Thinking about this C4S - appreciate (considered) input...!

Hello 996 fans. I've been thinking about a C4S recently, and (notwithstanding Hans's experience lunching his engine) I imagine them to be fairly resilient. I have a plan to look at this one - it may well have been discussed before, but interested in opinions - or if anyone knows the car. Reasons to do it? Reasons not to do it? What should I be looking for in terms of immediate alarm bells? I figure it has had a new Porsche engine (I've seen the receipt!!) at 75k - so 70k on the new one, and it's not expensive. I figure I can drive it for a couple of yeas, and sell it on without losing too much. Or, if it explodes, I can spend the money on a 3.9 Hartech rebuild, and it's probably worth closer to £18 - 20k...? Am I kidding myself? Appreciate any considered views. Cheers. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/porsche-...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Hmmm...I look at this car and see...147k miles thus the exterior/interior will have wear commensurate with this amount of driving time...visible bodywork issues hint at other potential rust issues notwithstanding the costs of rectifying what you can see...engine change is now irrelevant as entering the mileage that obvious wear is likely evident/close...nice carbon interior trim is a plus... For me the overall mileage would put me off because of the inevitable associated wear to trim etc. The rust also might be an expensive issue ? So even if you got it for £13.5k and sorted the rust and engine as you hinted youd be left with a147k miler...with likely worn trim etc,etc. I like cars to be immaculate in and out thus would not be interested,ever, in a high miler...I'd buy on condition first...this looks tired & worn...

Mileage isn't that important, as long as the maintenance is excellent, you can get as many problems on a low mileage example, a fair point above re wear and tear on the interior, but that also depends on how the car has been treated. Looking at the exhaust tips, it needs new engine mounts?! New engine at 75k is a bonus, need to check history/receipts since, worth a look for the money 💰

Thanks both for your input. I hear you - I normally would shy away from such high mileage, but looking at the MOT history, the fact that the engine has 70k on it (not 147k) it seemed a risk possibly worth taking? Appreciate all the other components have 147k - but mostly consumables that can / should be updated anyway? I'm asking rather than telling! Brakes, suspension etc. It's the engine that worries me, and the fact it had a new one from Porsche in 2009 at 75k gives me a little comfort.

It looks like a fairly tidy car for the money. But the rust is a bit of a concern - The bit by the rear window I can forgive if its had a replacement screen and someone damaged the frame - causing an aero for corrosion to begin. But otherwise, I see any rust on these cars as a sign that it's been damaged and repainted. So inspect that side of the car very carefully. Needs Engine Mounts Needs New Keys Possibly New Brakes Most likely new shifter cables So about 1k spending on the items above that make the car easier to live with again, plus rectification of the bodywork circa £600. I think it's particular important to get a car like that bore scoped, because having to rebuild a high mileage car will mean you will be out of pocket by a considerable sum, as it's ceiling value will always remain low. If its got a good engine, then I would say its worth a punt. Just inspect its service history thoroughly!

It does seem a little tired. The rust kind of leads to thinking there will be more when you start poking. It would be good if it were a mint body with the mileage but it seems a gamble IMO and thats still 70k on an engine.

£15k seems a fair price for the seller to start. Subject to a PPI and some subsequent negotiation it could be a decent car for the right money. 147k miles will always limit the market pool and if it ever needs significant £££s spent on it you'll never recoup it. My personal stumbling block would be in knowing where values of the C4S were 6 years ago and not knowing where they will be in future. Good luck

I have one on 150k still going strong, BUT has needed a lot of work when it hit this mileage, including: exhaust; discs/pads; radiators; brake pipes; clutch and flywheel etc. - so if these haven't been done recently it's big £££'s. As others have said, that amount of rust would concern me... Overall if you get for decent money, probably worth it.

A new engine from Porsche isn't like a rebuild from one of the Indies. They basically just fit a new engine that has all the same design flaws and resets the clock. So 75k on the first one, 70k on this one. Could last another 100k or could be a paper weight tomorrow. The rust situation isn't great but rust isn't uncommon on these despite what some say. Particular worry for me is the bottom of that front arch at the sill. How bad will that be under the skirt? Rear arches look about average. The rust at the rear screen is very odd. Never seen it before and that would worry me more than the others. Probably glass out to fix that properly. Although it does give the opportunity to do a proper wiper delete panel. It doesn't seem a bargain to me but then I'm firmly in the camp of thinking the C4S is nothing special and a fat arse doesn't deserve a premium.

For the money buy a c2 996.1. Great car more agile and Chuck able Than a all wheel drive car I bought mine 5 years ago test drove a c4s a leggy 997.1 and early 996.1c2 On the day the 996.1 was the stand out driving machine Just a thought

Getting that rust sorted for £600? Surely not. Gearbox might be knackered too!

Reading the add it sounds like it only has one non working key or both are broken. sleep mode ends when the lock is turned so I think they are trying to mislead you about why the remote does not work As others have said it looks tired and needs money spending even then it will still be a high miler

Even with a good engine (and that's still got 70k on it), it's a bit of a scabby car. Fix the rust and you've still got a high miler with worn interior probably needing a load of work underneath. I'd be more tempted to buy a project car with a blown engine but clean bodywork and underside. It'd be a one stop major fix rather than an endless list of minor issues. You don't seem fazed by an engine rebuild! Saying that, these are all getting on a bit and will require love and attention to keep them perfect. At <£15k I'd drop the requirement for a C4S and look for any facelift 996 but with a more favourable condition.

It has been repainted at some point as you can see the masking line, top right of where the rust bubbles are, may be a sign that the rust has already had attention and will probably need more work to rectify properly.

I agree with general consensus. That's a tired car. I couldn't own it as I can't live with rust and tired parts, hence I'd be spending a fortune trying to bring it up to scratch. It would be better to buy a nicer one in the first place. Having said that if you can live with it as a bit of a daily snotter, then it might be ok. I just think if the paintwork and everything is that tired what's the rest of it like? Suspension, air-con and rads? All big projects even if you do it yourself. I'd say save up and buy a nice one. Another £7k/£8k for a good one. You could spend a fortune on the tired one and it would still never be as good as a one that was better in the first place.