997 - Patchy Service History
Discussion
Hi guys,
I'm looking at another car...this time it's very low mileage 2006 , really good condition, for sale at a premium specialist dealer for top money.
But it's never had an OPC service...the first 20,000 mile minor service was done at a non-specialist garage about 3.5 years after first registration...and they just changed the oil/filter. Then it had another oil/filter change at 30,000 about a year and a half later. Then, about 2 years further on, it finally had a 40,000 mile major service. This time at a Porsche reputable specialist.
I'm really torn because it's a beautiful car in great condition...and the dealer selling it would not stock something dodgy I'm sure. But...would it put you off?
Ta,
J.
I'm looking at another car...this time it's very low mileage 2006 , really good condition, for sale at a premium specialist dealer for top money.
But it's never had an OPC service...the first 20,000 mile minor service was done at a non-specialist garage about 3.5 years after first registration...and they just changed the oil/filter. Then it had another oil/filter change at 30,000 about a year and a half later. Then, about 2 years further on, it finally had a 40,000 mile major service. This time at a Porsche reputable specialist.
I'm really torn because it's a beautiful car in great condition...and the dealer selling it would not stock something dodgy I'm sure. But...would it put you off?
Ta,
J.
I’d be more interested in the recent history, say last 5 years and as long as that was absolutely spot on, then less of a concern. Proper evidence of major/minor, spark plugs, brake fluid etc.
It’s not ideal though, an enthusiasts car is generally serviced every year. I guess it serves as a bit of a bargaining point, but I’d imagine the selling garage have already factored it in.
It’s not ideal though, an enthusiasts car is generally serviced every year. I guess it serves as a bit of a bargaining point, but I’d imagine the selling garage have already factored it in.
Jefferson Steelflex said:
I’d be more interested in the recent history, say last 5 years and as long as that was absolutely spot on, then less of a concern. Proper evidence of major/minor, spark plugs, brake fluid etc.
It’s not ideal though, an enthusiasts car is generally serviced every year. I guess it serves as a bit of a bargaining point, but I’d imagine the selling garage have already factored it in.
Yeah, good shout. Technically, the 997s are 20k or two year intervals. This car has done about 14,000 miles in the last 5 years, and less than 4000 of those since 2015...and it has had a service every two years since then, in the correct sequence and by a proper Porsche specialist. And there have been coil packs, plugs, belts, control arms etc in that time. So I guess it's probably fine. I'm asking them for their bore scope inspection report.It’s not ideal though, an enthusiasts car is generally serviced every year. I guess it serves as a bit of a bargaining point, but I’d imagine the selling garage have already factored it in.
OP good luck with this, i have been looking since Aug for either a 997 gen 1 C4S or gen 2 S / C4S and its a complete minefield!
I have my eye on a Gen 2 S but it has 65k on the clock and priced at 40k. I have no idea if that's too expensive or just about right due to some other crazy pricing out there!
Phil
I have my eye on a Gen 2 S but it has 65k on the clock and priced at 40k. I have no idea if that's too expensive or just about right due to some other crazy pricing out there!
Phil
I would ask myself "how would I look after it and service it". I would not buy it. If the original owner didn't pamper it as much as I would how could I expect it to be in top condition. I would change my oil once a year, waiting 2 years seems a bit long for a high performance car. Oil is cheap, engine wear is expensive.
Given the last 5 years history on schedule,with a specialist, it’s probably fine imho. But I bet the dealer made a song and dance and lowered their p/x bid when the previous owner traded it in.
Life’s too short to spend all your time looking. If it’s the right car and you like it, better the servicing be the way round it is than vice versa?
Life’s too short to spend all your time looking. If it’s the right car and you like it, better the servicing be the way round it is than vice versa?
jezzaaa said:
Hi guys,
I'm looking at another car...this time it's very low mileage 2006 , really good condition, for sale at a premium specialist dealer for top money.
But it's never had an OPC service...the first 20,000 mile minor service was done at a non-specialist garage about 3.5 years after first registration...and they just changed the oil/filter. Then it had another oil/filter change at 30,000 about a year and a half later. Then, about 2 years further on, it finally had a 40,000 mile major service. This time at a Porsche reputable specialist.
I'm really torn because it's a beautiful car in great condition...and the dealer selling it would not stock something dodgy I'm sure. But...would it put you off?
Ta,
J.
I don't think I've ever come across a 911 that wasn't serviced by Porsche at least once. Have you called Porsche with the VIN to see whether it has in fact been in the network?I'm looking at another car...this time it's very low mileage 2006 , really good condition, for sale at a premium specialist dealer for top money.
But it's never had an OPC service...the first 20,000 mile minor service was done at a non-specialist garage about 3.5 years after first registration...and they just changed the oil/filter. Then it had another oil/filter change at 30,000 about a year and a half later. Then, about 2 years further on, it finally had a 40,000 mile major service. This time at a Porsche reputable specialist.
I'm really torn because it's a beautiful car in great condition...and the dealer selling it would not stock something dodgy I'm sure. But...would it put you off?
