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YOUR RESEARCHNew Owner - Any suggestions?
Leading reported evidence
Run over
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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0
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1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
I just ran her over from Fairfield yesterday 80-90 all the way.
Leading evidence: 'Run over' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Clean carfax' (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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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Either that or continue to use the shop I just used, even at 2.5 hours from my home.
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Suggestion · Original poster
So this week I closed on a 2003 911 Carrera 4S, 6 speed, Arctic Silver Metallic, black interior, a shade over 40,000 on the clock, and a clean CarFax.
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Suggestion · Original poster
No dripping oil, forensic analysis of my last oil filter was clean of any particles, clutch seems fine.
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Suggestion
Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to use a local INDY shop, as I didn't want to drive the car home after my purchase until the work got done.
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24 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261027T031046Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Good afternoon all:
Well, after a long absence I am returning as a Porsche owner. Back in the day I owned a Super 90 coupe, and later, a 912. I always intended to return but it took longer than I thought.
So this week I closed on a 2003 911 Carrera 4S, 6 speed, Arctic Silver Metallic, black interior, a shade over 40,000 on the clock, and a clean CarFax. Really excited. In my test drives it was just like I never left. The feel of the car, the pedals, and of course the power. Much different from my 912 in some respects, but exactly the same in the feel of the pedals and wheel. We haven't owned a stick shift in a long time but it was like I never left, the familiarity remains, heel and toe. Incredible.
On the mechanical side there is a very small oil leak on the front of the engine. Does not leave a spot on the ground, but I caught that in looking underneath on the lift at the dealer. An oil change followed by a "forensic" examination of the filter showed no metallic particles. I am planning to have the RMS, IMS, and clutch renewed in the coming months. But with winter just around the corner there won't be too much driving anyway, so I can shop it around a bit, although I favor going to the dealer. This is RI.
Any thoughts, comment, or advice? All welcome.
Regards,
Rick
Get it done when you can. I just purchased a fairly low mile 2001 C4 and although all maintenance records since new were provided, it showed mostly reactive things, rather than proactive maintenance. That said, when I found she needed an IMSB , I decided that while the engine was out I would do everything that required dropping the engine (and a bit more). Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to use a local INDY shop, as I didn't want to drive the car home after my purchase until the work got done. 20 years is tough on any car's mechanicals, and, as I have found out, lack of use and sitting in your garage is even more punishing (even in a climate controlled garage). I felt I needed to get things addressed soon than later.
Folks are free to do what they need to (and can afford), but I will not take my car to a dealer unless I absolutely have to. All that taking it to the dealer guarantees is a higher bill, but not a more talented tech working on my car. I am sure there are good techs at dealers everywhere, but INDY shops live and die by reputation. I am in the Northeast corner of CT and will be looking for a close by INDY shop to take care of the things that come up that are beyond my capability. Either that or continue to use the shop I just used, even at 2.5 hours from my home.
Just my two cents.
I am only 40-50 miles SE of you in RI. I am told there are several Indy shops in the Providence/Warwick area. Since I have just taken possession of my car I haven't begun to dig in yet and find/talk to them. My car seems very solid right now. No dripping oil, forensic analysis of my last oil filter was clean of any particles, clutch seems fine. I just ran her over from Fairfield yesterday 80-90 all the way. It seems that the CT state police are on leave. I'm in the outside lane doing 85 and guys are giving me headlights and blowing past. Incredible. But the car is squeaky clean, like new. So in the next week or so I'm going to talk with Porsche Warwick about various preventative actions, like the IMS, clutch, and RMS. Then I'll decide which direction to head in.
Thanks for responding. I'll post my progress.
BTW, I'm trending toward joining the camp that views the IMS problem as a 5-10% risk and so long as the forensics look good I may be able to squeak through and wait for the clutch to need servicing, then do everything. Just leaning, don't know for sure yet.
