1999 Carrera 4. What issues do they have?

914turboford · 05-17-2019, 10:49 AM

I'm looking at a 1999 Carrera 4 with 130K miles. Asking price is $14K. Not salvaged. Front seats look hardened in pictures but not torn. IMS replaced according to seller. Tiptronic.

I live at 4000' elevation in the Sierras and we get snow. I made it through last winter with a FWD Mini Cooper and it was a struggle. I thought about getting an Audi TT but this car seems to have a higher power to weight ratio and it's cooler.

I fix my cars myself including doing engine out timing belt service on a 95 Ferrari 355 and 348 that I don't own any more.

What should I look out for on this car? I'd rather have a manual but I doubt these Carrera 4's are all that easy to find.

996AE · 11:41 AM

A good PPI will list all the needs.

And remember, no such thing as an inexpensive Porsche. But for 14k likely to sell at 12k for that money drive it till it breaks if you love the car.

On this board you will find two schools of thought.

Preventive maintenance guys and guys that fix things when they break.

Lose the motor and you have a 5k roller maybe less with a TIP.

C4S is a great driver.

Bottom line spend the money for a thorough PPI.

914turboford · 05-17-2019, 11:44 AM

Thank you for the input. My question was really more along the lines of what are the potential trouble spots for this drivetrain? I.e., is the AWD trans more problematic than 2WD, tipronic problems, front dif or driveline issues. I know about the IMS thing but what are other known trouble spots?

996AE · 05-17-2019, 11:50 AM

That is what the PPI from a good Porsche shop can tell you after they inspect, and drive the car.

Remember, here on RL we have the famous 51 modes of failure guys. IMSB is only one.

Rather than get a whole lot of speculation have the car inspected by a Porsche Indy shop that can answer these questions.

In general, 1999 C4S 996 is a good car. But its a 20 year old 130k mile car that depending on use, maintenance and overall condition could be a money pit or a great buy.

PPI borescope, drop sump plate, cut open oil filter, review all previous service records is a start.

Which shop did the IMSB? Which bearing? How long ago? Was the shop certified or preferred LN shop?

914turboford · 05-17-2019, 01:45 PM

Thanks. How do I find the 51 modes of failure?

If I were answering my own question about a Ferrari 355, I would say check to see if the timing belt has been changed, listen carefully for lifter noise and header leaks, get a tail pipe sniff because they burn out cats. These are known issues for 355s.

I'm asking for known trouble areas. Maybe there are none other than IMS?

yelcab1 · 05-17-2019, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 914turboford

...,
I'm asking for known trouble areas. Maybe there are none other than IMS?

IMS
Some will say bore scoring
Some have cracked heads trouble
AOS requires an engine out service
Actuator pads wearing out
Idle bearings
You should have two waterpump changes by now
Coolant overflow tank

But these things shouldn't scare you if you worked on a 355 before.

914turboford · 05-18-2019, 10:40 AM

Thanks yelcab! I've communicated with you before on fchat. I found two more 99 Carrera 4 cars, both manny tranny cars. One has 100K miles and the price is 15K. Guy stopped returning my calls. The 2nd has had a lot of mods. Receipts totalling $22K for a new engine/trans done 30K miles ago. 120K miles now. Asking price is $22K. I'm planning to look at at least one of the cars today.

racer · 05-20-2019, 06:07 AM

Not sure how much snow you get.. but do consider ground clearance issues. The 911 isn't that high.. and with a set of dedicated snows it will be a monster with grip.. until it gets highsided on snow.

I've not heard too many issues with the 996 C4 system. Its much simpler and "less mechanical" system than the 964 debuted with.

Even IMS kits don't last forever (maybe 50K miles?) before their warranty runs out depending on brand.

914turboford · 05-20-2019, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racer

Not sure how much snow you get.. but do consider ground clearance issues. The 911 isn't that high.. and with a set of dedicated snows it will be a monster with grip.. until it gets highsided on snow.

I've not heard too many issues with the 996 C4 system. Its much simpler and "less mechanical" system than the 964 debuted with.

Even IMS kits don't last forever (maybe 50K miles?) before their warranty runs out depending on brand.

Thank you. I appreciate that feedback. I made it through last winter, which set snow records, with a FWD mini cooper. And yes, getting high sided was an issue. The modded car is likely completely impractical for snow. The silver one would surely do better.