Porsche itch won't go away....time for a C4S!?

[dank]

So once again my mind has swung to Porshe, even though iI was hoping to keep both my Vx and get a Porsche, it's financially not going to work out like that, so 996 GT3, 997 CS, Boxster S, Cayman S are all out the window, so i am now Seriously considering the 996 C4S !

Drove a very nice Lapis blue coupe yesterday and was very very surprised by how pointy, accurate and light, nimble it felt. Standard exhausts as well and it sounded great in my opinion, and overall feel and look was amazing, loved it! I was also surprised how fast it felt, it seemed much quicker than my vx off the line, and much quicker then at the gen 2 cayman s i had for a month, am i deluded?

I thought it did feel like it was the closet thing to the 996 GT3 you could get without getting a GT3, and for a lot less cash.

So now my dilemma, is should it be the cabriolet C4S or the coupe, love the looks of the coupe, but would miss the cab of my vx220...

Are there any known gremlins or major expenses with the power hood, it looks a complex bit of kit with potentially huge amount of things tat could go wrong, is there any performance reduction with the cab?

I understand the sat nab is vital spec, why is that, i was led to believe it's crap!?

any advice buying a C4S appreciated

[dank]

wow, yes the paul french car is very nice indeed, just unsure of the grey leather, but great spec and colour!

Off to see a cabriolet at the weekend, so will have a better idea of what i am after

[dank]

What do people think is a fair price for a decent C4S cabriolet, the prices of both seem to vary quite a lot, I have seen cabs and coupes at 20k and some much higher, and some high 80k milers at £21,000, is £23-25k a good budget for a decent cab?

I am swaying towards the cab over the coupe, as will miss my vx220 open top motoring!

[dank]

Possibly, it's second on my colour choice list Lapis blue metallic being my top colour choice, also looking for cab, your ad doesn't mention spec, PSE, Bose etc?

[dank]

So, very excited as I am off tomorrow early to check out the exact spec car I am looking for. Based on advice from here, condition is everything, but on a 8/9 yr old car what is acceptable condition wise and what's not, what should put me off from the service history, it's a full OPC history, any other major points to consider?

Also, I'll get an independent inspection if all goes well, a Porsche dealer recommended RAC ? Is this correct, I thought a Porsche would be too specialist ? The dealer mentioned they have a guarantee with their inspection that they are liable if they miss something that then goes wrong, meaning they do a very thorough inspection????

Opinions on this?

Thanks for the advice, really helpful

[dank]

Also,

Is it really unwise buying privately with no warranty, Witth the potential bore scoring ims issues?

[dank]

Ill post after viewing it, don't want to be car gazumped!

[dank]

I have read on a previous thread Hartech can perform some preventative fixes to the engines, although I didn't get exactly what they would do, or more importantly how much it would cost,

[dank]

The car is viewed at the weekend was very much not as described, missing bonnet sticker, front nose respray, lip on the discs, metallic smell from engine after driving, excess smoke from one tail pipe, heavy clutch, torn leather on seats.... i walked

so still hunting

few questions if anyone could help

Sills rusting, and paint rubbing off around top of windscreen on the cabriolet versions - is this common?

Bore scoring issues - I understand i need a horoscope check to check the bores, but what fault is this looking for, is this linked to the RMS issue, so if the RMS has been fixed, bore scoring won't occur? If not who's to say this issue won't happen 5 miles down the road after purchasing???

Should i only consider cars that have had RMS work carried out?

Also if RMS has been carried out would it mean the clutch HAS been replaced, would it be odd if it hadn't been replaced at the same time?

TBH, got my eye on two cabs currently that are in this position, well spec'd, all the toys, although interior colours not first choice, dark blue leather ( reminds me of my blue mk1 clio 172, way back! )

help appreciated

[dank]

smelt like burning metal, possibly clutch, hardly went for a drive either?

reminded me of when i fried the race car's engine i was racing at Silverstone!

[dank]

yes it was the passenger side tail pipe!

Ok, so from what you guys are saying

1. Get the car inspected, bores checked
2. Then get a warranty, from Hartech or similar for the IMS issue / bore scoring - this has to be more cost effective than a slush fund, 18 grand for a new engine!!!!
3. Buy on condition and history, rather than mileage

So the RMS work is relatively minor and easily fixed as opposed to the Major issue of Bore Scoring....

thanks

Pretty much got my mind set on a cabriolet,hope the right car presents itself, potentially viewing a couple this weekend, both look really good, hopefully not just on the computer screen!

does the X51 pack, throw up any additional issue I should be aware of, as one of the cars has this, only just got my heard round IMS, RMS !!!!

I have seen a nice black coupe on 911uk, which has had a new engine at 60k miles, and has now completed another 20k on this engine, would this mean IMS issues have been eliminated from a NEW engine, or will it always be a problem of the 996 lump?

[dank]

7k would still be a nightmare cost!

Really tricky decision, esp as Turbo's don't have these issues, and are much faster, not much more money....

[dank]

i do love the c4s sound with PSE

and wanted a cab, Turbo cab too much, but found this, and wondered what people thought

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...

[dank]

Basalt black with black letter is nice!

So choices choices, loose the cabriolet and loose the possible engine issues, and loose glorious sports exhaust note

gain massive turbo performance and reliability!

blimey....

what to do

[dank]

I am looking at 2004 C4S and this is a 2002 turbo, around similar money tbh

Mileage on the turbo is quite a bit higher, but i am understanding from these forums, that as long as regularly serviced, the Turbo has no issues with 72,000 miles?
One of the C4S I am looking at is 60k miles....

[dank]

C4S cabriolet, 60k, X51, 2004, PSE etc - around 24 grand

[dank]

hmmmm, this is tricky

finally in a position to get my first 911, and preferred the rawness of the C4S, even after driving two Turbo's initially, but now, armed with all the knowledge of the potential issues with a C4S..... i am not so sure!

are the Turbo's engines much more reliable, Clidfords are a good specialist? So it would be throughly checked, serviced etc before purchase?

[dank]

hmmmm

more confused then ever now

[dank]

thanks for that

I do like the speed on the Turbo, but worried about its running costs

Hartech warranty and some slush funds would mean i could run the c4s without stressing everytime i used it!

think i need to see both cars and then make a decision, black turbo or lapis blue c4s cab

[dank]

Hi Barry

I emailed you!