912 4 or 5 speed for daily driver?

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 4:15 pm

Hi guys,

Wow this ddk thing is getting a bit addictive! Should i change my id to DDk Junkie....

lol.
Anyway, im considering buying my very first porsche a 4 speed 69 912 from a fellow DDk member who has been on the forum for a little while now, and owned the car for 2 years, however im yet to view the car which is quite a way from where i live and having been in contact with the seller and seen the pics i feel its worth the trip to check it out, i also feel more comfortable knowing that this car has prieviously been owned by a (well known DDK member) and has very recently undergone some minor resoration work which i have been given free reign to contact the guy that did it anytime to ask questions about the work/car. (cant get any fairer than that can we).
Well i have been interested in 912's for quite some time and have toyed with the idea of getting an early 911 but unfortunately my pockets are not quite deep enough yet so this helped me make my final descision. I wanted to use this car as a daily driver and strangely (to me) have seen a lot of earlier cars with 5 speed configuration which has sort of confused me a little as i would of thought that the later cars would of had 5 gears as standard, maybe someone could advise me on this as im not an expert by any means. So as my potential car does not appear to have the 5th gear option how suitable would it be for daily use in towns and the odd run on the motorway?. If anyone could let me know how practical this would be including the pro's and cons of 4 speed, engine wear and petrol consumption ect, i will be very greatfull.

Thanks

Mac

Timo · Post by **Timo** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 4:49 pm

5 speed was an option so it could be that the car was specified from new with 4 speed. Some people just prefered the 4 speed configuration possibly due to not getting on well with the dog leg 1st gear of the 5 speeds. The other possibility is that the original 5 speed may have been replaced by a 4 speed at some point in its life. Both a 5 or a 4 speed would be completely suitable for daily driving, the 4 speed reaches the same top speed as the 5 speed the gears are just a little longer. Because of this the 5 speed maybe fractionally quicker 0 - 60 but you have to make more gear changes in a 5 speed so I imagine any difference overall would be negligable.

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:21 pm

Many thanks Timo I appreciate your advice, so basically there is not going to be much difference in 5 speed over 4 speed in usual day to day town driving anyway. Just thought it would be more smooth on motorway driving with a 5 speed. Is 5 speed more desirable? lets say i If i wanted to upgrade (so to speak) with a 5 speed trans, would this be worth my while or would it just be pointles and cost me heaps of money?
Cheers

Mac

Timo wrote:5 speed was an option so it could be that the car was specified from new with 4 speed. Some people just prefered the 4 speed configuration possibly due to not getting on well with the dog leg 1st gear of the 5 speeds. The other possibility is that the original 5 speed may have been replaced by a 4 speed at some point in its life. Both a 5 or a 4 speed would be completely suitable for daily driving, the 4 speed reaches the same top speed as the 5 speed the gears are just a little longer. Because of this the 5 speed maybe fractionally quicker 0 - 60 but you have to make more gear changes in a 5 speed so I imagine any difference overall would be negligable.

louis356 · Post by **louis356** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 11:24 pm

I use my 912 everyday (130 miles!) it has 5 gears and the first three are so close that I think there would be not much difference.

Go for it, great everyday cars!

Good luck

jamesryder · Post by **jamesryder** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:44 pm

As a first time poster and potential 912 owner I was just going to ask this question...so all good info

Good to hear that louis356 is driving 130 miles a day - On that basis my 30 mile commute should be a breeze in a 912!

I am only worried that I could destroy a 912 on UK winter roads...

Any performance/handling mods for eveyday driving?

912uk · Post by **912uk** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:02 pm

wheel arches.. ( stops all the crud and rust eating bugs from the metal up in the arches.. looking to make some of these for my pre a as well...)

That's my next job to do is to fit wheel arch liners..

I was told about using 964 plastic arches with some mods and most scrap yards are not interested in these on the whole..

Anyway a 4 over a 5 well I am guessing there will be some difference in Petrol use..

