Author: John Glynn

JZM Classic: Porsche 993 C4 restored in-house

We have always insisted on the highest standards for all Porsche cars added to our showroom stock, but when it comes to classic Porsche cars restored in-house, those standards are even higher. We’ve recently completed a detailed refurbishment on this Porsche 993 Carrera 4 Manual Coupe and the car is now in wonderful condition.

As the last of the air-cooled 911s before the arrival of the Porsche 996, the 993 remains very popular with enthusiast and investors alike. This particular RHD 993 Carrera was chosen as the basis of our latest restoration due to its wonderful service history (now on its second service book) and the sure-footed flexibility of the 4-wheel drive chassis, not to mention the factory original Arena Red colour, which has long been a favourite of 993 fans.

The external preparation was entrusted to one of London’s finest bodyshops. Working with the highest quality materials, the paint was refinished to an excellent standard: we are delighted with the stunning end result. The 17” Cup 2 wheels were fully refurbished with new coloured centre caps and are now wrapped in brand new N-rated Michelin Pilot Sport rubber. The original grey leather is presented in super condition and it is always nice to have an electric sunroof. The cabin is simply superb and a perfect place from which to enjoy some European touring.

Mechanically, this car could not be better. To compliment the exceptional bodywork, the 993 received a detailed service including a new clutch, new brake discs all round with new brake pads and sensors, new heat shield to the catalytic converter, many new brake pipes and hoses and countless other minor improvements, before the work was finished off with a full chassis geometry setup and adjust.

More than £10,000 has been spent on preparing this classic RHD air-cooled 911 to the highest standards of retail presentation. We believe that it is now one of the very best examples available. Contact us to book an inspection in person at the earliest opportunity: part-exchange and finance a pleasure.

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Author: John Glynn

Air-cooled Outlaw Porsche 911 ST for sale at JZM

So many modern-day Porsche owners dream of building a vintage air-cooled 911 to deliver the ultimate engaging driving experience, but settling on a recipe for the ultimate early air-cooled 911 is never an easy decision. With so many models and engine options to choose from, it takes an experienced Porsche owner to pick the best base model and select the perfect upgrades which will work in harmony to create the perfect end result.

This Porsche 911 Carrera hot rod now for sale at JZM is a good example of what is possible when a long-time Porsche enthusiast approaches a money-no-object early Porsche project.

Built to the lightweight “modern-RS” philosophy, a smart 1987 911 3.2 Carrera with the sought after G50 transmission and all-important right-hand drive was chosen as a base car for this superb driver’s 911. The car was stripped to a bare shell and professionally backdated to the pre-1973 look. All body corrosion was removed with the shell restored to as-new condition.

The front was converted to a centre-fill fuel tank, while the spoilerless engine cover was fitted with a handmade engine grille. Many parts were manufactured especially for this 911, and the chassis bristles with bespoke fabrication include strut tower reinforcements front and rear and a very tastefully modified electrical fuse and relay layout.

Inside the car, a rear roll cage envelops period Corbeau sports seats are fitted with retractable harnesses. A WEVO G50 shifter selects the gears with pinpoint precision. Brakes have been converted to a non-servo adjustable pedalbox system with the Bilstein dampers supplied to suit the lightweight Carrera.

The lightweight doors are beautifully finished, with the clutter-free dash setting the sports-purpose ethos. Aluminium pedals and footboards with an RS carpet set emphasise the lightweight theme, while the odometer shows 2,200 miles since the car was fully restored.

The story of all great 911s starts and ends with the perfect flat six, and this car is a perfect example. Under the engine cover lies a Redtek-built 3-litre ST-style engine, running modern EFI from a Canems ECU through high-butterfly PMO throttle bodies. The detailed spec is too much to list here, but suffice to say that it is an absolute torque monster! Full engine build sheets are available for interested parties.

The transmission was also completely rebuilt with a new LSD and new synchros throughout. The total bill for engine and gearbox was just shy of £30,000, and building this engine would cost even more at today’s money.

