Hello all, I’m a long time reader but a first time poster. I’ve been on the hunt for a 911 for a good few months now and I’ve found something near my area that I was wondering if you guys could give me a hand with. The car I’m looking at is a 1996 993 Coupe that is black with tan interior, 48k miles, and the following factory options:

C02 – Equipped w/ catalytic converter
220 – Locking Differential 40%
224 – Active Brake Differential
233 – Original Tires Pirelli
329 – ?
398 – 17” 5 spoke (P205/50ZR17 front, P225/40ZR17 rear)
437 – Comfort Seat Right – Electronically Adjustable
438 – Comfort Seat Left – Electronically Adjustable
445 – Wheel Rim Caps w/ Porsche Crest
454 – Automatic Speed Control
650 – Sunroof

The current owner is the 5th owner and purchased it back in February of this year with about 46,500 miles. He had a PPI done as ASG in Fairfax of which I currently have a copy. Here are the notes made during the PPI:

1. Body and Chassis:
-wiper blades missing stop
-passenger window switch from drivers side broken

2. Brake System Test and Inspect
-Brake discs and pads 1/3 of life
-parking brake adjust needed

3. Steering and Suspension – ok

4. Chassis Electrics – ok

5. Exhaust System – ok

6. Tires and Alignment
-rear tires worn out
-condition of wheels: some curb damage

7. ? (title got cut off from fax)
-Cylinder Leakage Test:
1. 90%/91%
2. 96%
3. 98%
4. 94%
5. 98%
6. 97%
-#3 cylinder area small oil leak

8. Ignition System
-spark plugs need to be replaced

9. Fuel System
-air filter dirty
-fuel filter needs replacement

10. Oil Change – NA

11. Transmission – ok

12. Charging and Electrical System – ok

13. Road Test
-slight pull on braking

14. Notes
-drivers side door check mount broken
-rear spoiler damn broken
-slight miss align on hood
-rear sway bar bent
-rear bumper impact/repaint
-under passenger door damage/paint repair


A month after this PPI, he had the following work done at ASG:

-mount and balance 4 tires
-flush brake fluid system
-replace rear wing insert
-replace all accessory belts
-replace front and rear brake pads
-air filter
-cabin filter
-oil filter and change
-fuel filter
-spark plugs
-60k service (during service it was noted that right squirt nozzle damaged, and also replace all V-belt and polyrib belt)
-he also had the driver’s side door check mount welded and it says on the sheet “may want more permanent repair in future)


Well, if you’ve managed to hang on this long thanks for taking a look. Do you guys see anything here that I should be concerned with? Some of the things that concern me the most are the oil leak at cylinder #3, the leakage test (which I don’t really know anything about), evidence of paint spray on the rear bumper and passenger rocker panel, the bent rear sway bar (accident maybe?), and the driver door hinge welding. Things like the window switch and wiper nozzle seem like easy things to fix. My intentions with this car are to be my daily driver, in the summer, and a fun track car for DE events. Also, do you think I should have another PPI done? I will be trying to go look at this car this weekend.

Thanks in advance,
Lane

 

Sounds to me like the car was damaged. Perhaps it ran over something or was put in a ditch. I would think it would take a significant impact to bend the sway bar. Misaligned hood is another issue. I would have someone look to make sure if it was in an accident, the repairs were done properly. Kinda sounds like it may have had a hard life. Then again, if you are getting a good price and want to change the wheels out, for example, then go for it.

 

M329 = CD210/ Blaupunkt Toronto
Rear corner and sway bar damage could be the results of a spin and sudden stop. In a ditch? Against a barrier? Who knows.

 

I'd be interested to see what other rennlisters have to say about "driver’s side door check mount welded". I understand this is a very common problem on the 993. My '97 C2 coupe has this problem, and the PO has a receipt showing that it was welded, but apparently the weld didn't hold it very long and the mount moves left-right quite freely. The dealer where I had my PPI done said its a ~$800 repair to fix it "permanently". I decided to just be careful to always hold the door when opening it and live with it.

If it were me looking at this car, I'd see if I could hook up with someone who owns a similar car and have him/her test drive it to give you an assesment. As they say, if the price is right...

 

This has been a weak point on 911's forever!

 

Lane -

Have you run a CarFax on it?

 

I live in this area, have a '96 C2 with the same mileage and know ASG very well. I'd be happy to check this car out for you. Fixing the door stop, if the sheet metal has not yet torn, is about $50 in parts and two hours in the garage with some beer. Did it on my Carrera and it's not that tough.

Unless you're getting this car for a song, I'd pass on it. Why do the plugs need changing at this mileage? I thought first change was due at 60k. Mine are original and my car runs like a top. If you want to check out my car, you can compare it. Mine is as perfect as they come, but will; never be for sale. I assume that ASG, if they flushed the brakes, also flushed the clutch slave. If not, you need to check into it. Rear tires get chewed up pretty fast on these cars and even faster if the alignment is out or some of the susp. components have torn grease boots AND stock shocks, if still on this car are SHOT. What's the price of this car?

 

When you have the car inspected by a qualified body shop (& you should), have them check the rear impact shocks (behind the bumper) which may have been damaged by whatever necessitated the rear bumper respray.

 

InTheAir -

I have requested a carfax report and I should be getting it sometime soon. The owner said it was clean (no accidents), but I look forward to checking it out myself.

 

LPM011, CARFAX oftentimes won't show accidents, so take it with a grain of salt...it depends on the state [For example, even minor accidents are recorded in Michigan]. It should tell you if there is a salvage title, etc, so it is good at weeding out cars on a high level; after that I recommend getting some literature as far as what to look for when shopping for 911s [in particular the 993 model]. Peter Morgan and several other authors have books that you can buy that can educate you as to what specifics to look for before you bother with a PPI--could save you a lot of time and money.

Good luck!

 

Check your Private Messages.

 

Lane,

What's the price on the car?

 

A 10% leak on cyl #1 would worry me...

 

Yes, that is one thing that has been troubling me. What is a reasonable amount of leak?

 

The asking price is $38,000. Are there any tell tale signs of faulty/bad suspension components while it is NOT up on a lift (for example when/if I go look at it this weekend)?