Imports

I'm looking to buy a 996 (C2 or C4) and was expecting my budget to stretch to a 1999/ T reg car. Today I went to see an X reg C4 (2001 model) which matched almost exactly what I was looking for, except I found out while I was there, that it was originally imported. The slightly improved 2001 spec and the fact it's a newer car appeals but I can't decide whether the importing is an issue or not. Anyone have any views? It looks like I can get a UK warranty on it from Porsche so should be covered from that side, which makes me feel more comfortable about it. I've also seen a T reg C2 996 (sub 20,000 miles) which I like but it doesn't have the traction control. Does the traction control make a huge difference? Again, any views? Thanks..... Jules

Jules read my bit on country codes under the 997 forum, a car imported new isn't a major problem but the bottom line is you want a C16 (UK spec car) car & then check the VIL for the official dealer stamp, this should usually be a foreign OPC, you can then email/fax them to verify supply. Let me know if you need any other info. If the car isn't C16 let me know what the first option C code is & I will tell you where it was built for, an idea of the price they want would also be of interest. With regards to traction control I wouldn't get too worried about that, it's an ok system but not brilliant, I used to have mine switched off most of the time,the 9911's traction is fantastic. the latest system ( PSM) is another story that is brilliant, but you will only find that on a Carrera 4, it wasn't available as an option on the C2 until the 2000my, so you would need to be looking at V plate onwards. Regards Grant

The first question is whether or not it was built to UK spec. (C16)? This should be featured on the spec label under the boot lid and on the Service Book.

The other key issue is was is used abroad or imported direct? If it's been used abroad then you'll have no history for it probably .. was it clocked on import, was it in a crash, etc.

Why do you assume that if it has been used abroad it will have no history and may have been crashed or clocked !!!! I have a left hand drive car (because I live in Spain a lot of the time) which I imported into the UK from Germany as new and is on UK plates, and it has a full service history from OPC in Europe. So whats the problem ???

No problem at all if it was imported from new and not used abroad. If not then its not that is HAS been clocked, just that it may have no history, HPI checks dont work etc. It's a bigger risk that's all. Of course lots of paperwork helps.

I know it's pedantic but can we stop refering to 'imported' cars. All Porches are imported to the UK as they come from Germany or Finland ! Isn't it also odd how many people think that 'Jonny Foreigner' never has a service history for a car and always clocks it. Come on wake up, do the same checks as you would on any car, verifying supply, history etc. Once you know about it make an offer on that knowledge always rembering that if you buy it cheap, because its not a C16 car, you will have to sell it cheap Tim

There is another issue with non UK supplied cars, if you want goodwill assistance with a problem, you will be unlikely to get it from Porsche GB For this reason, it is well worth focusing on "imported", at least for the first five years since new - after this you are unlikely to get goodwill whatever. And if not C16, other work will be required for support and if you want the extended warranty, to bring to UK specification My advice, go into this with your eyes open

Nic is quite correct. A car that has been independently imported, even a C16 from new, is not a Porsche Cars GB supplied car. It may be exactly the same product in terms of build and quality. However, in the event of certain problems arising it may be much more difficult to extract support from the UK OPC network or Porsche Cars GB. It may instead be necessary to go back through the Porsche network in the country of origin. Obviously, anyone considering an unofficial import has to weigh up the savings against the, albeit small, risks.

Provided the car is still under warranty Porsche UK or Porsche timbuktoo have no option but to fix the car.

I understand fully that a Porsche is still a Porsche what ever the country code, but there are several issue's with a car that isn't C16 1/ most of the official OPC network won't buy them & wether you like it or not they generally offer the best trade sale route. 2/ Porsche are very awkward about confirming exactly what the specification variances are between countries, so you can't be sure what the car has or hasn't got, although generally 996 C16 adds full leather, top tint windscreen, aircon, an upgraded alarm system & stereo. BUT you can't be sure with things like underseal 3/ cars that aren't Uk specification usually cost more to insure & insurance companies will often require a certificate from an OPC confirming the alarm specification.If it is factory built for a country outside the EEC then there are even more issue's! 4/ generally RHD imports aren't sold with a price benefit, when I purchased my car I came across many imported non- C16 turbo's.So why take the risk. 5/ All cars under two year's old will have warranty cover that an OPC must honour, but officially imported cars have breakdown cover included as an extra, in addition to the good will issue once the car is out of warranty. Porsche GB is wholly owned by Porsche Germany, so they are obviously going to roll the dice in favour of a UK car. Having said all this if a non C16 car is cheap enough then it is clearly worth taking the time & trouble to check it's history out.

Grant, Some OPCs will also not retail used C16 cars, if they were not imported by Porsche Cars GB. Tispkj, Yes, as you rightly say, Porsche GB will honour the Manufacturer's warranty. However, they may not be so helpful with 'sale of goods' disputes, goodwill claims and out of warranty issues that arise on unofficial imports.

True. But once that warranty finishes Porsche UK will most likely wash their hands of it. Mine is a C16 UK spec import. Porsche UK have made it clear that they don't have to offer me anything for good-will on my gearbox and RMS problems. They have only offered me some good-will consolidation after quite some pressure and also "only" because my car has been serviced through the UK network. When I contacted Germany they said that they would not overule Porsche UK decisions.