Thoughts on this 1999 996...

What is everyone's thoughts on this 1999 996? I've got a deposit based upon a PPI and questions about the IMSB. Also, they are not budging on the price, but from what I've seen, it might not be that bad. Used 1999 Porsche 911 For Sale | Atlanta GA

Fair price. Do you have any maintenance records. I have a 99 Carrera and paid all little more for it. What was checked on this vehicle?

Looks pretty nice. I would recommend that you specify the shop doing the PPI will pull the oil pan. When things start to come apart, the pile up on the oil pan. Inspecting for metal in the bottom of the oil filter housing will only show very fine stuff that can get through the oil pump strainer. Remember, there is more than just the IMS bearing that can make these engines fail. I would also see if there are records of the clutch being replaced. 80k is about average life on these clutches. 80k doesnt scare me on a 996, but I would do a bearing asap, assuming the pan doesnt have anything to scary sitting on it.

Good info guys. Nothing's been checked yet. Just called this am. Asking about records.

I would plan on clutch/ims regardless unless its been recently done and can be proven, it looks pretty clean by the pics, get a ppi, check cam deviation, dropping the oil pan will include the cost of an oil change....so be prepared to spend a few hundred bucks and walk away.... I would plan on at least 1500-2500 in service on top of the sale price....it probably needs its 60k service which is everything from spark plugs and all the fluids to the clutch/ims.....I'm basing this on no service records.... I would also see if it came from a trade in or from auction.....

Bell, are your numbers based on DIY or a shop. I do all my own work. What else besides the imsb can go wrong in these engines? Edit: on my phone: what clutch would you use and what imsb kit would you use? You guys are making me nervous.

Sachs OE clutch kit, LN bearing kit..... Very DIY friendly. Book shows 5.4 hours to do clutch and remove flywheel. If first time you should be pretty close to that. IMSB doesn't take much longer to do once you have the flywheel off.

Checking the cam deviation reading is a good stating point. If your doing your own work as I do than you must have a diagnostic tool such as Porsche system 2 or a durametric. A wearing bearing will throw the timing off.

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I do my own work, but don't have tools like you mentioned. I'll add that to the growing list of questions I have.

Here's a growing list of questions I have. Any others to ask? Records? Factory exhaust? Tips look big. What kind? Factory wheels? Look like 19's? What brand? How much tread left? Factory aero kit? Has the ISMB been replaced? Has the clutch been replaced? RMS replaced? Original radio available? Cam deviation reading? How often the car has seen the rev limiter? Shift knob worn out? Need higher resolution pictures. Trade in or auction car? Paint and body work?

Do the tips look like this.

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I work for an Indy Porsche shop so those figures include shop labor (we charge 90/hour and give a 10% pca discount on labor) The OEM Sachs clutch is a great piece, also keep in mind these cars use a dual mass flywheel......they can be petty expensive, of the 10 our so clutches I do a year maybe 2 need the flywheel replaced.....you cannot resurface them, but you should scuff the surface, I use 220 grit Emory cloth in a circular motion. Don't be scared, there are generally great cars, cover the major stuff, its all you can do anyway...... Get it on a regular service schedule, and drive it. If you diy buy the durametric cable setup, it'll do everything you need to do except recode keys to the alarm......

Just took another close look at the pics.....it really looks ok.....better than allot of the comparable millage cars I've seen.... Curious on the exhaust...... Oil leaks?..... Don't be too overbearing to the dealer selling it, forward all your concerns to the shop that will do the ppi, as the dealer probably will have no idea and will take ” all your questions” as you're being a pia......I have done many many ppis, and deal with many different dealers.....this is my opinion of course...... Most importantly, get the ppi done and be ready to move on it if everything checks out, and ready to walk away if out doesn't :-)

No, they look much bigger. Not coffee cans, but bigger.

It sounds like the tips has been replaced or the exhaust system has been worked on. That.s a question you might want to address however if the vehicle was purchased at an auction they probably won't have any history on the car. Get it checked out.

Would you trust the Porsche dealer across the street owned by the same company? Not sure who else or how to get it over to another one.

Spoke with the Porsche dealer. A PPI is $200. I've asked about the oil pan being pulled and the cam deviation. Service is getting back to me on the last two items.

Cam deviation check takes about 5 seconds once the scan is started, which they should be doing in a PPI. Ask for all data out of the ECU. Not sure I would trust the same company to do the PPI, unless you have a relationship with them and know they are good and honest. On the other hand, is it is the same company, have them comp the PPI and provide a few months of warranty as a show of good faith and that they are willing to stand behind their vehicle and PPI.... Cheers

Good ideas Jeff. Thanks. Talked to the sales guy today. He said the mufflers were cut off and straight pipes/tips installed, but they will reinstall the stock ones. Also, the clutch and imsb were replaced at 60,xxx miles. He's looking at getting copies receipts of the work done to be valid. PPI scheduled for Friday. So if that works out, looks like I'll close on it Saturday. So far, they're not budging on the price, but it's probably a fair one.

Hi, First of all, if that car passes the PPI, it is a steal. Now is when most folks get emotional and jump on their find. I highly recommend that you do NOT do the PPI at a shop that is associated with the business selling the car. I am not a fear monger when it comes to owning one of these cars. That being said, these cars do have some issues and you have to take every step to ensure you know what you are buying. I agree with the others - pay the extra 100 bucks in labor to find out what lurks around the oil scavenge screen. Others are going to jump on me for this, but, it is my OPINION. If the car is in the shape it looks to be in, with a wing and 80K miles, the price is a little low. 16K is price I would expect to see on a straight up coupe in good - not great condition - with 75-95 thousand miles. Like I said earlier, if the car passes a PPI from a shop not associated with the seller, I will be the first to congratulate you on your new ride!!! Ray

The shop/dealer relationship is interesting. We do a lot of PPI's on cars that come from dealers we have a good relationship with. We maintain cars they have sold, we inspect cars they buy and we inspect cars (for buyers) that they sell. In all cases we are honest and forthcoming about what we find. The fact that we have a good relationship with a dealer does not have any affect on the PPI. What we have found is that if a car doesn't fair as well as the selling dealer thought it would, they respect us and take care of the issues as they do not want their brand tarnished by selling a car that needs issues taken care of. I realize this relationship doesn't go as smoothly for all, but for us it works great. When everyone invovled is honest, the sale works out best in everyone's interest. So long as you feel comfortable with the tech doing the PPI, all should be OK (in theory )

Thanks for the info Ray. I'm looking for another shop and how to get it back and forth. It's trying being 350 miles away. Ill have them take pics of the oil pan.

Jeff, being owned by the same guy and a big multi car dealer in Atlanta, I'm hoping that if I can't find an Indy, then they are at arms length enough to not cover for one another. I'm trying to see if I can get a friend to be there when they do the ppi and drop the pan. Anyone looking for something to do on Friday?

I will be in atlanta, but not til Nov 6th. Might not want to wait that long...