Project Chronicle

Since I purchased a 1990 911 C4 Cabriolet, I've barely racked up 50 miles on it. Driving has been limited; this is due to a few things, including the fact that I owe a little bit on it and don't want to risk an accident or other adverse event that could impact its value. But there's also the general fear that comes with owning a car like this and that a pricey repair could rear its head at any moment. 

However, I have to admit that after taking it in to my local shop for its annual servicing, it has been a surprisingly reliable vehicle to own with no major issues to report. Now a year in, my shop again confirmed it didn't need much: in fact, the only work I had done was at my own hand, including an oil and filter change; the replacement of the front bumper with a freshly painted bumper cover; battery replacement; and replacement of the heavily chipped front wiper arms after finding a set of NOS arms on eBay.

There was a differential leak flagged when the car first arrived and the shop verified that the leak hadn't changed and was something that could continue to be monitored. Really, this 911 has asked very little of me and everything still works - the windows, locks, rear spoiler, seats, and so on. 

It's also a treat to drive. Unlike my 996, this is a car that is still quite visceral, with pops and burbles and a silky smooth gearbox. It's hard to believe that a 4WD car has both a superior transmission and chassis dynamics over a RWD Carrera, but here we are. 

Overall, even with my limited use, I feel better and better about taking a chance on this C4 Cabriolet from Arkansas - and don't expect to sell it anytime soon. 

This mod ended up being a little pricier than I anticipiated, but man was it worth it - The stock shifter in the E30 was coming up on 300,000 miles and 40 years old - Though I love the OEM setup, the way I drive this car calls for a slightly shorter and more precise shift. 

I got the UUC Short Throw Shift Kit with the optional Dual Sheer Selector Rod - This part has two rods on the physical gear selector, as the factory selector has one singular rod. The benefit of a DSSR is the distribution of tension on the selector, and always reduces play in the assembly, giving you a much more solid, and predictable feel.

I went with a Condor Speed Shop Tall Weighted Shift Knob. This one actually has a (removable) 110Gram counterweight in the shifter - giving you the option to take it out for a lighter shift feel. Feels much better with it in. 

Overall this mod changed the way the car feels when driving backroads, as I am able to switch between 2nd and 3rd gear much, much faster, and much more confidently. The old bushings had so much slop and play, I would actually find myself occasionally grinding gears during spirited drives, as the shifter often slipped or fell out of/into gear.