FPSH or not, that is the question..
Discussion
Here I am canvassing more opinion but in my search for my first 911 I have found one without a FSH. Hmm... the car isn't that old, is in fantastic condition, HPI clear, just had a BIG (Porsche) service (the first for a long while!) and they've found it in good nick but for a little oil misting at the cam seals. Now is this normal for a 4 yr old Porsche or are the seals on their way out because the a*se who didn't bother getting it serviced hasn't changed the oil for 25k miles?! Oh and whilst I'm here on the subject of buying a 2nd hand 996, is there anyone who can tell me how much rear bias have the Porshe engineers put on the C4 to offset the the effects of 4WD? Was wondering if it puts an exciting big fat smile on your face from day to day as much as a C2 put on mine in 5mins?
nosegunner said:
Here I am canvassing more opinion but in my search for my first 911 I have found one without a FSH. Hmm... the car isn't that old, is in fantastic condition, HPI clear, just had a BIG (Porsche) service (the first for a long while!) and they've found it in good nick but for a little oil misting at the cam seals. Now is this normal for a 4 yr old Porsche or are the seals on their way out because the a*se who didn't bother getting it serviced hasn't changed the oil for 25k miles?! Oh and whilst I'm here on the subject of buying a 2nd hand 996, is there anyone who can tell me how much rear bias have the Porshe engineers put on the C4 to offset the the effects of 4WD? Was wondering if it puts an exciting big fat smile on your face from day to day as much as a C2 put on mine in 5mins?
I have just bought a C4 myself after a Peter Morgan inspection and a misting on the cam cover was found also - his view nothing to worry about but should try and get the seller to have it rectified.With regars to the 4 wheel bias i think it is 95%rear & 5% front under normal condition but will change to 60% 40% in slippy conditions.
Hope this helps
nosegunner said:
Here I am canvassing more opinion but in my search for my first 911 I have found one without a FSH. Hmm... the car isn't that old, is in fantastic condition, HPI clear, just had a BIG (Porsche) service (the first for a long while!) and they've found it in good nick but for a little oil misting at the cam seals. Now is this normal for a 4 yr old Porsche or are the seals on their way out because the a*se who didn't bother getting it serviced hasn't changed the oil for 25k miles?! Oh and whilst I'm here on the subject of buying a 2nd hand 996, is there anyone who can tell me how much rear bias have the Porshe engineers put on the C4 to offset the the effects of 4WD? Was wondering if it puts an exciting big fat smile on your face from day to day as much as a C2 put on mine in 5mins?
Are you going to get an extended warranty put on it? If so - an OPC will do a large check on the car before issuing a warranty.. this would be a good indication as to whether the car has any other problems because they will check the car thoroughly!
Steve
Perhaps it's just me, but even if the price for this car is very good, I don't think I'd risk buying a car that had gone without services and with the same oil for 25,000 miles! Never mind the oil misting, what about the wear on all the bearings, piston rings, bores etc caused by the very degraded oil? This car may have been driven very hard, and without good oil and service checks the engine must be in a fairly poor condition internally.
William
William
nosegunner said:
, just had a BIG (Porsche) service (the first for a long while!) and they've found it in good nick but for a little oil misting at the cam seals.
are the OPC prepared to issue a warranty? if you like the car, and its just had a big service then worthwhile paying £200 or so for the check and then negotiate the cost of the warranty into the deal
In answer to the question.
If the car you`re looking at is 4 years old, (ie 2001), then a lack of service history would be very significant. Obviously ignore the number on the speedo because without history you can have what ever number you want on there !
If the car was 20 years old then it would be less of an issue. You would still kick it in the nuts price-wise but given it would be selling for "entry level" money anyway it`s more down to the actual car.
Lack of service history usually means there is a little tale to be told somewhere along the line, especially on a car that`s only 4 years old where tracing history shouldn`t be too hard, (with a 20 year old car you`ve got little or no chance).
Just make sure you don`t sell yourself short for the sake of a couple of quid.
Henry
>> Edited by henry-f on Tuesday 22 November 10:40
If the car you`re looking at is 4 years old, (ie 2001), then a lack of service history would be very significant. Obviously ignore the number on the speedo because without history you can have what ever number you want on there !
If the car was 20 years old then it would be less of an issue. You would still kick it in the nuts price-wise but given it would be selling for "entry level" money anyway it`s more down to the actual car.
Lack of service history usually means there is a little tale to be told somewhere along the line, especially on a car that`s only 4 years old where tracing history shouldn`t be too hard, (with a 20 year old car you`ve got little or no chance).
Just make sure you don`t sell yourself short for the sake of a couple of quid.
Henry
>> Edited by henry-f on Tuesday 22 November 10:40
Olly, what Henry said.
