Help!! Looking to buy a '99 911 (long)

Hey all! Looking to step into a Porsche 911 for the first time. I am looking at a black/black 1999 911. Can someone direct me to a FAQ regarding buying a used 996, or give me some pointers as too what I should be looking for? A couple of questions off my mind: 1) I have read that early 996's had problems....were these problems taken care of in the later part of the 1999 model year? 2) The car I am looking at has the cleared front and back...assuming that the clears weren't an addon, does this mean the car was built in the later part of the 1999 model year? If so, is that better? (See question #1) 3) How can I tell if an interior has full leather? Is there anything visually? (I can't see the car in person yet as I am located 1000 miles away from the dealer) 4) How do you know if you have the Hi-Fi sound package? What's included in the pwr seat package? How can you tell sport seats from non-sport seats? 5) How long do the tires typically last for? 6) The car has about 13,000 miles....what kinda of maintanence should it already had done to it? WHEW! Thanks in advance guys....hoping to be a owner very soon!!

Clear light usually indicate later 99 model. Be sure to check the in service date. This will tell you when the warranty is over.(4 yrs) Have the dealer open the front hood and read to you all the 3 digit codes on build sticker. Then post the codes here, we can decipher them for you. THe hi-fi stereo will have speakers in the doors, not pockets. Sport seats have much larget shoulder bolsters. My 1999 996(very early car, sold 4/98) had a bunch of check engine lights and air bag lights. The dealers are pretty good about fixing them, as they generally know these problems. None of them are major, but can be a bit annoying. I say buy it, you will be glad. Make sure to have all the TSB's completed before you pick it up. TSB=technical service bulliten Good Luck.

It is nice to know that all the tech issues have been addressed with the early 99 models. Some have had more problems than others, however. My 2/98 build 99 model had all the check engine/airbag lights addressed with the prior owner.I have had no problems and the car is still running the original main seal and coolant reservoir. Here is a <a href="https://rennlist.com/996_faq/index.htm" target="_blank">FAQ</a> for the 996, could be a bit out of date but it will help. With 13,000 miles on board, try to get the dealership to perform the 15,000 mile service on it as part of the deal.

[quote]Originally posted by John Murray: <strong>Clear light usually indicate later 99 model. Be sure to check the in service date. This will tell you when the warranty is over.(4 yrs) Have the dealer open the front hood and read to you all the 3 digit codes on build sticker. Then post the codes here, we can decipher them for you. THe hi-fi stereo will have speakers in the doors, not pockets. Sport seats have much larget shoulder bolsters. My 1999 996(very early car, sold 4/98) had a bunch of check engine lights and air bag lights. The dealers are pretty good about fixing them, as they generally know these problems. None of them are major, but can be a bit annoying. I say buy it, you will be glad. Make sure to have all the TSB's completed before you pick it up. TSB=technical service bulliten Good Luck.</strong><hr></blockquote> Thanks for the reply John! Quick question: Unfortuantely, this isn't a Porsche dealer. Would any Porsche dealer be able to perform the TSB's? Also, would their be a cost for this, if not under the factory warranty?

