to buy or not to buy

[devans]

Have got my eye on a 996 turbo s at the moment. However, before making a move can anyone enlighten me to the common faults with this model and likely costs (approx). I know that the turbos have bullet proof engines but am i right in listing the following;
Radiators
brake discs/pads
tail gate actuators?
Turbo's?

Also, does anyone have first hand experience driving the turbo and comparing it to the drive in a turbo s.

Much appreciated.

 

[jdpef356]

A PPI is your best bet - I would recommend Peter Morgan - any faults will be listed and you can either ask to have fixed or negotiate the price accordingly. You will also have a written report which is good to add to History of the car should you buy it.

See

http://www.porscheinspections.com/porsche_inspections.php

A few pounds but will give you peace of mind.

 

[turbo jonny]

A ppi is essential but i would choose someone like 9 excellence who specialise in the cars and has proper workshop facilities
To check the known weakspots. Very happy with my turbo s . Love the ceramics , they are a big bonus if checked first .
If you want to call me for a chat i will pm my number

 

[dtroughton]

Hi

I used Peter Morgan to survey my car when I bought it last February. My car is a Turbo and it has the X50 power upgrade (similar to the Turbo S), but it doesn't have the carbon brakes. At the time I was also looking at a similar car with carbon brakes.

Peter warned me off the car with the carbon brakes as they are easily damaged and VERY expensive to replace. He also said the steel ones are really good making the carbon ones unnecessary.

I must admit I think the carbon breaks are likely to make the car more desirable, but it depends on your attitude to risk.

He was very approachable and happy to discuss the options prior to an engagement to survey a particular car.

 

[DavidL]

I can't imagine you would notice a massive difference in performance at anything close to legal road speeds. Over 100 maybe. Mine was mapped to 490 and it was bloody quick.
I had ceramic brakes and was quite terrified of them! I stood over the guy who fixed a puncture like a hawk. But they worked well and gave no dust. Equally a set of pads for one axle was £500.

Look at lower control arms too as well as your list. AC condensors, that the spoiler operates properly with no leaks.
Also check over the paint. Mine apparently had quite mismatched plastic to metal bits. I never noticed but 90% of those that looked at it when I sold did. Hopefully was just paint fading differently on different materials.

Make sure you have the environment to use it. I didn't and I only kept it a year as it was fairly pointless to me in the end.

PPI - hmm. I had one done by a very reputable co and they missed things, including the need for a new clutch. I'd use one as a guide against a complete dog but don't rely on it and look for lots of appropriate and recent bills of the things on your list. Make sure you drive it - lots of vendors, especially private ones aren't keen so if necessary get it insured for the day.

 

[turbo jonny]

Just buy any good 996tt you like

http://jalopnik.com/here-s-why-the-996-turbo-is-the-best-porsche-911-you-ca-1665776219

 

[richard hall]

as ever buy on condition you will need to see bills stamps in service books are fine but that doesnt really to mind show the attention to detail these care need ie 5,000 mile oil changes

I do not agree with the comments re PCCB, they can be chipped if a clown drops a wheel on them when changing them, mine have not self destructed in 30,000 miles of use they still look like new the only regular stories i have come across have been the people who used the earlier versions for track use where they delaminated though with the compnay SICOM that to may be a worry of the past

if i was given the choice for all but race cars I would have them thye do need to be inspected though and checked for tolerance which is why i state the comments below

yes the pads are expensive but they last 30,000 miles plus

Peter Morgan inspected my car he did not pick up on something that was a big issue,in his favour he did explain he does not do DME checks for mileage however I would argue that now no-one should inpect these cars and not offer this service, he may have changed his testing procedure

my personal experience with these cars going south is you need a really experienced mechanic/sales man to look them over only then can you buy with confidence that usually means you take the car to this inspection where it is put on a ramp and the diagnostics used.unless the list of receipts is big you would be wise to have a kitty to put things right

my turbo S has just come back from Fearnsport and to be honest the car has never been this sweet,I think the S is a great package If you find a good un you wont be unhappy get it mapped and make sure the standard suspension is changed

just a shame Michellin cant sort out their supply chain properly for rear tyres for the whole of the UK!

 

[turbo jonny]

Great to hear your good news Richard .

Agree with all the above . Currently looking into suspension refresh myself and then the car
Will be perfect . Well , unless i am tempted by a tune ..

 

[devans]

Many thanks to all for your contributions.
Rang the garage today but no answer, will try again tomorrow.
If buying, an inspection will definitely take place.
Interestingly enough when i bought my current car, the garage were really rude to the inspection guy and very awkward with him. Totally unhelpful. This nearly got me to walk away from the deal. However, when the report came back it was really good, so i went ahead.
I suppose the motto here is not to let ignorance get in the way of something good and wait for the facts to be delivered.
Many thanks to all