Potential 996 40 year anniversary purchase

Hi everyone, first post here but hopefully the first of many if I take the plunge into 996 ownership. On that note, I'm thinking seriously about purchasing an older (cheaper) 911 over the coming weeks. I've seen a Porsche 996 40 jahre anniversary for sale at a local garage and would be really interested in your thoughts, comments and advice. My first thought was that even despite slightly high miles it did seem like a reasonable price @ £19995. On viewing the car, I would describe it as scruffy. All 4 wheels need a refurb and there are some scuffs on the bodywork, but all would be rectified prior to sale. It also has had 4 new tyres fitted. But speaking to the owner of the garage, the story gets a little more interesting....... Despite an apparent lack of love, the car has been regularly serviced by the local Porsche main agent. But the previous owner suffered a water pump failure and the engine overheated leading to bore scoring on two of the cylinders. The garage now selling the car replaced all 6 pistons and had a specialist engineering company re-line the 2 scored cylinders. Apparently the clutch and flywheel were replaced just prior to the water pump failure and the water pump has also been replaced. They have also agreed to replace the IMS bearing as part of the sale or fit the modified kit if I would prefer. The dealer will also provide a 1 year warranty and as local garage they have a pretty good reputation - albeit not as a Porsche specialist. So my dilemma is whether it's a good value project with most known issues sorted and a car I can just enjoy and slowly improve over time...... or whether there are too many unknowns that could arise as a result of the overheat and I'm just buying a potential money-pit. Thoughts and comments very much appreciated. Thanks Andrew.

Is this the one that was listed on eBay?

Why would they not have done the IMS when the clutch etc was being done, the bearings cost £15 to £100 depending on which bearing you buy the cost is the labour in stripping the bits they've replaced. Also who did the strip and rebuild of the engine? Your description of the car makes it sound as though it's been neglected. I'd be very cautious before parting with my money.

That sounds every inch a 'problem car'. I'd steer clear. £20k is top money for any 996 that isn't a really good C4S. Look for a 996.1 that's got under 90,000 miles and has been owned by an enthusiast with an immaculate history and then get it PPI'd. You shouldn't need to pay more than £15-£17k for a really nice one. If you're looking for a 996 that will hold its value then only a 996.1 or a really nice C4S are likely to do that. There are pretty much no special edition 996s that are any more desireable than similar non-special edition cars.

If it's at a dealer and still looking scruffy then that gives an idea of the invisible work underneath that may also need doing. My 996 looked ok but it's a 20 year old car so there are items that will wear and need replacement especially if it's been somewhat neglected in recent times.

If it's the one on eBay I wouldn't even bother ringing the garage as they can't even be bothered to write a description of it (same goes for the listing on their own website). ps: https://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews241183.html .......and I'm about to have my 2nd clutch fitted whilst leaving the original IMS bearing in there. I wouldn't be bothered if that had never been messed with. I would be bothered about anything the garage tells you.

Thanks for all the feedback and yes it's the one below. http://www.arnoldsgarage.co.uk/cars/porsche-911-40-years-anniversary-high-power I was tempted by the fact that's it one of only 200 (ish) RHD examples And has the power upgrade fitted as standard. It was also a local car with the same owner for the last 12 years and full main dealer service history. Just a little neglected. Plus it's 2mins from home so spoke to them in person yesterday afternoon. The engine strip down and rebuild was carried out by Arnold's although the re-lining was completed by an engineering company. But given the above feedback, I think I'll steer clear. Thanks again.

They're interesting cars, X51 engine, turbo front end, and those Carrera five spoke wheels would have had a semi-chrome finish from the factory. This one does sound as if it's had a hard few years, but all that really means is that the price you pay should account for what you're (potentially) going to have to fork out for in the future. I think 20k is strong money, especially in a falling market. If you want the car it might be worth stating your walk away price to the garage and seeing what they say?

