Some advice required regarding a PPI on a 996......

[DanoS4]

OK. Simple this one.

I'm tying myself up in knots about what to do about a PPI on a 996 that I've seen.
The paperwork was extensive, including a RMS/crank seal replacement undertaken by Porsche about 40k ago.
Suspension/coffin arms have been done. New tyres, discs & pads all round.

Loads of receipts for bills circa £1400 - £2000......
Got a really good vibe from the seller too.

I've read that the PPI is generally needed, but at £300 (or less if I go to the local OPC), I don't know how much piece of mind the PPI will give me.

Surely, putting the money towards remedial work would be more worthwhile?

Also, I've spoken with Tognola about the car (as they have serviced it for the last 2 years), and it's had an "honest car" response from them.

So, what is the general consensus about this, and if a PPI is still worth having, where to go in the Guildford area?
And ideally this week?

Thanks in advance,

Dano

[tr7v8]

It depends on price TBH but I wouldn't bother based on the info you have. The other option is to get OPC Guildford to give it a check over.

Edited by tr7v8 on Monday 20th August 07:15

[DanoS4]

The car's £13k.
Standard Carrera 4.

[DanoS4]

Well, here's the "rub" - the car's nr Guildford. I'm about 180 mile away!

The vendor has agreed to take the car to an "inspection" point (at my agreed expense) nr Guildford. But the only ones I know of are OPC Guildford, or Tognola.

Tognola's great, but they aren't exactly independent due to the fact that they've serviced the car for 2 yrs.

OPC will do the 111 point check for just over £200.

Or is it actually worth taking it back to Tognola, as they know the car? Granted, they've already given me a verbal "thumbs up" regarding the car.

Is this enough?

First time I've actually had to do this, so please bare with cautiousness.

Dano

[73 Duchess]

Jebus, it's a 996. Great car, dive in!. With all the above work it's probably ok, just hope it doesn't have a 'd-chunk' failure.

[Nobby Diesel]

OK, so a 13K C4.
If you are buying it as an informed purchaser, I would hope that you have investigated and researced as much as you can.
If you have, an inspection is a waste of money IMO.

Hopefully, you'll buy a great car and enjoy it!!

[rhkumar]

Phone gt one in Surrey. Not far from guilford and ask if they could do a check within an hours labour of 60 + vat. Worth a shot. Thx
Roy
http://www.gt-one.co.uk/

[xftdr]

If Peter Tognola has given it a thumbs up I would be quite happy. I have the highest regard for Peter and Greg. If there is something that needed doing they would have told the previous owner - if he did not sanction the work they will tell you! If you are genuinely worried the suggestion for GT-One seems reasonable - they are quite close. Or go for a Peter Morgan inspection.

[anonymous-user]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

What about crash repairs, hidden history and general wear and tear? If you are not in a position to inspect it yourself then £300 on a professional inspection is money well spent even on a £13K car of this type. As for remedial work if something is missed, then £300 will go nowhere. But I agree it isn't going to offer much protection from some of the more scary engine failure modes - unless already showing symptoms such as excessive smoke, mayo etc.

[DanoS4]

FWIW, no smoke, no mayo.

I checked things like the door hinges and shuts to see for evidence of removal too - nothing untoward (imho)

Still think I'm going to get a minor check on it. Just to put my mind at rest.
But I'm inclined to agree that the PPI may only tell me things I can already see.(or have researched enough to get sorted)

[tr7v8]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

These are my thoughts. Just bought a Boxster from a location I personally wouldn't buy a 10 year old focus from! But the car checked out, was HPI clear & I've been around motors most of my life & Porsches for 7 odd years. I did the same with the 944 when I bought it, except I wouldn't have bought any car from the place. Both have worked out very well.
Most of the 996 (And 986) issues won't come up on a PPI anyway. Things like rads & condensors & coils all need an element of dismantling to see & find. At this age there will always be an element of risk & at the end of the day all cars once over 3-4 years will need some degree of fettling.
I've chucked an AA Breakdown Repair Cover on the Boxster (£60 as a package with my 2 other cars) & that'll cover 5 breakdowns that the AA have to recover for £2500 total & £500 per event, with a £25 excess. Already used that with the Jeep OK.
IMS & RMS will get sorted next year with an LN engineering one. Th rest I'll regard as normal wear & tear associated with a 12 year old car.

[73 Duchess]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Sorry cmoose, quite correct. Should have prefaced it by saying a PPI is a must, did the same when I purchased my 996.

[C350]

Eporsch have a nice C4 for £13995 full service history with one just done. Trusted seller.....job done

Northway have a nice C2 for a similar price. Buyers market so if your are not sure just move on.

[DanoS4]

Thanks for the info & advice - most appreciated.

I *am* going to get it looked over, although not to PPI-level. I figure that the people I've spoken to (with their associated reputations) support the wealth of paperwork with the car. The check is more so additional peace of mind to my suspicions and homework.

Then I'm going to plan a maintenance schedule involving looking at all the bits that may need changing: I've got a good friend who's VERY handy with the spanners and has OCD We've got access to a ramp and trade prices for parts.

More importantly, whilst he has the knowledge, I not totally thick when it comes to engineering, so I want to learn about the car, documenting my findings and work in the process. I figure that this will only help resale when the time comes.

It will still go for the bigger servicing to get the stamps initially, but again, I've found that documentation (and condition) tends to override everything else.

Thanks

[RiccardoG]

I think that the only value of a PPI in this case, given the other factors you have already considered, would be previous damage history. I think a Porsche expert should be able to tell this relatively easily.

One of the reasons I never really quite buy the whole PPI concept is that they are usually carried out on a 'non interference' basis, meaning that parts are not removed (which is understandable) and therefore limiting the analysis. On an extreme basis this would mean they don't even remove the boot carpets to check for a damaged front tub.

[anonymous-user]

RiccardoG said:

One of the reasons I never really quite buy the whole PPI concept is that they are usually carried out on a 'non interference' basis, meaning that parts are not removed (which is understandable) and therefore limiting the analysis. On an extreme basis this would mean they don't even remove the boot carpets to check for a damaged front tub.

The real value of a specialist PPI is when a potential buyer is totally clueless of what to look out for. I don't bother with PPIs myself, but then I'm a professional engineer and know what I'm doing. But even then you need some experience of the particular type of car you are inspecting eg. what are the known weakspots etc. £300 is not a bad insurance IF the PPI is done thoroughly by an experienced Porsche specialist like Peter Morgan. As you say, they don't have x-ray vision but they can usually make a good judgement on the condition of a car relative to the market. Certainly better than Joe Bloggs kicking the tyres and admiring the shiny paint.