My Vesuvio Metallic Cab

Firstly a huge thank you to those of you that have given me advice in the last few weeks. Buying my dream car has been exciting and disappointing all in one. Yes the PPI I had done missed a very large issue  - the car has a 2nd gear pop out problem. It has now been diagnosed and test driven by a local Indy mechanic and seems it will require a gearbox rebuild for 2nd gear - let’s hope that’s all it is. Each post I’ve made on this has had to be moderated or deleted so far. PLEASE NOBODY ASK ABOUT THE SHOP OR MENTION IT HERE that did it.  I want to put this behind me and move forward no not end up in some legal dispute. I want to share the journey in fixing up all the bits and pieces that need doing and not focus on the negatives! Here’s my Porsche! I have contacted PCA to find out how rare this color is, its stunning and I love it

Congratulations on being back in the fold again and on getting such a fantastic colour!! I look forward to your future posts.

That really is a stunning colour .. wouldn't be too many of them around! Regarding your gearbox issue .. once you are driving around with the top off and the wind in your hair, you'll forget all about the issue and the cost to fix it .. Enjoy the ownership experience .. even though it may be painful sometimes . 😀

I love the colour Amanda. Very unusual. Enjoy the car as I am sure you will!

Didn't immediately pick up the change in user name Amanda, all I saw was Withers with 4000 odd posts, and I was thinking, can't remember this person at all 😁 Glad all is reasonably OK, just get in and drive the car for the time being, who knows the 2nd gear may not prove to be as bad an issue as it first seems.... cheers  Peter

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Yeh that’s the plan for now Peter —————————————— Onwards and upwards! I have 2 P Zeros for the rear on order (to match the front ones). Next week RWC and registration to be done Then: AOS (guessing I should add this to the Gearbox job due to access, does anyone know? Forgot to ask today) Bump stops Front discs (already has newish brake pads) Rear discs and pads Need a new key as the original is dead And the GB rebuild! For after all mechanical stuff is done onto some cosmetic stuff like: Vanity mirrors are broken in both sunvisors centre console broken 2 dents that require paintless dent removal Clean up seats and redye the bolsters Stereo is terrible can’t see the screen in most daylight conditions And I’m sure there’s more I’ve forgotten

You’re going to love that car Amanda, the 996 is truly a great car and exceptional value for money, it does everything really well, congrats. I’m disappointed to hear your previous posts have been edited or even deleted.  When forking out cash for a car, it’s often one of our biggest expenditures outside of a home and we are happy to pay good money for a professional evaluation, especially if the car is Interstate and we can’t physically see it.  If a professional has missed an obvious issue ( I don’t really know how obvious or regular your 2nd gear issue is), it does make you question the quality of work conducted.  Google reviews give a pretty good open platform picture of how some businesses drop the ball on customer service so why not have feedback on PFA? I have also had a very obvious issue missed on PPI from a Syd based professional that most on here would say is the best in the State.  I actually mentioned I wanted an oil leak checked and told it wasn’t major which it obviously was and cost several thousand to fix.  That pain is long gone and I’ve never regretted the purchase which I’m sure will be the case in your instance, welcome back to P car ownership.

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Cheers Well if you coast in 2nd gear it will pop out pretty much every time. I’d you give it some stick and have your foot on the go pedal it might stay  in gear most of the time.  Fact is, it wasn’t test driven properly and I’d say only driven on the local road near the place that did it. I always think you don’t know how good customer service is until you have an issue. Only then so you see just how customer service orientated the provider actually is. I will ask my Mechanic next week if the gbox detent is worth trying to buy some time http://www.gboxweb.com/detent.html

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Congrats Amanda, agree with others the pain will be fleeting and joy of ownership will last for ever. to me there is always going to be maintenance on a pretty original 22 yo car. I have a list on mine that is pretty much the same as far as cosmetic stuff. Do some sourcing research as I am picking up items both locally and US as dollar is reasonable right now and even with freight it’s a worthwhile saving. Ordered a bunch of stuff today. Those vanity mirrors like other plastic trim bits are bloody expensive. Im just going to live with mine. Following your journey with interest.

Sorry to hear about the gearbox problems Amanda, that’s very disappointing and hopefully not too expensive. One plus with the gearbox out is it straightforward changing the AOS. I did my 996 convertible with engine and box in. Doable but takes ages and a real pain in the arse. Also while in there see if you need a clutch. Cool looking car though!

I look forward to seeing it in the flesh - Congrats!

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The maintenance stuff isn’t a big deal. The surprise gearbox was! Anyhoo - shit happens! the centre console lid is the most annoying one right now! Did you have to get one too? I thought that might be the case - re AOS. I e heard it’s hard to get too.  Clutch doesn’t have many km on it and was done in 2012 as per receipts. I dabble in some mountain biking and recently sold my bike - looks like I’ll be sacrificing 1 toy for another!

