I have a launch car as well and the car has never required any service beyond required maintenance, and still runs flawlessly. The PCCBs are likely my favorite option as they work tremendously well, with the added benefit of no brake dust. I heavily researched the option, as I had it on my 997 Turbo as well and unless you are tracking the car the rotors will likely last the life of the vehicle, and the pads are generally good for 100k miles of normal spirited driving. I would have no hesitation recommending a launch car to a friend and I think the whole IMS/RMS issue is way overblown in regards to true failures.

 

i though its PMS

 

I've had my 2005 Launch Car for over 5 years. Never have had a significant problem and the PCCB's are fantastic. I have over 25K miles and the rotors/pads are still like new. Rotors should last 'forever'; pads are not that expensive compared to 'regular' OEM pads. My RMS and IMS have never been an issue. No oil seeping what so ever. These cars came equipped w/ every optioned offered in 2005.

If you buy one you'll be a member of an elite group.

Researching and buying a used car (no matter what the marque) is tough and full of stress. Buying new puts significant stress on your wallet and dealing w/ initial depreciation. A warranty whether it be OEM, CPO or aftermarket helps relieve some of the used car purchase stress.

Good luck in your quest.

 

I also have an '05 Launch Edition - the PCCB's are probably the option I get the most complements on around town and at PCA events. IMO, buying a pre-owned car with PCCB's is actually a way to save money given these brakes don't really need any maintenance (other than the required brake flush every 2 years required for all 997s). Everyone else complains about how expensive brake service is but I don't even have to worry. Porsche advertises that these brakes are good for at least 180k miles (excluding heavy track use).

I've had the car 3 years and now have 45k miles - only issue outside routine maintenance was a faulty alternator cable ($1200) which is common on 997s from what I hear.

The car you mention at $41k sounds like a good deal - I mean how many 997s can you buy in the 30s? Not many when you're talking about an S! If you do find one for less, it will probably have major miles on it...

 

Don't mean to hi-jack this thread but we ought to see want it takes to start up a sub forum for 2005 997S Launch Cars.

I believe there were over 300 built for the US marketplace so there might be some good info sharing and camaraderie.

Just a thought.

 

That would be awesome, I think the exact number produced was 337 from what I heard. Of course, not all of the owners will be on this website.

Back to the OP's question, just for comparison sake, there are 3 Launch Editions on AutoTrader.com right now:

1) 35k miles asking $48,250
2) 57k miles asking $42,000
3) 62k miles asking $41,900

And not a LE but just for comparison of what you could get for less than $41k, there is one 2005 997S with 89k miles asking $34,500. This is soo cheap for a 997S but that mileage is crazy! Again, your car's price falls nicely within the list of comps. Good luck!

 

How does one know its a Launch Edition?

 

It would have an early VIN of S74XXX.

The car itself would be a black/black 997S w/ the following options: Tip S (power sport seats) or Manual (adaptive sport seats), heated seats, PCCB, self dimming mirrors, floor mats, sport chrono, NAV and Bose.

These car were offered to dealers upon the introduction of the 997. The were supposed to keep them on their showroom floors for some period of time and then offer them up for sale. Some were sold right off the floor when they arrived against PCNA guidelines.

My personnel opinion is that Porsche spent a bit more time assembling/building these cars insuring that the workmanship standards met their requirements. After all it was a big deal at the time w/ respect to interior and bodywork changes.

 

On another interesting topic, I asked my salesman at the local dealership, who knows me and my LE car quite well, about the 991 and if Porsche would do a similar fully equipped Launch Edition. He mentioned Porsche is doing it differently for this generation and offerring 'Launch cars' in a variety of colors/options. He seemed to indicate while the 997 LE cars were great for showing off all the different options in late 2004 when they came out (as 2005 MY), he said it was often difficult to find a buyer willing to walk in and buy a fully-optioned car off the sales floor. Most people that will pay high $$$ for all those options (esp. PCCB at $8k+) want to custom-order it exactly the way they want. Of course now as pre-owned, I think the Launch Edition is a great buy - as we all know the used car market doesn't often pay much attention to options when resale value is calculated.

 

I thought some advice here was quite comical. My abused 2004 build (MY 2005) Launch Edition with PCCBs came complete with all service records and TSBs performed. The DME results were almost virginal and currently, I have 90% / 95% of the original brake pad remaining with virtually no rotor wear. A very reputable Porsche Indy in S. Cal did the PPI and they were indifferent to this LE model. I have no issues with the car and it requires only standard maintenance. It has approx 52K miles and I bought the car used from a private party for $44K about 1.5 yrs ago and with NO warranty. I figure the car would depreciate $3K per year, which is about right. I keep thinking about selling because I want a '69-'73 911, but I'm having too much fun driving it. It is a daily driver and I don't care how many miles I put on her

Please note that you are buying a used, seven year old car. Expect the worse, otherwise, buy new or CPO. A CPO is only good for two years and the price is dealer retail front loaded. Good luck.

 

I picked up my Launch Ed over 2 yrs ago. Now has 30K miles. PCCB is fantastic along with other comes-with options for this edition. Changed the IMS bearing immediately after I got it. The OEM bearing was actually still good - but did it as a precaution. This would be a reatlively inexpensive job if you do this at the same time when replacing/working on the clutch. Although for me, the clutch was just replaced by the previous owner when I got it.

Wonder if there is a numbering system for the sequence of the Launch Ed.

 

Just want to add, I have had no issue with my 05' Launch Ed. Even after a few light DE track days, PCCB is still as new. Fantastic stopping power. If more aggressive tracking, then just swap to other racing rotors or the basic OEM steel.

Of course newer cars have more updated features. For that same reason, 08' is significantly better than 06' for a few thousands more. Where do you stop?