2003/04 996 C4S buying advice
Discussion
Front rads - have they been replaced?
Heat shields, if rattling from rear.
Conscious of ims rms, has it been done? Hartech fix maybe?
Its a car like all others so general mechanical and bodywork should be undertaken. Drive it and see how it feels.
Mine was most reliable car I have owned, looks brilliant too.
Heat shields, if rattling from rear.
Conscious of ims rms, has it been done? Hartech fix maybe?
Its a car like all others so general mechanical and bodywork should be undertaken. Drive it and see how it feels.
Mine was most reliable car I have owned, looks brilliant too.
I'd be wary of a car with a mileage as low as you're suggesting unless it's got an impeccable history (which would put the price up - I'd rather have an excellent car at a lower price but with a different (higher) number on the dash) - many won't have had suspension components replaced (which age takes a toll on) and often have rusty brake discs (inside faces, only possible to view when on a ramp) from lack of use.
Hartech's buyer's guide is a good place to start, as are any of the threads on here that are similar to your own (any 996 buying info is relevant) - search for them either on here or via Google. www.hartech.org
Hartech's buyer's guide is a good place to start, as are any of the threads on here that are similar to your own (any 996 buying info is relevant) - search for them either on here or via Google. www.hartech.org
Make sure you know if you're buying an 03 or an 04 model year - there is a 3 or 4 in the chassis number. The servicing on 04 models onwards is every 2 years, so the definition of FSH changes, though there are no mechanical changes. Mine is an 04 model and I still service annually.
As above, clutch, brakes, IMS, RMS, tyres, cooling rads, bits of front suspension, time/miles to next service - these will all cost you if they haven't been done.
Then there's having an expert look at it e.g. are the exhaust actuators working correctly? If you're only getting as far as discussing whether the alloys have been refurbed you're not getting in deep enough to understand the true condition of the car.
Spec - PSE; colour: black/grey/silver/blue/other in that order; trim: black/dark blue/grey/other in that order; other options that are desirable: PCM2, sports seats, Bose upgrade. PCM2 is not a good sat nav but it's a great audio interface.
In overall priority:
1. History and condition
3. Spec
9. Mileage
As above, clutch, brakes, IMS, RMS, tyres, cooling rads, bits of front suspension, time/miles to next service - these will all cost you if they haven't been done.
Then there's having an expert look at it e.g. are the exhaust actuators working correctly? If you're only getting as far as discussing whether the alloys have been refurbed you're not getting in deep enough to understand the true condition of the car.
Spec - PSE; colour: black/grey/silver/blue/other in that order; trim: black/dark blue/grey/other in that order; other options that are desirable: PCM2, sports seats, Bose upgrade. PCM2 is not a good sat nav but it's a great audio interface.
In overall priority:
1. History and condition
3. Spec
9. Mileage
My seal grey -04 C4S is for sale if you're interested, it's not listed in the classifieds but has had everything done that goes wrong as per the lists above, (about £5K worth of maintenance) and got a decent nav/Bluetooth/ipodery unit in it too.
Let me know if you're cash ready / interested, as it will be traded next week.
Let me know if you're cash ready / interested, as it will be traded next week.
Edited by RatBoy M3CSL on Sunday 28th April 11:50
Great you are looking at the C4S, I have had mine a couple of years now; '03 plate.
Bought with low mileage, and had all the major work done (eg RMS).
There is a lot more to look for than just the things listed above; I found a car that I really liked, did all the basic checks myself but paid out for a Porsche specialist (Peter Morgan) to check it out completely for me.
Got a great report that enabled me to make a considered purchase (less cost than a dog of a car) I bought piece of mind, plus was able to aim off for things that would need looking at - steering hydraulics clamp can fade for example, tyre condition, brakes, discs. These guys look at 911's all teh time, it is guaranteed they will know more than you can pick up in the hour or so it takes to handover your hard-earned cash.
The best advice I could give is, look at many, drive as many as you can, walk away from any that are not looked after.
Get hold of Adrian Streather's buyers guide for 996 and also Ricahrd Hamilton's 'Owners guide'. They are well written and really quite useful to help you navigate around a car you are not familiar with.
The C4S sounds fantastic with PSE, I also have the Tiptronic, don't be put off by them, it is a great gearbox and gives you two hands where they need to be.
Allowing you to keep up with the GT2 at Castle Coombe.... good luck!
Bought with low mileage, and had all the major work done (eg RMS).
There is a lot more to look for than just the things listed above; I found a car that I really liked, did all the basic checks myself but paid out for a Porsche specialist (Peter Morgan) to check it out completely for me.
Got a great report that enabled me to make a considered purchase (less cost than a dog of a car) I bought piece of mind, plus was able to aim off for things that would need looking at - steering hydraulics clamp can fade for example, tyre condition, brakes, discs. These guys look at 911's all teh time, it is guaranteed they will know more than you can pick up in the hour or so it takes to handover your hard-earned cash.
The best advice I could give is, look at many, drive as many as you can, walk away from any that are not looked after.
Get hold of Adrian Streather's buyers guide for 996 and also Ricahrd Hamilton's 'Owners guide'. They are well written and really quite useful to help you navigate around a car you are not familiar with.
The C4S sounds fantastic with PSE, I also have the Tiptronic, don't be put off by them, it is a great gearbox and gives you two hands where they need to be.
Allowing you to keep up with the GT2 at Castle Coombe.... good luck!
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