RMS Paranoia?

I'm hoping that I'm just being paranoid. Are the following pictures normal, or do they indicate a possible RMS issue? This is a 30k mile car that wasn't driven frequently, and has only been out a few times in the past year. Thanks, Jon

Alittle hard to tell but looks good to me, no fresh oil anywhere I can tell. Usually will show up as a drip on the garage floor.

looks totally dry to me.

Doesnt' looks like there is a RMS leak problem to me.

Relax and go for a drive, looks normal based on the underside view to me.

Dry baby, dry.

Looks good to me, Jon! Tell us more details.

RMS leak is where the engine and tranny meets...

Van, I'm flying out to drive the car home on Saturday. I've been pretty reluctant to post any details, because I'm pretty damn excited, and want to make sure that it's really happening. Car is a 2000 Carrera 2 with the factory aerokit, silver on black with the full leather interior. Mileage is 30k. The car comes with Bilstein PSS9's, GT3 swaybars (I believe), spherical bearing swaybar links, Tequipment rollbar, Fabspeed exhaust and a ECU reflash (I'm guessing the Fabspeed performance package). It will be my daily driver (no commute) and track toy for the 8-10 days that I do each year. It really is a smoking deal, made even better as the owner took my e36 M3 as a partial trade, which eliminated the headache associated with trying to sell a car. I'll post more pics, when the title is in hand, but as a teaser:

Great looking!!

Sounds like you've found the one you want! Hudson Champlain is going to the Glen on September 16&17 - and Lime Rock on Aug. 28...

I leave for a 2 week trip to Germany, September 19th, so missing work for the 16-17 is out of the question, but August 28th just might happen. I'll have to see what my finances look like at that point. (The Magic 8-Ball is saying "Doubtful") Rest assured I'll be out there in full force, next year. The Cups and Saucers event sounds like an excellent opportunity for a lot of track time. Any chance I can toss the car on your scales in the next month or two? The pics that I have make me think that the ride height is too low for my liking (and for the NY roads), and I might as well bring it up the correct way. I'll even let you evaluate it. -Jon

nice ride, good luck on the deal

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Totally off topic but I love photos of the underside of these cars especially the design of the exhaust system. It's amazing how much they stuff into such a small space and how it all works so well. It also helps explain why after a drive when I walk past the rear of the car I feel a tremendous amount of heat coming out of there. Two cats, two mufflers, and an engine all add up to a bunch of hot metal! Good luck with your purchase!

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Of course! I don't know how adjustable the PSS9 suspension is, but I'm willing to find out. I look forward to seeing it! p.s. I know what you mean about work interfering with personal life...

If this car is going to be a daily driver or something that you will want to take on trips, you will absolutely hate the PSS9 suspension. It is way too harsh for regular use. Great for track, but it sucks for street.

Factory suspension is coming with it, but ride is always subjective. I thought the GT3 suspension equipped car that I drove was a great balance for street/track. 5 years from now, my opinion will probably change. -Jon

Welcome! Your car is like my car twin. I have grey interior though. I installed PSS9s two years ago and have not looked back. You bought a sports car so it should ride like one. Beware of upstate NY winters where your bumper will become a plow. You will be better off getting a winter beater I think.

You won't be installing those stock struts. They'll probably be in your trash can in a month or so. PSS9s are adjustable both damping and ride height. I've had them for over 3 years now and am very pleased. Regarding RMS, this is how bad looks. Ask me how I know.

Congrats. Looks like a keeper. Have you had a PPI done? Like others have said, don't sweat the PSS9s; they are adjustable. I have PSS10s on my C4S [love it], had 9s on another car, and its a great setup for street and mild track/DE.

Yeah, I didn't/don't have any concerns about the PSS9's. Short of a set of race seats, and harnesses (and maybe a roof rack), this car is perfect for me. I'm definitely looking forward to it. PPI has been done, and the two shops that have maintained the car say that it's definitely a cost-no-object car. The only thing that irks me a bit is that the leakdown numbers were 8-9% across the board. That's a little high for my taste, but I'm hoping that more frequent running will help with that. We'll see what the future holds for a winter beater.

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your taking a big chance buying somebody else's track car.... sounds like the previous owner drove the **** out of it given it has GT3 bars and monobals... and your right about the 8-9% leakdown numbers... not good.... keep an eye on oil usage... these 3.4 engines won't last more than 2-300 hours of track time IMO

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The car was prepped for the track but saw very few days (from what it sounds like, less than 10, total, and probably more like 5). I'm more concerned about the fact that it sat around in a shop without being run, regularly. If anything, I think the PSS9's are more of an indication that it wasn't really a dedicated track car. Everything that I've read says that the PSS9's are way too much of a compromise for a true track car. Which makes them perfect for me. -Jon

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the gt3 sway bars and roll bars are something you do to a track car only... many use pss9 for the track for its adjustability... why don't you use a magnetic drain plug in the oil pan and see if any metal bits are stuck to it between oil changes... its a great looking car... hope it works out for you!

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Yeah, I've already been looking at some of the offerings from LN Engineering. The drain plug, deeper sump, and oil filter adaptor are potential candidates for my first oil change, as is the x51 baffle. -Jon

if your gonna track your car those are must-have upgrades... if not you don't need them..

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Well, I sure as hell didn't buy it for show.

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aside from ride height... on the softest setting, PSS9 are just as soft as the stock... and OK for the track, not really that great on the stiffest setting... excellent for street with occasional track usage... its the best for both worl IMHO.

yea, I was a surprised by that statement as well.... most everything I have read says "best of both worlds" - it is not the best track set up, and that many people like the ride height adjustabillity so they run them 100% street duty hmmmm

I stiffened my PSS9s so the car does not bobble going up a freeway on ramp with my foot heavy on the go pedal. That is worth every penny.

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for those wondering... the ROW 030 is a great alternative to PSS9... factory stuff... and includes new stronger sway bars and bushings... lowers your car a big (so you don't scrape) and is definitely streetable... I track quite a bit and am very happy with that suspension... no muss no fuss and its only $1K a common upgrade to for extreme tracking with slicks are the GT3 sway bars...