28 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHPre Purchase Inspection Costs
Reported or suspected cause
catalytic converter issue$$$
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Reported cause
Several people have noted that exhaust rattles turned out to be catalytic converter issue$$$.
Leading evidence: 'catalytic converter issue$$$' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'catalytic converter issue$$$' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check chassis, body work' (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
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
they checked chassis, body work for damage, looked for leaks, electircals.
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
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
They also checked the onboard computer for over revs etc.
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
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
It was done at an Indy in NY and he checked over the entire car.
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
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
Mine already had the LNE IMS changed about a month before
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.
28 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: 20261026T135432Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
What is a typical cost for a pre purchase inspection? I had a shop in BC quote me $950 for a PPI on a 99 C2 with compression check, and $425 without compression check. He highly recommended the compression check, but I don't see any of these motors failing because of piston / cylinder / compression problems. If it was a leak down test it would tell you more, but just a compression check? Is it worth it?
Wow, I'm in North Carolina and my PPI was less than 200.00 USD. It was done by Eurowerks and Zuffenhaus a independant Porsche race/repair shop. I did not have a compression test, however the shop owner spent quality time with the car and a compression test wasnt recommended but he did offer.
I had 1 hr PPI done in Californa for $125 ... they checked chassis, body work for damage, looked for leaks, electircals. tires, test drive etc. No compression test however. I've heard as high as $250 if you want to do memory readout and compression test - but car was running stong, no smoke etc. and had full service history so I skipped that.
At my first service I found a couple of other minor issues (weak window regulator, exhaust rattle) that PPI didn't catch - so it pays to go to a real specalist (not just generic german auto shop) - but $950 sounds excessive.
I'd get a couple of other quotes in the area and make sure you understand what they cover - even get a copy of the blank checklist before deciding which one to go with.
My PPI was done in Conn. by a Porsche dealer...in 2006 for $165. They checked fluid levels,brake lines,fuel lines,power steering hoses, cooling system, hood latch,road test, lights, horn etc.,tire condition, suspension,brakes and so on. They listed items needing attention, but mine were all small ie, broken center console latch,vanity mirror covers won't stay up and others. The PPI prices and thoroughness can vary greatly from one PPI to another.
I am shopping for PPI too... $950 is beyond anything I have heard quoted. 8 hours of labor for PPI? Given the cost of repairs, I am inclined to pay extra to get sensible checks done. Several people have noted that exhaust rattles turned out to be catalytic converter issue$$$. Local P-dealer said there is no need for compression/leak-down testing unless the CEL is lit. I would rather check compression/leak down as I would rather know now versus after the title is re-issued!
..j
I had a PPI done also recently, however this was a Post Purchase Inspection (long story)
. I paid $100 for mine at an Indy: Midwest Eurosport here just outside Chicago. They did a full inspection same as Targa996 quoted "they checked chassis, body work for damage, looked for leaks, electircals. tires, test drive etc". No leakdown/compression. Overall it checked out fine, a few ingnition coils showed some cracks developing. They also checked the onboard computer for over revs etc. $950 sounds like a lot, even $450 without the compression/leakdown. I also had an oil change done and they cut the filter to look for debris. Mine already had the LNE IMS changed about a month before
so it was good to go. The Oil change cost $180 which included a magnetic oil pan nut (?? dont know technical name) that can capture small bits of metal. So for $280, got PPI and oil Change.
I would heed ivangene's advice and check elsewhere. He provides great support.
Good luck.
I'm hoping exhaust rattle is just a loose bolt somewhere. I had a bad cat on my Mercedes and know what that sounded like - this is more an occasional vibration at idle and has never done it when I have been able to crawl under the car to look. I had the car smoged and it easily passed - if I had bad CAT would I get CEL light or smog readings starting to get high ?
Had mine done at Park Place Porsche in Dallas. $200. No leakdown or compression test. I got a verbal report from the service mgr, but they NEVER sent me the hard copy report. I called numerous times with a promise from them to send the report and they never followed through. I was told there was a leak at the oil pump and quoted $3000 to fix. Seller scrutinized for leak and declared no leak. Guess what. Car does not leak or weap oil. But, this helped me to negotiate the price down another $1K. I was also told driver's window regulator was defective. It's not defective. They missed a defective turn signal indicator and they test drove it?? If I lived in Dallas, I would not take my car there for service. I think they were trying to get work at my expense. I'm glad I had the PPI. It saved me money and the cosmetic report proved accurate. My point is to use someone you can trust. I thought I could trust a PORSCHE dealer. Wrong. It feels good to vent that complaint.
Going to assume you're not quoting Canadian dollars, if you're in BC?
In USD, $100-plus (one hour's labor) for a look-over without compression testing, etc.
Another $100-plus for compression testing plus additional time for whatever else you want.
Total ranges from $100 to $300, having had three PPIs prior to my final purchase, on three separate vehicles.
I just had one done a couple of months ago on my 996 C4, and without the compression check the cost was $200. I was there while he did the PPI, and it took a little over 2 hours. Previously, about 5 years ago, when I bought my 928 S4, I had a different shop do it, and they charged me $150 and it took about 90 minutes.
did you get to talk to the fellas at Scan Automotive?
if you would like some folks to have a look at it for impressions after a ppi a buddy and I would be happy to check it out for you.
Wow, very generous offer, thank you! I did talk to Scan Automotive, thank you for the lead. They were great on the phone, and would be able to get the car in with a days notice. I'm still on the fence with this particular car, will let you know if I pursue it further.
When I purchased my car back in November of last year I had a full PPI done with a Leak Down test. It was done at an Indy in NY and he checked over the entire car. He charged me $475 which I thought was reasonable considering it included a Leak Down Test.
Avoid MCL...nuff said.
Avoid any dealership for performing PPIs on old cars while you're at it.
They're never going to like a used car and the estimates to set them straight will be insanely overblown.
@Hannibal: PPI costs will vary by city and vehicle in question. A water-cooled car will need much less engine diag than a 964 or a 993, where it's especially important that you have compression and leakdown. In general, though, a quality PPI with compression/leakdown runs in the ~$500 range.
When I was getting a PPI done, most of the shops I called in the San Francisco Bay Area didn't even have availability. Found one guy that did it for $600, no compression check, and had availability. Quite frankly though, it was worth it. I don't know how long he spent on the car initially, but he spent over an hour going over the results with us. Ridiculously detailed but informative.
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