9 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHAdvice Re: 996 purchase
Reported or suspected cause
$15k expense
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
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 suspect a cause
1
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Suspected cause
A crate motor, plus install is likely a $15K expense.
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 C4S is an awesome looking car but it still has the flaws identified as do the Boxster, Boxster S, Cayman and S, 996 and 997 (except 996 turbo and GT3 which use a different case and oiling system).
Leading evidence: '$15k expense' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is '$15k expense' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Use different case and oiling system)' (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 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 C4S is an awesome looking car but it still has the flaws identified as do the Boxster, Boxster S, Cayman and S, 996 and 997 (except 996 turbo and GT3 which use a different case and oiling system).
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 02 and later 996 uses an oiling system with a bit more capability than the 99-01's as well as an increase in engine displacement from 3.4 to 3.6.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Use different case and oiling system)
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
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Discussions
Read evidence and context
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 C4S is an awesome looking car but it still has the flaws identified as do the Boxster, Boxster S, Cayman and S, 996 and 997 (except 996 turbo and GT3 which use a different case and oiling system).
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.
9 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Pelican Parts: 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: 20261026T181445Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Hello All
I'm new to the forum and am looking for some advice on purchasing my first 911.
I am interested in a 2003/2004 C4S. Is there anything that anyone is aware of for this model and year that I sould be aware of?
Also I am trying to determine a 'fair' price for this model and year with average miles (35-50k). Can anyone help with costing. Does anyone have access to the recent Manheim Auction numbers for the 03/04 996's? Anyone with knowledge or figures, please post results.
I look forard to hearing from experienced forum members.
Thanks.
Tony
Thanks for your response.
As a first timer to the forum I am trying not to be discouraged by your response to my post. I am seriously interested in a 911 and looking for some help from more experienced Porsche enthusiasts.
Is there anything helpful (and/or positive) that will enlighten me related to the topic year(s) and model?
Thanks
Not trying to be discouraging but the answer is that you still need to SEARCH the forum and search those topics. There is no better way to get your answer than to do your research. If you're determined to get one, then get one. The C4S is an awesome looking car but it still has the flaws identified as do the Boxster, Boxster S, Cayman and S, 996 and 997 (except 996 turbo and GT3 which use a different case and oiling system). The 02 and later 996 uses an oiling system with a bit more capability than the 99-01's as well as an increase in engine displacement from 3.4 to 3.6.
If you want piece of mind, buy a CPO (certified pre-owned) car from a Porsche dealer and get an extended warranty or buy one with warranty intact and extend it.
C4S is a beautiful, if a tad heavy car. I wish you luck on your search.
Mike Focke has a great website that, while geared to the Boxster, many of the issues and challenges also present themselves to 996 owners. IMS, RMS, D chunk (mostly the 3.4motors); Air-Oil Seperators (AOS); Coolant tank failures, Waterpumps; ignition switches;
x2 on finding a CPO or quality aftermarket warranty coverage. The big concern of all M96 motors is not IF but WHEN they fail. A crate motor, plus install is likely a $15K expense. Be aware of it. It may NEVER be an issue for you. Or it could hit you on day 2 despite a quality pre purchase inspection.
C4S prices seem higher than other regular 996 prices. While I bet you could do an autotrader search and find them for as low as $30k, I imagine a genuinely nice, well maintained and cared for example will have a $40K ish asking price
Which leads to.. well.. if a nice 996 C4S is 40s, and a 997 Base can be seen mid 40s, maybe the jump to the newer model should be considered.
Tony is telling the truth.
Search the net for Porsche IMS Bearing Failure.
YouTube - Porsche IMS Bearing Failure Explained
Who would put such a junk part at the heart of the engine?
If it wasn't because the IMS, I would be driving one right now. You can also search and find the diferences bettween the M96 and Metzger engine.
Good luck because you need it.
also you dont have to go far with your search, this Thread is right under your thread at the main forum page.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-996-997-forum/560078-996-3-6-m96-engine-broke.html
Here's my article on the Boxster and 996 engine problems:
Pelican Technical Article: Common Engine Problems and Failures - 986 Boxster (1997-04) - 987 Boxster (2005-08)
-Wayne
I am an avid user of Pelican but there is not that many 996 users here. Try 6Speedonline.com. They have a 996 section that has more traffic so when you search you may find more answers.
Wayne's article is also very good. I have owned (until recently) a 930 and 914 and came here all the time for those cars... and spent a ton of money as well. Just another option when doing your research.
Kind Regards,
Bryan
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
