I'm considering purchasing a 2002 996 C4S with 67k miles. The owner has offered up a few items that may need to be taken care of.

Occasional smoke on startup. Is this something to be concerned about or is this normal?

Needs new brake rotors and calipers. Ideas on cost of replacing these?

He says the IMS bearing was inspected but not replaced (I'm not sure when though).

If I decide to pursue this one, I'll definitely get a PPI, but wanted some opinions first. Thanks.

 

Yes get a good PPI and address your concerns with the facility that does it.

 

The IMS inspection was probably a visual only to see if there was oil leaking from around the outside of the housing. When the IMS fails, most of the reports are that it does so without any prior warning. The indication that it has gone is usually a large pool of oil beneath the car and the engine is complete toast. Any PPI should include an oil change and a filter inspection for metal particles/chunks. There are aftermarket IMS replacements ( ) that will take care of this ahead of the failure, and my tech recommends that you change out the clutch at the same time, since most of the cost is labor involving access to the IMS, and this involves accessing the clutch, anyway.

If possible, you should look into whether a GOOD aftermarket warranty can be had that covers the engine and transmission.

 

Keep up us updated on what you end up doing, also ask some board member's a good place to get a PPI done and that is recommended. If you decide to get the car, we offer brake kits that include everything for the C4s. For more information Click Here. Do you have a link for the car or is it a private sale?

 

I just bought a 2001 C4 with 54K and it had some of the same problems,
I had it gone thru and the smoke was a stuck ring, They replaced the IMS, CV boots and rear oil seal at a cost of 4K. Love the car.

 

Thanks for the opinions. I'm not sure why anyone would inspect the IMS bearing and NOT replace it. Probably lack of knowledge of the IMS issue...

heres a link to it.
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/3995007247.html

Any thoughts on specific things to look at or ideas on value?

 

The IMS housing is visible without taking stuff apart, but it's not accessible for replacement without doing so. The "inspection" was probably just a quick look-see for obvious leaks.

All leather dashboards - but especially black ones - are subject to separation of the leather from the dash from sun exposure and (some say) using leather conditioner on the dash, which degrades the glue holding the leather down. I have a full leather interior, and frankly, I think my next P-car will have a standard interior, because they just seem to hold up better than a full leather one over time. If you haven't seen the car in person, you might ask the condition of the top of the dash and for some additional pictures of the interior as well. The description of the car seems to use more than just a a bit of sales hyperbole.

Oh, and good tires for a P-car are around $800 - 1200 a set, so check tread depth and condition, and factor this into any negotiation as well. 911s will eat back tires twice as fast as front ones.

If possible, don't buy from just the pictures. They may "tell a thousand words," but that doesn't mean they are the RIGHT thousand words.

 

Thanks JB for the advice on the leather. The car is fairly close to me, so I'm going to go check it out tomorrow.

The RMS and clutch were replaced at 36k and was when the IMS bearing was "inspected". *IF* I buy this car, I think the IMS would be on the top of the list to fix.

I know it depends a lot on driving style, but how much mileage should you get out of a clutch?

Thanks for everyone's help.

 

With 30K on the clutch, it probably isn't worn out, but you'll be money ahead to change it during the IMS swap since most of the labor involved in the IMS is the same access as you would pay for during a clutch replacement. Ask your tech about a stage II clutch and what the cost diff and advantages would be, BTW.