I love the look of the 993's and the interior is even growing on me. My first path was a 02+ 996 but I just can't get over the cosmetic changes and it won't be a daily driver, plus I just love the sound of the air cooled engine!

I have been doing a lot of research, my head is about to explode and my family is sending me to PA (Porsche Anonymous). I have read so many different reports on the SAI issue that I am trying to find a nice 95, but I do still realize that the valve job will happen some day.

I would like to hear from some of the veterans...is this SAI issue something so common that I should do my darnest to get a 95? Am I over reacting? I hear that you can trick the computer into resetting the codes, get it cleaned, top end job. Ugh. I just want a clean 993 that I can respect and take care of...my Bavarian roots are calling me.

By the way, I understand the maintenance on the 993 can be a bit higher than the 996, but what a car. I will, of course, do a PPI and the time is ripe for a good deal. Funny though that 993's cost more than some 996's out there. Plus, I am getting excited just to inspect a car to see what I can find. I have been doing a lot of research on what to look for.

Thanks for any advice or comforting you can offer.

 

Top end needing work is very common, at some point they will all need to be done. But that can be 40kmi to 250,000mi. It's really hard to say what car needs it when.

That being said, the SAI issue is way over blow, quite a few people have never had it & never will. I'd say it's a issue, but not a big issue.

If you can't deal with it, then don't get a 993. I have 2 a 90kmi car & a 40kmi car. Both are in top shape & don't have any SAI or valve issues.

Do you even really know what the SAI issue is?

 

Yes I know exactly what the SAI issue is and I know that even the 95's have the issue but the OBDI doesn't monitor it, hence the 96+ with the OBDII do register it.

To be honest, I was a bit insulted by your response. You probably didn't mean to, but I guess I am a bit sensitive, especially when I mentioned that I have done a lot of research. I understand that it doesn't affect performance and is only used during cold starts. My worry is that I have read many posts and info and that info goes from not a really big deal to people feeling it is a big deal. Just like the RMS issue in 996's...most owners don't even know about it and it doesn't affect all cars. However, that is a cheaper fix than a top end job.

So I was hoping to get some good input from some experienced 993 owners (yes this will be my first 993) if that I am worrying too much about it. The 95's will need a valve job eventually too, I realize that, just that the OBDII cars may make you get it sooner. I have read about owning an OBDII reader and doing the drive cycle to reset the codes, but I am not 100% sure that really works because it seems too easy and I would assume everyone would do it. Yet, there are plenty of people that DIY flush and so on.

I hope that answers your question whether I know what an SAI issue is...I try not to waste peoples time on forums.

Thanks for your input and I can chalk your response up as not a big deal.

 

Stealth 993...Ok...I admit it. I was a bit sensitive to your response...my wife indicated that not everyone knows how **** I can be about my car research.

 

LOL, no worries, but if that insulted you, forums in general might not be the best thing for you.

This question pops up every couple of months, & it's always the same thing, & 95% of the people asking don't even know what SAI stands for or what it does, never mind the codes or problems associated with it.

A lot of guys with 95's just remove the whole SAI assembly & are done with it.

The problem seams to be more with cars that are not driven, or go on lots of very short drives. Of course lack of maintaince really seams to make problems.

Yes, you can reset the light & the ODBII readiness codes. But it can take a very, very long time to get all the codes to reset. My battery died on my C4S, right around my SMOG check, I drove it over 500mi, & not all of them were reset. They just did the tailpipe sniff & it passed, so they let me go. I know in CA that will not be the case. But yes, you can reset the light, & get lucky that it will reset along with all the other readiness codes & you can pass SMOG. But then again, we are talking about very few cars have this problem. If you ask the owner how much oil he throws in it, & if it's more then a 1qt every couple thousand, you are heading down the SAI road, you get plenty of notice, hence the lack of maintenance thing.

The RMS issue is WAY more expensive, & much more common.

 

Just need to get thicker skin...I know you guys probably get a lot of similar questions and it is hard to tell who knows what they are talking about...especially when it comes from us noobs.

The flush doesn't seem too expensive but I have read of requiring a top end rebuild (because of soft valves in these years) because of the SAI and extra carbon build up from oil...hence your comment on how much oil it burns. Rebuild cost like 8K correct?

I have read that if it gets to 1qt/600 miles definite rebuild is in your very near future. I had hear 1qt/2k is fine...you agree?

Quick price check from you if you don't mind...
95 993 Coupe/81K two owners...claims no oil leaking and he changes oil every 3-5k with all service records. Original clutch and suspension I believe. $33,500 obo. I think new clutch and suspension (especially suspension since I hear a lot of folks replace after 20-30K of use) are immenante on this vehicle. It looks clean from the pictures and will be taking a closer look tomorrow. Of course, if it passes my inspection it is off to an independent I like for a PPI and compression test. What's your opinion?

