CosmosC4S

Thanks for the tip, johnj.moran That gives me an idea of what to expect when I talk to my Indy mechanic. I'm not too confident with the "lifetime" claims, as in the front differential like you mentioned. I'd probably go ahead and have that done since it's in for tranny service. Thanks!

You're right, don't make hasty moves now that may jeopardise your case. Porsche is working on it now and you don't know what their decision is yet, there is still hope. But if you get this published now and upset them, that might backfire on you! I say, Hold on to your cards for now...

I'm at 80k plus now and I'm scheduling for a transmission service in the next week or two. Mine's AWD, so that includes the front differential service. Can anyone tell me the total cost I should be expecting?

I've been hearing this strange noise under the car, but it's only happened like 3 times in the last several months since I first heard it. The noise sounds like it's somewhere right behind me and under the car. Seems to be in front of the engine area. It doesn't sound like the engine, more like the transmission or driveshaft. To describe it...Sounds like "a chain slipping off a sprocket"...or gears slipping? Or like the sound when you accidentally shift into Reverse when you've moving forward, except it's not that harsh. It lasts only a second, then it's gone and I'll never hear it again in a long time - weeks, or months before the next occurence. Has always happened when I'm accelerating slow and gentle, like moving off from the lights. Gives me the feeling that the car is moving in a higher gear than it's supposed to be, then as it downshifts, there's the split second grinding noise. Or it could be the noise first, then the downshift...I can't be sure as I've not had the chance or enough time to really analyse it when it happened. I tried to intentionally replicate the noise, by moving at higher gear, but it doesn't happen. It also doesn't happen when I'm accelerating hard or downshifting aggressively. Other than those few rare occurences, the transmission and everything else run very smooth. Has anyone experienced this before? I'm thinking it could be early signs that I need a transmission service? I sure hope it's not the transmission going bad... :unsure: It's a Tiptronic 2002 C4S @ 80600miles Thanks.

Good Luck John, I admire your strong will on this matter. No matter what happens in the end, at least you could settle, knowing that you gave it a good fight. I hope you win your case, all the best!

Don't forget to post on rennlist as well, there are a bunch of them there who have had engine failures.

I'm sorry to hear that, hope it works out all right for you. Porsches are just highly unreliable, period, there's no question. And from all the stories that I've heard, Porsche is just arrogant and sucks in customer service or when it comes to standing behind their product. I've been lucky so far, 80k miles and still going rock solid. But I fear the day that it happens to me......

2002 C4S - 80k miles and running like new! :thumbup: Dealer records from Day 1 shows no mechanical problems at all. No RMS so far, I had a busted coolant hose once, and electrical/memory setting problem with seat-key programming. I hope to remain lucky... *Replaced alternator at 81300miles on June 20, 2007

I'm using 33/40 as well, the recommended psi is too hard a ride over less perfect surfaces.

I thought I was the only one giving the thumbsup or wave, and get no response in return. Sometimes I feel like I should just stop being an idiot, coz' that's probably what the other P driver is thinking of me. I agree, there are many P owners out there who are just filthy rich and arrogant, and they just don't give a d*mn who you are. They think they're all that. On the other hand, there are many non-P drivers who give me the smile, thumbsup, or wave, even verbal compliments at stoplights. :thumbup:

Yes, it's good now! :clapping:

Ok, thanks Loren. At least now I know what is happening.

Is it just me, or has there been a change in the board settings? Everytime I get on the site, I would have to re-log in. It used to be like other sites where if you don't log out, it will remember you the next time you log on. But now, even though I still see renntech cookies on my system, I am required to log in everytime. It's rather inconvenient if you are checking in frequently all day at intervals.

$2400!!!??? Your dealer is trying to slit your throat even before they inspect your car. I'm pretty sure it's around $800 to mid $1000's.

Do you have to be a member to get batteries at Costco? I know you don't have to for prescription glasses. So, if you are not a member, it wouldn't be worth it to pay $45 for membership. I used to be a member for a while but stopped.

I got my ContiSP2's from Treadepot. I was also searching high and low for them. I had to replace only 2 rear Contis, or whole new set if I couldn't find the Contis. I wouldn't recommend replacing only 1 tire, especially the other one on the same axle is 50% or more. Even if it's fairly new, it could still give you tracking, or shimmer issues when you're driving.