First... don't let this list scare you. Most cars (all makes) have similar lists. Not all of these need to be performed and some are instructions of how to install options and upgrades. General Recalls TSB Number Issue Date TSB Title 1. 2/00 JAN 01 Campaign - Rear Engine Deck Lid Corrosion Service Bulletins TSB Number Issue Date TSB Title 1. 2/01 DEC 01 A/C Control Assembly - Malfunctions/Faulty 2. 2/98 DEC 01 Chrome Plated Tailpipes - Installation Procedures 3. 11/00 NOV 01 Engine Oils - Approved for Usage 4. 0101 OCT 01 OBD II - New Report Submission Procedure 5. 7/01 AUG 01 Navigation System - New Navigation Drive Unit 6. 4A/00 AUG 01 Engine - Purge Fan Wiring Connector Polarity Reversed 7. 1/01 JUL 01 Radio - CDR 220 Faceplate Installation 8. 5/01 APR 01 Alarm System Control Unit - Revised Return Procedure 9. 4/01 APR 01 Headlight Assembly - Moisture Accumulation/Ventilation 10. 1/01 MAR 01 Brake Booster - Design Update 11. 1/01 MAR 01 Child Seat - Top Tether Anchor Accessing 12. 7/00 DEC 00 Seat Bottom Cushion Cover - Uneven 13. 7/00 DEC 00 Clutch Release Collar - Creaking Noises 14. 2/97 DEC 00 Roof Transport System - Installation 15. 6/00 DEC 00 Selector Lever - Button Pops Off in Drive 16. 6/00 DEC 00 Trunk Microswitch - Intermittently Sticks 17. 4/00 NOV 00 Alternator - Damage When Cleaning Engine 18. 8/00 NOV 00 Wheels/Tires - Summer Applications 19. 3/00 NOV 00 Cooling Systems - Coolant Leaks at Clamps 20. 2/00 NOV 00 Cooling/Heating - Coolant Leakage at Hose Clamps 21. 4/00 NOV 00 Cooling/Heating Systems - Leakage at Clamps 22. 10/00 NOV 00 Intermediate Shaft - Chain & Seal Modification 23. 8/00 NOV 00 Cooling System - Leaks at Hose Clamps 24. 8/00 NOV 00 Cup Holder - Installation Procedure 25. 2A/00 OCT 00 Interior Trim - Noises in The A Pillar/Door Panel Area 26. 9/00 OCT 00 Wheels/Tires - Winter Tires, Snow Chain Application 27. 4/00 OCT 00 Spoiler - Retrofit Procedure 28. 12/99 SEP 00 Audio System - High Performance System Installation 29. 2/00 SEP 00 M/T - Squeaking/Clicking/Scratching Noises From Clutch 30. 6/00 SEP 00 Parking Brake Switch - Inoperative 31. 2/00 SEP 00 Hard Top - Creaking/Squeaking/Rattling Noises 32. 6/00 JUL 00 Wiper Arm Nut - Rattling/Rubbing on the Windshield 33. 3/00 JUL 00 Spoiler Kit - Front/Rear/Side Installation Procedures 34. 1/00 JUL 00 Body - Lids & Doors Delivered Without Seam Sealer 35. 4/00 JUL 00 Brakes - Brake pedal return spring noises 36. 7/00 JUL 00 Engine Cooling - New Replacement Radiator/Cap 37. 5A/99 JUN 00 Fluids - M/T, A/T & Final Drive Type/Capacities 38. 2/00 JUN 00 Interior - Noises in the Interior Trim Panels 39. 1/00 JUN 00 Interior - Noises from the Dashboard Area 40. 3/00 JUN 00 Interior - Noises in the Door/Door Trim Panel Area 41. 2/00 JUN 00 Front Strut Mount - Clicking Noise 42. 2/00 JUN 00 Sport Exhaust System - Installation 43. 9B/99 MAY 00 Engine - Consolidated Replacement Engine Part Numbers 44. 6/99 APR 00 Oddments Tray - Broken Cover 45. 13/99 MAR 00 Instrument Cluster - Programming After PCM Installed 46. 3/00 MAR 00 Engine - Updated Crankshaft Sealing Ring 47. 4/00 MAR 00 MIL On - Oil Filler Cap Loose 48. 1/00 MAR 00 Hazard Lamp Switch - Sticks/Binds 49. 1/99 MAR 00 Engine - Oils Approved by Porsche 50. 15/98 MAR 00 Air Bags - Passenger Side Deactivation Device 51. 13/99 FEB 00 Alternator - Revised With A Freewheeling Pulley 52. 11/99 FEB 00 Engine - Oil Leaks 53. 8/99 JAN 00 Differential Flange Seal - Oil Leak From Front 54. 10/99 JAN 00 Drive Belt - Torn or Damaged 55. 11/99 NOV 99 Radio Control ***** - Available As Replacement Parts 56. 9901 NOV 99 MIL ON, DTC's P0441, P0455, & P0422 (Filler Cap Seal) 57. 99 01 NOV 99 Vehicle - Year 2000 Hardware/Software Readiness 58. 5/99 OCT 99 Tires/Wheels - Approved Summer Types and Manufacturers 59. 8/99 OCT 99 Coolant Expansion Tank - Replacing With Engine R&R 60. 9902 OCT 99 Oxygen Sensor - Proper Care of Connections 61. 9/99 OCT 99 Fuel Level - Reads Low Fuel After Battery Disconnected 62. 8/99 OCT 99 Airbag Warning Lamp On, DTC's 45, 46, 48, and 49 Set 63. 9110 SEP 99 PCM - Control Unit Available as Spare Part 64. 2015 AUG 99 Fuel Tank - Difficulty Filling 65. 6624 JUL 99 Bumper - Installing GT Rear Side Skirts 66. 6420 JUL 99 Windshield and Rear Window - Noises 67. 6827 JUN 99 Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror (Exterior) - Install 68. 9110 JUN 99 Cassette Player - Whistling Noise When Playing Tape 69. 9110 JUN 99 Audio - Whistling Noises When Playing Cassette Tape 70. 6827 JUN 99 Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror (Interior) - Install 71. 6475 JUN 99 Rear Side Window - Noises 72. 9415 MAY 99 Litronic Headlights - Retrofit Kit Available 73. 6119 MAR 99 Convertible Top Latching Hook - Available as Spare Part 74. 9005 MAR 99 Radio - AM Reception Noise 75. 3005 MAR 99 M/T - Clutch Pedal Noises 76. 6692 MAR 99 Roof Transport System - Installation Information 77. 7231 MAR 99 Seat Backrest - Difficulty Tilting Forward 78. 6923 MAR 99 Child Restraint System - Installation Information 79. 4440 MAR 99 Tires/Wheels - Summer Tire Wheel Summary 80. 9068 JAN 99 Vehicle Security Codes - Requesting Procedures 81. 9212 JAN 99 Windshield Wipers - Rain Sensor Service Installation 82. 9068 JAN 99 Vehicle Security Codes - Requesting 83. 55737 DEC 98 Inner Door Release - Inoperative 84. 11505 DEC 98 Intake Camshaft/Hall Sensor - Delivered without Rotor 85. 003 DEC 98 Vehicle - Work Steps for Storage 86. 00335 DEC 98 OBD II Related Procedures - Revised Report Submission 87. 2870 NOV 98 Spark Plug - Revised 88. 1374 NOV 98 Crankshaft Sealing Ring - Replacement Belt Pulley Side 89. 6040 OCT 98 Sliding Roof - Noises 90. 4605 SEP 98 Brake/Clutch Pedal - Noise When Operating 91. 3735 SEP 98 A/T (Tiptronic) - Part Transfer When Replacing 92. 2634 SEP 98 Exhaust - Installation of Chrome Tailpipes 93. 0913 SEP 98 Hardtop and Wheel Storage System - Assembly 94. 2454 SEP 98 Vacuum Lines - Recommended Service Procedures 95. 9110 SEP 98 PCM - Available as Spare Part 96. 9210 SEP 98 Windshield Wiper - Intermittent Function Becomes Fixed 97. 4440 AUG 98 Tires/Wheels - Summer Usage Summary 98. 1559 MAY 98 Valve Tappets - Magnetization 99. 1546 MAY 98 Spark Plug Oil Protection Pipe O-Ring - Revised 100. 9687 MAR 98 Automatic Door Locks - Programming 101. 5765 MAR 97 Door Window Seal - Inoperative/Freezing

