mohitos Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 I'm seeing a 21k mile 2000 3.2S tomorrow. Would be great to get some tips on what to look out for. Should I worry about IMS & RMS on a car like this? Low miles and FSH (initially OPC and later a specialist), but to my knowledge no evidence these have been done. And bore scoring, should that be a concern too? Thanks for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lennym1984 Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 Hi I know it sounds counter intuitive but I'd be wary about such low miles (21k in 18 years!?). Mine was low mileage at 66k in 19 years and I can honestly say that the more I have driven it, the better it has got. It felt quite stiff when I first got it (things like the clutch, brakes etc). That said, I have had no mechanical issues (with the exception of a lambda sensor and resistor) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohitos Posted July 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 Yep, that's definitely a factor. Although I am drawn to low milers like bees to honey ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
That986 Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 45 minutes ago, Lennym1984 said: Hi I know it sounds counter intuitive but I'd be wary about such low miles (21k in 18 years!?). Exactly that. I'd want to know why it's not been driven and mileage history. Bore score isn't an issue on those. Lack of use could lead to the IMS failing as it needs lubrication which is fed from the engine, if it's been left for long periods then it can dry out and that will lead to problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobbie Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 13 minutes ago, That986 said: Exactly that. I'd want to know why it's not been driven and mileage history. Bore score isn't an issue on those. Lack of use could lead to the IMS failing as it needs lubrication which is fed from the engine, if it's been left for long periods then it can dry out and that will lead to problems. I'd agree with this, low miles cars imply many short trips and rapid oil deterioration which seems to be a factor in IMS failure. I'd be looking for yearly oil changes in the service history rather than just a service every two years which you should check as many low miles cars run over the service interval as 'it's barely been used in the last two years'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menoporsche Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 Some MY2000s have the earlier bearing so even that might not be an issue. Expect to replace various perished rubbers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mohitos Posted July 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 Thanks guys. It's a 1 owner car with a legitimate reason for the low miles (always garaged, only used on occasions and in fine weather etc). Services every year but not sure if they go much beyond standard items. My concern is buying into a money pit and all that has been mentioned makes me a bit nervous... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Days Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 Also, the batteries on low mileage cars tend to suffer. I bought a 3-year old 986 with 2000 on the clock and the battery lasted less than a year. Mind you, easily replaceable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huytonman Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 Annual servicing is a must and try to drive the car, with this many miles it should feel nice and tight but keep in mind that brakes may need replacing due to corrosion or even wear and see how the clutch feels. I bought a 2003 car with 34k miles earlier this year and Im glad that I did due to the way it drives but mine did have the IMS changed a couple of years ago and that was a big factor in my decision. Have a good check over the hood and plastic rear window and make sure the tyres have been changed within the last few years (I once bought an MX5 from the original owner with 19k miles and the tyres were original...25 years old! Great tread and no cracking but rock hard with zero grip. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clivescoobydo Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 12 hours ago, mohitos said: I'm seeing a 21k mile 2000 3.2S tomorrow. Would be great to get some tips on what to look out for. Should I worry about IMS & RMS on a car like this? Low miles and FSH (initially OPC and later a specialist), but to my knowledge no evidence these have been done. And bore scoring, should that be a concern too? Thanks for your help! How much £8-9K? You'll pay or loose that on a new hot hatch over a 2 year period in lease/depreciation cost and it won't be half as much fun. After 2 years it'll still be low mileage and will owe you nothing......and you maybe lucky on maintenance cost. One thing to consider is it's an 18 year old car so chances are most areas will need looking at at some future point - suspension bushes, exhaust, ancillaries, belts, brakes, condensers, if they haven't already been replaced. My advice would be to buy off an enthusiast, fresh of a decent indie major service with no advisories. Bore score most likely to occur on 997 Gen 1 3.8 so no issue and IMS I wouldn't worry either way it's not as prolific as the Internet leads you to believe. If it's been replaced ask what the condition was of the removed bearing as if it that showed wear chances are the replacement will go the same way. RMS most indies will give a condition report on this weap, drip, etc. If there's no staining in the garage/drive don't worry about it they leak to some degree. Good luck they are great fun to drive irrespective of mileage ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saxosim Posted July 21, 2018 Report Share Posted July 21, 2018 Good luck with the viewing, I can’t add much over and above what others have said as all good points to check and consider but if it were me I would see if the current owner is happy to meet you at an Indie garage so that they can carry out a full inspection with a report for you (at your cost obviously). If the buyer is genuinely interested and stands by his car he shouldn’t have any objections to this plus if the car isn’t for you then he also gains a useful report of the areas he needs to address. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbatchew Posted July 21, 2018 Report Share Posted July 21, 2018 I bought a 2007 S about a year ago when it was on 22k miles. Like you I am attracted to low miles despite the many words of caution on here. I’ve now done 5k miles and the car has been fully serviced at an indie with no comments from a multipoint health check other than the tyre foam is past its sell by date! Prior to me owning it, it had new disks/ pads all round, new battery and new front air con radiators. The tyres have plenty of tread but are old and feel like they have hardened / gone past their best - although fine in the current warm weather. So I would say it sounds like a rare opportunity especially as 1 owner. Just budget to perhaps need some of the above items if they haven’t already been done. IMS chances of failure are very low but if you wanted absolute peace of mind could be changed to an upgraded version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonogt6 Posted July 21, 2018 Report Share Posted July 21, 2018 All I'd add is lucky you. As long as the cars overall condition backs up the mileage then go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southy Posted July 21, 2018 Report Share Posted July 21, 2018 Go for it ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikefocke Posted July 21, 2018 Report Share Posted July 21, 2018 If the car is in the low twenties in miles driven, it possibly has never had a major service. Fluids may be very old. (Brake, power steering, clutch get involved.) Tires old too even if they are a second set. I can see big expenses. Plastic ages and becomes brittle. AOS, oil and anti-freeze tanks and connector tubes. So examine the records and see if the current owner has paid for some of those so you won't have to.. A 2000 has a chance of having the first generation IMS bearing or not as it is a transition year. But with so little use the seal on the bearing may have deteriorated depending on how clean the oil was when it sat and how frequently it has been changed. I'd at least want it on a rack to see if there are any leaks. A full pre-purchase inspection by a Porsche experienced mechanic would help me pay more for the car. Likewise an oil filter examination for metallic bits. I'd rather have 40-60k on the car with some good portion of that recent with recent services. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el 3.2S Posted July 21, 2018 Report Share Posted July 21, 2018 Agree with the "go for it" approach. I purchased my 2000 S with over 70000 miles on it, sight unseen, and it has been wonderful. The only info I had was contained in a small Gumtree ad. There will always be something with every car, no matter how thoroughly you check it out beforehand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyUK Posted July 21, 2018 Report Share Posted July 21, 2018 At the right price.. Buy the car. Enjoy putting some cash into a spectacular. Second car and welcome the Boxster bug which entails keeping the car on the road for many years to come!???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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