Should i buy this 996?

I just looked at an extremely clean, 36k mile 1999 996. I really like the car. Interior is spotless. Exterior is all original paint as verified with paint meter. A few minor blemishes that paintless dent repair may be able to handle. I'll have a PPI done, but I wanted to know what you all think about the oil on the engine. The garage floor was clean, but there was residual oil on the engine. I pulled the dipstick. Engine oil looked fine, clean, but not brand new. I rubbed some on my hand and put a magnet to the oil and saw nothing stick to the magnet. CarFax agrees with mileage. No proof of IMS being done. Build date is 9/98 and in service date is 12/98. A few other questions about options: LSD and Active Brake - what's the difference? And can you have one without the other? 537: What's "positrol"? What are the Comfort Seats? VERY CONCERNING IS THE DASH: ISN'T IT SUPPOSED TO HAVE ALUMINUM GAUGES? IS IT POSSIBLE SOMEONE SWITCHED THE GAUGES IN AN EFFORT TO FALSIFY MILEAGE? The car certainly looks to be 36k miles, and the CarFax agrees with that, but why are the gauges not aluminum? OPTIONS: C02 Cats X71 Aluminum Instrument Dials X97 Aluminium/leather shift knob X98 Aluminium/leather parking break handle 220 LSD Locking differential 222 Traction control ASR AntriebsSchlupfRegelung 224 Active Brake Differential 236 Internal production code related to tyres 413 18" Turbo look wheels 424 Automatic heating control 425 Rear wiper 437 Comfort seat left 438 Comfort seat right 446 996: Colored Wheel Crests 490 Hi-Fi sound system 537 Left seat with positrol and lumbar 696 CD-radio Becker Porsche CDR-220 So what's it worth? Vid: https://youtu.be/mUAv6dh2OKw

Good catch, I don't see anything aluminum about those instruments' dial faces nor trim rings. I think a connection into the car's DME control unit with a Porsche-compatible diagnostic reader tool might show VIN, engine number, and mileage count in case original gauge cluster and its odometer was changed out. Does that oil seep begin towards the center of the engine where the gearbox mounts to engine's rear? If so, it's got either a rear main seal or intermediate shaft bearing cover seal that has let go.

I had a 99 C2 and it had black instruments like this. The 99 had a dual row IMS. I replaced mine, and the bearing, when checked, had little grease and had oil in it. No idea if it would keep going or fail, so I'm happy to have replaced it. The low mileage, little use cars have a higher percentage failure rate, so keep that in mind. The bigger issue, in my view, is the frequency that these cars had oil-coolant intermix. The one I bought had that failure and I bought it in that condition and did an engine replacement. These cars are susceptible to cracking cylinder heads and cylinder 'D' chunking. Sufficient cooling is the most important thing. I would suggest, if you buy it, to add a center radiator and check the reservoir tank. They crack with age/use. If these engines overheat, you can suffer irreversible damage. Having said that, once you add cooling capacity (center rad) you should be good to go. As far as value goes, low mileage is more a negative than a positive, in my view. If I was buying I wouldn't go higher than $13k-$14k, especially since the IMS and clutch will be 3k.

One other thing. Check the engine number. If there is an 'AT' in the serial number than the engine has been replaced with a factory engine having the 2006 style non-serviceable IMS bearing.

That oil leak is the AOS leak. Despite what people say about how infrequent the IMS failure is, assume that it is going to happen to you and act accordingly. No more than $20K for this car.

Air-Oil-Separator leak, I'd forgotten about that possibility.

AOS leak repair isn't that bad. I got a quote for $525 parts and labor to do it while IMS is being done. Price for IMS is $770 + $1300 installation, plus $650 for new clutch. $3,245 all in. So, assuming the rest of the car is ok, what's it worth? Dealer is saying bottom is $21,900 as it sits, or $24,500 if he does the repairs (but it's not a P-car specialist). Note: the car has some minor dings in the engine lid, most likely can be removed with paintless dent repair. Seems like something fell on the car while it was covered. But other than that, it's very clean. Or..... Do I buy another one that I'm looking at with much more options, Aero pkg, same miles, but all repairs recently done like IMS, for $31k asking price?

For $31k I'd be looking at a 997. A 3.4 engine 996 for that price is too much in my opinion.

2 yrs ago I bought an 2002 C4S with all records, IMS, clutch, all new exhaust (don't know why) with some not too bad cosmetic challenges, 62k miles for $22k. Keep looking. Barry

Check out the options list on this thing. hell, the aftermarket rims alone are $6k. And all the important stuff was recently done, like IMS, clutch, all fluids, etc. If I bought another one in the $21k range, I could be dumping $5k into it anyway. Plus, aero spoilers are cooool. lol

It's your money...buy what you want. The collective experience is what you asked for and you're getting it. You will come to learn the 996 3.4 engine is not the one you want. Hopefully, you won't find out the hard way.