The following article also made interesting reading and was one of the reasons I was initially interested. https://www.total911.com/996-40th-anniversary-coming-of-age/ Seems like quite an unusual car and full spec can be found at: https://www.40jahre911.com/the-story-of-the-40-jahre-911 Others for sale in the uk also seem to be asking strong prices - although I guess the key point is that none of them are selling...... UK: "‹ 0017 - ASM Cars Ltd (Arnolds Garage) in Haslemere/Surrey, England - 19,995BP with 90,000 miles "‹ 0634 - RPM Technik in Hertfordshire, England - 31,995BP with 72,000 miles "‹ 0638 - Invictus Motors Limited in Hertfordshire, England - 29,900BP with 141,830 miles "‹ 0749 - Kiwi Auto Exports in Singapore (previously/currently a UK car) - sg$49,800 Ex-works with 22,144 miles "‹ 0929 - Sarah Cox Cars Ltd. in Nottinghamshire, England - 29,911BP with 92,000 miles "‹ 1129 - Castle Classic Cars in East Sussex, England - 29,995BP with 54,920 miles

Have owned my 40th AE for around 6 years now and keep a general eye out for others coming up. Spotted that one the other day and noted it as it appeared to be advertised at a fair bit less than the last few that have appeared at various dealers - top price I have seen was I think £34k for a <10k mile one (no idea if it sold) with several in £25 - 29K range (dealer rather than private sales). As you say though, it's hard to know how close they got to that when sold. There were 124 registered in the UK as far as we know - the 40th AE register can be found here if you want to dig around a bit more: https://www.facebook.com/40jahre911...PgUjjffishxbMxd1lDSbUVNnJCHYcPAvI0rAHtZLtCJ4w If the last owner had it for 12 years and kept a full Porsche service record then one has to assume the car was pretty reliable up to now and at least had the basics done. Maybe he was one of those guys who is not too precious with his cars and just drove it and fixed it when it needed it (have a neighbour like that who treats his RS8 as if it was a second hand Fiesta, doesn't worry about polish, kerbed wheels and stone chips or road salt but happily pays for all main dealer annual servicing as he just wants it to start, stop and get him up and down the country come rain or shine). Not sure what the warranty they are offering covers so it's hard to say if the engine work, for example, would be covered. Suspect the suspension and brakes would need some work as well, just due to its age and mileage rather than any specific abuse. I'm biased of course, but it does have a fair few differences to the standard C2 (X51, R030, LSD, bigger Turbo rads etc) Guess it all comes down to price at the end of the day - like a previous post I think they are at the high end for this particular car, especially as it is likely to need at least some work to bring it up to scratch. If it's only a couple of minutes away surely it's worth a look over and a test drive which will give you a much better idea of what's needed. This time of year they might just be happy to look at a low offer to get it moved. If you need any more detailed info on the 40th in the meantime just PM me and can pass you some stuff along. Cheers.Ian

Yeah, I don't think they're worth those prices - X51 is rare, but not enough to command that on it's own, and bluntly you could turn an X51 into the same spec as a 40th anniversary for way less than (say) the RPM car. I'd value them at X51+ a small amount for additional rarity.

I'd suggest that this X51 C4S manual coupe at £23k presents significantly better value than the 40th A car.

A good reasonably priced car is a C4S turbo bodied, I bid on one last year at an auction but didn't get it, it sold for just over £13500.00. They're a good looking car, probably the best after a turbo and with 4 wheel drive are very capable. Most have high miles but that's not an issue as long as you have a good history and get a bore score check done, that is an absolute must do. Recently a C2S came up for possible sale in this area, really nice looking car very low miles 27k, cherished by it's owner in a good colour and most importantly FSH. A bore score check was done as a precaution and it came back with significant scoring in bores 5 & 6, the owner is gutted as he's been quoted over £7k for a rebuild. So even a FSH doesn't mean jack, you have to get the bores checked.

You know the narrow bodied ones look better Nick and if I need 4wd I use the Defender!! :grin:

You're paying for the rarity with the 40th AE. Same with any 911.