4 should be totaly fine and if your not happy long term it's no biggy to change the box.. I think the going rate for a box is about £400 -600 and you can upgrade and get £250 for your old one..

BUT what you get is a gamble.. Your welcome to use some space as I am about to import some parts from San Fran and I think I know of some one who has a 5 speed box and as i have not used my space amount your box would be fine to fill up the rest..just chip into the cost of the shipping.. not going to be alot.. it's in a container..

I also see you in the NF I am only Jct 9 M27 your welcome to pop down and talk 12's I have two 65 3 dail and a 69

jamesryder · Post by **jamesryder** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:13 pm

seems a good place to be the south coast, there's you, Alan in Canford and I think defcon 3 in Ringwood (? who do some classic porsche work I've heard)..I'm sure there are more.

Jct 9's not a million miles away so may take you up on that when I have ironed out all the obstacles to 912 ownership...including finishing the house, starting a new job, the list goes on

I am fed up with my audi! All very reliable but...

hot66 · Post by **hot66** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:14 pm

My old 1967 2.0 911 had a 4 speed box.

I loved the box. With the 4 speed the ratios were perfect for twisty b roads , with most of the time just spent flicking between 3rd & 4th.... and of course it was fine on the motorway as the 4th ratio is the same as the 5th in a 5 speed box .

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:26 pm

Hi Guys

Really appreciate all the great feedback im getting regarding my original question. Sounds like 4 speed Keine Problem!! (I thinks thats how you spell it) Lol....

Cheers

Mac

PS. Should i be looking at buying a silver 56 GT Speedster as my user names Highlander???

Just kidding i'll stick to the 912.

mycar · Post by **mycar** » Mon Apr 21, 2008 9:32 pm

Hello Mac,
you might like to pick up a book called `Buying, Driving and enjoying Porsche 911 and 912` by James Schrager. It`s an American book but don`t let that put you off.

The man`s a true Porsche nut and it`s a good read. Should be available on Amazon.

Regards, Mike.

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:19 pm

Hello Mike

Thanks for the Heads up on this book. Strangely enough i just bought a book off ebay which should help me with the inviteable repairs!! lol Its commonly known as he Orange book, ever heard of this?.

Anyway thanks for the info and i will keep an eye out for it.

Cheers

ac

mycar wrote:Hello Mac,
you might like to pick up a book called `Buying, Driving and enjoying Porsche 911 and 912` by James Schrager. It`s an American book but don`t let that put you off. The man`s a true Porsche nut and it`s a good read. Should be available on Amazon.

Regards, Mike.

mycar · Post by **mycar** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:38 pm

Red book yes, Orangebook no. Let me know what it`s like when it arrives.

Cheers, Mike.

streetwagens · Post by **streetwagens** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:22 pm

I use my '67 912 daily, about 35 miles a day, and a 95 mile drive twice a week too. Its dropped a bit, wider tyres, bursch exhaust, 4 speed, and am about to stick a pair of dellorto DRLA's on it to replace the worn original carbs. Its a 1720cc, and keeps up with traffic fine. The windscreen is the most annoying, just the right angle to catch the sun, if its dirty, you cannot see a thing! my old '12 and 914 were the same too. Legs feel a little short on the motorway, I find that it sits at around 4000 rpm for a comfortable speed, which with this exhaust is a little noisy. The quarterlights whistle too!!

Loving it though, wouldnt swap it for anything!!!

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 2:05 pm

mycar wrote:Red book yes, Orangebook no. Let me know what it`s like when it arrives.

Cheers, Mike.

Sorry....Red book! The description on ebay must have been written by someone who's colour blind lol. Oh well i did say i was new to this.

Once it lands i will tell you what its like, though i have not even got a 912 yet lol!!! just shows how serious i am about getting one.

Cheers guys!!

PS. if you know anyone willing to divorce their 912's let me know as im desperately trying to get one and i dont mind if she's been in a previously long relationship lol.

Mac