Dirtmerchant

Long story short:

I have a deposit on a GTS. The car was described by Porsche Dealership salesman as "as perfect as any used car can be" and assured me there was no paint work, only small scuff on front bumper. While reviewing the service history I noticed the battery had been replaced two times in as many years. The salesman told me the service department told him that it was due to lack of use; the car is low mileage so it sounds plausible. The Car went through the CPO inspection as well as a full 2 year service prior to going to the Indy for the PPI.

PPI was completed yesterday and the following is the results:

1. The front bumper has been damaged, repaired and poorly prepped for painting causing fisheyes in the finish.

2. There were 16 stored fault codes in 10 separate components.


I expressed my concerns and asked for explanations and nothing else, the following was the reply I received from the sales manager.

Every time the battery gets to a low level the codes will come back, and the only way to get rid of them is to clear all codes. I chose not to do that prior to inspection I did not want anyone to think we had something to hide. We did paint meter the car, the front bumper can not be metered due the material it is made from. Until this car is driven on a regular basis the low battery will be an issue unless you invest in a battery trickle charger. I am not going to paint the front bumper and if I was buying the car I would not paint it.

Please let me know your thoughts relative to the codes, I'm concerned their may be an unresolved electrical issue.

Secondly, the bumper respray/repair or ? did not show on CarFax. I don't have any intention of selling the car anytime soon but how will it effect the value not knowing how it happened or how it was repaired?

Thanks,

DM

ltcjmramos

What are the codes?

kcheves

I wouldn't be too concerned. His explanation for the front bumper cover is correct, and a respray (or replacement) of the bumper cover is pretty common. The fact that it was painted poorly should be corrected by the dealer, or you should be given some compensation. I also buy the battery replacement explanation.

I bought a car earlier this year that also had a bunch of stored codes, which were not reported in the PPI that I had done by an out-of state Porsche dealer. My Indy cleared them and I've had no issues since. Have the dealer clear them, and make sure that if electrical problems occur in the next two years, the CPO will cover them.

Good Luck

Fahrer

I would not necessarily be concerned with the codes. These are usually minor communication errors that are logged but not reported ( instrument panel lights) by the computer. Were there any serious over revs? If not, I would focus on the bumper.

promocop

Battery should have had to been replaced that many times. The clearing of the codes will drive you crazy. Have them cleared. The bumper? Wobbler. I'd make them repaint. Buy a battery tender

Philster

Well, you can't make them repaint the bumper, but you can insist it's done as part of the deal. It's their choice to do it or not.

They can opt to not do business with you and seek better terms with another buyer.

Leverage: How much do you have? On a generic, common model: A fair am't.

But... on a very specific model configured just the way you like it: Usually very little.

.

promocop

What are you talking about? Sure he can make them do it. It's all negation. What's does it take to paint a bumper? $500? Please. I just MADE my dealer perform a $4,000 major service. Be tough. It's all in negotiating !

Philster

You are basically saying what I am, but I am acknowledging that your level of 'make' is directly proportionate to your leverage.

If I can sell X to someone else w/out repainting it, you can't make me paint it for you. If I am stuck eating my shorts with X, you have leverage and I am likely to paint it.

Leverage is the key word. Sometimes you have NONE.

.

Dirtmerchant

Thanks for the replays, the following is retyped from the report

Siemens Digital Motor Electronics SD13
24C4 Invalid data from hvac control module

Transmission - PDK
C155:
U0155
CAN Timeout, Instrument Cluster
C146
U0146
CAN timeout, gateway
C418
Unknown fault code

PDK Gear Selector- PDK GS
C155
Unknown fault code

Porsche Stability Management - PSF
C140
Communication instrument cluster display

All Wheel Drive - PTM
C140
Communication instrument cluster display

C152
Communication PSM Control Unit

TPM
No Faults

Vehicle Electrical System
No Faults

Instrument Cluster 9x7
No Faults

Airbag POSIP
C140
Communication instrument cluster
C158
Communication Gateway Control

Advanced Weight System - AWS
No Faults

Porsche Access System - PAS
8005
Terminal S

Gatway
No Faults

Front Body Module
No Faults

Rear Body Module
No Faults Found

Left Door Module
8009
Unknown Fault Code

Right Door Module
No Faults Found

Seat Memory
C102
CAN Single-Wire Operation "comfort"

Air Conditioning
8023
Outside Air/REcirc, air flap motor
8015
AC Handling
8010
Fresh air fan motor

Steering Column Electronics
No Faults Found

PCM Gateway

Multimedia interface MMI PCM

Bose amplifier

No Faults Found

Dirtmerchant

In regards to respraying the bumper. I don't want to make anyone do anything they don't want to, I'd rather have it done by someone I know can make if right. I do however feel the salesman misled me with regards to the bumper because I specifically asked if there was any paint work and how the bumpers are. I can spot fisheyes in paint from I mile away, maybe it's a gift I've got....

Macster

Those all appear to be as was stated, related to the battery being low or dead.

Did the car get test driven? It has to be subjected to a test ride and drive.

This should have all those codes gone and no new ones to take their place.

The concern I have about the front bumper is that it was repainted due an accident and the (poor) quality of the paint job of the bumper is indicative of the quality of the repairs you can't see.

Do the head lights have the same patina? What about the radiator grilles, ducting, and the A/C condensers?

I'd be inclined to have the font bumper removed -- it should take a tech less than 5 minutes -- and inspect the car under the bumper cover.

Dirtmerchant

Unfortunately the car is 600-miles away and while the purchase is contingent upon my personal inspection and test drive I've got to fly there to do it....

The Indy who did the PPI said he could not see any indication that bodywork had been done besides the respray, although he didn't remove the bumper. Indy said otherwise the car was in very good condition.

tomc66

Last October I purchased my 2011 911 4S. The car was three years old and had been driven only 6100 miles. Because of the infrequent driving, the car battery was replaced twice in three years. No problems since I purchased the car. So yes, if you don't drive the car the battery goes bad.

Dirtmerchant

Conclusion:

I asked the dealer to remove the bumper cover and document any damage as well as a modest pricing concession in the event I was unable to live with the poor respray.

They declined, I'm moving on down the road.....

chris.hanle

Good for you. You will find the one you want without the questions. Or at least find someone who will tell you the answers.