Pending good PPI - she will be mine!!!!

Hi All, Thanks for the awesome forum. Hopefully, I will be part of the 996 community soon!!! I have owned two 911's in the past, an 81 SC and an 83 SC. I want to be able to drive my 911 every day, with AC and reliability. I have sold my 81 and now I am buying this 996, pending a PPI at the Porsche dealer on Monday: http://www.globalluxuryimportsllc.co...inois/7485585/ The ceramic bearing IMS upgrade kit was installed on this car 1200 miles ago and as you saw, it has low mileage and appears to be in great condition. I am anxious to see how the PPI goes. This is my 2nd trip down this road. I PPI'ed another car last week and it did not end well...lots of little stuff was bad on the car. As we all know, there really is nothing "little" on our cars....everything is pretty expensive. So, I had to let that one go. Hopefully, this ones PPI ends well. I respect your expertise, so, comments are welcome. I am a subject matter expert on SC's, but, the 996 is new to me. I have done enough research to know of the IMS and RMS problems. I am also aware of the cracking head issues some have had with the 1999-2000 models. The head issue scares me a little, but, I have to have a clean car, so the earlier 996's are what I can afford right now. All the best, and I hope to give you good news on Monday. Ray 996Ray is online now Report Post

Your link is not working PLUS you picked the worse place of all to get a PPI.... the dealer.. Not a very good start.

Thanks for letting me know the link is not working!!! It is working now...

I think this is the one http://www.globalluxuryimportsllc.co...inois/7485585/ Love the aero package, aluminum options and you seem to have option code 220 which is limited slip. $25K seems high, but if it was well maintained and you have nothing more to do to it for the next couple of years you are in good shape. Good luck with the PPI.

You should post your location and ask for independent garage for PPI

Guys - I did ask about a local shop.......it was not a good option. Curious - what is the problem with the dealer PPI??? North - thanks for the kind words regarding the aero package.

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The thoroughness of of PPI's seems to vary quite a bit. We've seen posted a few Porsche dealer PPI's that were more of a generic 'used car checklist' that they run on every car they might sell at the dealership rather than a comprehensive 996 inspection. If it's a 1) A quality dealership, 2) They do a thorough, 996 specific PPI, and 3) Have no financial interest in the car, I think a dealer is necessarily a bad choice for a PPI. It looks like a very nice car, and there are plenty of fans of the early '99 cars, but if you are near there ~$25K asking price, I'd be looking for a 2002-2004 MkII even if it had more miles (perhaps 70K?). Personal preference... I just really appreciate the improved interiors and bigger displacement of the later 996's.

Don't get ahead of yourself and be skeptical. The price is your decision of course, but that is strong money for a 996.1. Good luck!

Ah, where to begin. "We found several things wrong with our car. Are you sure you want to buy it?"

Dealers only tell you the good things. They overlook things. My advice to you is read up on the 99 911.. Find out for yourself how things work. Things vary model to model. Read at the top of the 996 page '100 things you didn't know about your 996'. Get in it and try things out for yourself. This is after their ppi. If you find one thing which they over look then tell them to stick the car up their *****.. and move on or bargain them well down and take it to an Indy for another PPI. Because if they over look one thing then they over looked more. Low mileage???? What mileage? How low? Low mileage could raise the red flag for me. I would expect a 99 to have done at least 60000 miles. If it has done less, then don't expect me to pay for them not using the car in the first place. Its priced too high in my opinion. You could get a good cab for that price. They are expecting you to pay for their modding up.. Don't fall for that one. The car is worth no more than $20,000. That's OIMHO. What ever you decide to do. I hope it's the right decision.

Hi Guys, No.....I misrepresented my situation. I am having the dealer I am buying it from bring it to the Porsche dealer for a PPI.....I would never have the guy I am buying it from do the PPI. I concur with all your concerns. I am not paying the asking price....quite far below it. If it checks out, I am paying a very fair price for her mileage, condition and configuration. Thanks for your comments. I look forward to being part of the community. I was active on the pelican parts forum for the air cooled cars I owned. I look forward to doing the same with the water cooled guys here on Rennlist. Thanks again, Ray

I noticed the car has 17" wheels but has a full aerokit? The wheels don't make sense.

