inspection and a copy of the results. The owner and shop have no differnt relationship than what is common during a regular repair or service visit. The seller needs to approve of any work done on the car during the PPI (i.e. more involved stuff like checking head studs).

George

NathanR · 02-11-2010, 12:40 AM

My 87 Carerra had a top end rebuilt by the PO before that milage. No details on the invoice as to what was done exactly, but PO paid $$$$ for it to a reputable P-shop.

My advice is do NOT skip the PPI, and go ahead and plan on having a leak-down done. Its cheap insurance against the head issues mentioned above, and if you find out you need this kind of work, you definitely want to factor that into your price negotiations.

FWIW, I paid over 20 for my Carerra 2 years ago. It was in very nice shape with no major issues. EXCEPT, in the PPI, it failed the leakdown in 1 cylinder. On the shop's advice, the PO gave the car a work-out and we retested. Passed with no trouble. Apparently she hadn't been driving it much... I've been driving the car regularly for the past two years, and done 2 DE's, and have not had any real problems with it. It puts a smile on my face every time I drive. Really, its a fabulous car.

I was also looking at a very attractive 964 at the same time. Someone on Pelican got to see the car before I did (it was in another city) and reported back it had serious issues that were not readily apparent to casual inspection (had been wrecked at some point and repaired, and leaked oil).

Best luck,
Nathan