996 C4S - Experiences, tips, specific known issues?

[Stringer]

Hi fellas,

Going to look at a 996 C4S tomorrow. Is there anything specifically to look out for other than the usual 996 stuff? I imagine the front rads have the same corrosion issues at the Turbo for example.

Any other thoughts, tips or moral support welcome!

[DeeKay17]

Get a PPI, well worth the money IMO

[RatBoy M3CSL]

Mines just cleaned up and ready for sale now, if you are cash ready and want a manual seal grey 1 that's had all the bits replaced that go wrong + PSE let me know ASAP or it's being traded next week.

Brake discs + pads
A/C radiators + regas
New Battery
Alternator
Oil pressure gauge sender
Engine coolant pipe updates
New windscreen
New Clutch
Kenwood blue tooth / Ipod / Nav head unit
New front tyres last week
Years Tax and MOT

Inspection no problem if you wanted to do that.

Edited by RatBoy M3CSL on Saturday 20th April 14:04

[Mankers]

^ PPI is the way to go, but the list above contains most of what I have done on mine over the past couple of years:

+

Door Membrane
Heated seat element
Wiper control
RMS x 2

Check rear tyres carefully across the full width, if geo is out inside wear can be high.

[jonamv8]

My C4S was the most reliable car i owned. Battery and tyres in 12 months.

In a 4S id want 6 spd manual not tip, turbo tip is fine due to power

[petop]

I have a 54 C4S Tip.
Hav a good look at the rads and condensers. Ask when they were last cleaned. Between the 2 the crud can collect.
As mentioned above, being 4 wheel drive the setup is a bit more important. If its had a recent Geo ask for paperwork as it should have a before and after printout. But if it hasnt no dramas but i thought mine was ok until i had mine done and it does transform it.
PSE, well if its got it then its a godsend. Just get the diode thing done if it hasnt already.
Apart from that, just the other normal stuff you would check on any car. I didnt have to worry about the IMS, Bore Scoring stuff and i still dont as mine had a new Porsche supplied engine and i still have warranty left on it. Advantage of the Tip is there isnt a clutch to change but then if you wanted any RMS/IMS work then it gets expensive as the engine has to come out unlike the manual.
But so far, its been reliable and i dont treat it with kid gloves. Ive had it since Nov last year and done about 4,500 miles and winter didnt stop me going anywhere. I think using these cars makes a difference than leaving it to nice sunny days and weekends.

[Stringer]

Cheers fellas. I may well get an inspection, will talk to the seller about the possibility of that today. Will have a good look at the rads myself and will ask if its had a geometry set-up.

[pierslofi]

I've looked at 4 in the last month. Get a PPI WITH a look at the bores (cost about an hour extra labour). Then decide.

[Magic919]

When we sold our C4S we took the car to an Indy of his choice for them to check it. It was a pretty sorted car, but they spotted a few things. Knocked off £500 and did a deal.

If the seller is confident about the car, he won't mind.

[Callughan]

Loads of info on here if you do a search.

Lots of dogs out there so make sure you get it properly checked out. Base your decision on condition and provenance rather than price.

Had my tip for 4 years and loved it although was expensive to maintain and nothing really went wrong. However as always this is dependent on type of use and mileage you do.

Edited by Callughan on Sunday 21st April 14:16

[C4SHONEY]

I have a 2002 C4S which I bought at 50k and now has 70k miles on.

I have used it everyday, until recently.

Fuel - about 25/26mpg.

I have put a new set of tyres on it, but apart from that the servicing has been very 'normal' for what you would expect from a 2002 porsche, a few things have worn out but other that that no big issues.

I know use it 50/50 with a Range Rover supercharged.

The porsche is great, but I would not want to do a long journey (2hrs +) in it. It grips the road very well and if you are after a 'weekend' car I would recommend it.

I should really sell it, but its just such a great shape that I am holding it for the moment.

[Mankers]

C4SHONEY said:

The porsche is great, but I would not want to do a long journey (2hrs +) in it.

I think they are a pretty good long journey car, can even get 30 odd mpg on a long run. I do most long journeys in France / Spain though as UK roads are just terrible.

[bullettneil]

Mankers said:

I think they are a pretty good long journey car, can even get 30 odd mpg on a long run. I do most long journeys in France / Spain though as UK roads are just terrible.

i agree. i bought my c4s manual in october and at the beginning of dec after not much use in crappy weather i drove 3 1/2 hours(at night in torrential rain as well) to my dads in the cotswolds. i had no comfort issues at all.

genune checkable history and condition is most important.mine was cheap and needs the rims refurbing and the bumpers painting but the car is honest and wasnt trying to hide anything with bad cover ups etc.

[Dave Thornton]

Worth pointing out that the perfect car does not exist out there - it's just a case of finding a good one and finding out everything about it. Within the history / bills, look for all the servicing, all the MoTs, all the brake fluid changes, then the date/mileage of any key replacememts: clutch, RMS, IMS, discs/pads F+R, tyres F+R, cooling rads etc - these should all come up by 10 years/70k (some maybe more than once).

I didn't do a PPI as the car had just been to a reputable specialist for a load of work before I bought it, including clutch, RMS, IMS, front discs/pads and 4 tyres. Soon after I got it, it developed a sticking valve which according to my specialist could not have been spotted at a PPI. More recently, I've replaced a couple of bits of front suspension which weren't showing any wear at time of purchase; and I also replaced the 2 PSE actuators as they started to seize up. I'll need to do the cooling rads in the next year. How much of this could have been spotted at a PPI is open to question and on this particular C4S I don't regret not doing a PPI - my annual service last week was just £270. But the average C4S will now be 10 years old and I would on balance advise a PPI.

[ALM11]

I'm, hopefully, in the final throws of buying one. Went for a Porsche PPI (285 USD, I live in the US..... ). I'm paying around 22 K GBP...the PPI called out the PSE as not operational...having too much fun on the test drive to notice and the need for a four wheel alignment. Buyer has agreed to have both done at said OPC...so worth doing. The reality us the thing could expire 10 miles after buying it...spend a SMALL amount to get it checked the best you can and make the decision that your happy with.

It's my nature to second guess this type of purchase.....in truth, there is little rational to owning an older Porsche......it's about the experience.......I hope yours (and mine!) is everything you hope'd for........