Carrera 4 (996) 2001
Discussion
Hello all - my first post in the Porsche forum. I'm currently looking at changing my car (BMW 645) for a Porsche 911 of some sort. I've been doing my research for some time (there is a lot to learn!). I've been offered a 2001 996 Carrera 4 with 78k for £12500 and will probably have a look/drive next week. I've been reading some horror stories re seals etc and was wondering if there was such a thing as a guide on what to look for? Or would I be better off getting a Porsche specialist to take a look? Is there a better buy out there? - budget is £15k
Hi Paul,
Yes there are some "issues" to be aware of. But some are down to pot luck (sadly), although you can minimise your exposure somewhat.
I suppose the "biggie" is IMS. Expensive (very) to fix, with no real rhyme or reason to why. Some people for peace of mind replace for an updated version, but there's no guarantees that will cover you.
Roughly 5% of cars are affected.
Get a PPI (per purchase inspection) with boroscope..... This will also tell you some of the other "issues" such as bore score and D-chunking.
RMS isn't the major issue people think it is: it's a seal that weeping. Get it changed for little cost as a deal breaker, or when you change your clutch.
You'll hear LOTS of scare-mongering and doom & gloom, and sadly this is the case for a small number of owners. But there are a great many who don't experience these issues
Buy on condition, not price. Try a few. Look at the supporting paperwork and paper trail. Then look again!
When I got my 996 c4, I looked at 9 cars over 6 months. I travelled all over the country much to wifey's frustration. I came to the conclusion that your money buys a detailed and extensive paper trail. The car's thrown in for free!
Usual things to check:
Rads
Suspension,
Pads & discs
Exhaust seems and brackets
All can be a bit pricey if you don't know they're on their way out.
Again, to reiterate, do LOTS of homework. It will get you a better car, that may reduce your exposure to great expense later on. Due diligence et al.
Also look on other Porsche site, speak to owners etc. get to some meets.
Hope this helps a bit
Dan
Yes there are some "issues" to be aware of. But some are down to pot luck (sadly), although you can minimise your exposure somewhat.
I suppose the "biggie" is IMS. Expensive (very) to fix, with no real rhyme or reason to why. Some people for peace of mind replace for an updated version, but there's no guarantees that will cover you.
Roughly 5% of cars are affected.
Get a PPI (per purchase inspection) with boroscope..... This will also tell you some of the other "issues" such as bore score and D-chunking.
RMS isn't the major issue people think it is: it's a seal that weeping. Get it changed for little cost as a deal breaker, or when you change your clutch.
You'll hear LOTS of scare-mongering and doom & gloom, and sadly this is the case for a small number of owners. But there are a great many who don't experience these issues
Buy on condition, not price. Try a few. Look at the supporting paperwork and paper trail. Then look again!
When I got my 996 c4, I looked at 9 cars over 6 months. I travelled all over the country much to wifey's frustration. I came to the conclusion that your money buys a detailed and extensive paper trail. The car's thrown in for free!
Usual things to check:
Rads
Suspension,
Pads & discs
Exhaust seems and brackets
All can be a bit pricey if you don't know they're on their way out.
Again, to reiterate, do LOTS of homework. It will get you a better car, that may reduce your exposure to great expense later on. Due diligence et al.
Also look on other Porsche site, speak to owners etc. get to some meets.
Hope this helps a bit
Dan
Might be worth reading my thread
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I've had lots of peeps email details of their cars at your level of budget - all sounded nice and well loved but I spotted one at a dealers which seemed to offer the same with peace of mind too.
However, if you are in Southern half of country let me know and I'll point them in your direction instead?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I've had lots of peeps email details of their cars at your level of budget - all sounded nice and well loved but I spotted one at a dealers which seemed to offer the same with peace of mind too.
However, if you are in Southern half of country let me know and I'll point them in your direction instead?
Edited by mikeyr on Tuesday 11th June 15:55
mikeyr said:
Might be worth reading my thread
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I've had lots of peeps email details of their cars at your level of budget - all sounded nice and well loved but I spotted one at a dealers which seemed to offer the same with peace of mind too.
However, if you are in Southern half of country let me know and I'll point them in your direction instead?
Excellent! Thanks - will have a good read. I'm oop north though in Yorkshire.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I've had lots of peeps email details of their cars at your level of budget - all sounded nice and well loved but I spotted one at a dealers which seemed to offer the same with peace of mind too.
However, if you are in Southern half of country let me know and I'll point them in your direction instead?
