I just sold my 2003 Cayenne Turbo and now I am seriously considering a 2002 C4S and have some doubts and was wondering if some of the resident experts could lend me a hand and point me in the right direction.

1- Stereo: has CDR-220, no CD changer in the trunk, no Bose labels on speakers. Is this a MOST stereo? Anyone know the specs on what I would have? Is the "hump" in the front trunk a cover for the sub? Too bad the ***** look like crap. Perhaps I will be able to clean them off or buy just the *****.

2- Headlights: is it normal to have a gap almost the width of a finger between the bumper cover and the bottom part of the lights? In my old 99C2, they sat pretty flush. The passenger side one has a lot of scratches (as if someone cleaned it with sandpaper ). Is this something that could be easily polished out? Anyone know what products and procedure required for this?

3- Phone module: the car comes with what the dealer claims is a holder/connection kit for older cell phones. Any idea how to remove this and if it would leave exposed holes on the side of the console?

4- Odd starting behavior: I know it could be starter, battery, or alternator related, but does anyone know if this is a common trait and the fix for it? When cranked it behaves normally for a second, but afterwards, it kinda slows down a tad. What happens is that normally one would release the key in order to avoid damage to the starter, but in this case, the engine does not fire. Gotta crank it for a while before it starts...

5-K&N Drycharger: gotta search for this one.. It is installed now, not sure if owner has original air box (which I prefer). We get tons of rain down here, so not sure how this will perform in rainy weather. I am also not a fan of replacing MAF sensors..

Obligatory pics (taken with cell phone ) enclosed and hopefully will give you a better understanding of what I am dealing with.

 

of the car itself this time

 

Anyone know how to edit the title of this thread? I can't believe I made such a dumb mistake

 

The pics of the outside look great, however, if it were left up to me, i'd be walking away. Anyone that let their engine get that dirty obviously did not take care of the car, and I'm wondering what else is wrong or will go wrong in the future.

I noticed youre in Panama, so im not familiar w the market down there and what other comps you might find.

 

Detailing engine bays here is not a big thing. You can detail it as much as you want and in a week or two it will look like that. There is a lot of dust/dirt/rain around here, so keeping something looking mint is next to impossible. That said, I do agree that the current owner could have done a better job of keeping things tidy.

This car, two owner, 28K miles, all services done and up to date at the local dealer, has its history well documented. Options are few to none, so it's either this or nothing as recent job changes make buying a more expensive toy something imprudent. I will perform a PPI and look over the service records myself first thing tomorrow morning so I can then make my offer.

Only items that really concern me are the starting issue and the fact that the AC blows cold, but not too cold. The foam used on the air ducts is coming apart and I believe an AC failure is pending in the not too distant future. Hopefully topping off the refrigerant will bring it back to icy cold vs just "cool enough".

 

2002 should be pre-MOST stereo, which started with 2003 model years, at least in the US market. I don't see why ROW cars would be different.

 

I just read the entire user manual for the car as well as for the head unit. What I thought was a subwoofer in the trunk apparently has something to do with the front differential as the sub is usually in the rear parcel shelf.

I also read the CDR-220 manual and based on the schematic found at the end, it appears as if it is not MOST, so I can easily adapt any device with a 3.5mm jack with this adapter:
I also found on another forum that 3M has a headlight polishing kit that apparently works miracles. Better results can be achieved if prior to using the 3M kit, a combination of wet and dry sandpaper in various steps is used from 500 grit to 3000 grit.

I've sent an email to the dealer with some items (23) that I would like for them to specifically check during the PPI as well as another 11 additional questions regarding other items. If all goes well, I should own this car sooner than later!

 

Most started in 2003 so not a most system. Hump under the hood is the gas tank. The shelf is where the cd changer goes on the left. Headlight gap is normal they all have that. Not sure if its for air or what. The center concise pieces are not expensive, prob not a big deal to remove the phone thing. I don't think the K&N is a big deal, the mafs are not expensive anyway even if it goes out, if run with it. Filter is big enough it's unlikely you'll suck up water.

 

Yup, I read up tons on the K&N too (wife NOT happy that I have spent all day sitting in front of the computer reading stuff about the car )

The sock should help with the water intrusion. Among the questions pending tomorrow are if the original air box is available and if there are any specific MAF errors logged.

Some say that K&N makes hp, others say it loses HP, all say it improves sound, some say that it messes up MAFs, others say that MAFs are not affected if oiled properly. As it stands now, the car has it, no CEL lights, it does sound VERY nice, but I am more concerned about saving the $15K lump of metal sitting behind the rear seats than anything else

As long as nobody brings up IMS/RMS issues, this thread should remain on track and hopefully serves as reference for future searches.

The title of the thread still bugs me

 

You can replace the phone holder, for a piece of trim that most of the porsches have on that side. Simetric to the piece on the left. It will cost you $30 on ebay. There will be no holes visible.

 

this car does not have MOST or BOSE. it's got hifi which is a very basic stereo

 

I will have a go, as a C4S owner and having sold a Cayenne to get it.

1. This is not MOST. Installing modern ICE will be very easy. I can highly recommend the Kenwood DNX6990

2. Hard to say about the gap, I don't notice this on mine, and as for the scratches, a 3M headlight restoration kit, or a day trip to a friendly painter will make them like new.

3. Buy a new left side panel from ebay and completely eliminate. Not expensive and easy to fit.

4. The starters are a bit weak. I have a similar problem with mine, and a spare rebuilt one on the shed in case it craps out. 40 mins to replace as an enthusiastic amateur - how to's on the internet or PM me. At a pinch you could buy one and pop into your local garage to have it swapped. Not expensive.

5. I have this in mine too, and the original air box which I may or may not refit one day. MAFs ok so far and its been in for 15k. You can fit a 997 air box easily and this make the engine look much nicer, again an ebay or breaker item and a popular upgrade, which means there are also 996 ones kicking around.

 

I stick an old tea towel over mine when I wash the car and park in a garage at home and a basement at work, and have no issues. I have been in serious rain with no problems, but I don't have the sock which would be the recommendation.

The oiling properly is the key as you have spotted, the spray can version of the kit and then wrapping in kitchen paper towel for a couple of days is the recommended way to not glue up your MAF, I also clean my MAF with CRC MAF cleaner (isopropol in a can) every 6 mtgs as well. For the oil, its just a small amount required, a tiny amount in fact

If the MAF goes, the engine light comes on, you try and clean it, if that fails, you buy a new one. Engines don't explode or bust into flames if the MAF fills up with oil. It is a service item and I plan on a new one every 5 years. Reminds me to buy one and keep it on the shelf.

 

Well, I have made an offer on the car and now just waiting for the owner's response. Price offered is subject to results of the PPI that I will have performed if he accepts my initial offer. Here is to keeping fingers crossed!

 

The best of luck with the PPI and keep us posted on what you find out