996 C4 Mileage question
 

I have been pondering with the idea of getting a 996. And I have been reading a lot about them the last couple of weeks on and off. I have an 1984 928s with 147K miles. I do most of my maintenance and repairs myself so I am somewhat mechanically incline. I'm not a rich guy but make enough to enjoy my cars and work on them.
This isn't really a question about what all can go wrong and PPI's or IMS/RMS.

A car that I have located is at a used dealer its a 2000 996 Cab. C4 with about 140K miles on it. I have not called the dealership or anything. But I am assuming they know little about the car and probably has no service records. I know this is probably a sign to run for the hills. I know this can be open to all ends but how long can these motors last, one that probably hasn't been maintained per Porsche's service intervals. but regular oil changes and fluid changes.

I ask this because my 928 when I got it, had 140K miles on it and at the time I was a little worried. But I've put 7,000 miles on it over the last 2 years and it has been the most fun out of the toys I've owned. And I have a friend that has a 928 GTS with over 200K miles and runs great. So is a 996 with 140K miles is that pretty near the end of that motors life or could there be another 50K to 70K miles left in her. If the IMS doesn't kill it first.

Thanks, James

Just my opinion - if the IMSB has not blown apart @140K, probably never will. Given a reasonable maintenance history (or maybe not), these cars can do well over 140K. I have that on mine and it still looks and runs great. I've had to plug a lot of DIY maintenance into it, but I think that is part of the reward for such a great car. So my opinion is a 2000 996 with 140K has a lot of good miles left in it. It's always a gamble with a used car, but they are made damn well to begin with.

They've been known to roll over 300K miles if serviced properly. I'd call on the car and get as much info you can on it.

Could it go another 50-70k miles without blowing up? Sure, several cars documented at well over 200k miles. I guarantee you the dealer paid next to nothing for that car. No way a dealer is going to pay anything but low wholesale on a 996 with over 140k. I would guess they paid $8-11k max. Price your offer accordingly.

Thanks guys for the replies. I was hoping for the type of replies I got. That price range is about what I figured they may put into this car.

Good luck in the search and purchase. I'm in a similar boat. I've had my 928 for over 9 years now. I do all my own work and its probably the coolest thing I'll ever own. I picked up a very nicely sorted '99 C4 from a friend in May of last year. It had 107K at the time and is at 115k now. It has been a really nice driver and fun to own. Although engine access is a bit tighter and more awkward than in a 16V 928, most of the common failure items are pretty easy to get to (alternator, water pump, belts and hoses). 996s were not built by the same craftsman that built 928s. It was just a different era for Porsche. But they can be really nice cars and other than the old school stereo / NAV unit mine feels every bit as modern as anything else I've driven. Quite impressive for an 18 year old car.