Fonz0

Need a bit of help folks as I am trying to buy my first Porsche. It is a CPO 2003 Carrera and I have received the CPO report and the DME. What am I looking for? I want to only go to the next step of a full PPI if there is nothing here that would already be a warning. I note that many hours appear to have been racked up outside the rev limits:

"Number of ignitions, range 1 5994"
"number of ignitions, range 2 1"
"Outside rpm range (upper range) 1753.2h"
"Outside rpm range (lower range) 1365.1h"

There is a long list of M numbers: "032, 058, 130, 197, 218, 226, 270, 273, 274, 288, 335, 338, 411, 424, 426, 434, 436, 437, 438, 441, 446, 454, 465, 480, 484, 535, 537, 553, 562, 563, 566, 567, 571, 573, 581, 601, 602, 620, 650, 651, 657, 659, 660, 661, 664, 680, 685, 697, 912, 937, 946, Exclusive numbers X54, X70,X97,X98, XME,XSC"
Two faults are noted: "P1601 CAN timeout instrument cluster" and "P0607 Computer monitoring reset"

And of course a whole host of other data i cannot even begin to make sense of. including a list of ign misfire counts (numbered 1-6) from each cylinder I am guessing (?). ign1 and 6 are high (17578 and 22867 respectively) versus 10k for ign 3 and 8k for ign 4 and under 5k for ign 2 and 5.

Can anyone advise what matters in these and what doesn't?

Fonz0

I can find most of the M numbers in lists posted on the net, but several are missing.

ivangene

CPO...you are looking for it to last till you get it home...everything else is covered!!

sorry, just being silly, but it's also a tad true

Fonz0

But I have heard of horror stories with CPO cars so I am trying to dig deeper. It sounds like you would say that this is overkill?

Macster

Can you scan and post the DME printout?

P1601 arises from a battery disconnect. (My sources do not have anything on error P0607 but it is probably related to the cause of P1601.) A battery disconnect can happen when the battery is replaced, if the tech does not provide backup power to the car's electrical system.

That this apparently was not done or that the error code was not cleared and the comfort settings reapplied... However, it occurs to me this may not be as sinister as I first thought.

Had the P1601 code been cleared first, before the DME readout, this clear would have cleared all other codes as well.

Also, you can ask a senior tech at the dealer go over the read out with you and explain things you have any questions about.

How this request is received tells you something too...

Sincerely,

Macster.

Macster

You're buying the car. No one else. Only you can decide if what you're asking is overkill.

Off hand I'd say 'not'.

Better to be safe than sorry.

Sincerely,

Macster.

ivangene

not over kill...

but seriously? horror stories?
do tell

Fonz0

I simply searched in Rennlist and found threads debating whether to get a PPI with a CPO car or not and there were horror stories. 5k plus bills for stuff that needed to be done on a CPO cars. I am gonna have this one looked at by Hans at RAC in Dallas

Barn996

I'd recommend a PPI if it is thorough regardless of it being a CPO, you never know.

Fonz0

Wow. The saga continues. E-mail from the Dealer: "I spoke to my Pre-Owned Manager and we are not interested in taking the Carrera any place else for an inspection. We are standing by with the Carrera being Porsche Certified.

I will have your information that you submitted shredded"

So they will not allow a PPI. Why do I hear the voice: "Keep walking, there is nothing more to see here....."

Macster

Rule #1 is everything a car salesman tells you is intended to 1) Get you to pay as much for the car as possible; 2) Buy the car as soon as possible.

Just a tactic.

Or the dealer's serious. I can sort of understand the dealer's reluctance to let the car go off the lot for a PPI. The PPI could in some damage the car, rare yes, but not unknown.

Also, the dealer has to have confidence in the results of the car's CPO checkout/certification process. The check out is pretty extensive, if it is done right.

Keep looking.

But keep this car in mind. If the car sits unsold for a while longer yet the dealer may soften its stance on the PPI.

Also, did you have some idea of where you going to have this PPI done and did you tell the dealer?

If the dealer objects to the place you had in mind, maybe there's a reason?

Maybe then the dealer could suggest a place that is agreeable to both you and the dealer?

Sincerely,

Macster.

Fonz0

Since this was to be a long distance deal (I am in ATL and the car is in Dallas) I did indeed discuss the place I would have the car inspected- Hans at RAC. However, the dealer never said anything to me other than the quote above. No attempt to sell me on how thorough the CPO is or talk me out of the inspection. Just a flat NO and we are shredding your paperwork. I conclude that the car is sold to someone else who is less picky or they really don't want to let anyone inspect it. Time will tell. I might have bought this car if it were local and I could have driven it and seen it and it all seemed well, since the CPO would protect me, but especially since I would have to fly there to even see or drive it I wanted a PPI first.

Torontoworker

Fonz: There are so many cars out there that time is on your side not to be worried about losing out on this deal. The fact that they seemed put off by you to mention they were shredding your paper work would make me want to get on the phone and tell them to go fu(k themselves just because they are acting like dicks and not understanding that you and YOU only are responsible for looking out for your own interests.

The type 1 and 2 over rev's are also something to research. In the economy we have in North America? Are they nuts? A serious buyer with the purchase price settled on and they don't want to satisfy the customer? Sure they could feel insulted that you want an independent check on the car but really, they are in the business of SELLING vehicles right? Perhaps because your out of town they see no after warranty business and hence - a local sale is better for them?

Walk. (and feel good about it)

Macster

What Torontoworker said. Walk. And feel good about it.

Sincerely,

Macster.

Fonz0

Hey. No worries. I learn more each time and every car I look into gets me closer to driving my dream.