How's the inspection gone Colin? Best of luck, hope the car's a good'un.
First of the watercooled, it's got future classic written all over it!
First of the watercooled, it's got future classic written all over it!
996C4
- Thread starter vitesse
- Start date
thirteeneast
New member
C'mon were hangin here!. [&:]
Did you get it?...
Did you get it?...
vitesse
Active member
Well,followers,thanks for your interest & support & sorry for keeping you in suspense.
For a start,it scared me stiff as I accelerated onto the M58-a red warning light came on flashing-took me a while to realise it was on the RHS of the temperature gauge-of course I hadn't had time to both read & memorise the driver's manual but I presumed it must be the level warning lamp so cruised at 60 mph to the M6 keeping an eye on all the gauges-the tempgauge generally reading just past vertical-60 plus degs.
Just my luck-M6 almost a southbound parking lot,so stop/start all the way past the A580-temp gauge seems to be rising-tickover seems to be fluttering-panic could start start to set in but traffic clears & temperature drops back to how it started so reach Unit 11 by 8.30am.
Quick check-water low needing nearly 2 litres coolant to top up
John gave it a thorough look over with the list including:-
Both NSF control arms-all front & rear coffin arms-both radiators-new gearbox sump seal,filter,oil-full service-new upgraded reservoir cap-front discs need skimming-Becker doesn't work-find anothe Becker in the trunk-new spark plug tubes & seals
Cost at £50/hr inc parts £2174 or £2574 if a new radio needed inc VAT.
Otherwise,John thinks it's in good condition better than most & all faults are normal to the model & probably would have been picked up had the seller had it serviced by a specialist like Unit 11
but he just had the oil & filter changed by a garage in Southport-last service was in 2008 & he had not done that many miles since buying it so possibly thought it didn't need the service-& there's me (with all due respects Rob) thinking he was a sensible lawyer.[8|].
At present,I am waiting for the seller to explain about the radio(s)-I would have expected him to know & tell me but can excuse his lack of knowledge about the other items.
Then I will make him an offer reflecting the rectification costs-possibly £9750 (as I could do some of the items myself at lower cost).
I have to say that it drives very nicely & the engine sounds sweet-it has had a new water pump sometime & 2 water reservoirs,the last one was a secondhand item fitted by a Cheshire specialist-& John thought that the water pump problem may have caused the current state of the radiators which although not leaking,have slightly expanded core sections at their bases.
It is then upto him to accept or reject my offer.Will advise further as it progresses.
For a start,it scared me stiff as I accelerated onto the M58-a red warning light came on flashing-took me a while to realise it was on the RHS of the temperature gauge-of course I hadn't had time to both read & memorise the driver's manual but I presumed it must be the level warning lamp so cruised at 60 mph to the M6 keeping an eye on all the gauges-the tempgauge generally reading just past vertical-60 plus degs.
Just my luck-M6 almost a southbound parking lot,so stop/start all the way past the A580-temp gauge seems to be rising-tickover seems to be fluttering-panic could start start to set in but traffic clears & temperature drops back to how it started so reach Unit 11 by 8.30am.
Quick check-water low needing nearly 2 litres coolant to top up
John gave it a thorough look over with the list including:-
Both NSF control arms-all front & rear coffin arms-both radiators-new gearbox sump seal,filter,oil-full service-new upgraded reservoir cap-front discs need skimming-Becker doesn't work-find anothe Becker in the trunk-new spark plug tubes & seals
Cost at £50/hr inc parts £2174 or £2574 if a new radio needed inc VAT.
Otherwise,John thinks it's in good condition better than most & all faults are normal to the model & probably would have been picked up had the seller had it serviced by a specialist like Unit 11
but he just had the oil & filter changed by a garage in Southport-last service was in 2008 & he had not done that many miles since buying it so possibly thought it didn't need the service-& there's me (with all due respects Rob) thinking he was a sensible lawyer.[8|].
At present,I am waiting for the seller to explain about the radio(s)-I would have expected him to know & tell me but can excuse his lack of knowledge about the other items.
Then I will make him an offer reflecting the rectification costs-possibly £9750 (as I could do some of the items myself at lower cost).
I have to say that it drives very nicely & the engine sounds sweet-it has had a new water pump sometime & 2 water reservoirs,the last one was a secondhand item fitted by a Cheshire specialist-& John thought that the water pump problem may have caused the current state of the radiators which although not leaking,have slightly expanded core sections at their bases.
It is then upto him to accept or reject my offer.Will advise further as it progresses.
thirteeneast
New member
Hi there,
Glad you enjoyed it
Was there any error codes?.
£400 pounds for a Becker! Why?
Glad you enjoyed it
Was there any error codes?.
£400 pounds for a Becker! Why?
vitesse
Active member
Richard,
Sorry ,omitted that bit-yes there were many & various error codes which were all cleared except an O2 sensor which John reckons most likely to be AFM insert.
The Becker price was given to me by Porsche Chester for this model( I buy all the bits for the 924S's there & the 964 before it was sold) so there would be a discount off that price .This cost was just for the seller's info.
Incidentally,the car has had a complete new exhaust system,new pads & discs at Stratstone ,Wilmslow earlier on in it's life when it's 1st owner(a Director of Swinton Insurance) was running it as a company car.One invoice in the collection covering this work was for £3985 inc VAT paid by credit card.
Sorry ,omitted that bit-yes there were many & various error codes which were all cleared except an O2 sensor which John reckons most likely to be AFM insert.
The Becker price was given to me by Porsche Chester for this model( I buy all the bits for the 924S's there & the 964 before it was sold) so there would be a discount off that price .This cost was just for the seller's info.