All in all, this is a very special car which must be seen to be fully appreciated and one which would certainly cost more than its advertised price to rebuild from scratch. Contact us to discuss this amazing 911.

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Author: John Glynn

JZM Testimonial in 911 & Porsche World

We’ve just read a very nice thank-you testimonial letter from one of our recent Porsche service customers in 911 & Porsche World magazine. The letter comes from Andy and Debbie Goding, who own a Porsche 996 Cabriolet. Andy says this:

Having had to sell my beloved Porsche 964 Cabriolet on the birth of my son some years ago, I was delighted on my retirement to be able to get back into 911 motoring with a 996 C2 Tiptronic Cabriolet. Yes, I know, not the most desirable in the current climate, but I love it. Obviously there’s been the usual trials and tribulations, but it’s fair to say that it’s been a pleasure to drive. 

But enough of the history lesson. As well as the Porsche, I also bought a property in Spain for my retirement. Back in March, I was going to drive in 996 to the apartment and so filled up with fuel today before setting off. Suddenly though, the voltmeter plummeted. Now bearing in mind I had ferries booked in advance, the first leaving at 11 AM the following day, it is fair to say that I was stressed and my wife was in tears!

Luckily, my local Porsche specialist is JZM in Kings Langley. I limped in there, told them what had happened and our predicament. The staff were so considering with our situation. JZM chief, Steve McHale, dealt with me personally and was absolutely amazing. He knew immediately it was an alternator fault, sourced one for delivery within half an hour and top mechanic Mike Etherington fitted it.

I was back on in the road in three hours and home in Mallorca within two days. Amazing staff and amazing service. A big thanks to them all. I know I have been thoroughly spoilt by JZM and only wish they would open a branch in Mallorca. 

Many thanks to Andy and Debbie for taking the time to write this letter to the magazine. We were delighted to be of service: it is always a pleasure to help good people enjoy their Porsches and realise their dreams.

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Author: John Glynn

Free Air-Con re-gas with all JZM Porsche services to August 31st

We’ve added a second offer to the JZM Porsche service offering from now until August 31st. Customers can either use our extended Summer Check and service discount offer, or opt for the latest offer of a free air-con re-gas.

Note that free re-gas depends on your system being leak free and capable of holding pressure. There is no compensatory discount should the system be found to be leaking once our Bosch Autoclimate CoolTech air-con machine is connected to it, but we will let you know where any leak is and how much it will cost to repair.

Keep cool with JZM! Whatever your model of Porsche, working air-con is an absolute must-have. Email service@jzm.south.co.uk to discuss either offer.

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Author: John Glynn

JZM Porsche Market Report May 2017

Here’s our used Porsche market report for last month ahead of this month’s newsletter. Subscribe to our monthly Porsche market report newsletter here.

Trader friends north of the Watford Gap report luxury car sales as somewhat in the doldrums. The Italian stallions seem to be worst affected, with trade activity on Ferrari and Lamborghini at its lowest point all year. Talking to our local traders, the used Porsche market closer to London continues to tick over, but retail buyers are being increasingly particular about the cars they go for.

Our view of the market continues to be optimistic: there are buyers out there for sensibly priced cars in the best condition. During the last thirty days, more than a few Porsches have sold within 24 hours of arriving at JZM. This is not uncommon for us, as we follow the dictum of “buy fair, sell fair, be picky”. We are very careful about what we bring into stock and it is always exceptional.

What’s Hot

A good example was our recent Racing Yellow 981 Boxster Spyder. We collected this car from up north and no sooner had it arrived in the showroom than a deposit arrived over the telephone. A flurry of Turbos also sold within a couple of days, as did a pair of 997 Carrera GTS models. Porsche 997s in low mileage, A1 condition continue to be very good news. We don’t retail the cars known to hold risk of engine trouble, so our 997s are limited to the GT models, GTS, Turbo and Turbo S cars. All of these models remain sought after in good condition, although Carrera GTS is worth a small caution at present.

