Looking for good classic Porsche mechanic

BSPOKE20 · 19-07-2011 8:49pm #1

I have a late 1970's Porsche 911 that needs "a little" work. Can anyone recommend a good mechanic who deals with classic porsche's, knows his stuff and doesn't mind the headaches that go with them!!

ep71 · 19-07-2011 9:42pm

frank byrnes in oranmore just outside galway city deal with porsches new and old on a daily basis

911s · 20-07-2011 8:01am

I think Byrnes may be a body shop and accident repair centre only. You may be mixing them up with Fahy's Garage in oranmore who are specialists in classic and older 'exotic' cars, in particular 911's. Not many garages around where you can see a few Ferarri, Porsche, Merc and Rollers being worked on at the same time.

aidhan · 20-07-2011 4:30pm

Jon Millar Killaloe Co.Clare www.classiccarworkshop.ie

johnos1984 · 20-07-2011 5:32pm

aidhan wrote: »

Jon Millar Killaloe Co.Clare www.classiccarworkshop.ie

Aye,

I've used him for body shop repairs but he had about 3 911's in the yard when I was there

You can contact him on www.classiccar.ie

ep71 · 20-07-2011 5:57pm

911s wrote: »

I think Byrnes may be a body shop and accident repair centre only. You may be mixing them up with Fahy's Garage in oranmore who are specialists in classic and older 'exotic' cars, in particular 911's. Not many garages around where you can see a few Ferarri, Porsche, Merc and Rollers being worked on at the same time.

indeed i am, fahys garage it is

galwaytt · 25-07-2011 11:42pm

johnos1984 wrote: »

Aye,

I've used him for body shop repairs but he had about 3 911's in the yard when I was there

You can contact him on www.classiccar.ie

+1 for John Millar - collecting one of mine back from him tomorrow.

okistag · 26-07-2011 12:10am

BSPOKE20 wrote: »

I have a late 1970's Porsche 911 that needs "a little" work. Can anyone recommend a good mechanic who deals with classic porsche's, knows his stuff and doesn't mind the headaches that go with them!!

where are you based... PM Sent

mrdmb · 15-09-2011 5:24pm

hi am also looking for a good porsche mechanic...any around..?

mrdmb · 15-09-2011 7:39pm

its 944...but it needs the timing belt to be changed and i heard its a big job..!

mrdmb · 15-09-2011 9:10pm

when d u need to change the belt is it every 30k..

mrdmb · 15-09-2011 9:18pm

can i ask ur advice so..?
i didnt buy the car yet..its 944 non turbo model 1984..and it has 34,000 miles on it..
time belt was never changed so not sure to go ahead and buy it or no...?

superfly35 · 15-09-2011 10:18pm

If the belt was never change on it and the car is from 1984, I would not even use the car or started really before doing it.

The timing belt have a mileage life but also a time life which is 5 years, if I remember.

But I would say it has never been done in 27 years, it is a bit of gamble to start the car.
I would say as well that if the car has been that low maintenance, it does not look good to me to start off.

Can I ask you the mileage? price and general state of the car? and the general condition of the sale? is it an Irish car?

For the advice you can definitely ask us we will be more than happy to help.
I have a 924 as well.

Why are you get a 944 ? over other porsche?

bookerboy · 16-09-2011 7:14am

I have heard great reports about Barry Whelan,just of the South Circular Road.

Anan1 · 16-09-2011 10:30am

bookerboy wrote: »

I have heard great reports about Barry Whelan,just of the South Circular Road.

I used to use Barry when I had a 911. He's very knowledgable, very helpful, and fairly keenly-priced. On the downside, he can be a little bit flaky with the details. I'd happily use him if I lived nearby, perhaps less so if the odd trip back to rectify issues was going to be a major problem.

mrdmb · 16-09-2011 11:24am

superfly35 wrote: »

If the belt was never change on it and the car is from 1984, I would not even use the car or started really before doing it.

The timing belt have a mileage life but also a time life which is 5 years, if I remember.

But I would say it has never been done in 27 years, it is a bit of gamble to start the car.
I would say as well that if the car has been that low maintenance, it does not look good to me to start off.

Can I ask you the mileage? price and general state of the car? and the general condition of the sale? is it an Irish car?

For the advice you can definitely ask us we will be more than happy to help.
I have a 924 as well.

Why are you get a 944 ? over other porsche?

I only saw the pics and it looks good.. it's an Irish car but with UK plates.. the drive shaft needs to be replaced.. so far the agreeable price is 1500 e.. so any advice?

mrdmb · 16-09-2011 11:59am

LIGHTNING wrote: »

mrdmb wrote: »

I only saw the pics and it looks good.. it's an Irish car but with UK plates.. the drive shaft needs to be replaced.. so far the agreeable price is 1500 e.. so any advice?

Add another 720-1000 euro for VRT,7/800 euro for tax, 50e for NCT...

edit: if it was originally and Irish car you wont need to pay VRT.

Plus not sure how much the time belt will cost.. so wat d u recommend?

mrdmb · 16-09-2011 1:10pm

LIGHTNING wrote: »

mrdmb wrote: »

Plus not sure how much the time belt will cost.. so wat d u recommend?

If that timing belts goes then its good night to that engine as and it would almost be cheaper buying another 944 considering how cheap they go for. If she is very clean inside and out and the bodywork looks good sure why not. Get the belt,waterpump and a full service done and she will be good to go for many a year.

A mechanic told me if the time belt was never changed before then for the 1st change that can be done at 80-90k.??
Is it true?

superfly35 · 16-09-2011 3:24pm

mrdmb wrote: »

I only saw the pics and it looks good.. it's an Irish car but with UK plates.. the drive shaft needs to be replaced.. so far the agreeable price is 1500 e.. so any advice?

