996 C4S - choice of 2
996 C4S - choice of 2
Author
Discussion

Dave Thornton

Original Poster:

237 posts

179 months

Tuesday 17th April 2012
quotequote all
Having settled on a 996 C4S manual <60k with PSE in either Basalt Black or Seal Grey, with black leather, I am currently focusing on 2 cars (1 more in the wings and awaiting more info on another 2). Assume I will keep for 2 years and add 6k miles a year - resale value is important to me.

Both have had 4 new tyres, a clutch, RMS, brakes/pads and a service within the last 5000 miles or less and their spec and condition is similar. Assume the sellers best price is the same.

I would appreciate feedback on the choice, based on the differences below:

car A:
2003/53 (2004MY)
54000 miles
fsh - OPC then specialist
4 owners from new
internal spec differences: Bose, aluminium pack

car B:
2002/02
41000 miles
full OPC history, had OPC warranty from new until recently
7 owners from new
internal spec differences: Porsche upgraded stereo, carbon pack

Would you choose A or B, and would you offer £500 or £1000 more/less on one than the other?

F3RNANDO

5,186 posts

208 months

Tuesday 17th April 2012
quotequote all
They are pretty close - buy on condition as YOU SEE IT - viewing required.

Good luck.

HarryW

16,051 posts

299 months

Tuesday 17th April 2012
quotequote all
Not a Porsche man myself, but on paper Car A all day long, subject to inspection etc.........

jimmy p

1,042 posts

196 months

Tuesday 17th April 2012
quotequote all
Dave, view them, you can answer your own question then, like people will tell you all day long, buy on condition alone. These cars can be expensive if you buy the wrong one! smile

F3RNANDO

5,186 posts

208 months

Tuesday 17th April 2012
quotequote all
Litronics and sunroof are worth having.
Seats - heated, memory, embossed or sports?
Also see which one has had condensors and rads.

If you still can't split them view both and buy the best condition car.

thegoose

8,077 posts

240 months

Wednesday 18th April 2012
quotequote all
One's 8.5 years old, the other 10 but done fewer miles - they are definitely comparable on paper only but who knows what use/abuse they've each had over their lives?

I would expect the better car will be self evident upon viewing and driving them both (differences between individual cars are clearer as they get older), but if after that you really are unsure then you should really have PPI's done on both (by the same inspector, not just the same company) rather than asking a load of people you don't know who've never seen either of them which one they'd go for. smile

Dave Thornton

Original Poster:

237 posts

179 months

Wednesday 18th April 2012
quotequote all
Thanks - I will view both and it may well be that both cars are excellent and I arrange a PPI on the one that gut feel says is the one for me.

lawtoni

258 posts

186 months

Wednesday 18th April 2012
quotequote all
I am contemplating selling mine.

52 plate, seal grey. 996 C4S, 28k miles.
PSE. FSE by Porsche yearly regardless of miles.
Showroom condition (and I actually mean that, unlike most who say it when far from the truth).

Message me if you are interested

Cheers
Paul

f1_dragon

311 posts

254 months

Wednesday 18th April 2012
quotequote all
Car B may have PCM1 rather than the PCM2 on Car A - PCM2 is much better although both dated now.

Callughan

6,313 posts

222 months

Wednesday 18th April 2012
quotequote all
f1_dragon said:
Car B may have PCM1 rather than the PCM2 on Car A - PCM2 is much better although both dated now.
only pcm 2 in c4s

OP you need to get them checked out, at this age many look good but need loads of work.