How about this one?
www.pistonheads.com/sales/57471.htm
Or this one from Cridfords
Ocean blue, full grey leather, air conditioning, electric sunroof, electric sports seats, traction control, sports suspension, 18" sports classic alloys, 99 style clear indicators, CD player. Full official Porsche service history. 53,000 miles. £27995
How about this one?
www.pistonheads.com/sales/57471.htm
Or this one from Cridfords
Ocean blue, full grey leather, air conditioning, electric sunroof, electric sports seats, traction control, sports suspension, 18" sports classic alloys, 99 style clear indicators, CD player. Full official Porsche service history. 53,000 miles. £27995
if you can afford to buy a 996 you can afford to get it serviced
if you don't get it serviced on time (give or take a month or two) you are not a person who looks after your car like all of us would and I wouldn't want to buy a car from you
not so bothered whether it is FSH or FPSH
>> Edited by Adam B on Tuesday 22 November 11:51
if you don't get it serviced on time (give or take a month or two) you are not a person who looks after your car like all of us would and I wouldn't want to buy a car from you
not so bothered whether it is FSH or FPSH
>> Edited by Adam B on Tuesday 22 November 11:51
Imho i would'nt buy it for all the reasons henry has stated.
Also so many cars out there now its a buyers market and if you intented to keep the car for a while your better of paying more to start with.
I just want to add this to the thread.
FSH will not protect you from buying a dog!
Many of the newer porsche owners are not enthusiasts and its cheaper to clock than it is to service,i know of a few very nice fsh cars that are showing 14k but have really done 40!
Of course if you buy one of these cars from a main dealer then you are at least protected by the warranty,but for the private buyer you have no chance of knowing if someone has pluged in a mobile phone to alter the miles.
My advice is make sure you get clued up before buying any nearly new porsche privately,then buy the main dealer warranty so your arse is covered just in case your dream is'nt all what shes cracked up to be!
>> Edited by rob05 on Tuesday 22 November 14:32
Also so many cars out there now its a buyers market and if you intented to keep the car for a while your better of paying more to start with.
I just want to add this to the thread.
FSH will not protect you from buying a dog!
Many of the newer porsche owners are not enthusiasts and its cheaper to clock than it is to service,i know of a few very nice fsh cars that are showing 14k but have really done 40!
Of course if you buy one of these cars from a main dealer then you are at least protected by the warranty,but for the private buyer you have no chance of knowing if someone has pluged in a mobile phone to alter the miles.
My advice is make sure you get clued up before buying any nearly new porsche privately,then buy the main dealer warranty so your arse is covered just in case your dream is'nt all what shes cracked up to be!
>> Edited by rob05 on Tuesday 22 November 14:32
Interesting stuff cheers guys. Seems Mr Sensible is probably suggesting leave well alone even though its a very tempting prospect. Oh and thanks for those other suggestions Gav, had already spotted them but I've now had 2 porsche garages tell me to avoid 98/99 cars as they're accounting for the steady trickle of engine changes happening at a service centres ....!
nosegunner said:
Interesting stuff cheers guys. Seems Mr Sensible is probably suggesting leave well alone even though its a very tempting prospect. Oh and thanks for those other suggestions Gav, had already spotted them but I've now had 2 porsche garages tell me to avoid 98/99 cars as they're accounting for the steady trickle of engine changes happening at a service centres ....!
Yeah, of course they'll tell you that, they want you to buy their over-priced 2001 and later cars.
I have a good friend at an OPC, and he says a lot more is made of this engine failure stuff than it deserves. As long as you get the 111-point inspection done, and get the OPC warranty, you'll be fine.
magriggs said:
Interesting stuff cheers guys. Seems Mr Sensible is probably suggesting leave well alone even though its a very tempting prospect. Oh and thanks for those other suggestions Gav, had already spotted them but I've now had 2 porsche garages tell me to avoid 98/99 cars as they're accounting for the steady trickle of engine changes happening at a service centres ....!
Yeah, of course they'll tell you that, they want you to buy their over-priced 2001 and later cars.
I have a good friend at an OPC, and he says a lot more is made of this engine failure stuff than it deserves. As long as you get the 111-point inspection done, and get the OPC warranty, you'll be fine.
Very true. And later cars are not immune to problems.
There are so many nice "51" 996s out there so even if the one you are looking at is ridiculously inexpensive I think this is a warning sign rather than a buying opportunity. Buy from an OPC, Independent or ethusiast who has looked after the car. On a 4 year old car you should be able to trace its (service) history, its mileage and other repairs quite easily. Look for cars advertised in Porsche Magazine (PCGB's monthly publication) or here on Pistonheads and then take it to an OPC for a 111 point check and extended warranty and presto you 've got your motor and peace of mind - simple really....
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