Well, that car with the miles and full aerokit and ceramic IMSB upgrade and 6-speed and in excellent condition should bring close to $22k. The car looks new. Shows "comfort seats" in the ad, but believe those pictured are not. As for the wheels, looks like they might be from a different car. It's a Chicago suburb, so if the winter kills the roads up there like it does here, then maybe the 17's were put on to suffer potholes better. My S430 had 20" wheels on it when I got it . They lasted about 8 months before they were toast. Replaced them with a set of 18" wheels off an older SL55. Hope it checks out. Gorgeous car.

As for the dealer PPI, a friend who worked for both the BMW and MBZ dealers in town once explained to me that once a car gets older than about 6 or 7 years, the indys are actually better for service. The dealers focus on the newer models as they have to be ready to do the warranty work. And many of the best mechanics leave the dealerships after getting a few year's experience and start their own shops. So, the dealers have younger techs focused on the cars still under warranty and the Indy shops have the more experienced guys who cut their teeth on the older models and have years of experience with those older models.

KC, Thanks for the kind words on the car. Also, thanks for the reasonable price expectation, which is not far off of the mark. I will know if the car is a go later today. Ray

That is a nice MKI aero. If you're looking for another low-mileage, well-preserved original example of a MKI aero for a bit lower price, see my other thread (car isn't mine, just a Craigslist find): https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=45397

Good luck with your pending purchase. When you ask these questions on a forum you'll get plenty of opinions, some good, some not so much. I'd stick with your game plan, be as thorough as you can with test drives and questions. If you owned 2 SCs I'd suggest you already are an informed buyer of used Porsches. Let us know how you do.

Hi Guys, Thanks for the thoughts. The car was a fail....I am back at square one. I am done with used car dealers.....private sale or porsche pre owned certified is how I am going. This is twice this has happened to me. This car had oil leaking between the engine and tranni....so rms....ims...or both.... Thanks guys, Ray

Good to stay cautious...plenty of good ones out there to choose from. Sometimes you get lucky and a great deal pops up nearby (happened to me!)

KN....man I hope so. Not being able put my own eyes on the car really bothers me. Thanks for your comments.

Before you go off into the sunset, it might be worth offering $15000 for the car. Then you would have money for the repairs as it does look like a nice car.

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Sounds like my experience with used car dealers and ppi's. I was getting frustrated when someone posted that my car is out there and not to give up. A week later I found the right car. I am passing that message on to you. To find private sales hunt them down on craigslist, use forums like this and get the non owner membership in PCA and use their online marketplace. Good luck.

Fellas, Hurdi, I thought about that and mentioned something along those lines to the dealer. They were not interested. They have the car back up for sale....... I hope the next person that comes along does a PPI - on the surface - the car is nice. Jon - it may already be happening. I am looking at a two owner, 44K 1999 Silver on Black private sale Porsche club member all service done at dealer all records go back to original purchase car right now. I will see it on Thursday. He wants a little too much for it, but, hopefully, we can come to an agreement. He did the 60K service at the dealer on it because he wants to make sure he represents the car properly by knowing if there are any issues and making sure the car was ready for the next owner. He was very excited to find out I am Porsche Club member. I think he wants it to go to a "good owner". I will keep you guys informed - thanks for the team effort. Ray

I must of lucked out, or I must be on borrowed time. I am not advocating this but I bought my 99' with 48k miles, no ppi, no service records. Owned it for the last 9 months problem free, and I have been fairly hard on it. "knock on wood"

Ray, there is one out there for ya ! You'll find it !

FWIW, if you show me a 996 that doesn't have at least SOME oil present in the RMS area... I'll show you a 996 that hasn't been looked at carefully enough.

Going to look at one on Thursday. The current owner has rubber floor matts over the porsche carpet ones because he does not want to get them dirty - this one may actually work out!!!!! It....this is the 99 with 44k that I mentioned a couple of posts up.

Pull the rubber floormat and make sure you do a Rick James on it during the test drive.

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That was my thought as well... very slight RMS leaks are extremely common and IMHO not much of a worry. The tiniest amount of oil can make a decent size mess. It wouldn't be enough to put me off an otherwise desirable/clean/well documented car.

Nice car Ray, although I am not a fan of the taco wing , the rest of the car looks excellent. The Boxster wheels will come off and will probably be replaced by 18 or 19" wheels. If the PPI comes out positive, try and negotiate a lower price as I suspect it is overpriced by just a couple of hundred dollars. Good luck, and welcome to the Rennlist

Thanks Larry, but, I had to move on from the car for more than the one oil leak. Both valve cover gaskets were leaking, there was undisclosed collision damage, wiring issues associated with the battery.....not good. If you go a few posts back, you will see I am already onto another car that I will look at on Thursday...no aero package, but, clean clean clean......and only 44k miles. I know, some say it is bad..some say it is good.... If anyone is interested in the car that I passed up, it is at Global Luxury Imports in IL - there is a link at the beginning of the thread.