For whats its worth, i spent the last 4 weeks researching and looking at used 1999 996s. There are many multiple owner cars, many with accidents, many with after factory paint and many that are not in the condition described. This applies to both cars at porsche and 'other' dealers. Here are a few random insights from my experience 1) There is a diference between early an late build 1999 996, including, but not limited minor mechanical glitches and thr tell tale radio and colored lights. if these things bother you(radio and lights), they are not necessarily cheap to upgrade. 2) the carfax / autocheck is only a place to start your research on the car. It is ok for salvage, # of owners, geographic info and rollback but dont count on it for a second for accidents, hail damage, etc 3) If you call Porsche Cars NA ([phone removed])with the VIN, they can tell you the original selling dealer (good for tracking history, service records and previous owners), in-service date (remaining factory warranty goes 4 years from this date), option codes, and warranty history (did the car visit the dealer after it was sold). 4) Dont rely soley on the records you are given or not given. If you call the Porsche dealer where the car was serviced, the Service Advisors will tell you the details of the car service, accidents, etc, if you ask nicely. Also, ask them if they 'know' the previous owner...this says alot. 5) if you ask the owner or salesperson if the car has been in an accident and he/she says, 'it has a clean car fax' or 'there is no accident history', etc, this is a big red flag. You need to dig deeper. No History means they have no documentation on an accident, repainting, flood, etc ... not that there hasnt been any. Have the car checked out. 6) The best question to ask on accidents and painting, in my opinion, is, does the car have any non factory paint? This covers accidents, major scrapes, keying, etc. that would have required the car to be repainted. If they don't give you a definitive yes or no, ask them to have their body shop look at the car and / or put the paint meter on it. The paint meter should read approx. 4 all around and possibly a point higher on the hood and top. A private owner may not have a paint meter but every dealer does. It takes about a minute to check the paint so dont let them BS you on this. 7) after checking out everything, you are (politely) nuts to buy the car without 1) having it inspected by a professional for about $150 AND 2) seeing, inspecting and buying the car before you hand over the check. 8) Here is a crude checklist that i used. General *Where did you obtain the car? *When was it sold / purchased new? *Number of owners *Can I contact the previous owner? *Exterior / Interior color *Factory Options *VIN Number *In service date *Mileage *Service Records (scheduled / unscheduled) *Recalls, warrant repairs, TSBs, etc Exterior *Overall condition *Body damage *Non Factory Paint *Minor dents, dings or scratches *Stone chips on hood *After market additions Tires and Wheels *Size 17 or 18 *Wheel type (Turbo, Sport Design, Cup, etc *Wheel Condition / curb rash *Tire Condition / Remaining Tread *Alignment Interior *Any non functioning equipment *Overall condition of Interior *Excessive wear on drivers seat left side *Full or Partial Leather *Automatic Seats (partial or full) *Heated Seats *Sound system (CDR 210 or 220) *CD Player or Changer *Aftermarket additions Engine, Trans, Brakes, etc *Transmission type *Shifting smoothness *Engine Maintenance *Fluid leaks *Oil burning *Oil Pressure *Replacement repairs (clutch, brakes, transmission, etc) *Alignment Other Typical missing items * # of Keys (about $125 each to replace) *Manuals (about $140 to replace *Floor mats ($115 to replace) *Radio Security Code (priceless!)

