possible 997.1 C4S purchase

[gstev]

Hello I am new to the forum and looking for some advise on possible purchase of a 997.1 C4S auto. It would be a private sale and concerned about some of the horror stories regarding engine failures etc on the forums and would like to get inspection done. The car is in Aberdeen and would appreciate any recommendations on independent garage or expert I could use

Thanks in advance

Gavin S

[thegoose]

If you're worried about the horror stories I'd take it to Aberdeen OPC (Official Porsche Centre) for a 111 point check - if it passes the current owner can then put a Porsche warranty on the car then transfer it to you (you have to have owned the car 90 days before being able to buy the warranty, hence you can't take it out yourself).

If it fails, any remedial work has to be done at the OPC and if it doesn't have a full OPC history they will insist on doing a major service too (thought they may then not charge for the inspection as that work is duplicated in doing the service). It also has to be completely standard and have matching N rated (Porsche approved) tyres.

[richardrsc]

gstev said:

Hello I am new to the forum and looking for some advise on possible purchase of a 997.1 C4S auto. It would be a private sale and concerned about some of the horror stories regarding engine failures etc on the forums and would like to get inspection done. The car is in Aberdeen and would appreciate any recommendations on independent garage or expert I could use

Thanks in advance

Gavin S

You'd be right to worry, it's a beautiful car and I love mine, but as poster above says, get the OPC warrantee. I personally don't buy the 'only happens to a few of them' line... mine went in for an engine rebuild after a few months @ OPC expense. Even if the cars fine now (and many Porsche inspections don't check internally for bore scoring) it could develop over the next couple of years.

TBH, I'd pony up the extra 2 or 3k, buy from OPC and not worry about it. They have nice coffee too.

[Magic919]

I'd stick with the plan not to use an OPC for two reasons.

1. They don't scope the bores as part of the 111 point check.

2. They don't generally sell Gen 1 997s as they are getting too old. You might find 3-4 across the whole UK.

Car must be younger than its ninth birthday to apply the Porsche warranty (just for the one year policy).

I can't help with someone suitable to check a car up there, sorry. A tip S is a prime candidate for scoring bores, so be careful.

[IMI A]

thegoose said:

If you're worried about the horror stories I'd take it to Aberdeen OPC (Official Porsche Centre) for a 111 point check - if it passes the current owner can then put a Porsche warranty on the car then transfer it to you (you have to have owned the car 90 days before being able to buy the warranty, hence you can't take it out yourself).

If it fails, any remedial work has to be done at the OPC and if it doesn't have a full OPC history they will insist on doing a major service too (thought they may then not charge for the inspection as that work is duplicated in doing the service). It also has to be completely standard and have matching N rated (Porsche approved) tyres.

+1 good advice

[Callughan]

I had a 997 C4S tip a very capable car if slightly less fun than the 996 C4S I had.

Magic why do you think tip would be more prone to bore scoring.

The horror stories are a bit exaggerated of course unless it happenes to you.

OPC, private with p warranty or good indie like 911V will give you peace of mind.

[Magic919]

Mostly because they are. According to Baz, the reason is the pulling away in second gear. High loads at low revs just run into the teeth of the underlying problem.

It doesn't mean all Tips score bores, but where I've seen bore scoring (on here) and enquired, they are mostly Tips.

[FarQue]

OP there are one or two Scottish Porsche spcialists noted on the North section of the TIPEC forum (TIPEC.net). Might be worth a look to see if there's someone near you for a ppi.

[mollytherocker]

Does Peter Morgan not have a guy up in Scotland?

Having said that. Gooses suggestion sounds well worth the effort.

[RiccardoG]

Magic919 said:

Mostly because they are. According to Baz, the reason is the pulling away in second gear. High loads at low revs just run into the teeth of the underlying problem.

It doesn't mean all Tips score bores, but where I've seen bore scoring (on here) and enquired, they are mostly Tips.

I've heard the same from my specialist as well (Northway). Also, when I have been there, the cars with engines out tend to be tips, although thats hardly a large sample considered!

[threespins]

I have just bought one from Cambridge OPC, I could only find two in the country, the other one was a manual so not for me. So not a lot of choice, I dropped lucky I hope, just had to compromise on colour.

[gstev]

many thanks for feedback, was in Aberdeen porcshee centre yesterday and have to say they were very helpful and willing to check car. Also drove the 3.4S boxter and may well go for this option instead