Hi Folks, I've wanted a Porsche for 50 years. The Porsche and Shelby AC Cobras are my dream cars. Ten years ago I built a FFR Cobra Roadster, great car, great fun! More race car then daily driver, but I do both with it. With some of early 996's for under 20k I thought now is the time for my Porsche. However, during my research, all I see is mostly horror stories about early 996's.

I live in WI, and the car would only be driven 6-7 months, 3-5k miles per year, trips around the state and the USA, maybe 1-2 AX's. The car I am looking at is from a dealer in Miami, it appears (from the pictures) to be in very nice shape, with 84K miles, new top, for $17K including shipping.

What questions should I ask the dealer about the car. My nearest Porsche dealer is 1.5 hours away. Can the RMS and LMS be replaced before damage occurs? With 84K would issues with the RMS and LMS have already happened?

Any insights would be very appreciated. Larry

 

If it's a Porsche dealer have them provide maintenance records and have them do a PPI. With that mileage i would suspect there are no issues with the RMS or IMS Bearing. Yes you can replace both IMS and RMS if you like, use the LNE Bearing and heavy duty RMS, but keep in mind the IMS situation is affects only 2% - 3% of the cars made with the M96/7 engine.
The price seems right if you're willing to buy with out seeing, I would not but that's me. Keep in mind what one person say's is good shape someone else may not.
One other suggestion if I may, you might want to consider removing your street address from your location and just use city and/or state.

 

whats he said ^

and definitely get a ppi (pre-purchase inspection) from a trusted porsche specialist, or a dealer (not the one you are buying from obviously)

 

Larry, at that asking price you could probably afford to ask the dealer to take it to a reputable independant shop for a PPI. I don't think I would trust the selling party to do their own. Having said that, according to LN Engineering's website, the 99 and some 2000 models have the dual-row IMS, and less than 1% of those have had issues. I have a 2000 cab, purchased at 100K miles and the service records did not indicate an engine change or IMS replacement. My RMS is starting to leak though, and I'm planning to do an IMS upgrade at the same time as when the new RMS goes in. Good luck and let us know how your search goes.

 

if i were you I would look at some local cars and take a few test drives if possible . these cars can have big money issues so do some research .

 

A properly maintained and driven '99 Cab. would be a fine purchase. No particular reason to avoid it - once it has been inspected and the maintenance records have been checked and are up to date. It sounds like you're getting a great deal.

 

You'll probably have to dump 5-10k into any 996 with that many miles. I have a boxster and just did this work. Now I'm looking to buy a turbo, I wish I left it all alone.

Air oil seperator
Coolant tank
Water pump / thermostat
90k service, make sure 60k service was completed. (Spark plugs done at 60k)
Check for worn chain tensioners
Clutch
Rms/IMS
Suspension will be worn, it's a good time to upgrade to the ROW sport suspension.
The brakes (rotors and pads) may need to be replaced
Transmission fluid

 

I don't like to throw the BS flag, but this is patently untrue. If the vehicle is inspected and clean you may only have to change the oil. Period. If it needs work, don't buy it but if it has been taken care of and the maintenance is up to date there is NOTHING to be fearful about. There are plenty of 996's with double that mileage that have never had a problem.

 

You can call it anything you want. You may get lucky with a very clean car and get away with not needing to do anything. But, I have owned an m96 powered vehicle for 12 years and these are the likely areas to need fixing in a 14 year old car. Once you complete these though your car should be bullet proof for the next 10 years. I'm also considering a 996 coupe as well (because I don't want to sell my boxster, I'll have to get rid of it if I buy a turbo) and am incorporating these into the possible cost of the car two years into the purchase.

Other things to looks into are cam cover leaks, although not a big deal they are a nuisance. Radiator fans not working (correctly). Ignition switch failure (does key go in and come out easily). Have the oil pan removed to check for metal or plastic debris. The wear and tear items depend on prior maintenance, but there are a lot of other items that fail in these cars. Ask the shop to check for cam timing deviation as that may be an indicator of an IMS problem and or deteriorating timing chain guides. A leak will not necessarily be an indicator to a pending IMS failure. I had a leak and it turned out to be the flange, the bearing had very little play. Make sure the shop checks these things and don't expect that they will. I wouldn't walk away from a car with any of these problems except plastic particles in the oil pan. If there is a leak use it as leverage to get a better price. At first I didn't want another m96 generation vehicle, but having lived with one for so long I am actually comfortable with the risk so long as you know what to look for, and it's priced accordingly. You'll never get a better driving car for the money. It's just not as cheap as the cost of entry.

Another thing regarding the IMS, the dual row is much stronger than the single row bearing, but if replaced with the ceramic bearing it is very likely you will never have to worry about the IMS again. On a single bearing vehicle the bearing needs to be monitored a bit more, some say within every 50k miles. Some last for 250k+ miles some for less than 50k just rev high and change the oil frequently and you shouldn't have a problem. There are some other motor issues as well, but they would have been sorted out at 84k miles.

Good luck

 

Hey Guys thanks so much for the great input!

I pulled the trigger, for better or worse (and it sounds like I'm in for both). I seldom buy online . . . to buy a car online, well that's just crazy, gotta be my advancing age. Here's my Porsche story. I've been a sports car nut since 17, my 1st car was a Triumph Spitfire. Got drafted in '66, went to Artillery OCS, ended up in Germany rather then 'Nam, at for least for now . . . was stationed 40km from Stuttgart, saw testing Porsches nearly daily. Married a beautiful german girl (we're still hitched) had a little baby girl, she was born 5km from the Porsche factory . . . my wife and daughter swear that I went to the factory and waved goodbye to my Porsche, then picked up the wife and new baby . . . well, I do know that I ended up with two _ _ _ _ 'krauts' and a Chevrolet. Easy choice! A year later I did get shipped to 'Nam . . . after that, 2 more daughters and life happened . . . spent nearly 40 years designing equipment for milking cows . . . hey, somebody has to.
Thanks again Guys! Larry

 

Great story, hope you enjoy the 996. I am considering one as my kids and wife don't fit in my boxster so Im looking for a 4 seater. Started looking for a turbo as I didn't want to deal with the m96 anymore, but am slowly warming to having another m96 in my garage.

 

Congratulations. I'm sure you'll lover her. You've certainly waited long enough. But remember ...

Send them when you get them.

 

Delete. duplicate.

 

Congrats! I love mine and I'm sure you will as well.

 

Great story and Congratulations!! Looking forward to seeing a few pictures