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Advice on buying 996 4S from private buyer

smithy10

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Joined
18 Aug 2019
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2
Hello all.

I have just joined your forum after browsing and I'm reaching out for some advice.

I'm looking at a 996 4S late 2003 with 46k.

It has good history with many stamps from Porsche and then good independents. Also has old MOTs and some service invoices showing repairs etc.

The current owner had an inspection and then updated RMS/IMS and new clutch when he purchased the car earlier this year.

The car looks spot on and drives lovely (feels tight and no rattles etc).

So my question is ... would you get an independent specialist to review/verify the car prior to purchase? The car is in south of London near M25.

Would bore scoring worry you?

Looking at Porsche and also independent warranty companies this car seems to be just too old (2003) to take out a 3rd party warranty. Anyone know of any companies that might be able to help?

Any other thoughts or advice would be very welcome.

Regards.
 
smithy10 said:
The current owner had an inspection and then updated RMS/IMS and new clutch when he purchased the car earlier this year

Get a report of the inspection & a full break down of the RMS/IMS work that was carried out.

Post up on here if you can :thumb:
 
:welcome: to 911uk

If you want a PPI I can recommend Project Nine Engineering in Marden, Kent. If that's too far it might be worth getting South London OPC at Sidcup to take a look.
 
I would recommend a borescope with a full PPI. The OPC and indy PPI will charge extra for borescope. Get an interpretation of the downloaded ECU data, have the bodywork examined for potential accident repairs (paint thickness will help) for panel lines, welds etc.

The 4S shares the widebody of the turbo and some other bits - but not the Mezger engine of the Turbo. So satisfy yourself on provenance and the known weaknesses of the M96 are not present or the risk of development.
 
cheshire911 said:
The 4S shares the widebody of the turbo and some other bits - but not the Mezger engine of the Turbo. So satisfy yourself on provenance and the known weaknesses of the M96 are not present or the risk of development.

I'll give you a grand if you list the "known weaknesses of the M96" that are not present on the C4S.

OP - don't go near it without a credible bore score check.
 
It all sounds good, so why's the owner selling it so quickly after buying it?

Normally I'd suggest you do your own checks and glean what you can from the paperwork but with the car being resold so quickly I'd leave no stone unturned and get a PPI with boroscope as above. But be aware even if it's clean bore score could begin the day after you buy it.
 
Hi and welcome,

I was in your position around a year ago (2003 C4S, private seller, good history etc) and having trawled through the good advice on this forum I settled on a Borescope and Over Rev report from an independent. All came back clear so bought it.

RMS/IMS/Clutch won't have been cheap so hopefully there is a compelling story as to why it's being sold on so soon.
 
Alex said:
cheshire911 said:
The 4S shares the widebody of the turbo and some other bits - but not the Mezger engine of the Turbo. So satisfy yourself on provenance and the known weaknesses of the M96 are not present or the risk of development.

I'll give you a grand if you list the "known weaknesses of the M96" that are not present on the C4S.

OP - don't go near it without a credible bore score check.

You need to read the post properly........
 
I did do.
 
I think he meant

cheshire911 said:
The 4S shares the widebody of the turbo and some other bits - but not the Mezger engine of the Turbo. So satisfy yourself on provenance and that the known weaknesses of the M96 are not present or the risk of them developing are checked.

:judge:
 
Got it :salut:

Thanks T.
 
T8 said:
I think he meant

cheshire911 said:
The 4S shares the widebody of the turbo and some other bits - but not the Mezger engine of the Turbo. So satisfy yourself on provenance and that the known weaknesses of the M96 are not present or the risk of them developing are checked.

:judge:

Spot-on Terry. Now I know why you are placed in the (south) east. Hope all is well. I've not been on this site for ages - too busy enjoying my cars till I put them away for hibernation.
 
Thank you everyone for your replies.

I have seen a detailed folder of receipts including the RMS/IMS/clutch work at a good independent. So I'm happy the work has been done correctly.

The car drives well and pulls as it should.

So really just trying to cover myself with the scoring issue.

I will get some further advice from a specialist on an inspection.

Thanks again
 

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