C4s BUYING ADVICE

I've finally decided to buy a C4s 2002 model, got to be black with black leather[ ] Need some advice on what to look for when buying, what common problems to look for and how to avoid costly early repair bills! What are the prices of the services and what levels? Is the TT models a lot more costly to look after? I prob wont be doing many miles so should i service it yearly or should i go on the miles? Cheers

Just answering the service bit: it doesn't work that way; you either do an annual service (which will be your case for low mileage) or the mileage in any given year i.e. whichever come first and then there are certain things which are time dependent like brake fluid every two year; airbag system check every 4 years up to 10 years then every 2 years thereafter, etc... then there are the mileage dependent things like drive belt every 48K Miles, manual transmission oil every 96K miles, etc... All this will be outlined in the service booklet when you get the car. Service price will depend on the service (minor, major, annual check for low mileage) or if you get it done at an independent. For Porsche Centre service prices see the link below; you can also compare the TT service cost on the same page.: http://opc.cmwinteractive.com/servicepricing911996.asp?opc=4 PS: The above link is via the http://www.porsche.com/uk/ website

There is a checklist here which might be of use: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/fb.asp?m=269468 . Peter Morgan also has a good buyers guide at: http://www.pmmbooks.com/

Thanks for that, just a finale question before i start my search, Is there anything wrong with buying a UK import car as i have seen one in the autotrader 2k less than a UK car?

There is nothing wrong with a parallel import, but they do have a stigma attached to them - hence why it is 2K cheaper! I'm not sure how you would stand with a Porsche warranty, and insurance companies used to be wary of them, I did a personal import on my Subaru WRX and never had a problem with insurance - they always asked "was it built to UK specification" and I had the Type Approval certificate to prove it. Warranty wasn't a problem for me, but Subaru dealers are a different breed to OPCs. Maybe someone here has experience and could comment.........???

Tirfor, I bought a C4S which was imported from Cyprus, a C98 car. I would always buy a C16 UK spec. in future. I've just posted on another forum about insurance. Imports don't generally have a Thatchem Cat 1 alarm system and so it won't be covered for theft. I'm with Norwich Union and they don't cover it. Speak to your insurance broker and tell him the origins of the car and he'll tell you!!! Beware, get a UK car only...........

UK and Belgian 996's are fitted with an alarm siren and tilt sensor, mounted to the right of the battery (as you look at it). This would be easy to retrofit, and presumably would bring it up to Thatcham 1 spec. Getting a certificate to prove that might be more of a challenge, but you might want to consider taking that up with your OPC. Edit: Paul - just found your other posts on this, and am shocked! Sounds like you have been sold a real pup!

Not necessarily Richard. Porsche said to me that Cat 1 includes a deadlock system, back up battery for the alarm/immobiliser and a siren which sounds when the car is interfered with. In my opinion it is not worth buying an import to save some money, it could well end up costing you far more than you save in the long run. I bet there will be quite a few people calling their insurers on Monday morning to check if they are covered for theft. If you're not covered it would be very useful to others to report this back on the forum. Cheers and good luck, HG..

The backup battery is in the alarm siren, and as I said, UK cars also have a tilt sensor. Do you have option M534 or 535? If so, you will have the same door locks as a UK car. I think there is a distinction to be made between a 'parallel' import, which is built to UK spec but supplied through a dealer in another country (complete with UK Type Approval), and a 'grey' import, which is RHD (Japan, etc) which is built to a different standard.

I was thinking of a 'parallel' import but i think i will now just wait to find a UK model. Seems like i may have problems down the line which i would rather do without!

Quite right Tifor. Richard, I shall enquire at Reading on Monday and see if I can find out some more detail. Mine is a Cypriot import which may well have been involved in a money laundering scam. Trading standards are investigating. By the way Richard, how would I know if I had either of those two options? Actually, looking at the letter of origin from Porsche, they say mine was manufactured to Cyprus specification. And for the third edit, I have just had a look and the engine number has been removed!

HG, sounds like you have got some problems, to say the least!! The country code and option codes are shown on the VIL: You can see the C16 for the UK, and the other options alongside. They don't always list the alarm as an option on UK cars, as it wasn't an option. It might show on a non-UK car though. There is a sticker on the top of the alarm control module, which is located under the passenger seat, and will say M534 or M535. Not easy to see though. C98 is the country code for non-specific RHD cars (Cyprus, etc). A few other RHD codes are C18 (Japan) C23 (Australia) C24 (New Zealand) C26 (South Africa). The only other "good" country code is C17, which are cars built for British personnel stationed in Germany - but I have never seen one. Edit: Are you sure the engine number has been removed? They are very difficult to read at the best of times.

Richard, The engine number according to the manual is stamped on a tab on the passenger side of the car. I have located where it is meant to be and the tab is at a 45 degree angle i.e. it looks as though it may have been cut off. Whoever did it has made sure it looks as though it was made like that! Do you know of any other parts of the engine that carry the number? I notice you're in Maidenhead, I live in Marlow, bit cheeky I know but do you fancy having a look at it? Paul Edit. The alarm code is M534, so does this mean it has got a Thatchem Cat1 alarm?

Paul - the engine number is shown in the photo - a tab at about 45°. Because of its position (exposure to the elements) it tends to be very difficult to read. That's the only place the engine is stamped with the number. If the alarm control module is M534 it is the same as UK spec, but I'm sure it won't have the siren and tilt sensor, so it won't be Thatcham Cat 1. Depending on what your plans are for the car, it might be worth finding out from Porsche if they would be able to certify it if these items were retrofitted. How easy that is depends on the loom of the car. If there are a couple of empty electrical connectors to the right of the battery, then it might be a simple job. I'd be happy to look at the car. If it was me I'd be pressing Trading Standards, and doing my best to get my money back and/or some compensation.

Thanks Richard, very difficult to read is the understatement of the year!! I scrubbed the area with a nail brush and soap and eventually I could read it. Well, at least the car does have the original engine. Trading standards called me again today actually, the guy there has been very helpful. It seems that this car was illegally imported. It was declared new at first registration despite it being 2 years old and the importer, Ian Forrester Specialist Cars, do not seem to have declared to DVLA that they were importing it..........which is a criminal offence. Just received another solicitors bill, £611 so not too bad. Total about £3500 so far. My barrister is drawing up the court papers as we speak!! I shall keep you posted.