[CheetoNYC]

Originally Posted by hirkaismyname

Would you still need to do a PPI if you buy it from a Porsche Dealership? Further, how does one go about scheduling a PPI from a private seller? What are you looking for in the PPI to raise flags?

Thanks,
H

For high end cars it's recommended you do a PPI regardless of who is selling it (OEM dealer, other mfg dealership, or private). I don't bother doing it for my daily drivers because I buy them from reputable dealers and they are usually cheap and easily repairable. These are never guarantees that the car won't explode when you drive it off the lot, just a little bit of added insurance from a trained eye.

For a private sale, you just ask the seller if they are willing to drop the car off for a few hours at an indendent repair shop or a dealership to conduct a PPI and what days work best for them. You would then call a shop of your choice close to them (if they recommend one, ask them to recommend 2-3 so you have an independent opinion). You call and set up the appointment. If you aren't there for the inspection the shops I've worked with will call me and walk me through the report (some will email it) and then I pay them over the phone with a credit card. $150-300 depending on the shop and what is done. I've never had anyone refuse (and would walk from any deal that did), however I would strongly advise that you put down a refundable deposit and have the seller sign a contract that they will take the car off the market while the PPI is being performed and give you 3-5 business days after the PPI is done to either complete the sale or to have your deposit refunded. Some will ask for a non-refundable deposit but then just lower the $$ to what you are comfortable with losing. I lost out on a very clean low mileage 1-owner 911 Turbo that I sent in for a PPI when another buyer came in at the last second and offered over the asking price that I had agreed to pay. I had nothing in writing to stop the seller and he never gave me the option to counter. Lesson learned.

Generally the PPIs are all doing the same thing: Test driving the car a few miles to check acceleration, braking, suspension, weird noises, etc.; visually inspecting the exterior for evidence of prior accidents (Frame welds, paint overspray, etc); ensuring everything works from a safety perspective (lights, horns, etc); and then putting the car up on the lift to check for any glaring issues (brakes or rotor wear, cracked manifolds, etc). They should connect to the ECU to check for recent errors. If you want to spend extra money you can do extras like leak down reports and over-rev reports, but I typically don't think that's necessary. I usually ask them to check 1-2 things that are known issues for that brand and model. For example on a recent PPI for an M3 DCT I asked them to thoroughly inspect the transmission case for evidence of a leak as it is a known issue. For the 911 Turbo I asked them to check for welded or pinned coolant lines. It's typically 1-3 hours of the mechanics time so again don't expect they are going to find everything or anything for that matter.

[CheetoNYC]

Beautiful. I was looking at several 997.1 C2S recently and just couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger because of that nagging IMS issue. The 997.2 and new DFI engine avoids all of those issues but I couldn't find a nice low mileage one for under $50k. 997.2 911s are really hard to find because of the recession right around 2009-10 when few 911s left the lot. They sold nearly half the 911s between 09-11 versus the three years prior. C4s is also pretty rare, a 6 spd is even rarer once the PDK came out, and no concerns about the IMS = A KEEPER!

[Rambler]

Congrats OP, great find! I just recently picked up a 997.2 Turbo. It’s a great gen because you get the right sized 997 platform but basically the same interior updates that were used through the 991.1 gen.

[ACZakka325i]

Originally Posted by Rambler

Congrats OP, great find! I just recently picked up a 997.2 Turbo. It’s a great gen because you get the right sized 997 platform but basically the same interior updates that were used through the 991.1 gen.

Good for you! Any 997.2 will be one to hold on to for sure. Is yours manual?

[Rambler]

Originally Posted by ACZakka325i

Good for you! Any 997.2 will be one to hold on to for sure. Is yours manual?

Yup, 6sp manual.

[hirkaismyname]

Thanks for the info CheetoNYC very helpful sir!

H

[ACZakka325i]

Originally Posted by Rambler

Yup, 6sp manual.

The last manual turbo. Very nice.

[Rambler]

Originally Posted by ACZakka325i

The last manual turbo. Very nice.

Hey, I just noticed you’re from CT! If you’re ever up for a drive, look up either myself or Bemo here or on Rennlist. We try to get out for drives together whenever our schedules permit. Try to enjoy the remaining few nice days with the car before the salt dumps start coming.

And you’re killing me with the tennis ball! My grandparents did that in the 80s with their ‘78 Tbird which was about 1/2 mile long. My wife needs one too as she has put a couple holes in the drywall bumping into it. I always thought it was a clever idea though.

[ACZakka325i]

Originally Posted by Rambler

Hey, I just noticed you’re from CT! If you’re ever up for a drive, look up either myself or Bemo here or on Rennlist. We try to get out for drives together whenever our schedules permit. Try to enjoy the remaining few nice days with the car before the salt dumps start coming.

And you’re killing me with the tennis ball! My grandparents did that in the 80s with their ‘78 Tbird which was about 1/2 mile long. My wife needs one too as she has put a couple holes in the drywall bumping into it. I always thought it was a clever idea though.

Thank you. Yes, will hit you up for a cruise some time.

[hirkaismyname]

ACZakka325i no more CSL...now what?

[ACZakka325i]

Originally Posted by hirkaismyname

ACZakka325i no more CSL...now what?

Somewhat relieved. I put my deposit on this car a long time ago.

Perhaps this is good reason to move on from Bmw altogether. The Porsche is my first grown-up car.

I hope the news is not true. I am still skeptical and think it may be coming.

[BimmerPD]

Congratulations on new toy! She is a beauty

[ACZakka325i]

Originally Posted by BimmerPD

Congratulations on new toy! She is a beauty

Thank you!

[uniqueMR]

Congrats

[P1]

Looks nice, congrats!

[Dan@AutoTalent]

The 997.2 tail lights look sooooo good. Nice pick-up!

[omegaSMP300]

I miss my 997.2 targa 4s. Far too short of a relationship with that one. I am looking for another or a 4s but looks like I might it might be another 991.1 4s. congrats and enjoy in good health. Wonderful car

[ACZakka325i]

Originally Posted by omegaSMP300

I miss my 997.2 targa 4s. Far too short of a relationship with that one. I am looking for another or a 4s but looks like I might it might be another 991.1 4s. congrats and enjoy in good health. Wonderful car

Thank you! So far so good. But she's been wrapped up for the last few weeks with no end in sight.....

I added colored crests and clear side markers to pass some time.

[omegaSMP300]

Originally Posted by ACZakka325i

Thank you! So far so good. But she's been wrapped up for the last few weeks with no end in sight.....

I added colored crests and clear side markers to pass some time.

Those little details make a big difference in my opinion. lol they should be standard options mind you but whatever it's a personal touch (which not all do). Those wheels are some of my favorite. Once the weather passes you'll have a blasty blast with it.