VivG

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/5463395181.html

Going to check this out today, seller says he has all the documentation (and seems to be a bit flexible on price). It's been driven like 16k miles in the last eight years.

Eviltangents

Looks pretty good but be sure to double check the preventative maintenance items; ad mentions intermediate flange, not IMS bearing itself. Sometimes that gets mistaken for having had the IMS taken care of when it really hasn't. Don't want THAT surprise after you buy a 996.

VivG

Yeah, when I spoke with him over the phone, he mentioned IMS retrofit specifically (without me asking), so I assumed it was just a typo in the ad. Anyhow, he said he had all the receipts, so I'll take a look.

Eviltangents

Glad to hear it. Good luck with the purchase. (Have fun with the test drive anyway!)

gnat

I think the ad is pretty clear. Based on it being a 99, being done by the dealer, and bein done with the RMS, it sounds to me like it was just the flange to upgrade it to the 3 rib seal. Without absolutely clear documentation to the contrary that is your safe bet.

On a 99, though, you have a dual row so I personally wouldn't stress about it. Get a PPI that checks the oil good, then enjoy it until it needs a clutch and replace the bearing then.

FRUNKenstein

+1 Someone can correct me if I am mistaken, but I do not believe that a Porsche dealer was even allowed to change just an IMSB until just the last 3 or 4 years. I believe Porsche's official stance is still that the IMSB is not replaceable and that it is not listed as a separate part number. So, if it was done at a Porsche dealer 7 or 8 years ago, the chances that it was just the IMS flange are very high (if not 100%).

Fruitay

How about this C4? No info on IMS or anything. Maybe worth a look?

http://www.thesuprememotors.com/7027...s/Details.aspx

VivG

So I got to see that Ocean Blue C4 today. You guys were correct, it seems to have been the intermediate flange - "Replaced rear main seal, intermediate flange, and updated hardware" is the exact entry from the Fletcher Jones service log. There's also a line item called "Inter. Shaft Reseal" on the next page.

Interior was a bit more worn than I would have expected from a 53k mile car, but I guess the gray interior is more likely to show wear than black anyway? Will likely need brakes and potentially tires in the near-ish future.

One weird thing that I noticed after looking up the option codes on the hood sticker - the car had a 4 spoke steering wheel and the standard 17" C4 wheels (M399, I think), but the option codes indicate it should have a 3-spoke steering wheel (436) and M413 993 Turbo-look 18" wheels. So I'm not entirely sure what happened there. Anyhow, getting a PPI done on it later this week.

gnat

Maybe a previous owner used these as winter wheels and the originals didn't follow the car?

Maybe an owner didn't like the 3 spoke (I know I don't) and swapped it out?

As long as there isn't any sign that they were replaced due to an accident I wouldn't worry about it if you are OK with its current config.

lomax

I was also wondering about the steering wheel as my 99 has the three spoke. Wonder if the air bag blew once upon a time and they just replaced the entire wheel ??

Fruitay

White '99 C2 with 73,000 miles for $19k

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/5468644220.html

kmagnuss

04' 95k'ish miles, auto, for $13k http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/ctd/5474701642.html

kmagnuss

02' silver cab, manual, 120k, $15k... http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/ctd/5474746520.html

VivG

Yeah, it wasn't that concerning, just an inconsistency I noticed. Honestly the biggest annoyance is the interior, I guess gray just tends to show wear worse than black.

gnat

The 4 spoke was the standard on the MkI cars and the 3 spoke was an option. I believe (but could be wrong) that the 3 spoke became standard with the MkIIs (was the 4 even an option on them?).