New owner to 996 C4S HELP!!!!!

Ok here is your chance to shine. I have a mate who is about to buy a 996 C4S on an 03 plate that has done justunder 20K what is the things to look for ?? This guy ( seller ) is saying he is an PCGB memeber

OPC Pre-Purchase Inspection and Extended Porsche Warranty.

OK will tell him that but what about for hands on people? I have just been informed that the car must come with 3 Keys and Cd's for the Sat nav it's things like this i need to know

Hmmm. Err... ::thinks hard:: Yes, 3 keys and 3 CDs for the satnav. The 3 keys are two full size keys and one little emergency key. A PPI/Inspection would be a very good idea. Otherwise, over and above the usual used car stuff I would want to get under the back end to check that the underside of the engine is dry of oil and peek into the front PU to see if there is an accumulation of leaves, debris etc. Listen for creaking suspension during the test drive, but bear in mind that the suspension will be the 10mm lowered version compared to other 996s. 1st gear may be a pig when the engine is cold - this is normal, not a problem. If the tyres are Michelin then the shoulder may look quite worn but the important depth is apparently the bit in the middle, not the different pattern on the shoulder. The seller may or may not be aware of that - many aren't. Will repost if I think of anything else.

cheers and what about the engine size on these not know about modern Porsches are these the 3.4 or 3.6 ? Cheers this is all starting to build a nice long list of things to check..

A C4S will be the facelift with a 3.6 engine.

I've bought one 4 weeks ago from OPC. I would recommend the warranty as mine had a new gearbox fitted after I'd had it a week. An 02 plate with 21k on the clock. The cd and nav unit have different codes so make sure you get both. As already mentioned check for the RMS weeping/leaking. Usual thing check it is a C16 UK car.

Ok more good advice cool if it is not a UK car then what does that have affect wise on the value..? I will have to compile a tick list tonight Cheers ANY MORE INFO....... Porsche warantee is till 2007 May he knows it's £1k to renew and very adviseable to re new. got to say 21k and a new gear box.....!!!!!!! boy these things are fagile..[&:] not my idea of Porsche owner ship hey ho.. Will still pass on all comments and look at the car with all the above info..

Extended Warranty is £725 (inc VAT) if renewing... I would recommend him getting an inspection done to pick up anything which is not covered by the current extended warranty.

From buying a 911 from a non dealer in the past i would strongley recomend that he has the PPI done by an OPC it is not expensive and should show any additional problems that the warranty may not cover, he can also speak to the machanic to see what is what if your like me you'll want a good look underneath. He has the warranty which is a plus point and if there was anything serious like the gearbox goes then you have that as back up. My car went to a very well known independent porsche garage before i bought it and they missed the RMS (rear main seal) when opc did there insepction so i could extend the warranty, this was the first thing they noticed. Phil

I'd advise to check the state of the front rads for stone damage and to also check the water expansion tank (which doesn't seem to be covered by warranty). Also worth checking when its next service is due, if its done 20K then in 4k its due a large service. £600 odd garyw

Keep going, everyone - if we get a decent list then I'll have an excuse to hide in the garage for a few hours. "Just checking the car is ok, dear!" [ ]

ok how about this list then 1) make sure the original service book is with the car - then look on the second or third page of the service book - there should be a stuck on label detailing the chassis number and options - THEN look under the bonnet and make sure the same label is there - if it is - bonnet is original and car prob hasn't had front end trauma 2) check inside the engine bay - look for the spot weld marks on the seams around the inside of the engine bay - they should be nice and visible through the paint - if they're there the rear hasn't had trauma 3) check the inside of the wheel arches - if there are holes / dashing on the inside liners, the car has been tracked 4) check under the bonnet for the 'true' vin - this is visible through a plastic 'spy glass' on the left hand side of the bulk head - if the numbers are not perfect, the shell has been tampered with 5) open the doors - at the top of the 'b' post where the door is (ie where the door would shut into) check for a small clear plastic / vinyl strip - about 5mm wide and roughly 5cm long - this is impossible to replace and forgotton by 99% of body shops - if it's there then car prob hasn't had side trauma 6) keep the warranty up - RMS IS an issue and there is still no known cure - make sure Porsche pick up the tab. 7) go to the OPC nearest you - with the chassis number - walk into the parts department and smile at them - they *should* give you the chassis options information and help you identify if any non-factory options are on the car. call me if you're not sure about anything Mark - I know these car's very well - I've just bought my 9th 996 and will happilly guide you through any bits your not sure of 9) look at the brake discs - Big Reds can cause the discs to crack - look at the cross drilled holes - are cracks spreading from the holes? If so, the discs have been super heated and will need replacing - £500 to do. For what it is worth, make sure you check the areas around the door lock strikers, on the b pillar, for paint bubbles/corrosion. They had a problem with these, with a simple fix of a plastic sheet between the striker and the panel. It should be in place on a car as late as this but often gets missed in any repairs. Shame about the water in the engine, air is much better!!!!! Have had mine about 6 months. Asked similar questions as it was a close call. 99 with 95k miles for 25k US. Price was right, but lots of miles. Things I learned. Engine failure was almost common on the early cars, and they don't fix them at the dealership, just exchange for another from the factory. The whole car seems that way. One switch was broken on the seat adjuster and I had to buy an entire unit. Don't know what it's like over there, but unlike most car mfgs, Porsche does not have a central database with all the service info on the car. My local dealer could/would do nothing since I was not buying from him. I had to get a carfax and track down the selling dealer. He was kind, and told me mine did get a new engine at 58k miles that comes with a 50k mile warranty. So I went ahead.