Idle Rattle Plus Major Overhaul

[Daniel R]

My car (MY2000 S) is currently laid up in the garage owing to me not having a driving licence until the end of June (long story).

I have decided to use this time to put everything right with it that has suffered from my neglect/lack of time/laziness over the years.

The most important thing I want fixed is an engine rattle at idle. I am not sure where it is coming from, it is not a start-up noise, it is permanent when idling either warm or cold. The AC increases the noise as it is a load on the engine, and being in neutral or gear, clutch in or out makes no difference so I assume it is not transmission. Chain tensioners or serpentine belt tensioners?? All advice is appreciated.

The next point of order is to replace any parts that and engine at 120k miles should have replaced. Besides the usual scheduled service items plus spark plugs, is there anything else that could be useful, and in what order of importance?

I would also like to overhaul the suspension at this point, it is getting old and tired. Depending on how much money I have left after shoring up the engine, I will decide to what degree I replace suspension components and with what pieces.

The wife has given me the green light to sell her old car that we no longer use and all the proceeds (between 6 and 7k) will go towards fixing the Porsche, so this is more or less the budget I am working with.

Thanks in advance.