Hi everyone. I searched in the archives but couldn't find any thorough discussions of what should be checked in the PPI. Has anyone compiled a list to give to the mechanic to make sure the most important things don't get left out?

Thanks a lot,
Dave

 

Dave
Not to be facetious, but if the mechanic is not Porsche knowledgeable enough to know what to look for without a checklist from the customer, I'd find a different shop for the PPI.

I'm sure someone on the Board can suggest a good place to do a PPI almost anywhere you need.

(If you're interested in commom problem areas for you to look at in your car search, that's a different question.)

 

Dave,

Porsche dealerships have some sort of "standard" or "official" checklist that they follow. I'm not sure how complete it really is, since the examination seemed pretty cursory to my amateur eye when my PPI was done at Don McGill in Houston.

One thing seems certain: most dealership PPIs specifically exclude any examination for prior frame & body damage/repair. Therefore, I'd strongly consider a second, specific look-over by a qualified body shop. There seem to a fair number of exotic cars for sale with a hidden wreck history, or even worse, a salvage history.

Good luck.

 

Yes, a porsched dealer will have a list, but it is fairly basic. Here are a few 993 specific things you might want to have them look at off the top of my head.

--wiring harness for the earlier cars; especially the connection to the alternator

--steering rack for leaks

--aluminum rear suspension; commonly bent from incorrectly tieing down during transport

--front wheel bearing play; they're not serviceable

--there are also some issues of weak paint around the front and rear windows. If I had my ppi to do again, I'd take it by a good body shop and pay them to look it over. I could name a few on this list who wish they would have done that

 

From the above posts, i guess not all dealers have the same standard for PPI. When i bought my car, i took it to Newport Auto Center, CA. They said they would inspect the car the same way they inspect cars that people trade in which include body/frame paint/damages. Infact, they did found a little damage inside of my rear bumber.
HN

 

Thanks for the help everyone. Dan, I know what you mean about the mechanic knowing what to inspect and what not to. I was thinking more about me!!! For example, if the report comes back without the results of a leakdown test, I should know enough to ask about it.

Thank you all again,
Dave

 

Dave

Run the VIN through Carfax.com. You sometimes can learn a lot, or at least surmize a lot, from the report.

Mike in Chi

 

I also had a PPI of my long distance purchased 993 by Newport. I spoke w/both the service advisor & the mechanic who was to inspect. I told them I wanted compression & leak-down tests, but was told to save my $$$ & rely on the mechanic's "gut." I did & they were right
They found a crack in the spoiler wall which the seller fixed. Since they ended up w/a service ticket, they didn't charge for the PPI.
I was quite impressed w/Newport's integrity & professionalism - especially with a one time customer 2000 miles away.

 

Speaking of CarFax, what is the conventional wisdom about whether it's worth it/can be trusted? I have heard some complaints in previous posts. I am zeroing in on purchasing my first 993 and wonder if I should use CarFax. Thanks, everyone.

 

Michael,
I have used carfax and was unimpressed, but I suppose that is what you want. Use the info to back up the other stories and docs on your car. What I have found on carfax was the place and time of registration, emissions and the like from state agencies.I have seen no reports from any private mechanics or body shops. Good Luck

 

Michael,
I have used carfax and was unimpressed, but I suppose that is what you want. Use the info to back up the other stories and docs on your car. What I have found on carfax was the place and time of registration, emissions and the like from state agencies.I have seen no reports from any private mechanics or body shops. Good Luck

 

Carfax is a useful tool, but it is not conclusive and shouldn't substitute for your own "due diligence" in comparing data from other sources.

BTW, if you have a friend who works for a car dealer, s/he might do you a favor & run the Carfax for you to save a few bucks running each of the cars you are interested in.