Welcome to 4s ownership, I have almost identical 4s except metropol blue interior. Had 21k when i got it, 56k now (30 months). I drive it hard, really hard, it likes to be driven hard.....but.......keep it under 3k rpm for the first 10 minutes every start until oil temp gets up, and then never below 3k once fully warm. It's a great year round car when equipped with proper winter tires. Best of luck and get ready for some big smiles.
Yeah, 3k seems to be a natural comfort point for this engine. So I have been driving her much as you said, maintaining a minimum of 2500-3500, although difficult in some traffic patterns/speed limits but sometimes that has me in 2nd gear for an uncomfortable time....such fun!!!! Today I went to the local Police Station to get the VIN verification. When I came out there were five cops standing around admiring her. Could be a bad thing, or maybe a good thing!
Thanks for weighing in...
Congratulations on your purchase! I have just recently realized my life long dream of owning a 911 with a similar 2003 C4S except it has 90k miles. You wouldn�t know it by looking at her though. I�m up in Montreal Canada and was fortunate to have and find the best Indy 911 specialist (shoutout to EK Performance). They replaced my clutch and RMS (had oil sweat, no drip, at the front also). I also recommend getting your oil analysis. Did mine with Blackstone and it felt like reading my kids report card when I got the report.
Congrats on your purchase! I have the exact same car with approx 58k miles. The C4S is the sweet spot in the non-GT 996 range IMHO. I too got back into the seat after a long break - in my case 14 years. So great to be back. Enjoy your car! FWIW I would find a good Indy shop for the iMS etc before heading to a dealer. First off; I think those guys just want to work on new stuff. Second, the labor rate is likely double that of a good Indy. Third: the Indy shops tend to be more experienced with cars of this vintage. Just my $0.02. Best of luck with the car. Please post pics!
Congrats... Just over the boarder in MA here - welcome back.
I am not much help on shops, I do my own work but, from the ones I have experience with - I would reach out to:
Bit of a hike into Boston but very good and I have personal experience.
http://www.germanperformanceservice.com
These guys get a lot of good reviews in Natick, MA
http://www.epe.com
Thats all I know enough about to suggest. Wish you many miles and smiles with the ride.
Congrats on the new car, they are really fantastic.
I would recommend you to skip the IMS, don't touch it. Your are more likely to just make it worse than better, at a huge expense. There are several examples of that here on the forum.
Regarding exhaust, try before you do any mods. Lots (all of them?) aftermarket silencers have a loud annoying drone around 2-2.5k RPM.
In general I would really recommend to go the original-parts route.
Hi Billup:
Thank you yes, I am doing my own research. And I am investigating local sources, including the big local dealer. But right now the car seems rock solid and I am not rushing into any solutions just yet. But all opinions are helpful because right now I am a newbie.
BTW, what does IMS(B) mean?
Thanks
Rick
"BTW, what does IMS(B) mean?"
Oh boy... It means you'd got some reading to do... Keep an open mind, but beware of internet quackery and those who pedal themselves as "engineering experts" with little to no hands on experience... Good Luck
* The one thing we all have in common is that we all love our 996's :-)
I'm in south east Massachusetts.
there's a shop on my home town - Hanover MA -called Conway Autoworks that does Porsches, his name is Kenny Conway.
And there's one a little further south in Raynham, I'm not sure the name but he's a former dealer tech and built a small shop at his house. He posts on the New England Porsche Facebook group.
People say IMS (intermediate shaft) rather than the actual IMSB (intermediate shaft bearing). Read up on failures and the available fixes/replacements. Should you decide this is a preventative measure you want to have done, many will suggest installing the Solution. There are also other kits available, which is why I suggest doing some research and not jumping the gun to listen to Nick_L.
Congrats on the 996, it truly is a drivers car!
Thank you. Much appreciated.
I really thank all the guys who posted. Every little bit helps.
I didn't get a manual with the car. I just spent an hour understanding how the alarm system works!!!
