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THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCH2003 C4S with 71K miles - stay away?
Leading reported evidence
Replace i don't care
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I don't care that the bumper has been replaced, just any affect on the car's innards.
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Suggestion
You must of course subject the car to careful/thorough scrutinity looking for anything that needs attention -- even if it is not cause to reject the car what needs attention should have you adjusting your offer price downward to cover the cost of whatever needs attention.
Leading evidence: 'Replace i don't care' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'beating it has taken at the track)' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Adjust offer price downward' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
While it was apart, I had everything replaced inside (chains, chain guides, IMS bearing which the original one was as good as new, all the hoses, hose clamps, new water pump, had the engine head extrude honed, etc, etc, etc; about $9K)
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
That's disconcerting, since I blew out a cat on track and had it replaced under extended warranty.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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Suggestion
You must of course subject the car to careful/thorough scrutinity looking for anything that needs attention -- even if it is not cause to reject the car what needs attention should have you adjusting your offer price downward to cover the cost of whatever needs attention.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that suspect a cause
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Suspected cause
Other than that, I just developed what seems to be a radiator leak, and I did have the valve seat material break apart on me inside the engine which necessitated dis-assembly (but that again, is probably the beating it has taken at the track).
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Adjust offer price downward
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
You must of course subject the car to careful/thorough scrutinity looking for anything that needs attention -- even if it is not cause to reject the car what needs attention should have you adjusting your offer price downward to cover the cost of whatever needs attention.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
While it was apart, I had everything replaced inside (chains, chain guides, IMS bearing which the original one was as good as new, all the hoses, hose clamps, new water pump, had the engine head extrude honed, etc, etc, etc; about $9K)
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
beating it has taken at the track)
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that suspect a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suspected cause
Other than that, I just developed what seems to be a radiator leak, and I did have the valve seat material break apart on me inside the engine which necessitated dis-assembly (but that again, is probably the beating it has taken at the track).
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
33 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261027T150039Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Hi folks,
I am looking at a very clean-appearing C4S coupe today. It's got 71K miles and seller is asking $29,500. The car has had rear main seal and intermediate shaft bearing replaced. I'm a previous 930 and 965 owner but those are impractical here in New Hampshire as I want a car I can drive all year. So is this car's mileage something to worry about? Any major engine work to worry about soon? I had to rebuild most of my 965's top and the wife was none too pleased with me or Porsches.
If this car is worth pursuing, any recommendations for a PPI shop north of Boston? The car is in Somerville. Here's the post.
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...ingId=50705715
Thanks.
I dont see any reason to stay clear - sounds like the potential issues have been addressed already - there is no reason it sould not last 150k or more IMO
records of the work stated would be a MUST
guessing all the other service is documented as well. - you might find the car to be very enjoyable on some levels, and coming from the air-cooled side, a lot less work - pretty much get in and drive it
I agree with Ivangene's opinion. No real reason to stay clear. 71K miles is not that much.
You must of course subject the car to careful/thorough scrutinity looking for anything that needs attention -- even if it is not cause to reject the car what needs attention should have you adjusting your offer price downward to cover the cost of whatever needs attention.
You need to experience the car as a passenger on a longish test ride then repeat the route as the driver to give the engine time the engine controller time to if there's any engine issues (misfires, bad MAF, O2 sensor, or a weak converter, etc.) to identify the issue and turn on the CEL.
My 02 Boxster has covered over 239K miles. I see no reason the car you are considering couldn't cover that distance (or more) with no serious problems. (My Boxster recently required the passenger side VarioCam solenoid/actuator be replaced, at a cost of a bit over $3K but still this is cheaper than replacing what is a fine and in otherwise good condition car with something comparable.)
Sincerely,
Macster.
Looks and sounds like a good buy to me, as Ivangene stated, no reason it shouldn't go 150K or more. looks like the car was taken care of and not abused.
WOW Macster, when I first say the $3K for a VarioCam solenoid/actuator I thought that was a crazy price. Then I looked up the part cost and see that it now lists for $946. A couple of months ago I picked up a new in the box 1-3 solenoid/actuator on an eBay auction for $150. Missed the other side when I entered $1.50 instead of $150. I think it went for $125. In any case I am now feeling that I made a good deal, wish I had gotten both of them.
So based on the price I am assuming that you did not do the work yourself but had a shop do it. $2,000 in labor still seems a little high.
I have 103K miles on my '03 C4s now. The only annoying issue I have is the damn Catalytic convertor keeps on crapping out (I'm on my 5th one) but I do subject the car to track duty and cats, 911s and track don't mix well.
