15 captured repliesPartial discussion capture · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHIs this 996.2 a reasonable looking purchase?
Reported or suspected cause
sunstrip looking at the script
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
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
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.
Suspected cause
She's failed 5 mot's, mostly for lights and 1 for " a sticker affecting vision " on the windscreen that i'll assume was probably a sunstrip looking at the script on the doors and the stone guard shark-fin stickers that sit in front of the rear wheels that weren't factory i don't think.
Leading evidence: 'sunstrip looking at the script' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'sunstrip looking at the script' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check docs' (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
I see it says the IMS has been done according to the advert so i'd be asking which one was fitted and by whom and check all docs to support.
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 later 996's running the M96.03 engines that were perhaps a little more prone to bore-score, a term you'll learn more and more about on here but as they were fitted with plastic coated pistons are less reliable than iron on the earlier mark 1 996's.
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
Let us know how you get on and do as much research as you can on Google and the forums and use the reg in your search.
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 later 996's running the M96.03 engines that were perhaps a little more prone to bore-score, a term you'll learn more and more about on here but as they were fitted with plastic coated pistons are less reliable than iron on the earlier mark 1 996's.
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
sunstrip looking at the script
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that suspect a cause
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.
Suspected cause
She's failed 5 mot's, mostly for lights and 1 for " a sticker affecting vision " on the windscreen that i'll assume was probably a sunstrip looking at the script on the doors and the stone guard shark-fin stickers that sit in front of the rear wheels that weren't factory i don't think.
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.
15 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
911uk: 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
Hi all,
First time poster so apologies if this is in the wrong forum.
I’ve been super keen on 911s for a while and the stars have aligned such that I have some free cash to purchase my first.
I have a few specific requirements I want to meet (Tiptronic, convertible, 996.2, service history) and have come across
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19027938
which looks to meet all of these needs and more (absolutely love the 4S/Turbo look).
So I just thought I’d reach out to you folks on here for a bit of advice: does this look like a sound purchase? Seems to have been keeping up with service and generally appears in fine fettle from what I can tell of the ad. It’s just that I’m always a bit wary of buying from dealers as opposed to enthusiasts like yourselves (unfortunately nothing on classifieds) as prior experience has been hit and miss.
Wondering if I could solicit some thoughts
.
Best regards.
Hi Aaron and welcome.
On the face of it she looks nice but most of them do. She's failed 5 mot's, mostly for lights and 1 for " a sticker affecting vision " on the windscreen that i'll assume was probably a sunstrip looking at the script on the doors and the stone guard shark-fin stickers that sit in front of the rear wheels that weren't factory i don't think. The later 996's running the M96.03 engines that were perhaps a little more prone to bore-score, a term you'll learn more and more about on here but as they were fitted with plastic coated pistons are less reliable than iron on the earlier mark 1 996's. The rear main seal ( RMS ) is also flexible in the later cars opposed to fixed in the earlier 99 cars and they can leak. I see it says the IMS has been done according to the advert so i'd be asking which one was fitted and by whom and check all docs to support. Things to look out for ... smoke on startup, exhaust tips sooting up on the passenger side and also tips lopsided or hanging. Listen out for a knocking once warmed up. The internet will throw all sorts of info at you, some true, some not so a good rule of thumb is to get an independent PPI done and ask the selling dealer if they'd be prepared to have this done at a specialist of your choice at your cost or negotiate that cost into the deal if it passed without significant work needed. Check the small print of the warranty aswell, something we've been discussing on here lately... most are not worth the paper printed on apparently. Go and drive her on a proper mixed road test drive, roof up and roof down and take a good chunk of time to read through the history.
They are terrific cars to own and drive, especially in C4S guise and very rewarding as a first P-car.
Let us know how you get on and do as much research as you can on Google and the forums and use the reg in your search.
Si.
Thanks so much Skoosh, really great detail.
You're right - the internet certainly does throw a lot of detail up when it comes to "Buyers guide" so thanks for narrowing down on this particular model.
The advert mentions about it being serviced at a Porsche specialist (even gives the name: Cavandish Porsche). Wonder if I contact them with the reg they'd be able to divulge anything? Often times GDPR prevents this kind of thing though.
PPI I read about a lot. How is this usually handled? Would the dealership have to take the car to a specialist to do the PPI? Or would they come to the dealership and do the PPI there?
Many thanks,
Arron.
Any advert of a 996 gen 2 or 997 gen 1, especially with a tiptronic box, that doesn't mention it hasn't got bore scoring needs to be dealt with extreme caution.
No harm in calling Cavendish. I bought a Boxster a few years ago that had been serviced exclusively by RPM and i called them and they advised how good a car it was that they knew well. If the seller is looking to sell her and you're prepared to pay for a PPI then i can't see a reason for him to agree to it. Have a scout around for your nearest porsche indi and call them to discuss what they can offer. Have you called the seller to discuss further and register an interest..? He has some choice cars for sale so you'd think he would know his stuff.
I see you're from Manchester.... we have a regular monthly meet not far from you look in the meets section.
Every 1st saturday of the month... pop over and talk to some of the 996 owners.... we love discussing our cars.
Si.
Welcome to the forum
Maybe give Cavendish a call to see what they can tell you about the car as they should have some knowledge on a car they’ve worked on. The 4’s is a great looking car and the one you mentioned looks ok but it’s hard to tell the condition of the roof as it looks like a cats been sleeping on it. And another thing is the hard tops take up some space when not being used.
Other than that the mechanical issues are well documented and any potential car should be checked out.
These are great cars for the price and I’m sure you’ll enjoy every minute of owning one
Looks nice, I like these a lot ..
If you’re not technical I think a PPI from a reputable source is worth every penny, if the seller won’t allow it walk away, they sold thousands they’ll be others.
Best of luck with your search
Hello. Welcome to the forum.
I have a 996 C4S. Also 2004.
These are 21 year old cars - no matter how wonderful they look in the photos, you need to see it and understand the maintenance that's been carried out.
My advice would be to go and see it, read the history and drive it.
If you get to the point where you're thinking of pulling the purchase trigger, get an independent inspection that includes a boroscope from someone who knows what they're doing. Lots of places do not, but there will be recs on this forum from members local to you / the car who trust certain garages.
They are brilliant machines and wonderful to own if you buy the right car. But equally sh!te if you buy wrong, so get all the help you can if you've not owned one before.
That seems like top money for a cab tip, and you should expect it to be a very good example with detailed significant historic expenditure to support that price IMO.
Good luck. Ask many questions. Hopefully, decent research and interrogation of the past should reward you with a positive future ownership experience.
Great response. Thanks very much.
Sounds like a good order of proceedings; see it; read the docs; drive it and then inspection if I'm still keen.
Different car altogether but went to see an E93 335i the other weekend and got to the "read the docs" part and then walked away as service history was shocking.
Cheers,
Arron.
I expect to pay more because it's from a dealer; there isn't much I can do to avoid that other than sit around and wait for a private sale to come up which ticks my boxes. I could do that, but I'll be missing out on a reasonable size of the market.
Thanks for the insight though!
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