Chops - I have a 1999 996. I bought it used, 15k miles on the meter, and have just under 98k miles today. When I bought the car, I think back in 2001, one of the things that they told me to look for, was Oil leakage. I am happy to report, that I have never experienced oil leakage. I have recently entertained the idea of selling the car, but am very partial to it. I have two cars that I drive, and live in New England. I put snow tires on the 911, and do drive it in the snow; although when it is really snowing heavily, I drive the Land Cruiser. Do not have an answer for you regarding the Clear front and back, but in my case, I replaced the leather on the two fron seats with Factory Leather, and I am fairly certain that the back seats are also leather. The power on my seats only controls the tilt of the backrest. The forward/backward movment is done using a manual lever in front of the seat. To raise/lower the entire seat, is also a manual switch on the side of the seat. Tires, depending, run 10-20k miles. I have 3 sets, so not an issue. Maintenence - I can NOT stress this enough. As a year around driver, I take extreme care of this car. In order to do this, and not go broke, I use a local mechanic. I have used him for many years, and have referred many of my friends to him. He is an independent mechanic, and works on both Foreign and Domestic cars. He has save me $$ over the years, and I suggest that you find yourself a similar situation. That's about it. If you have any other questions, pls feel free to reach out

Uh, this thread is 10 years old. I think Chops has moved on.

holy thread resurrection, Batman

I think it will be a good idea to look at the dates first before responding and reviving a 10 year old thread I agree - Chops probably have moved on

Thanks for letting me know that the thread was started back in 2002... I was just about to leave a message advising this guy to stick the hell away from a 996 with only 13000 miles on it.. Thinking that the car was at least 10 years old lol.

Guys - thanks for the heads up! New Member of RennList. Will check thread going forward.