Porsche 997 Carrera GTS

Some sellers are now asking very high prices for the GTS models, and these overpriced cars are not selling. Dealers with strongly priced examples are paying no more for the cars as trade-ins or cash purchases – we are matching them pound-for-pound on price – but our margins are more in touch with reality. The risk these overpriced cars create is that they will kill buyer momentum and there is a sense of Carrera GTS hovering dangerously close to the top of the stairs, as 993 Turbo once did. Let’s hope it does not trip off the top step.

The 997 Turbo S is tracking in the opposite direction. We have been singing the praises of these cars for months and they continue to sell very quickly when offered in the right condition. Turbo S prices have not yet peaked and may well overtake 991 Turbo S on their travels – the same could also be said of certain other 997 variants. We are happy to buy every 997 Turbo S that fits our stock profile and passes inspection, so call or email if you are thinking of selling.

Boxster/Cayman News

Porsche 911s are not the only fruit: both Boxsters and Caymans sold well through May, with our lovely Guards Red Cayman S selling particularly quickly at a very reasonable £42,900. Our low mileage Cayman 2.9 in Black also sold in a matter of days and we could do with more of those cars. GT3s of all flavours remain sought after and we are keen to stock more low mileage examples.

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Author: John Glynn

JZM Classic Porsche: Superb 1970 911E Coupe for sale

Take a look at this beautifully preserved LHD 1970 Porsche 911E Coupe in Light Ivory which recently arrived at JZM for sale. The history of this car is known from new and it is superb throughout.

This 911 was originally supplied through Porsche of Pleasanton in San Francisco, California. The original owner kept the 911E for more than thirty years, until it was passed to an Air Force Colonel residing in San Diego. In 2012, the car changed hands again and the new owner commissioned a full mechanical and interior re-fresh from respected marque specialists. It was most recently sold to its first UK owner and arrived here on January 1st, 2015.

This classic Porsche 911E really was a dream to inspect and passed our detailed pre-sales checks with flying colours. It has never been welded, it has original factory doors, panels and floorpan. This genuine California car has lived the last 45 years in the perfect west coast climate and it is in stunning condition – a condition that is never seen on European 911s after this length of time.

The car has now been fully prepared for the British climate by means of a thorough waxoyling. We say it of all our cars, but this 911 really does need to be seen to be fully appreciated! Email sales@jzm.south.co.uk to discuss.

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Author: John Glynn

Porsche 964 Turbo Oil Line Change

Working on classic Porsche 911s such as the Porsche 964 Turbo is never straightforward. Though Porsche build quality is legendary, some cars were driven year-round in their early life, so it is not uncommon for original parts to be seized in place when the time comes to change them.

This was the case with a smart 964 Turbo which recently came in for a service. During our detailed service inspection, we discovered a leaking oil line, which had to be replaced. The cost could be kept down if the fittings would come apart easily and allow part of the line to be saved. We applied copious heat and double the manpower, all to no avail. In the end we had to admit defeat, but it was worth the effort in trying.

We will always try to keep the cost of Porsche maintenance under control and provide ultimate quality for the best possible price. It’s just another reason why so many JZM customers have been with us for decades. Email service@jzm.south.co.uk to discuss your service requirements or see our fixed-price service costs here.

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Author: John Glynn

Tyre Fitting and Suspension Geometry at JZM Porsche

It is worth remembering that, as well as providing the finest service and tuning services for all Porsche models, JZM also supplies and fits tyres to fit every Porsche manufactured, and can offer a full suspension set up and wheel alignment service, to ensure the new tyres do not get worn out excessively quickly.

We recently investigated poor handling on a 911 which had been set up elsewhere at very high cost (over four figures). The owner complained of a pull to one side, and scary handling at speed. Once on the ramp, we found one balljoint was so worn out it was hanging off the car. The settings were all over the place – clearly very dangerous.

