Flywheel and RMS question

My brother is looking at a 99 996 with 50k miles. The owner/seller told him the flywheel cracked recently and he got porsche to pay part of the repair, and at the same time paid to have a new clutch put in. Question: If the flywheel and clutch were out, what is the chance the RMS was not changed at the same time? How far away from one another are they? Any other big $$ issues (other than maintenance items like brakes etc) to look for in a 99?

Slim to none. But I have seen many a lazy shops cut corners b/c they don't have the proper tools. When changing the clutch it is std practice to replace all the seals while in there....RMS is one of them. My RMS has been sportless for 60Kmiles and just recently had a new clutch put it and it was a no brainer to replace the RMS to the updated seal.

Chances are, if they guy knew he was going to sell the car, he didn't replace the RMS... He probably had the area cleaned up, which would get it through any inspection... However, he may of requested the seal to be replaced if he knew about the leak...I doubt Porsche would replace it while in there just because they know they should, without charging him for ATLEAST the parts... If its not on the receipt, it didnt happen... As far as how "far" away the RMS is...Well, its RIGHT THERE...The RMS goes around the crankshaft, which is what the flywheel connects to. Yes it is a no-brainer to change if your seal is leaking, or you have the old style, but i don't think Porshce would fix it on a whim... Lastly, that is the most expensive repair that i have regularly heard of on a 99...Check the cam seal too, those tend to leak, but its an issue even less serious than the RMS, but of the same type... Brakes are a maintenance item and you can do them yourself in about 1hour(minus fluid flushing) and for $600. I just did every maintenance repair known to Man on my 99, and everything cost me circa $1000...This included a SSK

Thanks. I have a feeling it was changed. He told my brother (i am getting this from my bro) that he fought with porsche to fix the flywheel under warranty. Porsche agreed, but he had to pay out of his pocket for the clutch and then they changed the deal and he paid part of the labor but porsche for the parts.... then the story got blurry/i stopped listening because my daughter was doing something typical of a three year old. But i believe it was a porsche dealership that changed the flywheel and clutch. I will ask the seller to fax a copy of the receipt to confirm, but knowing it probably was done, and knowing it has option code 220 (lsd) with 222 and 224 make it a worthwhile car to look into. anyone know what 0991, 938, and 836 (or 636) are?

Is the seal leaking? To me it seems like you just want to know if it has been updated? In the end, it doesnt really matter. If it has an old seal and isn't leaking, who cares. If it has the new one, then great! The seal is an inexpensive fix. Less then 1000 from the dealership and less then 100 to do it yourself. Dont let the RMS be a deal maker or breaker! -Keith

not a deal breaker at all. he looked at the car today. 99 with 50k. next we look at a 99 with 34k. He will drive it about 15k a year. the new clutch is nice for a daily driver to and from manhattan, the low mileage is nice for a car he may sell in 2-3 years. The 50k owner bought it a year ago and just ordered an 07 997 he is owner three or four. The 34k owner bought it from a porsche dealer 2-3 years ago with 17k and told my brother he hasnt put a dime into it other than oil, maybe tires too. he is owner two. I think the 50k car is worth 27-30 and the 34k car 30-32 and would try to get either at the low end. I know these arent the only cars, but i dont feel like scouring the globe for my brother.