Incidentally,the car has had a complete new exhaust system,new pads & discs at Stratstone ,Wilmslow earlier on in it's life when it's 1st owner(a Director of Swinton Insurance) was running it as a company car.One invoice in the collection covering this work was for £3985 inc VAT paid by credit card.
thirteeneast
New member
Yes sorry in that case £400 is spot on.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Told ya!!
Sounds like you could have a really well sorted car at
modest cost if you can deal up with the seller. Good luck with the negotiations.
vitesse
Active member
Rob,
You might say that,I couldn't possibly comment.[
]Turns out the radio isn't actually connected (because he says-he prefers to concentrate on the driving) at our 1st test drive I heard him say something about that but didn't take a lot of notice-I presumed he just turned it off-also the other Becker is the radio/cassette that was originally fitted -I am assured they both work OK.
Now it's down to what to offer without insulting him-as you know Rob.it's best to stay friends with lawyers,not make enemies of them[] . 2K off 10.5K seems an insult!-I could do with a jury to help me.
You might say that,I couldn't possibly comment.[
]Turns out the radio isn't actually connected (because he says-he prefers to concentrate on the driving) at our 1st test drive I heard him say something about that but didn't take a lot of notice-I presumed he just turned it off-also the other Becker is the radio/cassette that was originally fitted -I am assured they both work OK.Now it's down to what to offer without insulting him-as you know Rob.it's best to stay friends with lawyers,not make enemies of them[
] . 2K off 10.5K seems an insult!-I could do with a jury to help me.
Bearing in mind the work that needs doing, I don't think an offer of 9k would be insulting. But if that's your opening gambit, it is likely he might want you to meet him half way. It's 3 years overdue for a service, and he obviously hasn't spent any money on it in a long time. Bearing in mind that the one Rob linked to is the same sort of money from a trader, I think his £10.5k is a bit optimistic.
The Beckers have a security code, so if the code has been lost that might be why it isn't plugged in. If that's the case, I have a good decoder, and could get it from the serial number.
It sounds like the car is basically sound, but neglected during his ownership. I hope it works out and you can do a deal, but don't worry if not - there are plenty more fish in the sea.
The Beckers have a security code, so if the code has been lost that might be why it isn't plugged in. If that's the case, I have a good decoder, and could get it from the serial number.
It sounds like the car is basically sound, but neglected during his ownership. I hope it works out and you can do a deal, but don't worry if not - there are plenty more fish in the sea.
thirteeneast
New member
Yep there's a 99 at the end of my road for 11,995 but the dealer is open to offers I'm sure as its been there since May!.
vitesse
Active member
He actually has it priced at £11950-I was going to offer £10,500 & maybe go to £10,850 but that was before the inspection-this now suggests £8380 say to £8680-as although the '99 model in Cheltenham is £10995-I would offer £10,500 & get presumably 6 mths warranty with no expected faults 1 yr older-5K more miles but sunroof,cruise control & more electric seat adjustment.
Unfortunately ,rather farther to Cheltenham than Birkdale.
Unfortunately ,rather farther to Cheltenham than Birkdale.
I like your man maths Colin!
£2k work required less what you save from doing some of it yourself! Good luck with the deal if it's still what you want. Could still end up a cheap and well sorted car.
vitesse
Active member
Well,guys--no deal.Basically,offered him the figures in my post above-he stuck to wanting his figure with no allowance for the work needed-we parted amicably & only cost me the inspection of which I gave him the results.
Maybe ,he'll ring in a few weeks time.Thanks for your interest.
Maybe ,he'll ring in a few weeks time.Thanks for your interest.
thirteeneast
New member
Unfortunate, he probably doesn't even realize how neglected he has left his car and probably thinks your trying to fog him.
Maybe if he gets a few more people that see beyond the badge! like you say "he might give you a call"
Best of luck
Regards
Richard.
Maybe if he gets a few more people that see beyond the badge! like you say "he might give you a call"
Best of luck
Regards
Richard.
AndrewEllinas
New member
Maybe you'd be interested in buying my C4?
See: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=658212
Regards
Andrew
See: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=658212
Regards
Andrew
To be honest I'm not really surprised - I initially thought the asking price was £10500 but when you said it was £12k, he was never going to take £8380, especially as he was a lawyer! The seller won't get his asking price though so you may still be able to meet in the middle somewhere in a couple of weeks?
I'd splash out on that C4 - looks lovely and the Hartech work means no sleepless nights.
AndrewEllinas
New member
Thanks Rob.
I sincerely believe it would hard to find a better looked after 996 C4.
I sincerely believe it would hard to find a better looked after 996 C4.
vitesse
Active member
Andrew,
I did look at your post with interest but initially,there was no price suggested-my son even picked up on it at that stage & suggested I make an offer of £14500 ( if I remember right)-no insult meant or intended.
At the time ,I didn,t think that would be your price range so didn't.
And to be honest I don't want to spend more than £12.5 -£13k at present-however agree your car fits the bill,& looks great-a long way to look at it ,though.
I did look at your post with interest but initially,there was no price suggested-my son even picked up on it at that stage & suggested I make an offer of £14500 ( if I remember right)-no insult meant or intended.
At the time ,I didn,t think that would be your price range so didn't.
And to be honest I don't want to spend more than £12.5 -£13k at present-however agree your car fits the bill,& looks great-a long way to look at it ,though.
thirteeneast
New member
Andrews car looks concourse condition and IMS bearing done its like winning the lottery.
Andrew how long did you own her and was she your daily driver?
Very nice.
And can we please have a post with Pics of that Vette please?.
Andrew how long did you own her and was she your daily driver?
Very nice.
And can we please have a post with Pics of that Vette please?.
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