20 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHWhat should a PPI from a Porsche Dealer entail?
Leading reported evidence
Replace cabin filters, too
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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 · Original poster
They did change the Oil and filter, brake fluid flush, new water pump, thermostat, wheel alignment, replaced the oil pan (bottomed out) and got rid of an active rodent's nest from the previous owner, so I changed the cabin filters, too.
Leading evidence: 'Replace cabin filters, too' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace cabin filters, too' (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.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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
change the Oil and filter, brake fluid flush, new water pump, thermostat, wheel alignment, replaced the oil pan (bottomed out) and got rid of an active rodent's nest from the previous owner, so I changed the cabin filters, too" and a PPI.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
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.
Suggestion · Original poster
I purchased a 2004 996 C4 and brought it over the my local Porsche Dealer and told them to change the oil and do a full PPI.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
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.
Suggestion
The compression test + leak down test was $350 on top of the PPI and included the
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
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.
Suggestion · Original poster
That was what I wanted and was told they don't do the compression test/leak down test with the PPI.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Replace cabin filters, too
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 · Original poster
They did change the Oil and filter, brake fluid flush, new water pump, thermostat, wheel alignment, replaced the oil pan (bottomed out) and got rid of an active rodent's nest from the previous owner, so I changed the cabin filters, too.
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
change the Oil and filter, brake fluid flush, new water pump, thermostat, wheel alignment, replaced the oil pan (bottomed out) and got rid of an active rodent's nest from the previous owner, so I changed the cabin filters, too" and a PPI.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
20 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Outcome without a verified action link
Paint thickness, brake and tire wear, "What looks looks like it needs to be replaced" (sounds like this is what you got,) the condition of the interior and exterior, notes about things that didn't work on the car.
I did it backwards, I know. I purchased a 2004 996 C4 and brought it over the my local Porsche Dealer and told them to change the oil and do a full PPI. They sent me a nice video telling me that this and that needs to be done, and in person, tole me about some other items needed attention. The PPI was a $665 item on the bill. So I was charged for it, but what do I get for it?
They did change the Oil and filter, brake fluid flush, new water pump, thermostat, wheel alignment, replaced the oil pan (bottomed out) and got rid of an active rodent's nest from the previous owner, so I changed the cabin filters, too.
I asked for a breakdown of what was found on the PPI and I was forwarded an estimate of repairs (before I OK'ed the above items). Any thoughts before I ask any further? I'd like to have some back up of what I should expect.
Thanks in advance.
Pictures, paint meter readings, DME report, oil filter should have been cut open and examined, sump dropped and examined. Thats a basic one. For the total cost you spent, including all the work/maintenance I think you got off easy.
My PPI was done by an independent mechanic 4 years ago, fyi, but it cost about the same and included a compression test and leak down test.
The PPI itself was $300 and was basically like the "100-point" inspection you'd get anywhere. Paint thickness, brake and tire wear, "What looks looks like it needs to be replaced" (sounds like this is what you got,) the condition of the interior and exterior, notes about things that didn't work on the car. The major note on mine said that the clutch felt old and heavy, which was true. I valued this because I didn't know what a good 996 was supposed to look like at the time so I liked having the opinion of someone who had seen a bunch of them.
This was delivered to me as a multi-page written report with photos.
The compression test + leak down test was $350 on top of the PPI and included the
report of those numbers.
Sounds like for what you paid you deserve a little more meat on your plate. The dealership is probably just counting on you coming in for the work. For such a ****-poor report I'd consider asking them to strike the $650 from your bill if you get the work done with them. Good luck!
That seems like you got a lot of work done for $665 to me. Doesn't seem like they addressed the reason you came in however which was to have a proper PPI done!
Why do people continue to get PPI's after buying the car? WTF is the point?
My apologies.
After reading Dr. Strangeloves comment I thought I may have missed something, and I definitely did.
Thought you stated you got all the work done "
change the Oil and filter, brake fluid flush, new water pump, thermostat, wheel alignment, replaced the oil pan (bottomed out) and got rid of an active rodent's nest from the previous owner, so I changed the cabin filters, too" and a PPI. If you paid $665 for the PPI alone it should have included everything I and Dr. S mentioned, maybe even a spark plug entry borescope...
That's a lot for a PPI. It's cost me an hours labor both times for two different 996's. Suburu just charged me an hour as well. Two cars failed miserably. The 996 I own now passed no problem.
I think the guys that do this stuff typically can tell if something doesn't drive or sound right. Call me na�ve but I am not paying to have the cylinder's scoped and the IMS looked at. Could it end bad, yes but I could also pull out of the parking lot and get crushed by a 18 wheeler.
I once went out with a guy on his boat, I said "wow this thing runs great". He said "yeah, except for the blown head gasket". I'm leaving it to the pros for now on. They earn their money for sure
Well an hour labor for a PPI is useless! Compression, leakdown and a proper Borescope are IMO a must for a 996, none of which can be performed in an hour. Let alone looking over the rest of the car properly!
Your opinion and your entitled to it. I've learned these cars are an endless money pits if that's the road you chose. Have at it.
"Useless", I would think my mechanic would say otherwise. Your money, your choice.
What is he checking in an hour? Let me guess. Brakes, suspension components, visual on body and interior, checking to make sure all electronics function, tires. All things that if not functioning properly don't render the car a giant paper weight! Hell you could do that yourself and save the 1 hour labour charge!
If you want the name of my shop, PM me and you can call them. I am not going to argue over their credentials.
They did say that if they found anything concerning and needed to look further (at a cost), they would tell me. They could have easily said the car needs further investigating considering they make money off it, but they didn't. I trust the experts since I'm not a mechanic and only do part swapping on these (water pump, coolant tanks, struts, etc..) not more technically involved stuff like cam deviation (not even sure what that means). I have other hobbies and working on cars is not one of them.
That's why I got the PPI, I wanted to have an "expert" go over the car and tell me what is good and what is not. I did forget to mention they did tell me the paint thickness but no report.
That was what I wanted and was told they don't do the compression test/leak down test with the PPI. That's one of a few reasons that prompted my post.
Thank you. I already did half of the work in the report almost $5500 but I feel something was left out. Thanks again for your input.
Not really. I haven't driven a 911 before I test drove the car I purchased. The car looked/looks sharp and it drove well but i didn't know how the clutch should feel (it's fine), suspension and I wanted to know any components look like they were changed and or needed to be changed. I wanted a professional evaluation of the vehicles current condition, which I don't think I received in full.
In my case I had a Post inspection done because I'm unsure the Porsche specialty shop that did the Pre inspection even looked at the right car.
One example: Pre inspection said "the water pump and belt appeared new", Post said it "looked old and has corrosion on it."
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
