Buying, please help

Guys, i've been reading and learning alot from you...Thanks I'm looking at an 02 C2 and am scared to death of RMS...after reading all the posts about the subject. I ran the VIN through the dealer\ porsche data base and nothing popped up on the history. The daler wasn't enthusiastic about taking the time for this. The owner also says no problems ( can't trust that though) the car has 13,000 miles and certified warranty til July 2008. Should I worry about this problem with RMS? On some threads people talk about engine replacement. That scares the **** out of me if it's out of warranty and I plan to keep the car long term. What determines whether you pay 1,000 to fix the seal VS. having to replace the engine. THe VIN search turned up something to do with a transmission sleeve . What is that? Thanks, Skipp

I wouldn't worry about it. But if it keeps you up at night, don't buy a Porsche. They're great cars, but expensive to maintain (relatively speaking).

DOOD relax, it's just an oil leak. it's not like the engine explodes and dumps a sh!tload of oil like in the M3 the tech checks the crankshaft bore for out of roundness. if it exceeds the tolerance then you MAY get a new engine. if it within tolerance you get a new seal. out of warranty, the repair is like 800 bucks.

Out of warranty a new engine is like 8,000 bucks.

true, but there really is no NEED for a new engine. the RMS is not like a catastrophic failure. if you get it replaced by a dealer you automatically get a 18~24 month warranty. just hope if it goes out again you are within the warranty period. if you are beyond the warranty, consider it wear and tear. kinda like new brakes

Guys, I really appreciate your input. SO, its a threashold thing as to whether its a new engine or just fix the seal and all it's gonna cost is 800 to 1,000 bucks if it does screw up? That's not so bad. Would you ever need a new engine from damage done by the oil leak if the oil leak is caught before too much oil leaked out? Are the new engines really necessary in these cases, or being done to make buyers of expensive cars happy with the purchase. What is a transmission sleeve replacement? Thanks, Skipp

Skipp - Let me see if I can put RMS in perspective. Are you married? If so, you have had to put up with PMS every month for X years, right? So why are you worried about the very slim chance that you MIGHT have to deal with RMS once? Seriously, slim chance, relatively low cost. Hell, two new rear tires will cost you almost that much every 10 to 15 thoudand miles! Now, don't you feel better? Don't worry about it! Just buy it and drive it... HARD!

TIm, Great analogy....if it's not such a big deal, why do people on this board constantly say, " run, don't walk" away from any car that has had this issue repaired? Thanks, Skipp

Every Porsche model has their own ills. The RMS issue has been beaten to death and is still an oil leak that can be fixed. You engine will not go "boom" from an RMS leak unless you don't watch you engine oil levels. A RMS fix and a new/reconditioned M9603 is relatively cheap compared to a complete engine rebuild for an earlier air cooled engine. I just plopped down over 6K for parts to rebuild my 911SC motor after it bent a valve and cracked a cylinder head so you need to keep things in perspective. Porsche does not make Toyota type engines. Porsche motors have always had their issues and the M96 motor is no exception. It has however shown to be very reliable aside from the RMS issue, which in comparison to previous motors is not much of an issue.

thanks very much