High mileage 2004 c4s?

[jbirkett]

I'm currently considering a, what I think is high mileage (160k). I'd very much like some input whether this might be a bad investment. I know seeking information like this is not necessary a good thing, but always looking for opinions anyway.
This appears (I have not actually gone to look at it since it's a daily drive there and back) to be a well maintained vehicle with the IMS replaced. Black on Black coupe with Tip. Regular maintenance done by either reputable Porsche dealer or Indy Porsche shop. Pictures show good interior and it has factory Bose with PCM and Navigation.
This car is priced well under $20k dollars, California car since birth.
Thanks,
John

[tonythetarga]

Hi John,
Guess it all depends on what you want the car for and how many miles a year you plan to drive it. A daily driver will rack up miles quickly and use up the components faster.
Engine records are one thing, but that won’t tell you compression or leak down. Get a good PPI and get those numbers. A few hundred dollars for that is your ‘investment’. Buying a high mileage car is more of an expenditure 😎.
Tony

[BYprodriver]

Yeah I would say it might be a $14,000 car IF a through PPI proves a sound engine with a premium IMSB.

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Hi John - Tony is absolutely right. A proper PPI will tell you everything you'll need to decide if the car is worth pursuing.

[racer]

IMS replacements are wear items. I believe the Raby/LN one only has a 50K mile warranty for instance.

Also, at around 100K miles, you need to be mindful of the plastic chain tensioner guides failing. I know two friends who have experienced that.

Check the records. Looks for a solid recent history. Have a PPI done. Check the oil filter for metal chards.

Then its the regular potential consumables (cv joints, plugs, coil packs, shocks, aged out rubber suspension pieces, worn plastic interior parts, worn seats etc). Not sure what Tip maintenance is like- fluid flush every 50K miles?

[jbirkett]

Thanks everybody for the feedback. I planned to have a PPI done but at that mileage I wasn't sure if I should just keep looking. Obviously the 2004 C4S is an eyecatcher. The current mileage is an average less than what KBB calculates, but still high mileage.

[ISO100]

Also suggest a rev range report as part of ppi to see if engine has experienced and ignitions in high ranges.