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It’s an $ 250  replacement from Porsche for a new one. Repair kit is $100 from Porsche and it’s $50 from sun coast parts I n US and freight only makes sense with other stuff. I also ordered a key fob as they are $400 from Porsche in AU

Such a great looking example, and I love that colour... even the most fastidiously maintained cars will need $$ thrown at them when they have circa 2 decades on the board, life is full of unexpected surprises (i.e. kids 😂 ) the gearbox debacle will pail in comparison to smiles per mile once you're enjoying it Amanda! 😎

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I need a key fob too! I am having PCM do mine tomorrow

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I purchased a fob from PCB at $350, they wanted $180 to do the programming, local mechanic did it for $120.  I wanted them to also add the auto lock function but he couldn't get his machine to do it. I went back to PCB for the autolock and they did it for me at no charge, very good service, highly recomended 👍

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Good to hear they did that! So I got a reply from PCA They no longer have access to the database that provides historical data so they prividdd a guesstimate. Less than 10 Vesuvio Metallic 996s where brought into Australia. More pics, first time I saw her.... And first comfort stop on the way home... Whilst here I had a chat to a lovely gent who was waiting for his 15th Porsche to arrive, a 992 C4S I think he said  he was getting  - already the car was starting chats with strangers 😊 The COVID outbreak was big news  so thought this 2017 parking sticker was amusing  on my car

Lovely car Amanda with a great and less common colour. I assume the gearbox mounts and engine mounts are in good condition? My local Indy did my 2 new keys and the associated programming. There is a limit to the number of keys that can be programmed into the module but you should be fine.  A car similar to yours was recently for sale here at the Sunshine Coast.

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Thanks Merv.   Its had a new transmission mount fitted and hopefully the engine mounts are ok?  I'll soon find out once it's up on a hoist. After my PPI expereince I am not confident of much Good to know re the key.  I'm just going to get one programmed up and have a spare dead key.  Given that you need to keep both keys in rotation to ensure the codes are up to date - dont see the point of worrying about having 2.  Just need 'the' key and an emergency one! Is that a lifetime of car thing re the limited amount of keys that can be programmed?  Geez you'd hope there was no absent minded key loser prior owners then!

No, I understand there are 4 remote code entries in the computer, and that old ones can be removed when new keys are coded.  When I got 2 new keys earlier this year, the dealer coded in the new keys but in doing so also seems to have coded out the immobiliser component of the 2 old keys.  Doesn't worry me too much, I have 2 fully working keys/remotes and a couple that will open the door and turn the ignition but not start it.  As I understand it though, those two could have been retained as working spares with no remote capability. Might be useful to leave the old ones in the key bowl in case some thief finds them.  Make them obvious but hide the working spare.  Douchebag finds key that opens the door and turns the lock but doesn't start the car, goes looking for hidden immobiliser switch... doesn't find it and hopefully steals the BM instead!

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ah cool good to know! Yes my next door neighbor had his house broken into, only thing they took was his Mazda wagon! In my garage if they couldnt start the P car they'd be taking my Specialized Levo instead ie an ebike!

Steve is correct.  Only 4 keys can be coded in at any time and if there have been a few lost 'connections'/'sleeping keys' along the way and over time various unsuccessful attempts at re-coding them or other keys into the CL module, it won't play ball anymore.  It can be a relief to have one working key!  On the UK 996 Forum there was an interesting report about key operation.  If you have two keys that work - use them both in some rotation. If you have one fully functional key+remote, and a working spare key/immobiliser, then I'd concur with others suggesting to not bother fixing the latter unless you need (and will have) BOTH keys in regular use. The remotes are designed to disable themselves and become essentially irretrievable if one is not used for a period of time (I understand 1024 button presses). If you drive to work, and hit the shops even once on the way home, that's 6 button presses - 6 months of that and the 2nd remote becomes useless. Even when aware of it, it's easy enough to let it slip long enough to be caught out by this. I have one key which was in daily use for 10 years and was knocked around, but the other sat in a locked safe for 10 years and was mint. Both keys still unlock and start my car, but the dealer claimed neither remote could be re-coded to the car. I was originally going to get two new remotes but I'm now leaning toward just getting a single new remote since the 2nd key will be used so infrequently that I'm sure it will become excommunicated.

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The key I have lights up when you press the button. New battery made no difference. I wonder if it’s just lost connection to the car from not being used? also when I lock the car with the key, the horn let’s off one beep - google search shows there’s sometung not closing properly. At a guess might be the Centre console. It’s broken ( I knew that from ppi ) another thing PPI missed - horn doesn’t work. Another RWC item I need to work.

