Post-PPI advice, please

Hello All, I came to terms with a seller re: a 2001 C2 cabrio with 26K miles, triple black looks sweet. We agreed on $25K pending PPI. PPI was done today and shows: 1- small RMS leak 2- small leak in oneset of spark plugs 3- needs new rear tires 4- front tires mounted inside-out My question is what monetary concession should I ask from the seller? Thanks in advance for any advce.

Did they seller advertise the car as "perfect...no problems?" Is it a reasonable price even if you have to fix them? - The RMS leak is going to be expensive to fix because of labor. I would get an estimate on the fix and negotiate this one if you can. - Leak in one set of spark plugs? I'm assuming you're talking about an oil leak. Did you ask the mechanic/dealership that did the PPI, what might be causing the problem and what it might cost to fix? - The rear tires...unless the seller said they were like new, while they're expensive, I think that comes with the territory. - The front tires...WTF? I don't know what you can ask for with respect to this. Was there any damage caused? If not, while it might be stupid, then probably "no harm, no foul." Do you feel like the price you've negotiated is so good (to you -- not the rest of Rennlist) that the car is worth it even WITH these problems? If so, then maybe the seller's compromise isn't as critical. From what I can tell, it might be on the high side of market. Regardless, I'd take the position that you should negotiate some of these things -- especially the RMS and probably the spark plugs depending on what's causing the problem. -Eric

Did the shop that did the PPI provide estimates to make the repairs? Go with that estimate and maybe one from a dealer too and deduct from price.

Thanks for the help here; Estimate for RMS was 1500, spark tube leak 500. I was thinking have him absorb it all 2K. Use the RMS opportunity to do an IMS fix as well (on my dime). It's difficult for me to determine whether I'm at the high point at 25K or not going into the PPI..

I responded to your post over on Pelican. Agree with the above comments.

$1,500 for the RMS replacement is about right.The only big risk is if the crank is found to be off center. You could make this part of the deal, have him replace the seal before the purchase. However, if it was me and I was in there I would do a LNE IMS bearing upgrade for another $700 or so and this might be hard to do if the seller is doing the RMS before the purchase. $500 for the spark plug tube leak is a little crazy. You should be able to replace all of them on one side for about $100 in parts and an hour or so in labor.

Thanks KNS, Dharn, $23K sound reasonable, then? I pay for the reairs and kick in another 700 for IMS.

I would like to add to the "while you are in ther" list you didnt mention tip or 6 speed so i would say clutch set up if a manual and the stupid AOS for $100 is way easy while its open. Make sure the shop has done some IMS retrofits and knows what else to look for like mushroomed tensioners that might stick later on

Make sure you get the intermediate shaft seal replaced along with the RMS while you've got it apart. I think I'd ask him for the entire $2K, but be prepared to negotiate. He may offer to split it with you.

Interestinglt, neither of the two Porsche dealers in my are (North of Boston) had done an IMS retrofit. One of the dealers says they don't do it b/c they can't guarantee them. Spoke to one of the more popular indys as well....he doesn't do them. Interesting. Anyone know of someone in the Boston areaI can trust??? Help thusfar is much appreciated!

I'd go in and ask for the full amount and maybe offer to split at the end of the day. Doesn't seem like an unreasonable outcome and for $24K you're hopefully getting a car that you really want. -Eric

I want to take a step back and ask how the owner described the car. If my car had an RMS leak and oil in a spark plug, I would damned sure know about it. Neither of these two oil leaks would have been brand new. When was the last oil change - and what shop did that work? Did they miss such obvious problems, or did he not reveal them? I would talk to the shop. My shop notes maintenance suggestions on the service receipt. And what monkeys does he have mounting tires? Between the backass fronts and the worn rears, this car needs an alignment check now. What else doesn't he know about? I think you have more questions to ask before you start talking numbers.

All excellent questions, rpmsS2. The guy I'm buying from has 7 cars and isn't really knowledgeable about the Porsche. When I referred to it as a 996, he said, "no, it's a 911". Also he never heard of RMS or IMS. I believe him. The tires were mounted by a premier Porsche shop in RI. I have the receipt. Car only has 26K miles on it. Oil changed 5 times since car has been owned. No other data available. Only have this and the PPI to go on. He's agreed to come down another K to 24K. Lowest he'll go.

Looking for general ballpark here for cost associated with doing both at the same time. Seems the consensus is 1500 for RMS alone. What should I expect to pay additionally for IMS fix- including parts / labor? Thanks for any advice in advance.

Between parts and additional labor you are looking at ~800-1,000. And that assumes they don't find more stuff to fix once in there.

If I read your posts correctly, the owner changed the oil 5 times in 26k miles which is roughly every 5k miles driven,BUT, that means in 11 years with 5 oil changes, or every 2 years...NOT GOOD.

Based on everything that I have read, I feel the hairs standing up on the back of my neck. Not a lot of love for this car over the years. While the PPI may have revealed these elements, I might be inclined to look for a car that has been loved and driven by its owner....

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With the size of the sumps on these vehicles, and the low mileage driven, I wouldn't worry about the infrequent oil changes. From what I've read, most modern oils have enough bases (base/acid type base) to buffer any 'acidic' byproducts from combustion. I would not expect any corrosion or ill effects from oil that was 24months in an engine. Sounds like it was driven rarely. my 2 cents

so did you buy it?

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I'd have to say that a once a year oil change is highly desirable over a biannual change.GL