Other than that, I just developed what seems to be a radiator leak, and I did have the valve seat material break apart on me inside the engine which necessitated dis-assembly (but that again, is probably the beating it has taken at the track). While it was apart, I had everything replaced inside (chains, chain guides, IMS bearing which the original one was as good as new, all the hoses, hose clamps, new water pump, had the engine head extrude honed, etc, etc, etc; about $9K)
Electronics (which I fear most) are a-ok as is suspension/sub frame. I don't have a sunroof so I can't say anything about roof drains or sunroof motor or the like. Also, no extraneous chassis noises, creaks. She's really as solid as the day it was new. Amazing. First car like that I have owned.
71k is a baby, IMHO.
That's disconcerting, since I blew out a cat on track and had it replaced under extended warranty. Now that warranty's gone, I'm not looking forward to a 2k expense if it happens again....I guess that's what cat bypass pipes are for.
Miles on such a car doesn't scare me. Buy based on condition.
WRT solenoid actuator repair, I had this happen on my 996. Spent $1K to fix via indy shop compared to $3K the P dealership wanted to charge me.
The car has some nice options on top of the standard C4S package; including supple leather, carbon gear shift and brake handle, and painted rear center console from what I can see. I be the car was almost 90K new.
Are the miles a bit high? Perhaps, but that is why the price is a bit low for an '03 C4S. A thorough PPI should answer any questions. Could be a very nice deal.
Nothing bad, just sharing my impressions of the car which I just did. It's always funny when you see a familiar car pop up on a forum and I'm happy to help out someone who lives near by.
This car looks good to me. I just checked and realized that my C4S is 68.980 miles tonight !
Running like new, I just wish she had 150 more HP otherwise I can witness these cars age very well... take it to the stealer every year, cost me 800 bucks and the car seems indestructible - except the driver's door lock sensor that sucks.
Turns out car was hit, rear bumper replaced. I'd have never been able to tell. The car was stunningly beautiful with not so much as a rock nick in the front. I did feel a shimmy at 90 MPH which made me not want to go much further. I hope that's not a result of the hit. Owner says he will make that right. It's going to EPE in Natick tomorrow so we'll see what that yields.
No, I did not do the work myself. I have no where to work on my cars and really don't have the spare time.
I do get a bit (10%) discount on parts. The solenoid was over $700 and the actuator was over $800.
There are various fasteners -- camshaft cover bolts IIRC -- that have to be replaced and the tech encountered a frozen bolt on the header to exhaust pipe flange. Plus there are some seals/gaskets, sealant, etc, that add something to the cost.
The labor is extensive to get to the actuator. Service manager says it takes about 5 more hours of labor to R&R the actuator once the solenoid is exposed for R&R. To get to the actuator the cams have to come out of the head which means of course they have to go back in and their proper timing reset.
Oh, the labor rate at local Porsche dealer is $150/hour (and this is the labor rate in effect for all dealers in the bay area as best I can tell.)
Expensive repair I know but I can't replace the car with anything like it for $3K and so I had the work done.
Started the engine up last night after I got back from Santa Barbara (took a drive Sat/Sun in the Turbo) and the engine started running rough. I pulled the error codes and found 3 for misfires (p0300 and p0302 and p0306). Suspect the orignal coils are due to be replaced. Damn cheap coils only lasted 239K miles!
Sincerely,
Macster.
If everything checks out, I wouldn't hesitate buying it because of the mileage. I just bought an 02 C2 a couple of weeks ago with 78k miles on the clock. I think if the cars have been used / maintained right, mileage is not an issue.
As far as price goes, I don't think 29k$ is that high for a C4S, at least not in my area.
71 k mi in 8 yrs. not bad
check on in service date. you have 8 yrs and 80k mi on extended warranty on cats. mine went at 80250 mi. fun
if you like the car, and it passes a CPI, good price. and, take it for a 30 min test drive. any CEL should come on in that interval.
JB
Not just the bumper my friend. I checked that car with my paint thickness gauge and the drivers rear quarter was also worked on and repainted. Not a big deal since the work looks clean but I would have the shop look into why the left rear lense assembly has water in it as well. I had asked about the IMS and learned that only the RMS was done with the clutch replacement so I'm not sure how this got added in as a selling point. I did not like the feel of this replacement clutch though. It engaged right off the floor.
The best part of that car however was how the engine felt. It idled smooth, quietly and pulled strong. The shimmy you felt was probably under inflated tires as the owner once told me he never checks how much air is in them. They were squealing and the car pulled all over the road when I drove it and i wasn't even pushing that hard.
Good luck with the PPI and let us know what happens.
Whats EPE in Natick?
