Thank Goodness for PPI's
 

Got a PPI on a 99 C4 I was looking at. The list was long. The seller is going to ask the owner about having my guy fix all the stuff. Very unlikely.
Following items need attention:
Suspension
AC Condensor
Chains pads (read 14 should be a lot lower)
O2 Sensors
Mouse Nest removal
Recommended IMS replacement (no LN installed per database, maybe other. Owner would need to show receipt).
Really makes me realize how little I know. I did mention the car pulled a little to the right and shook a little at 70mph but otherwise the car ran and sounded great. A few cabins noises but overall pretty tight for a 19+ year old car.
Good news, Seller picked up the PPI cost.
Last spending some time in the 99 996 C4 coupe made me realize how different a car it is to the 00 Boxster S. I definitely enjoyed the ride on the highway, it just felt so heavy and planted. Very comfortable and spacious. A real joy. For back road driving, the Boxster definitely had more of a fun factor to it. Much more nimble and compact inside. I can't honestly say I prefer one to the other. It just really just depends on what I'm doing. I know the 3.4 is faster but it doesn't feel like it. I got on it pretty hard and just wasn't woooed. I think it is just so comfortable, you just don't realize the acceleration is there. Oh I wish I could have both.

I briefly test drove a 2001 996 TT when I was looking. The car was for sale at a local dealer. I felt like the car had issues including some body repair, but was willing to look at it. I was not at all wowed by the acceleration. I didn't have a chance to give it much of a test drive, but then I wasn't dying to get more of a test drive either. I much preferred the various 987s that I drove whether they were an S or not and whether they were a cayman or a boxster.

It changes into a completely different beast with a simple tune.

Alan-
Can you define “a simple tune”?
I’ve been thinking EVOMS and/or an IPD Plenum (preferably with larger throttle body).
Oh, the slippery slope......

If you couldn’t feel the acceleration in the TT something was wrong with it.

Depends what you are used to...


And for the previous poster - I put a UMW tune on mine.
It pulls from 2500 and hits 1.0 bar. Totally different car.

For the price of a TT, I better feel it. I was just trying to say they are such different cars. I really think before someone says that must have either, make sure you now your intentions. I love the Box but recently I've felt like I need a back seat (kids/friends). The Box just can't do that. I think for long rides, the 996 would prevail too. Now for back road driving, blasts around town the Box would be my tool of choice. More responsive steering. Its just feels better suited and more fun for the task in my opinion. Can't explain the fun.
Ooh, I think I just found another 996. Fingers crossed.

Any regular 996 C4 is not going to be a very quick car. I drove a nice 996 C4S when I had my 996 C2 and it felt really heavy and slow in comparison. It wasn't actually much slower, it was the feel. Plus, my car was modded w H&R suspension and exhaust so it was tighter than stock.

A 996tt should pull pretty strongly unless there is something wrong w it.

Do you mean "cam deviation"? If you do I'd walk away....quickly.

I hope they gave you more detail than just those high level bullets. Some PPIs are great, some are so over the top they aren't at all practical. Like the A/C condenser, did the A/C not work?

Back in the early 2000's I was shopping for a 930, they were in the 30-40K range back then.

I had 3 different cars PPI'd and all 3 came up with lots and lots of problems. 2 needed top ends one needed a new engine among many other items.

I gave up on 930's and found a hot rodded 3.6 swapped SC, the PPI was perfect on the car. I owned it for 3 years, put a ton of miles on it, Autocrossed it too, and it never gave me a single problem.

PPI's are a must when shopping for a used car like these.

Yes sorry, Cam Deviation. It's scary, I can't retain any new information at 48. I think painting a car once in an enclosed environment is coming back to bite me.

Matt, a lot of the stuff was silly but enough was important enough to cost a lot of money to get right. The AC and key not working didn't really bother me so much. I don't tyopically lock cars. It was the suspension and Cam Deviation that put me off. It appeared the IMS was never done either and the seller hasn't said otherwise which is another 1.8k to remedy if I decide to go that route. The car has scratches, dings and the bumpers front and back were both repainted, possibly the right rear fender too. It's a 20 year old car which is why it's cheaper of course but I feel like the owner just didn't keep up on it. Too many things on the list. Wipers and horn, who doesn't at least fix those.
I think for someone more skilled than I (not saying much) and enjoys the DIY stuff, the car could be bought at a good price and made right. After the list I gave them, I bet 14-15k could probably do it. It did drive and sound awesome. It's an eye catching car for sure with the Aero kit.

There are a lot of nice 996's out there that have received proper care and maintenance over their lives. I bought my 04 C4S with low 90's on the odo. I'll probably pay for typing this but it's been flawless the last 10k that I've owned it and the body and interior are near new condition. The full leather wears very well in these. Everything works, AC blows cold. The difference in purchase cost between a well maintained one and one that have been abused is negligible. Find a nice one.

Cam deviation numbers that high, if you open up the sump you'll find all kinds of plastic bits in the sump. Just replacing the rails isn't going to help much and you can't get at the two on the crank chain.

I rebuild these engines, even using a factory shortblock the engine repair will cost more than the car. Like I said...walk away.

Oh I walked.

Just curious, do the rails just wear faster on some cars and if so why or is it a mileage thing? Thanks.

Not sure if you saw this one and if the awd is necessary (for the one you had the ppi done for) or not...

https://providence.craigslist.org/cto/d/1999-porsche-carrera-911/6704103700.html

Cam deviation -
I’m guessing that is a number you obtain through a durametric scan / readout?

You are correct.:)

Thanks but sold. Wouldn't typically go for that high of mileage but the red was mesmerizing.