Buying an '02 C4S, PPI discovered oil leak/seepage

Hi guys/gals! I'm in process of buying an 02 C4S (~59k miles) and PPI, done at a Porsche dealership, discovered "front/rear main" oil leakage/seepage. They mentioned that it is minor and should keep an eye on it. The car already has IMS retrofit done (LN) so I was surprised to see this. The service adviser said that they have seen cars that are stored during the winter seep some oil during spring start ups. The picture below shows rear leak circled in Yellow, but I don't have a picture of the front. Last oil change was done about 1k miles ago (last Spring), oil separator was also replaced due to an oil leak last summer. What do you guys think - pass or proceed? I think the price is fair ($31k) given the condition of the car but do worry about this oil thing...

Not a deal breaker. And that's a pretty good price for having IMS and AOS taken care of. PPI find anything else? What's the color combo on it?

As mentioned, RMS not a deal breaker. Not sure where the other leak circled in red is coming from??

I'd rather buy good maintenance and a manageable leak then sketchy maint history & no oil leaks.

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well said

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Everything else was relatively minor. It has been tracked before. Silver W black interior. IIRC, there were lvl 1 and 3 over revs... I will double check this.

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Thanks. I just circled the red thing thinking perhaps that's where the front main leak is? Reading around, RMS appears to be ~1,200 fix and should be done when it's time to do the clutch. Clutch was previously replaced at 30k.... Just jolt sure about the front main seal. Was just concerned that I would have to dump a couple of grand right as I buy it....

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Only range one or range two one these cars: Range one - hit limiter (not a big deal) Range two - mechanical over rev (miss shift) if over 120 hours ago usually in the clear <120 hours ago in danger. ​​​​​ A likely possibility, with mine I needed: New water pump, new clutch, IMS, suspension parts, coolant tank... that just names a things the list goes on, its unavoidable that you wont need to spend money on whatever 996 you buy... +996 on maintenance records, although part of me questions why the owner has left these issues (RMS not so much).

Just checked, range 1 is 1,824 hrs. Range 2 is 271 hrs . IMS was fixed and it has decent service history - documents from the last owner are available and carfax had some details as well.

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Seems okay, keep doing your due diligence until your comfortable this is the one, private seller or dealer? ​​​​​

Just don't drive yourself crazy "digging". Expect to pay a few bucks making things right when you find yours. This one seems to check a lot of good boxes. I went forward with mine knowing a heck of a lot less.

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Let's change "digging" to do your due diligence/homework, car fax, ppi which you've already done etc. ​​​Car does sound like it's decent

Evidence of a minor oil leak would not stop me from buying a 996, especially when you consider the car is 16 years old. Once you acquire your 996 and start reading these forums that minor oil leak will be long forgotten, for you will discover so many more wonderful things to worry about. In addition to the purchase price, please have at least $5,000 in cash ready to put into your purchase. No one ever thinks they will need that much, but I consider that the minimum reserve fund for these toys.

That engine was leaking oil for a while. You are seeing seepage after someone cleaned the bottom of the engine. My guess from the picture is the oil pump from above, where the case is joined, or front seal in the red circle. And someone used a regular hose clamp on the thermostat hose and really clamped down on it. I would be concerned about who was working on the car. I wouldn't pay $31k. Buying a roller for $5,000 with a fully rebuilt $25k engine is a much better deal.

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Thanks for your input. Last year, work was done at a porsche dealership but not sure if someone else has touched it since. And looking at receipts, it has been in the dealership at least once a month during last summer - to me that is not a good sign. I am kinda leaning towards passing on this as @ 31k + potential for more down the road and it is touching a 997 territory. Would prefer not to deal with headaches right off the bat...

I think a $31K 996 in today's market should need very little. Otherwise, it should be $25K or less. Keep looking as I get the sense you are not comfortable with $31K + $5K (and you shouldn't be IMO).

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where are these sub-$25K C4S�s with 59,000 miles you speak of? Difficult finding one at $31K.

You are correct. Asking prices for these cars seem to be generally in the low $30Ks. I was unaware the C4S commanded such a premium over a Carrera..

I think at $31k and 59k miles, with IMS done, plus a new clutch--good deal if it has all the options you want.

Too bad you can’t see the wear on the previous pressure plate when the clutch was replaced at only 59k. I’d also be wary of all of the oil on the bank 2 head.

Two winter storage seasons now. At times into low teens, Celsius, outdoors, under cover, five months long. Lots of RMS drips from one newly replaced during an LN ims. bearing replacement. When things wake and the RMS swells up no probs. in the driving season. Can't say much of your red circle high lights though the yellows I've seen. Don't sweat the range ones...only the two's. As an add to Jesters post it seems the cost of C4S's are climbing here in Western Canada.

@dmang: Strange - usually, when you get an IMS retrofit, it makes sense to change the clutch and RMS while you're at it. Odd that this one would only have had the retrofit. What do you know about the shop that performed the work?

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Unfortunately, clutch was done at 30k about in 2011, along with IMS. I called LN, and they mentioned that the part available in 2011 was the one that should be replaced 4 yr/ 50k miles. So even IMS was past its age... Clutch was replaced at 30k in 2011. Given that the car was tracked, may be it is also due to be replaced. Ended up passing it. Even though the seller was willing to do the FMS/RMS, given that IMS was past its age, I just could not get comfortable with it. Oh well, on to the next one. One thing I've learned to realize is that there is no need to "chase" a car. All in due time... Thank you so much for everyone's inputs/comments/suggestions. You guys are amazing and looking forward to joining this community!