Thanks

 

I know very little about these cars (in the market for one myself) but that pricing seems a bit high for the year/miles. Just looking through ebay at the "Buy it Now" and it seems like you could get a better deal in your neck of the woods. What about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-...=p4506.c0.m245

My selection on the east coast (where I am looking) seems a bit tougher...

 

Have a 96 with 93k. Have owned it for 9 years without any major problems. With mine the readiness codes won't reset. The CEL isn't on but when hooked to a SMOG machine the code flags it. In CA it's that that big of a deal as you can take it to a SMOG ref and they will pass you.

I will add the 993 has been the best car I've ever owned. Runs as good as it did the day I bought it. Not bad for a 13 yr old car I'd say.

Best advise. Find the car you like best 95 thru 98 get a PPI and buy it. You won't regret it. Too bad you don't live in So-Cal as I have to sell mine...

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the last two replies...I did see that one on Ebay but I was trying to stay away from black. The one that I am actually going to go look at tomorrow is also listed on Ebay...it is the one in San Rafael and dark blue. I feel it is a bit high too, but have to take a look at it. I am a bit concerned that the option sticker is missing from the trunk/hood...I am always suspicious of that. He did indicate he did some "maintenance" paint but I figured that was touch up paint from chips...just going to have to find out for myself. The seller seems like he really likes his car and has it well maintained. No weird vibes.

I have read a few reports about this Ref for CA and never knew about it. I guess there is someone good down in San Jose. That would be cool because it is really ridiculous that the car passes the sniff test but because of a flag it fails. If the sniff test is good...whats the problem then? We can go a bit overboard here on the west coast.

I am feeling much better about the SAI issue and will broaden my search...got to be fast though...the nice ones barely last a day for sale.

 

Maybe the best idea is to find a higher mileage example 993 with a good service history record and a top-end job already done. That kind of car might also have had an upgraded suspension and perhaps even a new clutch/LWF installed.

Then you'd have all the major work done, and a well serviced high mileage 993 with a top-end done is bulletproof for a long, long time.

 

Agreed...a higher mileage car with good service history and work is a much better deal than a low mileage with no service history.

I learned that one pretty early on. Again, thanks for all the advice...you guys are great.

 

I passed on the Blue 993...didn't even go take a look. That missing option sticker bothered me too much. Especially since the second owner didn't even know one existed. He purchased it that way. I have heard they can fall off, but that is very unlikely for it to fall off so cleanly. Must be a new hood...why no one knows...that is even more scary.

I will just keep on looking...I will know the "one" when I see it.

Thanks for the advice and will ask again when I find the next your opinions.

 

Just removed the whole SAI system on my 35,000 mile 95 and it was definitely clogged. Looked like potting soil inside so I'm sure it was not working too well but on a 95 it don't matter because it doesn't trigger the CEL. BTW usually every time i drive the car I give it the 'Italian Tuneup"!

 

Ok, the SAI & valve guides are 2 separate things. The SAI can be clogged & the valves are fine, like some one kept over filling the oil. Not every SAI issue will be a rebuilt head. Yes, the flush seams to work for a few, for a while, but if the guides are worn, the flush will not last long.

1qt in 600mi is a LOT, that's half a qt every fill up. Yes, 1qt every 2k is good, some do less then that. I usually don't add any oil to my car in between oil changes, that I do around 7-10kmi. But I'm sure if I wen the 15kmi that I would have to add a qt or 2. Another problem with oil consumption is all 993 have a oil level they like. If you over fill it, it will eat up the oil, & seam like you have a bad car, & really you are just over filling it. It's really common, takes a while to find the right level.

$33k, for a 95 with 81Kmi, seams a little high. But if it's in great shape, & well cared for, it might worth spending a little extra money. A lot of 95's cams with Boge/Saches shocks, so they last a LOT longer then the later Monroes. Chances are at least one shock is not so good anymore. Clutches are clutches, it may go next week, or it may take a couple more years. It really depends on how it was driven.

Any 993 you find, get a PPI done, even if it looks perfect!

 

Stealth. Thanks for your reply. I did pass on the blue 993...no option sticker and he didn't even know it existed.

PPI on 993 = Always. I found an independent in the bay area that does a PPI on 993's for $207 and includes a compression test. Which, as I understand, should always be done on these model years.

Again, thanks for your feedback.

I have been having my eye on this Arena Red (don't know why I like that color so much) 993 97 CS Tip(my only issue) down in LA, but $45k seems like a lot. If memory serves me it has 35k miles on it and it is being sold by a independent dealer who "specializes" in Porsches.