Edited by mikeyr on Tuesday 11th June 15:55
As always, you start at 12.5k then creep up. http://www.rpmspecialistcars.co.uk/sales/view/34 It's a specialist used by my Dad and myself. I haven't seen the car but a C4S.... mmmm man maths.
I was looking for a 996 C4 cabriolet a few years ago and was advised to make sure it was a "facelift" car - ie model year 2002 on - which came with the 3.6 engine rather than 3.4, plus other mods to the interior and exterior which stayed with the 996 until the launch of the 997. The most obvious way to spot a facelift car is that they carry the revised headlights which previously had been reserved for the turbo.
If you are looking for a convertible I might be interested in selling my '51-plate C4 cab - we currently have my wife's 987 Boxster for sale on PH but TBH I would sell either as long as the offer was sensible, as they are both great cars!
If you are looking for a convertible I might be interested in selling my '51-plate C4 cab - we currently have my wife's 987 Boxster for sale on PH but TBH I would sell either as long as the offer was sensible, as they are both great cars!
monthefish said:
Shurv said:
Agreed, C4S is a great car. Who wouldn't want a wide bodied 911,with turbo brakes and suspension and a much better specced interior too.Man maths, gotta love it.
Maybe someone who wants a quicker car? (Think the C4 is marginally quicker).(Not me BTW - I'd go for the C4S!)
rimkah said:
monthefish said:
Shurv said:
Agreed, C4S is a great car. Who wouldn't want a wide bodied 911,with turbo brakes and suspension and a much better specced interior too.Man maths, gotta love it.
Maybe someone who wants a quicker car? (Think the C4 is marginally quicker).(Not me BTW - I'd go for the C4S!)
The 996 Carrera 4S used the same powerplant as the 996 Carrera and Carrera 4 but due to the slightly increased weight (1495kg) it was a tad slower than these (0-100km/h 5.1 seconds and 280km/h).
Anyway, as I said above, I'd rather have the C4S.
bigfoot57 said:
I was looking for a 996 C4 cabriolet a few years ago and was advised to make sure it was a "facelift" car - ie model year 2002 on - which came with the 3.6 engine rather than 3.4, plus other mods to the interior and exterior which stayed with the 996 until the launch of the 997. The most obvious way to spot a facelift car is that they carry the revised headlights which previously had been reserved for the turbo.
If you are looking for a convertible I might be interested in selling my '51-plate C4 cab - we currently have my wife's 987 Boxster for sale on PH but TBH I would sell either as long as the offer was sensible, as they are both great cars!
Thanks. Not wanting a cab but I guess the 2002 advice still stands.. Was looking at this online today - had the engine done etc. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261239429105?ssPageName=...If you are looking for a convertible I might be interested in selling my '51-plate C4 cab - we currently have my wife's 987 Boxster for sale on PH but TBH I would sell either as long as the offer was sensible, as they are both great cars!
Going back to the OP, your criteria seems similar to mine when I purchased back in October.
I opted for a 2002 C2 which had 79K miles, FSH with loads spent during its lifetime.
I bought privately for £11500 and have since spent a further £3k or so on both my own personal things to get it up to my spec but also a couple of essential items so your price of £12k ish for the car leaves you with the £3k you might have/want to spend getting it to your standard.
With regards to the "things to look for" the usual suspects have been mentioned, I recently took mine for an OPC health check where a leaking IMS seal was diagnosed, to replace this it makes sense to replace the clutch at the same time so I took it to Sport & Classic In Knutsford who replaced the clutch, RMS & fitted an upgraded IMS bearing for just under £2K.
The bearing may never have needed replacing but I figured while the clutch is being replaced for an extra £900 it made sense to have done.
Additionally, I think long term I have added value to my car so win, win.
I opted for a 2002 C2 which had 79K miles, FSH with loads spent during its lifetime.
I bought privately for £11500 and have since spent a further £3k or so on both my own personal things to get it up to my spec but also a couple of essential items so your price of £12k ish for the car leaves you with the £3k you might have/want to spend getting it to your standard.
With regards to the "things to look for" the usual suspects have been mentioned, I recently took mine for an OPC health check where a leaking IMS seal was diagnosed, to replace this it makes sense to replace the clutch at the same time so I took it to Sport & Classic In Knutsford who replaced the clutch, RMS & fitted an upgraded IMS bearing for just under £2K.
The bearing may never have needed replacing but I figured while the clutch is being replaced for an extra £900 it made sense to have done.
Additionally, I think long term I have added value to my car so win, win.
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