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Smart move With a little patience you will find the right car. Good luck

Good call, as Larry said take your time they can be found

Glad to see you have not let your emotions take over & buy a "bad" car anyway, lol.....

Fellas, Going to see another one tomorrow. The owner is a super nice PCA member, the photos are awesome.....I have a good feeling about this one....we will see!!! I will post pictures if I decide to buy it. Ray

You have a good feeling about every car.

Gotta have a positive attitude! This one sounds good.

I think your referring to aircooled models. My 996 has no RMS leak. To the OP, dont get in a hurry. The 996 market is flooded with cars. Some are good, some are crap, as you found out. Did you consider the Maybach?

Ray, how did it go today?

Kcattorney, Thanks so much for asking. It went GREAT!!! The interior and exterior were flawless.....unreal. I cannot believe it is a 99. The seller and I split the trip. So, I got to see the car after 2 hours of driving - things looked great under it. No problems. Everything seems great. It has 144K miles on it. He did the 60K maintenance on it, just because he wanted to....he is a very particular owner. You know how the plastic on the center console can have fingernail scratches - none - not one. The interior looks brand new. He had the original manual...everything. So, I made him an offer and he accepted it. I am picking her up on Labor Day. I will take photos and post when I get her home. Thanks again for all your comments and interest. I look forward to being part of this community. This car will be a daily driver and I am a do it yourselfer....so, I will be on here a lot. Ray

Congrats to you 996Ray, these next few days are going to be long ones for you. Share some post purchase pics when you can.

Ray, that is soooo cool . The most important thing is that you are happy with your purchase . I am excited just waiting to see your photos. Hurry and post

Congratulations! '99s are great.

996 Warriors, I pick her up at 1030 tomorrow morning. I cannot wait. Later this week I am going to have the IMS done - while I am in there I will do the clutch pressure plate, RMS ams AOS. That way, I baseline the car and I will sleep at night. I will send pics tomorrow. Ray

Sounds good. My '99 has 137k+ on the clock (but only 64k on engine due to prior owner hitting a truck tire tread and breaking the oil filter housing). I am constantly amazed how well it has held up.

KC - good to hear....this will be my daily driver and I intend on driving as long as possible. I am encouraged by your experience with your car.

996Ray, Take a look at this Direct Oil Feed DOF http://directoilfeed.com/ I changed to LN ceramic bearing. If these were out then I would have added one of these also. Belt and suspenders theory.

Here she is Fellas, Hope you like it!!! Ray

She looks great, Congrats ! 99's rock. I'm curious if it has the original engine in it, if you get a chance to get the serial number off the engine when it it is in the shop, post it up.

Ray - that car looks brand new. I see by the odometer it has 44k (not 144k like your post #40 in this thread said). So that makes sense. Looks like the prior owner did a great job of saving that car for you! Congrats!

After all that you got Arctic Silver???? Just kidding! Looks great! Enjoy. Nothing like your first week with a Pcar!

Awesome purchase....looks great! I flew to Virginia from Houston & drove my 99 back home in 2005, it's got 111,000 miles now & I still love it!

Hi All, So, I took it to the shop today - a local indi with a great reputation for both Porsche and BMW - and I got some great news. I brought it in to have the IMS done and of course, do the pressure plate and RMS "while I am in there" - but, the shop called me and said that they would recommend I leave it alone. They did an oil change and when they cut and spread out the filter element, they said it was spotless. They did not find one shard, chunk or spec of metal. Because the clutch feels like brand new and there are no leaks, he said, "see you in 5000 miles and we will check it again". If we don't find any metal next time, we will keep going until you need a clutch - then we will do it all. So, that is what I am going to do. I am super happy because he also added that he had never seen a cleaner 1999 - so, I got lucky - so far...... Thanks again for all your kind words and support through my hunt for my 996!!!! I look forward to our future interactions. Ray

Nice.

That's a beauty Ray and congratulations on finding a good one Now let the modifications begin, the first being LED Interior Lighting Kit. Enjoy, you have a great looking car.