And I appreciate the input, please don't think otherwise. Why is the 3.4 not as good? It seems to be better in terms of the IMS, since it's got the double bearing. I'm not as worried about power, I've got a `64 GTO with over 600 ft. lbs of torque if I need to feel raw power. Oh, and it looks like this Aero 911 is an AWD model, at least I think so based on the VIN lookup. It's confusing, but I think it's AWD. I hope to see the car tomorrow and I'll know for sure.

Hi Adam I have 2-996 cars-one in Maine, and one in SC (winter car). I like them-I think that they are the sweet spot for Porsche value right now. But as others have said over and over-they carry the risk of engine failure with them. That is too much to deal with for some folks-those people should not consider buying a 996. If you are willing to consider one-then be prepared to have an immediate ims upgrade done-then enjoy! You have already gotten the repair/upgrade estimates for this car, so you know what to expect. This particular car seems too expensive when the upgrades and repairs are added in-probably a good buy for a car in this condition would be closer to 17-18K. Good luck with your search!!!

https://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-marketplace/1029864-996-4-liter.html Now here's a car! The rebuild on that engine is bulletproof. LN IMS Solution plus nickies at 4.0 liters for that price. Blows away the one's you were considering. The engine rebuild alone is all of that price.

Quotes source post: 9798699

Very interesting. I'm a hot-rodder at heart, so this intrigues me. How good are these builds? I guess I need to inquire as to who did the assembly work. How do I check out a modified car like this from a distance? Need a very knowledgeable PPI I guess.

LN Engineering most likely did the cylinder install, or possibly Jake Raby at Flat Six Innovations. The IMS solution is the absolute best solution to the IMS problem. You should read up on LN Engineering and Jake Raby. If the cylinder heads were done in Atlanta, then I suspect Jake did the motor as he is near Atlanta as well. Ask questions of the owner. Verify the installer is authorized or known by LNE. Your PPI should be by someone that knows 996 cars. Get a recommendation from someone in MN. It looks like the car is registered there.

Thanks. Yes, I've been reading the forums and inter-webs like a mad-man! I'll inquire. Today, I will see the Aero `99 pictured above. Hey, does anyone have access to run me a CarFax?

I saw the car today. Looks really nice in person. Still not a fan of the interior color, but what can I do, I'm not ordering the car new. I'm thinking black floor mats and maybe even a black 3 spoke steering wheel would tone down the interior nicely. Pros: drove really well. Records of the big service work done when current owner bought the car a year ago, plus I saw the PPI done a year ago. He addressed everything on the PPI except for the sun visor mirror covers. Major work done last year, 1k miles ago: IMS, RMS, clutch, ALL fluids changed, filters changed, coils and plugs changed. The car drove well. Felt strong. The bad: the front bumper and hood had been repainted in the past and the bumper needs paint again as the center where the plate should be is not great. It once had holes for a plate that someone did a poor job repairing. There are about 2 scratches/door chips on each door that are not bad. The drivers seat needs some reconditioning and cleaning. I found the bill of sale in the car. The guy paid $22k for it and then put in $6k. So what's it worth now? Closer to 22 or closer to 28k? Asking is $31k. I like the exterior MUCH more than the first car, but the black interior on the first one is perfect. The first car needs about $4k worth of work (IMS, clutch, AOS), but is all original and unmolested, save for a few marks on the engine lid. Both have 36k miles.

I bought a 997S (yes, an S) for $34.5K. No way in hell I am paying $31K for any 996 unless it is a GT3 (which would be more than double that, of course) My buddy bought a 996 five years ago and despite my recommendation to do the IMS, he did not. Well, we just got done swapping his engine out because it blew up. So, assume that a 996 will blow up.

I've owned 6 Porsches including a 2000 Boxster S since 2010. None EVER looked as bad as what I see in those first 1999 pics. Almost like it was driven in salt and not washed. Come down to NC and get one! The oil doesn't bother me, that is fixable. But the suspension not a pretty sight. On top of that look at the wheel, those stains won't come off I can bet and there is no way 35k miles caused that. Let me know if you still want a carfax on it.

Does not look like the underside of a "nice" 35k mile car.. As whip says! Either non genuine mileage or has seen a lot of salt. $31k!! Would walk away

Guys sorry but I bought my 4th 996 three months ago I do love the most hated 911 honestly don't care really love them. One thing low mile cars scare me these cars love to be exercised. A lady friend of mine got a stunning 2001 cab with 30k miles but she had to do water pump, coolant bottle, one cooling fan, about 6 hoses, wheel bearing and AOS spark plug tubes. Every one of my previous 996's had 100k + miles. At the age they are now it does not matter if buy a low mile car, you are going to do the same maintenance items. So get a nice clean 80-100 k car for $15-$18k. It's a better buy. Get one that has a lot of options. But paying more than $21k for a C2 or C4 no way.

I bought the second car in this thread. The very heavily optioned Aero. It drove great. But what pushed me over the top is that I got to speak with the Porsche tech who did all the work last year, including IMS, coils, and all fluids. He said it's a great, solid car. . Then I tracked down the Porsche dealer who did the PPI last year. Same sentiments. Very good, solid car. I love the Aero + lowered sport suspension + the $6k optional rims! So I bought it. Hope to have it next week.