We trust our customers to know what they are feeling when driving their cars. If your Boxster, Cayman or 911 is handling on a knife-edge, something is amiss. A well set-up Porsche should be super-friendly to drive and in no way intimidating.

We are always happy to inspect any handling concerns you may have. Email JZM service to discuss our tracking services and tyre supply and fitting prices.

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Author: John Glynn

Porsche Cayenne Engine Lights Troubleshooting

This smart Porsche Cayenne V6 TDI recently arrived at the JZM workshop in a state of some distress, or so the dashboard warning lights would have us believe. The owners were convinced the engine was in trouble and that the bills would be huge. Cayenne engines are generally reliable so we plugged it in to our official Porsche PIWIS 3 diagnostic set up and had a look at the fault codes being reported.

PIWIS 3 has a direct connection to the factory at Stuttgart and downloads technical updates daily. If Porsche know a model has an issue, bulletins are issued to PIWIS 3 users which explain how to solve it. JZM Porsche is one of only two specialists in the UK using Porsche PIWIS 3 – it is an expensive tool but absolutely essential to properly maintain the newer models.

Our first instinct with urban Cayennes – especially diesels – is that they are usually choked up from sitting in traffic most of their lives. This gives emission problems as the catalytic converters can only recycle and burn off pollutants when the car is on a long run at speed. PIWIS 3 checked every operating system on the Cayenne and pointed out a few faults: mainly emissions-related issues.

The owner confirmed the car was not solely used around town, so it had been going through its emissions cycles. We recycled the cats using PIWIS and, while it improved the situation, it did not solve it completely. We then checked other areas including the data being fed to the ECU – was this a sensor issue? While PIWIS had already shown its merit in manually cycling the catalytic converters, the process of finding faulty sensors is where it comes into its own.

PIWIS checks and reports on the condition of every part on the car in real time. With the car running for an extended period, we could see that a number of temperature sensors were not reading sufficiently high. Incorrect temp readings would obviously affect the ECU function, so we tracked these parts down and went through further checks to narrow it down to a single component.

After numerous emails and phone calls to Porsche, checking their opinions and knowledge of similar issues, we went with our best instinct on which sensor was likely causing the issue. Finally the Cayenne had a spring back in its step. It had been a long process to find the issue, but we would never have found it with the PIWIS system and a technical hotline to Porsche, just in case.

If you are running a late model Porsche – anything from a 981 or 718 Boxster/Cayman to a brand new 991 GT3 RS or 918 Spyder, only PIWIS 3 can correctly communicate with your vehicle and ensure it is functioning correctly. With our service workshop labour rate an average of £40 per hour cheaper than official Porsche dealers, why take it anywhere else? Email service@jzm.south.co.uk to discuss your next appointment.

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Author: John Glynn

KW suspension and major service for classic Porsche 964

This 1990 Porsche 964 Carrera is the latest 911 to benefit from our extensive experience with KW Suspension fitting and set up, including chassis geometry. Arriving in the JZM workshop for a service and attention to tired suspension, the high quality KW Suspension Variant 1 kit for Porsche 964 was the obvious choice to replace worn-out original equipment.

The KW V1 kit is the ideal suspension upgrade for customers wishing to rely on the experience of KW engineers to set the damper setting, yet determine their own degree of lowering. In extensive driving tests, KW Suspension engineers have set the dampers for the best balance between sporty driving, comfort and safety. Once the durable stainless steel dampers have been fitted, the 911 owner is then free to decide the best height setting for their use and preference.

In service for almost thirty years and with 150,000 miles on the clock, it’s perfectly reasonable that the suspension of this classic Porsche 911 would be past its best. Fitting the superb modern technology of adjustable dampers and springs from KW Suspension of Germany is the easiest way to set the car up for the next thirty years! Email service@jzm.south.co.uk to discuss what we can offer in KW dampers for your 911.

Date:
Author: John Glynn
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