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I had same issue with second key - battery swap no. Lights up and didn’t trigger. Was not synced. Local P dealer fixed or for free . But not before the experienced technician looked at it and said “order a new key..’  I suggested they could try and re code . They did and it worked .. and now it doesn’t , again. Wouldn’t of thought centre console would create the warning toot - doors , windows?, trunk and engine lid -yes . But that said a 996 still very much a mystery  to me no horn 🙄 minor,  but given history annoying. Easy fix however

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Even the petrol lid has a sensor apparently. On the UK forum someone mentioned the Centre console also has a sensor it it. Horn - wouldn’t be so bad if I could fix it myself. But I’m all thumbs. If only it was like the Matrix and I could download such skills! 😁

I found answers to my problems with the 996 remote central locking system on this excellent  UK 'site.  They are very experienced and helpful http://www.911uk.com/viewforum.php?f=8

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Youtube is kinda close.... 😁

Nice, great colour. BTW, how where you able to change your user name? I'd like to update mine as I no longer have the 986

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It’s in the profile somewhere. I can’t remember where exactly

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Account settings to be precise

So we have 2 new P Zeros on the back now. And that’s made a huge difference to how it drives. Here it is today at the start of operation roadworthy! Gotta love the iPhone wide angle for odd distorted 911 pics at the least she’s getting new rear discs and pads, brake fluids done (the major service should have included these but the books weren’t stamped by the PPI mob so we are making sure it’s actually done) new wiper blades and hopefully a working horn as part of the RWC Fingers crossed for no more surprises! EDIT: Can now report - there were no more surprises!

In another thread someone asked me what the lesson was regarding the PPI  missing the gear box issue. At the time I couldn't quite come up with what the lesson I had learnt was! For some this will be easy and a no brainer, but to us that haven't bought many 20 year old cars - it might not be that obvious Everyone says 'get a PPI'  but nobody mentions that maybe the PPI could miss a big ticket item and then what happens?  You might have bought a car based on the findings only to discover that your budget is completely blown by something totally unexpected AFTER you parted with your hard earned for that PPI all the Porsche people tell you you need! Lets face it. This can cause not only some financial grief but also personal grief at home - the latter I'm familiar with! Firstly -  ask seller to take a photo of the speedo as they drop the car off for the PPI.  Honestly, I still wonder how far my car was even driven.  As soon as the car is in any traffic in 2nd it pops out of gear.  If they only drove it 1km along a 60km speed limit and just went through the first 3 gears, then they might not have seen the issue.  They've not conducted an adequate test drive.  And having that speedo reading will actually tell you how far or if it was even test driven. Second - I have had a bunch of people now message me privately telling me their PPIs also missed nasty items that were surprises later on.  Some of the Indy specialists that conducted th0se PPIs would shock you if you knew who they were.    ALWAYS factor in an extra $10k for those unexpected things that you might discover after the car gets to you.  Worse case you have lots of cash for mods later because you didnt need that money! If there is a missed item, the buyer has very little recourse.  And if you leave a defamatory google review, they can come after you with their lawyers.  If you leave a very accurate and truthful review that you can back up, they still can sue you and you might end up ok because you left a truthful review BUT really, is it worth the hassle?   Probably not. After all this - I dont know what the GB rebuild will cost. I am working through that now.  I am kinda lucky really,  they could have missed the car having a big front or rear impact - but this car is actually VERY good.  Other than the magnus type patina and a few broken bits inside  - its a very original car and I LOVE IT. RWC done - Registration happening on Tuesday. Can't wait.

Good  job but how did you get a RWC witha a crook gear box?

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I commend you on remaining positive amongst obvious undeserved frustrations means, when these tribulations pass you will enjoy your beautiful new car.

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It only does it under some circumstances.  PPI didnt pick it up Well no point being annoyed about something out of my control - just get on and fix it. Put it all behind me

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100% I have had some rather unsavoury experiences with a few well known P car businesses & personalities, and I arrived at the same conclusion as you, it’s just not worth dedicating any mental bandwidth to it, however if I am asked (and this is a small community) I have no hesitation giving a detailed explanation on my experience... usually it’s a deal breaker so I know enough people will vote with their wallets as a result, no need for me to actively sling shit to hurt their business, it happens in a more organic manner you may say! Glad to hear the car is good to go for rego, hopefully the gearbox, isn’t too much of a doozy than it already is.

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Yep dont need to post a public review you are 100% right.  I dont have to say anything derogatory either. I bought a car, it had a PPI.. the test drive did not find a serious gearbox flaw. Customer service is an interesting beast -  I dont think you know how good a businesses customer service really is until there is an issue, and how that issue is handled. For example if they even said 'well sorry Amanda, that is unfortunate but we just didnt see this erorr - how about we refund the PPI cost'   I'd have appreciated that. What I will say though is  guys like Chris at Weissach and Darren at Auto Coupe are really really good and make up for a bad experience!  Both of these guys are so passionate about the brand and are honest and thorough in all they do.  We are lucky in Victoria to have so many great P car mechanics. One of the issues I have is the drivers door attenuator is gone and needs replacement. Thats the cause of the 'toot toot' when i lock the car with the key. Worse case it actually unlocks immedately! So once gearbox is sorted - will get that sorted and some other stuff too!

If it is the door switch (alone) you may have an easy fix.