993 engine/maintenance differences

[adamb113]

I am getting ready to be in the market for a 993. I am very intensly researching the differences between different year/models of 993's. I plan on using it as a daily driver coupled with my 73 911.
Here are some of my questions.

Does the 95 motor differ significantly from later years?
Is it a much cheaper motor to fix/parts?
Are there other changes mid year or year to year that are preferable?

Is the change in intake ( variram ??) a big plus or not really a big deal?

Is it much more exspensive to maintain an S than a regular C2/C4?

I am primarily interested in a C4. Anyhting specifically I should check, consider?

What is a good cut off mileage to use for someone who wants to get away with owning a 993 as inexspensively as possible? In other words is a something like a 120k mile car just going to be a money pit soon after purchase becasue a lot of major stuff wears out around that time. So getting a 120k mile car for $5k less than an 80k mile car is actually likely to me a more exspensive purchase over the first three years.

I know to look for the wiring upgrade on the 95's.
Secondary air bypass carbon buildup on all years and exhaust port ceramic coating cracking on all years.
I know the exhasut port check requires pulling the exhasut off. WHat is a good estimate on how much this check would cost? Is it a common enough problem to justify the cost of the check?
How do you check for the carbon buildup in the air bypass? Can it be done in reasonably short period of time in the owners driveway with a few tools or is that another one for the mechanic?

Any other advice?

Thanks for sharing your experince!

[Bill Verburg]

Does the 95 motor differ significantly from later years?

The 2 big differences are OBD1 a big + for '95 and all ROW 993, and vram on all '96 on 993s, OBD1 is much easier to live with, vram is very desireable on the street as it increases torque in the mid range where you use it the most.

Is it much more exspensive to maintain an S than a regular C2/C4?

S is mostly a visual not mechanical package so no big maintainance in maintainance. The one big thing is the brakes used on 993 4S which are a huge +

the center diff can be damaged just find a slippery surface to test it on.

What is a good cut off mileage to use for someone who wants to get away with owning a 993 as inexspensively as possible?

this is a case of pay me now or pay me later. Just use due diligence in the purchase.

[adamb113]

I don't know much of anything about OBDI and OBDII. Why is OBDI an advantage?

What am I looking for with the center diff on a slippery surface?
Should I have somebody look at the car while I am driving and see if I only get wheel spin on the back wheels, or something along those lines?

[Bill Verburg]

Why is OBDI an advantage?

Simpler, less sensitive to inconsequential codes

What am I looking for with the center diff on a slippery surface?

front and rear wheels spinning

Should I have somebody look at the car while I am driving and see if I only get wheel spin on the back wheels, or something along those lines?

yes, when I have purchased a used AWD that's what I do

[hkspwrsche]

Ive noticed that the clutch seems to be an issue around the 65-75k mileage.... most are already replaced or someone has made mention that its working fine so that must be an issue?. Someone else posted this similar question and we had a few answers on the valve guides and other things also.. should come up under a search.

[hkspwrsche]

BTW the 993 tech forum might have some info as well...