10 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
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Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHFirst time Porsche owner - Advice on C4S shopping
Leading reported evidence
Replace once you buy
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
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0
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1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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1
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Leading evidence: 'Replace once you buy' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check bore scoring' (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.
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Suggestion
Beyond that you can get the cylinders scoped with a bore scope to check for bore scoring.
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Suggestion
If you can get a durametric OBD2 cable you could check the engine information which will tell you if the car has ever been revved past redline.
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Suggestion
Find the car you like but check from the sump side for bore scoring.
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Suggestion
I skipped this when I bought my car, but had my mechanic check into it before putting too much money into it.
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Suggestion
Some people will tell you to replace the IMS bearing with an upgraded bearing from LN engineering whenever you service the clutch, since its pretty much just the cost of the part at that point.
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.
10 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261026T052503Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Hi,
I have always driven bmw�s and alfa�s, but now am in the market for a 996 C4S. I found one specifically by me in CA, with ~86k miles, black on black, 6 speed, turbo monobloc wheels, non sunroof, etc. I believe i would be the 4th owner.
I wanted to ask, what should I look out for on the service records / ask the seller in specific? IMS bearings? Any specific issues with this 3.6? I heard the 3.6 are a bit more reliable by the successor 3.8, but now sure how true that claim is.
Please let me know, all advice is appreciated!
Thank you,
Pasha
If you can get a durametric OBD2 cable you could check the engine information which will tell you if the car has ever been revved past redline. Important if it is a manual transmission. The cable will also tell you if the car has any engine fault codes, what they are, if the car has any misfires while running, etc.
Beyond that you can get the cylinders scoped with a bore scope to check for bore scoring. But this is more invasive/expensive. Bore scoring also effects the 3.6 less than the 3.8 and the direct fuel injection engines in the 997.2, so maybe that is what you heard about. I skipped this when I bought my car, but had my mechanic check into it before putting too much money into it.
As far as the IMSB goes, there are different schools of thought. You can check for metal particles in the oil, this will give you an idea if the IMSB is failing (or if there is bore scoring). Some people will tell you to replace the IMS bearing with an upgraded bearing from LN engineering whenever you service the clutch, since its pretty much just the cost of the part at that point. That is what I chose to do as well. On higher mileage cars, however, if the bearing is still in good shape, it might be okay. Failure rate is less than or equal to 5% by most accounts.
Are your plans for this to be a daily or a toy? Quick answer to your question is there is plenty to look out for but if you're planning on relying on this car every day I'd spend the money up front to get every inspection under the moon. If you just want something to play around with and can live with it being worked on a few weeks out of the year then you could play a bit more fast and loose so long as your stomach can handle all of the potential outcomes.
