21 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHPossible 1999 Tip Purchase
Leading reported evidence
Replace dealer states
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
The dealer states that the IMS bearing was changed and it has paperwork to back this up.
Leading evidence: 'Replace dealer states' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check cheap stuff' (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 · Original poster
The IMS was changed in June 2017 at a Porsche dealership in the area.
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.
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
Good oil analyses, clean bore scope, 0 overrevs, etc.
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
Based on service records, the last owner spent five figures on the car to change the IMS and sort out electrical problems.
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.
21 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: 20261026T091943Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Hi everyone, I am a long time lurker that has lusted for a 996 for a few years. I came across a car in MA that I have some interest in but would like the opinion on the experts here on Rennlist as to the cost and the fact that the vehicle has been sitting on the dealer's lot for more than two years. I live in MD and cannot check out the vehicle in person but ordered a mobile PPI from a mechanic, who is not necessarily a Porsche expert. The dealer states that the IMS bearing was changed and it has paperwork to back this up. 1999 996 C2 tip with 97,000 miles that has been on the lot for 2 years for approximately $18,000.
The original price was
$22,991.
Is it worth the gamble? If I purchase, what things should I immediately change?
Thank you.
Unless you have all the service records and it’s been done VERY recently, I’d change oil, coolant, water pump, thermostat, brake fluid, transmission fluid, fuel filter, plugs, coils, fuel injectors, and AOS.
How long ago was the IMS changed.
It could be time to replace it again, so tread carefully.
Non Porsche expert PPI is a waste of time and money.
He will check the cheap stuff.
That�s really scary. Seems like the best bet is to wait for a good car to show up in my neck of the woods, where I can see it in person and bring it to a Porsche specialist to do a full PPI. Better to spend a little more than to end up with a serious $20k+ headache. I also like the idea of buying a roller and having a full engine rebuild. At least I would have a little peace of mind. Although I read a post about member who had his engine fail twice.
If you want a legit PPI in the Area, call Kenny at Conway Autoworks in Hanover, it's south of Boston but he's the best imo
Also that car has been for sale for a long time
When I was looking last May I came across that car on almost every car trading place out there, I'd stay clear based on that alone. I don't think they've lowered the price either.
You can even see on the Carfax it went on sale at that dealer in 9.18, That's a LOT of idle time.
I'd also note that I would assume it's from auction and has zero history known or unknown.
So yes, I think the price is very high.
That car is about an hour from me otherwise I would take a look for you. You'll find a lot of conservative advice on these forums (for good reason) but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take a chance if you feel you've found the right car at the right price. I bought a 60k mile trade-in from a dealer in PA about 6 hours from me and there was absolutely no history other than the Carfax. I had them photograph every flaw they could find, drive it while on the phone with me, and send a cold start video. That was about all I had to go on. The price was right and I took a chance. Since then I've done a lot of digging into the car and am quite pleased with my purchase. Good oil analyses, clean bore scope, 0 overrevs, etc. I've even found that it has an AT replacement engine. This fall I plan to do the clutch and will find out definitively whether the new engine has the large internal bearing or smaller serviceable bearing.
I'm not saying that you should pursue this car but just offering another view on purchasing. The advice to get an invasive PPI before buying is just that, advice. It all comes down to risk tolerance and how sensitive you are to losing equity if things don't turn out well. The more you know about these cars and the many points of failure, the more you can assess the risk and make that decision.
IMHO, that car has the trifecta of crappiness:
-fairly high miles by comparison to other 996 cars for sale
-high end of the price range
-automatic
No wonder it's been parked. I'd skip it and wait for prices to take their seasonal dip this winter.
The price is HIGH for a 99 Automatic and the fact that it has been sitting on the lot for 2 years is a huge RED FLAG!
I also hate the wheels, so it would be a HARD PASS for me.
The car was a private party trade-in, saw the paperwork. The previous owner got into a newer 911. The IMS was changed in June 2017 at a Porsche dealership in the area. Curious that he would trade the car a little more than a year after changing the IMS bearing. Still waiting on PPI, even though it is not by a Porsche expert. I don�t know much else about it. PPI is some time tomorrow, will let you guys know what happens. Thanks to everyone for the feedback so far.
Well, you all were right. I got the inspection report back and lets just say that it was not great. It was not an invasive PPI, but the inspector found multiple things. I don't want to say too much in a public forum about what was found.
Based on service records, the last owner spent five figures on the car to change the IMS and sort out electrical problems. PPI tech was not able to establish a link with the data port to scan for codes and there are some other issues. Basically caveat emptor. The car is sitting for 2 years for a reason.
Anytime you have a car sitting for more then 6 months, it's either priced incorrectly, or there is something seriously wrong with it or seller is out to lunch.
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