16 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHpossibly buying a C4s and need input on pricing
Reported or suspected cause
ims flange and not the bearing it self
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Identified cause
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Suspected cause
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Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
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Discussions that report identifying a cause
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Reported cause · Original poster
the dealer tech said it was the IMS flange and not the bearing it self.
Leading evidence: 'ims flange and not the bearing it self' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'ims flange and not the bearing it self' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check ims bearing' (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.
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Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
They changed the seal on the flange to lessen oil seepage.
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.
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Suspected cause
If it was the LN bearing upgrade I am pretty sure that would be clearly stated.
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Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion
After talking to the dealership, they explained that when changing the IMS flange for my car, they would have also checked the IMS bearing for wear.
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
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Suggestion
it seems about right for the kind of clean example you describe.
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Suggestion
The Porsche dealership (at least the one I visit) would not have recommend installing the LN bearing upgrade to any customer out of their own volition.
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Suggestion
For that price, all maintenance item should be addressed, fluids, antifreeze, brakes, hydraulic, last oil change, fuel filter, air filter, cabin filter.
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16 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.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T105141Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I currenty drive a 986 boxster S which I love for its simplicity and pure driving enjoyment. my kids love taking turns on the passenger seat ever since I bought the OEM air bag deactivation kit. We have 2 year old twins and a 4 year old who loves cars. I would like a car who can handle school pick ups for the twins.
There is an interested party who is doing a PPI on my boxster this Friday. I am looking at a 03 C4s with 50k as a replacement. the car is fully documented and nicely optioned with sport seats, PCM, Fabspeed exhaust. porsche dealer has records for IMS 'flange" replacement. Here are my questions where I would like your input:
1-Does the flange replacement include the entire IMS bearing or just the cover that seals the guts of the bearing?
2-Price is firm at $35k. Car is clean and loved but I am also seeing 06 CS values in mid to low 40s. With the intro of the new 991, should I wait till summer or fall as the value of 996 can dip more or do you think the values have bottomed for a while?
Your input is appreciated.
Don't know what part of the country you're in, but here in Seattle a car like that would go for about $32-35k from what I've been seeing lately (assuming it's clean and the PPI goes well).
Sounds like a wise decision from your kids standpoint.
Look closer at the "IMS flange " work done. Sounds like the bearing, but you should confirm with the shop or individual that did the work. The RMS seal, clutch, would have been the other items addressed while the transmission was down.
For that price, all maintenance item should be addressed, fluids, antifreeze, brakes, hydraulic, last oil change, fuel filter, air filter, cabin filter. Tires should not need changing any time soon.
Price for the C4S is about right. Fully documented on maintenance, PPI,
FYI, the latest issue of Automobile magazine has a new "Panamera Junior" or Pajun in the works. That looks like the better option for all kids involved...
thank you for your input. The price does seem to be on the top part of the spectrum. The car still has CPO coverage that expeires in May '12 which is great. Everything has always been done at the dealer. RMS is done but clutch is not. the dealer tech said it was the IMS flange and not the bearing it self. He was just reading off the computer records for me. This puzzles me why anyone would not do the full IMS replacement if they are already that far into the process.
Last month it received a new ignition and windown regulator all done at Porsche dealership.
The IMS flange can be done very easily and inexpensively when the RMS seal is replaced. They are done together pretty often. Replacing the intermediate shaft bearing is a much bigger and more expensive job.
The flange probably does not include the bearing. If it was the LN bearing upgrade I am pretty sure that would be clearly stated.
Porsche makes an updated flange kit for early model. They changed the seal on the flange to lessen oil seepage. I did this on my engine when I had it out for the intermix problem, which was before LN had perfected the tool to remove dual row bearing.
The only thing that makes me wonder about this is that the car you are looking at is a C4S, and by the time they made these Porsche had already updated the flange.
Still ifmitmhad the LN upgrade I think that would be clearly noted.
Thanks for clarification on the flange vs bearing. It is puzzling to me why they would only do the flange especially if the 03 already had the updated flange. Ether way it is safe to assume that the bearing is original. I am having tough time with the firm price. Saw a 03 with a brand new oem engine for 40k. This particular one is a nice guards red that is why I can not simply move on to the next one. I almost wish the oyster does not sell so I don't have to make the decision.
Thanks for all your input. Much appreciated.
You'll get more than a few opinions on whether that price is right. It's right if the car is for you and you're willing to pay it. IMHO, that's the right price for a C4S with that kind of mileage (or slightly less), owning one myself.
It's odd that you're being told the CPO is still active, since once 8 years pass, Porsche will no longer certify their cars. Not that it matters; the CPO is up in 30 days (if it's active at all now) and it's of questionable value at this point to you.
Once you buy it, search "car seats" here. You'll find a ton of help. Back seat going to be safer than front.
I would not count on the 991 rollout bringing the price of the 996 down. If anything the 996 prices have been going up slightly. It sounds like this car did not have the IMS bearing replaced. If you buy it you can replace it when it needs a clutch. If a PPI comes out squeaky clean and you love the car then buy it. Otherwise I think you can find other very nice examples in this price range. Good luck.
A solid 03' 4S is definitely worth 35. Once you drive it you wil agree. Colors? Don't tell me it's white with black interior.... If it is.... Resistance is futile.
I would safely say that the bearing in your car was not replaced.
The Porsche dealership (at least the one I visit) would not have recommend installing the LN bearing upgrade to any customer out of their own volition. It is not an OEM product.
I would also imagine that most Porsche customers dont know about the LN bearing mod, so the customer probably never requested it.
My car (01 C2) is also fully documented and in 07 had the RMS seal + Intermediate + all bolts changed. After talking to the dealership, they explained that when changing the IMS flange for my car, they would have also checked the IMS bearing for wear. Had they seen any wear on the bearing, they would have replaced it with the Porsche OEM part and documented it.
Oh, and as far as price is concerned .. it seems about right for the kind of clean example you describe. That would not prevent me from still trying to negotiate, but the price is not unreasonable at all. (The car would prob. fetch a few more thousand here in Toronto).
Will the prices fall in the near future? Hard to tell. But I have seen N/A 996 listed prices (autotrader) go up by a couple thousand dollars in the last half year or so after a few consistent years of depreciation ... difficult to say if that is just seasonal/temporary or a trend.
all great points folks. thank you for the input. Let's see how the PPI on the boxster goes tomorrow morning. I must sell the boxster before proceeding with the C4S and hope to be posting pics of a guards red C4s soon!