My advice would be leave it to the owner.
so as Lightning said, you can add :
- About €900 of VRT, and the hassle of it!!!!
- €900 yealy /tax.

And I would say about at least €1000 of servicing with timing belt, you will need a full service and all. Sure you will need tyres and other stuff you will know only at the use of it.

You will be paying a project instead of a running car, you can defo find a 944 in Irish plate and good running order for €2500 with no hassle.

If it is your first porsche maybe go for a 924, there is a a lovely turbo on sale at the moment on Donedeal. It is a bit more maintenance require than a 924 N/A but less than a 944 which as never been maintain.

There is plenty of barn find like that in the country believe me, you won't need the hassle of it. :rolleyes:

mrdmb · 16-09-2011 4:11pm

LIGHTNING wrote: »

http://cars.donedeal.co.uk/for-sale/cars/2378840

Is it this car by any chance?

Yes it is

mrdmb · 16-09-2011 5:19pm

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Its a LHD which defo would put me off, I do like the 968 rear lights though.

Wats an LHD? Cuz my knowledge is pretty poor about these things!

Hermy · 16-09-2011 5:23pm

Left Hand Drive

mrdmb · 16-09-2011 5:25pm

Hermy wrote: »

Left Hand Drive

Lol ok sorry for my ignorance

superfly35 · 16-09-2011 6:46pm

mrdmb wrote: »

Lol ok sorry for my ignorance

No worries mrdmb, we are happy to help

If on the top of that it is a left hand drive really it is not worth the hassle.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/2162388

This looks more attractive really to me, it is about your price range as the guy seems to want €2000, but he is really to have a chat about it.

It is on Irish plate, and seems to have a full service history which looks a lot better.

After you have to remember the tax is not cheap, and the maintenance will be dear obviously than a 924 N/A

Here is a 924 turbo, in Red Guard (You may like red

)
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/2459880

The road tax on this is €50, so it there is more money left for the maintenance.

Have a good look around before getting your car and don't hesitate to show us some ad and ask us question.
There is a couple of guys here which have a Porsche as a classic, it is possible to make it reasonable and nice.

Dades · 16-09-2011 10:06pm

I doubt if a left hand drive car on UK plates has an Irish history, which means you will probably be paying the VRT the current owner decided not to pay. Could be in excess of €1,000, but you might get lucky. Statutory minimum is €720.

I don't know why, but there's alarm bells ringing with that car.

If you do decide to go for it my local mechanic (South Dublin) has worked on a couple of 944s and my own 924. PM me if you get to the point you need him.

mrdmb · 16-09-2011 10:21pm

for this car

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/2162388

the offer agreed on is 1600 e...am begining to think about the whole thing from the start..cuz i already have an avensis 05 and am not sure if i buy this on top of that how much running two cars will cost me..!

Dades · 16-09-2011 10:37pm

Are you a petrolhead, mrdmb?

Do you have any car knowledge? I think you need a bit of both to buy something old(ish), unless it's an MX5 or something.

That said, a sound front-engined Porsche is a good car for someone who doesn't want to spend too much time under the bonnet looking confused!

mrdmb · 16-09-2011 10:40pm

yeah i think i'll go for this car
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/2162388
nct and tax and insurance will cost a bit..
but its a nice one..

Hermy · 16-09-2011 11:00pm

mrdmb wrote: »

Lol ok sorry for my ignorance

Don't apologise - that's probably the only thing I've gotten right in this forum.:o

dharn · 17-09-2011 6:50pm

mrdmb wrote: »

yeah i think i'll go for this car
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/2162388
nct and tax and insurance will cost a bit..
but its a nice one..

make sure to keep us updated best of luck

Dades · 19-09-2011 11:14am

Plenty of other options for gear knobs out there.

mrdmb · 22-09-2011 8:46pm

i still didnt buy the car folks..the guy said he never did an NCT for the car and that it needs some work done on the doors seal with the bottom of the car...

VanhireBoys · 24-09-2011 1:19pm

mrdmb wrote: »

i still didnt buy the car folks..the guy said he never did an NCT for the car and that it needs some work done on the doors seal with the bottom of the car...

Good desicion lad.. ! That tells me the sills are shot ..! They all rot there and the trailing edge of the front wings.. How many times have we heard "Its galvanised so no rot" This is total codswollop.. I recently had the pleasure of looking at a 91 S2 .. The sills and wings were like cream crackers...

Next one you look at take off the plastic grill on the trailing edge of the door frame and check the sills... I have an extenable mirror and use the camera flash to get a look at the full sill.... Inner front arches on the trailing side are structural as well.. ! A sure sign is the accelerator pedal on a RHD.. It will jam if the car is jacked in the wrong place.... You will find the floor behind the pedal has a lump on it..... Dosent affect LHD's.. A good bargaining point.. Inner chassis legs under the bonnet will show any form of scenery contact...

You have to budget at least €1100 to €1500 per year on maintenance with a 944 to keep it right. I try and do 1 big job every year.. I got my belts done this year .. Next year it will be wishbones at €200 each and get the calipers refurbished.. But once I drive mine I just forget what I spent in 2 miles !

Dont expect to just put fuel in and drive it... After buying a 944 you are talking at least €1700 to leave it right.Sad but true..A lot of 944's come from the UK and are right heaps sold by unscrupulous owners to Paddy who is hoping to get a quick turn of profit... ! I like a good original car that has not been messed with.... Once I see different wheels or mirrors or tacky stuff it puts me right off... !

Looking for good classic Porsche mechanic

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