What to look for on this 2003 996 C4 Tiptronic

New & Used Cars for Sale - Autotrader UK www.autotrader.co.uk Hoping to view this in a few days any C4 things to especially look out for etc ?

Quotes source post: 2801385

maintenance history, maintenance history and once thats checked - more history! gen 2 cars more suspectable to bore score so look for a recent check or report on condition. IMS/RMS is always advised to look for a replacement as they are single row in the later cars. Other than that, usual stuff of older cars, suspension work, brakes, leaks etc - make sure everything works, the windows drop when you open and close the doors - look for rust and or body damage/poor paint - starting to see cars with rust appearing on the arches and sills. Apart from all of the above - good luck!

From a C4 point of view - no. From a general 3.6 tiptronic 996 with side skirts point of view - any rust around the jacking points and any part of the sills you can see as those site skirts like to hide the ginger rat. Also any signs of bore scoring - personally I'd want a bore scope doing on it before handing any dosh over. Remedial stuff like aircon, heated seats, etc. want check they work correctly.

With regards to the IMS, if the mileage is between 50k to 150k forget about it. Oh, check for the oil leak it had around 15 years ago.

Many thanks mileage around £74k, trying to see where local can do a borescope check aswell

Which the owner is more than happy with, sounds like not been used much and this is confirmed by mileage. Which know isn’t great as like to be used. Only good thing is always been garaged at least !

All of the above and pay attention to the tyres, check the dates, the tread and see if the axles match..... £ 800-900 for a set of decent tyres and they do make a difference to the driving feel...avoid anything with ditch finders made in China etc............ Aswell as noises on startup, pay attention to the engine noises when upto temp and ask to start the car from stone cold and don't worry about the initial tick for 20-30 secionds or so from these engines. If the car is used for regular short journeys you may see yellow " mayo " build up in the oil cap and filler tube but don't be alarmed as it's probably not getting upto full temp too often. If you drive a modern car as a daily you'll notice that the brakes won't feel as urgent as a newer car, don't be alarmed as the porsche brakes are among the best in the business but need more force to make them work and trust me they will work. Steering on the C4 is heavier than the C2 for obvious reasons and took me by surprise when testing different 996's. Oil pressure and coolant temp should be constant when upto temp. My 99 C4 sits at bang on 80 degrees apart from when stuck in traffic and it'll rise marginally. Oil pressure on startup should be at max and once warmed up will idle just around 2bar and on acceleration you'll see a direct collaration between revs and oil pressure. Check exhaust tips for sagging which can indicate engine mounts could be in need of change. Check for that oil leak mentioned above and take a good look where the car has been parked for signs of drips. My car is parked in a garage at all times and every time i take her out it's good to see the floor is dry with the only drips coming from the aircon which is good. If you can get under the car with the aircon on on check that the pipes are cold and condensation on them is evident. To replace the aircon pipes, condensers etc is a big bill if not working correctly. As has been said above, make sure all electrics work, windows, mirrors, sunroof, wipers etc.... and make sure both windows drop half an inch on door opening. Best of luck. Si.

Quotes source post: 2801385

what @Storkers said MOT history confirms it's been lightly used https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/results?registration=ye03tgc&checkRecalls=true

The Tiptronic gearbox itself is generally quite robust, but it’s not “fit and forget” despite what some sellers say. The biggest thing to check is how it behaves on the drive. It should shift smoothly with no hesitation. If there’s any delay when selecting Drive or Reverse, jerky changes, rev flaring between gears, or shuddering at low speeds, that’s a warning sign. Make sure you also try the manual mode on the steering wheel and confirm it responds properly. It’s also worth asking whether the gearbox has ever had a fluid and filter change. A lot of cars won’t have, as they were marketed as “sealed for life,” but lack of servicing is one of the main reasons these boxes start to feel rough later on. That said, the gearbox isn’t actually the biggest risk on a 996 — the engine is where you need to be careful. Ask about the IMS bearing and whether it’s been replaced or upgraded, and if there’s any evidence to back that up. Also ask if the car has ever had a bore inspection (borescope). When you view it, listen carefully on cold start for any ticking or knocking sounds and check for excessive soot from one exhaust side, as that can point to bore scoring. Oil leaks are fairly common too, especially around the rear main seal area, so have a look underneath and see if there’s any fresh oil or dampness. Cooling system components like radiators and coolant tanks can also fail with age, so check for coolant smells, warning messages, or signs of recent replacement. Suspension wear is normal at this age, but it shouldn’t feel loose or overly noisy. Knocks over bumps usually mean worn arms or bushes, which isn’t unusual but worth factoring into the price. Overall, condition and history matter far more than anything else. A well-maintained 996 with evidence of the big jobs being done can be a great car. A cheap one with gaps in history or vague answers from the seller can get expensive very quickly. Big red flags would be: hesitation or roughness from the gearbox, no proof of maintenance, engine noises on startup, or a seller who avoids questions about IMS or bore scoring.

Quotes source post: 2801385

C4 specific things that require money Front CV boots Cardan shaft flex disc Front dif oil change Strut top mounts

Have asked re bore check and was more than happy and stated nothing to hide. Other than oil changes and basics I don’t think had much done in his ownership so could be abit of a worry when start using it. Will view with an open mind and then sort a PPI if want to move forward on it see what it throws up, and if it does if drops accordingly

Quotes source post: 2801415

Are tyre dates stamped on tyre never noticed, surprised this isn’t something pulled up on MOT idea enough tread but out of date as such

These are my tyres, manufactured week 50 in 2023.

i think i'd prefer this it won't get bore score and has the double row ims + very good history. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/33651861...teid=0&campid=&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

I have seen this one, it has rather a loud exhaust which I think I would have the hump with after the 450+ miles it would take me to drive it back to where I am sadly