996 potential buyer requests help please, many many thanks already

Hi all, I have a 993, love the car but I want something else now.... Have been looking for a 996 since a few weeks now. My budget allowes me to look for a 996 till 2001 (european model), so the 3,4 engine version. I would love the 3,6 model for looks and upgrades but unfortunally they come in a little too expensive at the moment. The 996 I ve spotted is a '99 C4, total milage 40k but with a new engine since 7k miles, which has been installed in 2004, I guess RMS probs ... yes I ve read the (maybe overrated) horror stories. The care comes with a complete Porsche dealer service history, is well taken care of, etc... I ve got a few questions, if you have the time. I ve read somewhere that there are early and late '99 models. The one I am looking at is a may '99. It has clear blinkers but those might be bought to sawp the orange ones. The late '99 are apparently the once to go for and apparently they are somewhat different in headlights and interior materials. Could someone please explain me clearly how to recognize them, maybe a pic can help ... Second request. Maybe a stupid one but, did the C4's also suffer the RMS problems ? .... maybe I answered this one myself as the one I am looking at was given a new engine. Third request, the new engine came but a Porsche garantue, but it was installed in 2004. For how long is such a garantue ussualy given by Porsche, 24 months ? Fourth question. I also spotted some '00s, are they in some way different than the '99s, other interior materials ? Fifth question, would you go for a well kept '99, new engine since 7k miles, total milage 40k ? Sixth question , if the car after a few months suffers an RMS problem , can it simply be fixed with a 800$ new seal ? Seventh question. When did Porsche started to install clear blinkers instead of amber ones ? Some other queston might turn up, meanwhile I thank you for your help, I ll be back Thanks, WSP964 aka WSP993

OK, Question 1: To my understanding the cosmetics of the 99 model does not vary, I believe e-gas was the big change. Question 2: The C4 also suffers from RMS, the AWD doesn't make a difference. Question 3: I believe in NA the warranty is 24 months, not sure about EU. Question 4: Again I don't think there are any interior differences between 99 and 00. The major cosmetic changes happened in 2002, different headlights, glove box, other small changes. Question 5: I would have zero issues buying a 99 with a new engine. Question 6: Yes, the RMS can be fixed. Most people out of warranty would wait until they need a new clutch and do both at the same time to save in labor costs. Question 7: In NA DOT requres orange side markets to date. In Europe, I'm not sure. Hope this helps! Good luck with your search. Rob

Thanks Rob for your input. The fact that the warranty falls this year still worries me a bit. Maybe I should consider to wait one more year for the 02 secondhand prices to come in a little. Then again, patience is not my strongest point. Thanks, Thierry

Getting an 02 would be a huge improvement, thats the facelift year and they changed alot of things for the better.

the tip that I hear a lot is get the newest you can afford.

From personal experience, because I bought a '99 with an engine that was replaced in 2004 and had 10,000 miles on new engine, the compression test done at time revealed no flaws, like a new engine. So that would be a good buying point. Engine pulls strong and I have had no further engine issues. So, if I were you, I would have the car checked out with care before you buy it,get a GOOD PPI done, but I wouldn't worry too much about RMS, as it is easily fixed and you can also find RMS in all water cooled Porsches regardless of year. Even 997's have RMS issues. I think 99's got a bad rap and that is exactly why they are more affordable. I personally think the 99 is a good deal at this point in time. Best of luck.