I've always wonderd about that...the top end yellow Everlast at Walmart are judged excellent batteries by Consumer Reports. So how has the battery worked so far? Fine I assume.

From my personal experience with oil level checking on this "different" 996...I do my checks with the dipstick, usually before I start the car, and sometimes if I feel the need to, after a drive home and letting the engine rest like 10-15mins (engine is till hot in 10-15mins!). There has never been a big difference in those readings at those different times. With the gauge on the dash, however, the readings have been inconsistent and fluctuates from time to time. The 996/997 has an onboard computer oil level gauge that is far from perfect. How many complaints have you heard of, (including myself) that the gauge on the dash doesn't match the dipstick? Whatever the confusion is here, I always check my oil the way I described, with the dipstick. I don't quite trust the dash gauge, and only use it as an "alert" check should it drop below normal. Talking about removing excess oil, I had the opposite experience as yours. My mechanic used the dash gauge to fill the oil during the oil change, and swore he filled it to one bar below max (reading on the gauge, I couldn't believe a mechanic doesn't even check the dipstick!). When I left the shop, it showed max on the gauge. I had instructed him to fill it to one bar below max, as I'm experimenting with the "white smoke" issue on hard acceleration with a max oil level. When I got home, I checked the oil level with the dipstick, with the engine cold. The level was way over max! I had to remove about 1 1/2 liters!

Let's not give innacurate information to others :rolleyes: . On page 171 of the owners manual you can find the way Porsche suggests in order to take an accurate reading: "Engine must be switched off and at operating temperature" No Sir, I am not giving inaccurate information. In fact, your quote: "Engine must be switched off and at operating temperature" is misleading, as it is not complete. I have always been taught, I have read, I have heard...that the most accurate way to check your oil (I'm talking of using the dip stick) is on level ground, with the engine turned off and rested for at least a few mins, and the oil is settled. It is not necessary for the engine to be at operating temp, nor is it necessary for it to be cold. However, many people choose to check the oil level in the morning, or anytime before the car is started up, becoz' at that time, all the oil is settled in the pan (they don't have to wait!), and thus, would give a more accurate reading on the dipstick. I am not saying you read it wrong from the manual, but... what you quote from the manual, I am thinking...that could possibly be procedure for the onboard computer gauge reading only. And I am not saying you cannot check your oil with the engine at operating temp, you just have to wait at least a few mins for the oil to settle, to get a more accurate reading. Someone please correct me if I am wrong in any way, and I would like to know why. We never stop learning...

Welcome, dustinbriq! Sweet Ride! I have a tip too, and I love it. Practical in everyday traffic. But sometimes I do wish I had a stick just to play.

I know some Pcars burn oil, but NOT that much oil!? Mine either doesn't burn much or it doesn't at all. Did you take a look in your coolant tank? Did the oil get in there? (I hope not!) Oh, and the proper way to check your oil is AFTER the engine has been shut off for some time. Preferably in the morning before you start her up, and of course, on level ground. If you do it with the engine warmed-up, you're gonna get an inaccurate reading as all the oil has been distributed all over the engne. I alway use the dipstick, don't quite trust the gauge. Though my gauge has been pretty consistent with the dipstick. They don't necessarily match exactly, but you learn to read the differences if they're consistently different. Like for eg. one bar down on gauge coincides to full on dipstick...

Yeah, for that price, it's a tough call. Personally, I'd take the risk. I bought mine out of warranty at about 70k miles. But at that high mileage, it's probably pass the danger of a bad engine. Other than the engine, and transmission, other break downs are not that "catastrophic". I think the 02 C4S's are pretty solid. Good Luck!

I've always used Meguiar's plastic and rubber protectant on all my rubber seals. (or dash & vinyl protectant - different products use different names) Keeps them soft and flexible, and black! :thumbup: I've been doing that for years and the seals actually remain in good condition that way.

Did you mean a 2002 C4S? I'm pretty sure the 2002 C4S and the 996 Turbo share the same front bumper, as well as many other parts. The only visual difference is the plastic lip on the base of the frot bumper. In fact, if I understand what I read correctly, the C4S and the 996 Turbo share the same body, except for the side air vents and the rear wing.

Sorry to hear that, I hope you get a decent deal out of insurance for a new toy. And those bloody little bastards, they deserve more than 8 months in "detention?" They should be in jail with Bubba who'll take care of them.