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YOUR RESEARCHMade an Offer on This 996 C4S, Please Give Advice
Leading reported evidence
Inspect leaks, or other signs of issues, the cv boots
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Unsuccessful attempts
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Read evidence and context
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
This is when the car will be lifted in the air and the front diff inspected for leaks, or other signs of issues, the CV boots for tears/cracks, the cardan shaft for any play, and of course the rest of the drive train and the rest of the car for any signs of issues, fluid leaks, and so on.
Leading evidence: 'Inspect leaks, or other signs of issues, the cv boots' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check car's systems out' (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
They have replaced a few front diffs with the only symptom is noise.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I had the fluid changed at my scheduled 90K maintenance, and that seemed to quiet it down a little bit.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
The mileage is still low enough that the fluids won't have been changed.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
It is just a used car so a thorough used car check out is paramount.
Inspect leaks, or other signs of issues, the cv boots
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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
This is when the car will be lifted in the air and the front diff inspected for leaks, or other signs of issues, the CV boots for tears/cracks, the cardan shaft for any play, and of course the rest of the drive train and the rest of the car for any signs of issues, fluid leaks, and so on.
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27 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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I have been looking for a 996 way too long and have made an offer on another car. They called me today with a reasonable counter-offer. Please give a look and tell me what to watch out for about the AWD system. If they accept I will pickup car this week. Thank you.
http://www.texasimportsales.com/web/...Texas/1077466/
Not sure there's really much for you to watch out for on the AWD system. The mileage is still low enough that the fluids won't have been changed. I guess you might want to confirm that the tire/wheel sizes haven't been changed to avoid any rotation speed differences. Otherwise, as long as you start it up and see the PSM system working you're probably in good shape.
Finding the right car for you can take time. Relax. This is not a race.
The car from the pics looks ok to me. Nothing out of place.
The only small (very small) "thing" I noticed were the rear brake rotors looked a bit scored but that's it.
When I have talked to the techs about my Turbo's AWD system, which is the same system used in the car you are looking at, they have told me their experience is it is a very robust system. They have replaced a few front diffs with the only symptom is noise.
Also, there have been a few (very few) cardan shafts act up, not so much the shaft but one of the bearings in front diff housing that gets noisy and the shaft develops some play.
Take a test ride in the car. Take it for a test drive. I doubt you'll be in a situation you can even note the AWD system is working -- even driving my 03 Turbo in a couple of inches of snow with (new) summer tires mounted I really never felt anything that made me go "oh that's the AWD system..."
Just be sure under straight line and in right and left hand turns with acceleration or braking the diff, the entire drive train, is quiet, no groans, clunks, or any odd movement at the steering wheel.
Lastly, do not focus so much on the AWD system that you ignore the engine or the rest of the car.
It is just a used car so a thorough used car check out is paramount.
After the test ride/drive check the car's systems out.
Then get a PPI. This is when the car will be lifted in the air and the front diff inspected for leaks, or other signs of issues, the CV boots for tears/cracks, the cardan shaft for any play, and of course the rest of the drive train and the rest of the car for any signs of issues, fluid leaks, and so on.
Sincerely,
Macster.
I believe I commented on this particular in one of your other threads. If it is as good as the photo's make it look it seems worth pursuing the due diligence. I have had no issues with the AWD on my C4S, but it is just approaching 35K miles - I put 12K miles on it in the past 12 months.
It is superb handling machine - but I don't think the AWD is what some folks expect it to me - meaning I doubt that it is the kind of snow car that some people might expect it to be.
Price, especially if you are negotiating below the internet price, could be a steal. But if the car is not truly straight, purchase price won't mean a thing.
I hope it works out, I know you are sort of chomping at the bit to be behind the wheel, and I am sure that all of us fully understand that feeling.
Be very careful buying from that dealership. In fact, they are very close to RAC in Addison, and I would insist that the car goes there for a PPI before you exchange any $$$. My guess is they will refuse to allow RAC to do the inspection and give you some BS about RAC being way too picky. I'd believe what Hans and his team at RAC say about any car before I bought it.
Consider yourself warned based on personal experience. Do not rush this deal no matter how good it seems until the PPI is done.
Just to make sure the OP does not miss this.
Dude......really, slow down and take your time and do not force yourself to buy a Porsche just because you just got to have one.
Based on your several threads, I have seen your choices/picks change in a span of a few days. The right car is out there for you. You will know it and won't even have to ask the opinions of "strangers" here.
From my research over the years, it is very rare for the 996 C4/C4S/Turbo AWD system to break - it's a good system based on the Japanese-engineered Subaru AWD system (of several years ago, mind you) that is based on vanes, silicone, and differential axle speeds. It's not like the AWD from the 964s and 993s, as these had complex mechanical AWD systems that would need expensive overhauls at least every 100,000 miles.
Looks great!
I think the only potential issue with the AWD system is the need for a rebuild or replacement of the front differential. I believe this is uncommon, although it did happen to me (at over 100K miles). It was expensive, but now it's fixed and as good as new.
The C4S is a great car...
I'll echo the other advice here. GET A PPI. For many, including myself, this is an emotional purchase. Do your best to remove that piece from the transaction. It doesn't look like this combination is a rare one, and as others have said, there are plenty of fish in the sea...
But get the PPI. That process isn't perfect and is no guarantee, but it is a must. Be prepared to walk away.
Well, they accepted the offer. If all goes well I will pick the car up this week. I hope the dealer is being up front about the car and its not another huge let down. I am trying to reach Hans about the PPI. Thanks all.
Hans is setup to do the PPI at RAC. If it passes with no major issues, this is my first Porsche. I have to admit Im excited about getting the car. Dallas is only about 5 hours from me. Thanks.
It began with a little gear whine from the front end. I had the fluid changed at my scheduled 90K maintenance, and that seemed to quiet it down a little bit. However, the whine came back after a few thousand miles. Over a very short period of time, the whine became an alarming noise from the front end that almost sounded like a belt slipping. It happened most frequently on deceleration.
When my indy got it apart, it was obvious that the bearings were worn out. One of the cages that retains the bearings was damaged to the point that the bearings were about to spill out into the differential case. Fortunately that didn't happen. Porsche considers the front differential to be a non-servicable part. The replacement part alone is ~$7,000. I considered a used part that somebody had taken from a turbo to convert it to a pseudo-GT2 (quite common), but ultimately my indy was able to get the parts and do a complete rebuild (including a new viscous coupling). Everything's good now!
I looked at that car online for a while. Somehow I remember it had 7 owners but I don't see a carfax anymore online. Maybe they took it off because that was causing the car to sit on their lot. But if you decide to keep the car for a long time then you won't have to worry about resale value.
First and foremost I would NEVER buy a used car from any Mexico bordering state, 'way to much chance of getting a "salvage" car without being so labelled.
Second, if you truly have need for R/awd only the later 997 models with the electromagnetically actuated coupling clutch, PRE-EMPTIVELY engaged clutch, will suffice. The VC implemention is only functional, can only be function with PSM (TC) OFF. TC does not allow even a smidgin of wheelspin/slip therefore the VC will forever remain flaccid. Even with TC disabled you would be hard put to get more than the 5% or so of "base" rear to front torque coupling.
For those Subaru fans...the new WRX has a (much) looser VC torque coupling onset via reformulation of the VC fluid since TC never allows it to engage anyway.
Also don't get any car in a state bordering the ocean or a state that gets snow. In fact to be really safe don't get a car from any state. I also have some ocean front property in Arizona for sale.
