Hello all,

Been lurking a long time, just never posted. I'm finally considering taking the plunge and picking up a TT in the near future. That said, I wanted to see if I'm missing any items to check for in addition to the following.

1) Get a PPI done
2) Check for 2nd gear pop out
3) RMS
4) Clutch wear
5) Tires

In regards to #2, if I find a vehicle that does have the 2nd gear pop out issue, is this something that Porsche has admitted fault to and will fix outside of warranty? Or is it on the owner's dime?

Also, based on my readings and searches here it sounds as if one can mod a stock TT for less $ (and perhaps some improved performance) compared to trying to find a car with the X50 package. I haven't looked around for independent tuners in the WI area, but I'm sure we have some around given the track events up north. Are there any solid reasons to look for a x50 model instead?

Anything else to check for that I've missed? Thanks! Great site.

-KJ

 

RMS is NOT an issue on the 996TT as it is equipped with the GT1 derived, dry sumped race engine, a different beast entirely to the regular 3.6L engine fitted to the "lesser" models!

Cheers,

Beej

 

You are on point with your list. Make sure you read these threads. There is a wealth of info here. Good luck with your search.

 

Thanks for the info on the RMS. I didn't realize that it wasn't a concern on that engine in particular. One less thing to worry about.

 

Also keep in mind that although the Turbo is a little more "optioned" than the base 996, most everything is a la carte. Pay attention to the options on the car. In the used car market, generally it doesn't cost much more to get a car with a variety of options.

 

Be careful with the second gear pop out issue: liability cannot be determined until they disassemble it. There are specific features (worn gears, damage) that PCNA has cataloged in a TSB that allow them to decide "defect" or "abuse".

Not only will porsche not fix this outside of warranty, but inside warranty they try their best to afix blame to 'driver error'.

Even if there is a warranty, once you own the car no matter what was SAID to you, if there is signs of abuse then no warranty will (properly) cover the repair- even if it was a prior owners fault.

If a car has 2nd pop out, it should be fixed prior to sale. Or get a very clear statement in writing that it will be fixed no matter the cause.


GL

A

 

One might consider "baking" a $5,000.00 discount into the price and just assume that they will have to do it at some point though I believe if one plugs the car in @ any dealer and sees the Stage #1 and Stage #2 over-revs it is more telling as to the use/abuse your car saw prior to your inspection. The over-revs are indicative of (possible) track use and higher-rpm shifting/mis-shifting so if there's essentially no indication of Stage #1 or #2 over-revs then you make have found your car. I have a TON of #1 and #2 but while I definitely had the entire transmission rebuilt with some stronger components and had the clutch replaced, my LEAKDOWN was absolutely amazing. -3-3.5% across all cylinders so the stage #1 and #2's didn't seem to reference ENGINE problems as the GT-1 blocks and etc. are built incredibly well, but that won't save an idiot from killing the box... (Half engaged in 2nd gear while playing freeway warrior and on/off the gas @ 70mph while REMAINING "half-engaged" in second gear + lots of missed shifts.... yeahhhh.... that's the ticket....). Less likely to have box issues with ZERO or very minimal Stage #1's or #2's IMO.

 

SpeedYellow is too technical (for me anyway). I would just go Plan-B and buy it from a 65+ years old lady (and make sure that's not her son or grandson's car). That's how I got mine.

 

Thanks SpeedYellow. I'll certainly keep that in mind when I get around to having a PPI done. At least I'll have a decent way of determining just how the car was driven prior to purchasing it.

MY996TT - was Grandma using a stick or was it a Tiptronic?? I would have been proud if my grandmother had been cruising to the local bingo game in a TT, especially if she was rowing the gears!

 

Good points Dave. I'm already making a laundry list of "must haves" and "would like to have." From everything I've read, it sounds like the x50 package might be the way to go for me in terms of providing immediate enjoyment and good options for modding down the road (although choice of turbos (16/16, 16/24, etc) seem to be highly debated).

I'll have to check the surrounding area for tuners so I know what choices I'll have.

 

I wouldn't worry so much about tires. Used sets with good tires are readily available for $1000-1400, and you want HRE's anyways, right?

2nd gear popout is a concern. I didn't discover 6speedonline until AFTER I purchased mines (unfortunately) so you're already way ahead of the game. You know the procedure to test for it, right?

I'd also throw in "check for paintwork" - this is usually covered in the PPI, but honestly you should check each panel yourself. Look for paintlines at the seams, chipping clearcoat, etc.

I second DaveMo's comments, look for one with more options. Full leather is especially nice.

If you're looking to mod, finding a lightly modded one is a good start. Parts are expensive on these cars.

 

Thanks edl! From what I've read, I want to decelerate in 2nd gear numerous times to check for popout to occur, correct?

Point taken on the paint/clear coat. I certainly wouldn't want to pick up a car that had orange peel! Not sure what is considered normal wear and tear in terms of stone chips though. As for ties, I pretty much assumed that I'd be replacing them upon purchase anyway. If it has some nice wheels on it already though, it would certainly be a bonus.

So many options, but that's what makes it fun I suppose.

 

What's the procedure?

 

Drive the car..... leaving your hand completely OFF of the shifter, and while in second gear, try speeding up and slowing down many many many many times.

If the shifter pops out of 2nd to neutral, then you have a pop-out-issue.

You repeat this process on inclines, declines, up hills, down hills, on smooth pavement at slow speeds and on rougher pavement at slow speeds, then repeat at slightly higher speeds.

(sounds like a Dr. Seuss book, doesn't it....) One fish... Two fish... Red fish.... Blue fish....

You would obviously get Stage #1 and #2 overrev numbers by having the ECU plugged in at your friendly local Porsche dealer in order to get an idea of weather or not this was an AGGRESSIVELY driven track vehicle with new tires and fresher paint work or some guy just liked driving it to the office several times a year.

This is where you can get BAKED by acquiring one of these PRISTINE examples of the marque with "only" 9,000 miles on it only to figure out that they were ALL miles acquired on a racetrack.

 

A Tip.