A '98 996 C2 for £20k

Have been lurking around the idea of getting an early 996 c2 and very tempted with this example from eporsch. Please advice if this is the right price and what should I look for in an early 996. How about the engine problem, should they all be sorted out by now? Please advice. Will the price drop even further in the next few months? Is the 3.6L more desirable than the early 3.4L models? How do they compare? Details ... Make Porsche Model 911 (996) Carrera Body Style Coupe Gearbox 6-Speed Manual Engine 3.4l, six cylinder 300 bhp Performance 0-60 5.1s, Vmax 173 mph Year 1998 R-registration Mileage 84,000 miles Exterior colour Ocean blue metallic Interior Savannah sport leather Maintenance Porsche/specialist full service history Recent Clutch Equipment 030 Sports Suspension, Sports seats, 18" alloys (not shown), Blaupunkt CD, Porsche remote entry alarm/immobiliser, Traction Control, Power steering, Climate control, Airbags Warranty 6 Month - Included £19,495

Hi Charles, Sounds like a nice car. I bought a 98/R C2 Tip about 4 years or so that had 88,000 miles on it. Now has 110k. Been a good car and pretty reliable and have had it fully serviced. Have had the usual pads/disks and a few other things done. The box was replaced under warranty though. I think there have been the usual RMS (know problem - search for it on threads here) and a few known engine problems but I would imagine they should be mostly sorted by now on a car of that age. I have driven a couple of 3.6l and there are lots of smaller differences that add up to a better package, but in my opinion they dont drive massively different or better and I would imagine you would have to spend another 7-10k for a nice facelift. In fact, a few weeks ago I was 'comparing speeds' abroad with a 3.6l C4 Cab with 48k and he couldnt keep up with mine which is standard. Not much difference in speed but I was slightly quicker. Taking into account the other one was a C4 + Cab + 2 people I would say they are pretty even. I understand the main difference is torque rather than outright speed though. So, if you can afford a decent 3.6 its a better car all round, failing that I wouldnt be put off with this one. Cant imagine they are going to depreciate much more than £20k - they are so affordable and great value for money at the moment.

Charles, read the news! Cars devalue, so why do you think it would not go down? With the current economic climate I'd respectfully suggest that the values of relatively easily available premium cars will probably not be heading upwards....[&o]

Paul, That is what happened to the 993 where the price now is higher than they were a few years ago. Its probably 'thanks' to the over-supplied 996s I suppose.

I'm sure Paul is correct that valus of 'standard' 996's won't ever go up, but at 9 years and £20K it has reached the flattest part f the depreciation curve. You could probably keep the car for 3 years and only lose about £5000 provided you don't rack up too many miles.

Certainly seems a good price, and there is a thought train that if the engine was going to fail it would have done by now ! You might just qualify for a ~Porsche warranty if you wanted extra peace of mind (£895 pa) but if it hasn't got full OPC history they ight get a bit picky about it. Just check the claim limit of the eporsch warranty, most aftermarket ones are limited to £5k. Buy with the knowledge that RMS isn';t that big a deal unless its leaking badly, and can be fixed for £700, a full set of brakes is about £600 if you DIY, and a set of 18" tyres is £700-£800 dependent upon brand. Keep some money aside should the worst happen and an engine rebuild via Autofarm is required ! Also check the air con for efficiency - condensors corrode and are £600 a side to replace. Their advert implies the wheels shown aren't the actual ones on the car ?. Get an independent inspection before buying for peace of mind, and negotiate getting items fixed before sale.

Agree with all the points above, except you _won't_ be able to get an OPC warrantee. They are only available up to the car's 9th birthday, which will have already passed for a '98 vehicle. You could still get an OPC to do a 111 point inspection on it, which would be £130 (or so) well spent.

RMS? Pleasee explain. This one also has the M030suspension option, is it worthy option on the 996s? Do they all come with a sunroof? Also, manual shift vs tiptronic. Is the tiptronic in the 996 as good as a manual one? Someone mentioned that there isn't much performance gain (apart from the extra torque) between the 3.4 and 3.6 but how about mileage.

RMS = Rear Main Seal, often prone to leaking on the 996, not really worth worrying about, but do a search if you want to know the full story. M030 suspension - lower/stiffer suspension (20mm front, 10m rear I believe). Beerhsark's - (Rob's) father, having ridden in his car and my car (MKII GT3), thought both car's were closely matched for stiffness. They don't all come with sunroof Manual vs Tiptronic - Both very nice, it depends what you want out of your driving experience and what you're going to be using it for (ie motorway/B roads vs town/traffic) The Facelift has 21bhp more but it's not a big real world difference. In terms of mileage, I'd say both engines are good for over 130k before you need to think about any kind of rebuild (advice given by Hartech - an independent Porsche specialist) obviously depending on how the car was used during it's life.

well you'd hope so anyway...

I have the M030 suspension on mine, it's 10mm drop all round. In fact I am driving past Brentwood next weekend if you want a spin. You def want a PSE fitted too, sound is great. Had mine 2 years and it's been great.

Sorry guys for not understanding the names - I come from the old school 944 camp - there are not much electronics mainly mechanical stuff. PSE? Sounds great - be either a Porsche Sounds systems or Porsche Performance Exhaust? What other worthy options should I look for when buying a used 996, please advice.

Jamma, Thanks for the offer but I don't know where I will be doing (yet) in that weekend.

PSE is porsche sports exhaust

I would be reluctant to spend £1500 on a PSE for a car that age. To avoid advertising (which is now against the rules), you may want to get in touch with Richard Hamilton of this parish who could have an alternative suggestion which is a bit more cost effective.

Sorry, I don't mean to nitpick but that sounds way over the odds. You should be able to get both replaced (at £130 a side for the condensers) and the labour (three/four hours) and the regas (£50) and the VAT for that and still have change.

John - I don't think you should regard the recommendation of a service or supplier as advertising. It would only be inappropriate if it was the supplier themself doing the recommendation!! There are several write-ups on here, Renntech, Rennlist, etc, about exhaust modifications which replicate the sound of the PSE, without the expense (albeit without the switchable feature too). John and I had ours done at Wrightune in Wallingford. The tricky bit for me is recommending a best mate - is that advertising? Perhaps, but I always note the affiliation.

Or buy one on Ebay, do a search for 'Oettle' they are the company that do them for around £300. I bought one for my previous car and it totaly transformed it, with no downside (except a worse MPG figure as you rev the car to hear that amazing sound) [ ]

Am a bit late to this chat but I have an S-reg 996, and it is a hoot, at £20k the one you are looking at is at a good price and if you have a reliable supplier I'd go for it. My RMS is absolutey bone dry as affirmed by Tony Wright ( Richard's buddy, see below ) and me when up on his ramp. I have same sports suspension and it is just fine, not harsh at all and with limited slip diff for added security in a tight moment. If it's a private sale you might get a few bob off, a grand say. Not depreciation proof of course but about as sound a deal as you will get... Buy and enjoy it! All the best Des