Ta,
J.
So said:
I don't think I've ever come across a 911 that wasn't serviced by Porsche at least once. Have you called Porsche with the VIN to see whether it has in fact been in the network?
Hi ya - no me neither!! I've actually now decided to pass on it, and have put a deposit down on another car with much improved provenance!The dealer in question is Aberdeen OPC! You can look it up on the approved used locator...£30,000 2006 Carrera S in Silver and Black leather. Almost no options, except a sports exhaust and cruise control. And you'll notice they're not offering the Porsche 2 year warranty because it doesn't have the FPSH...it comes with a Reg Vardy 1 year affair instead...I bet with a very low max claim limit!. \
I was slightly wrong in what I said above...it had one oil and filter change at Glasgow OPC by the first owner after it's first 1000 miles. Other than that it's been as mentioned.
Some great comments, thanks guys. I'm sure it's a good car. Certainly the cosmetic condition is very good. And really low mileage at 44k. But not for me on this occasion. Kris, the salesman at Aberdeen, was very helpful...took a video of the car for me and zoomed in on the areas I asked, since it's rather far away. Would have been a fun road trip driving it back down to East Anglia from Aberdeen too!
Cheers all,
J.
Edited by jezzaaa on Wednesday 8th November 20:24
philnotts said:
OP good luck with this, i have been looking since Aug for either a 997 gen 1 C4S or gen 2 S / C4S and its a complete minefield!
I have my eye on a Gen 2 S but it has 65k on the clock and priced at 40k. I have no idea if that's too expensive or just about right due to some other crazy pricing out there!
Phil
Hi Phil - and to you buddy! I'm really pleased with the one I've put a deposit down on, but I've looked at a lot of cars on the way. The ratio that have had engine rebuilds due to bore scoring vs ones on original engines has been about 50%...a far cry from the 5% that certain buyers guides (Evo, PH etc) would have you believe..from a small sample and therefore anecdotal, but even so. And several of the ones with no reported problems were being sold by non-specialist dealers, some of whom wouldn't allow me to get them bore scoped if it meant taking the car to a specialist premises! I have my eye on a Gen 2 S but it has 65k on the clock and priced at 40k. I have no idea if that's too expensive or just about right due to some other crazy pricing out there!
Phil
The one I bought is on its original engine but has had the bore scope done by a specialist and he has a DVD recording of the footage taken during the inspection.
It is also quite depressing how almost all of the cars (including the one I've bought!) are silver with blue or black leather. I've looked at a couple of cobalt blue ones, but one was very expensive from Paragon...another one sold before I could go and look at it. And there's a midnight blue one over in Cardiff, but the guy told me (very honest) that the bores are scored, and that the price reflects that (I didn't agree)! Another red one in Leicester which looked fab but again sold before I could go and see it. The good ones at reasonable prices do seem to be selling very quickly.
The Gen 2s are too expensive IMVHO...yes they should be more expensive than a Gen 1, of course. But not almost double in some cases, even where showing higher mileages (as you've seen). Still, if people are paying the prices being asked, good luck to them and the sellers!
Cheers,
J.
Edited by jezzaaa on Wednesday 8th November 20:27
Afternoon.
Yep - unless you're buying Silver, Black or near-as colours, Red and Blue 997s are like rocking horse turd and when they do come up, they're often £2 - 3k more expensive than a like-for-like example. More often than not, the spec is actually better on a Silver (like mine) or Black car, because they were early versions bought by people speccing for the next buyer rather than themselves!
I'd've loved a Red 997 but when I bought mine six years ago comparable cars were nearly £4k more expensive. Plenty of 'Cooking' 997s had BOSE, Sports Exhaust, Heated Seats etc, but trying to find a Red 997 even with BOSE was like trying to find an honest politician. For some reason most had Sports Chrono - and not much else. Colour should be at the very bottom of your wish list buying any Porsche after Condition, History and Mileage, unless you've the budget and time to wait for 'your' colour.
PS. The car you were initially on about didn't sound too bad, given that it'd had a lot of other remedial work done too, indicating that it's prior owners knew to spend the right £s
Yep - unless you're buying Silver, Black or near-as colours, Red and Blue 997s are like rocking horse turd and when they do come up, they're often £2 - 3k more expensive than a like-for-like example. More often than not, the spec is actually better on a Silver (like mine) or Black car, because they were early versions bought by people speccing for the next buyer rather than themselves!
I'd've loved a Red 997 but when I bought mine six years ago comparable cars were nearly £4k more expensive. Plenty of 'Cooking' 997s had BOSE, Sports Exhaust, Heated Seats etc, but trying to find a Red 997 even with BOSE was like trying to find an honest politician. For some reason most had Sports Chrono - and not much else. Colour should be at the very bottom of your wish list buying any Porsche after Condition, History and Mileage, unless you've the budget and time to wait for 'your' colour.
PS. The car you were initially on about didn't sound too bad, given that it'd had a lot of other remedial work done too, indicating that it's prior owners knew to spend the right £s
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