Workshop / Buyer's Guide
Buyer's Guide
What to look for before you buy. Common failures, chassis-specific weaknesses, and price signals.
8 articles
- Porsche970April 15, 20266 min
Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid (970) Buyer's Guide: When the High-Voltage System Gets Expensive
The 970 Panamera S E-Hybrid is the cheapest way into a six-figure Porsche — until the 9.4 kWh battery, charge port, or DC/DC converter fails. Here's what to inspect, what to budget, and which faults are walk-away.
- Porsche997April 15, 20266 min
Porsche 997 911 Pre-Purchase Checklist: Bore Scoring, RMS, AOS, and Everything Beyond IMS
A 997 buyer's guide that assumes you already understand IMS. Bore scoring on the 3.8 DFI, RMS leaks, AOS failure modes, coolant tank cracks, and the year-by-year decision tree for 997.1 vs 997.2.
- Porsche970April 15, 20268 min
Porsche 970 Panamera Buyer's Guide: Every Engine, Every Failure, Every Price Point
The 970 Panamera (2010-2016) by engine: V6, V8, supercharged hybrid, and twin-turbo. Known failures, the 2014 refresh, air suspension costs, and how to shop one in 2026.
- BMWE90 · E91 · E92April 15, 20266 min
BMW E90/E91/E92/E93 Buyer's Guide: N52 vs N54 vs N55, Subframe Cracks, and the FRM Module Trap
The full E9x 3-Series inspection — engine selection, rear subframe mounting point cracks, FRM module failure from a bad jump start, and which trim/year combinations are worth chasing in 2026.
- AudiB8April 15, 20266 min
Audi B8 S4/S5 3.0T Supercharger Ownership Guide: Pulleys, Carbon, Coolant Pump, and the Real Power Path
The B8 S4/S5 3.0T (EA837) is the most-modified Audi V6 of the modern era. Pulley sizes, intercooler upgrades, intake valve carbon, the dreaded electric coolant pump failure, and how owners actually run 500+ hp daily.
- BMWE46 · E46 M3April 14, 20266 min
BMW E46 Common Problems: 10 Things to Check Before You Buy
Rear subframe cracks, cooling system failures, VANOS, rod bearings on the S54, and every other known E46 weak point. What to inspect, what the parts cost, and what to walk away from.
- Porsche997 · 997.1 · 997.2April 12, 20266 min
Porsche 997 IMS Bearing: The Complete Guide to the Most Famous Porsche Failure
Which 997s actually have IMS bearings, which ones failed, and which ones are safe. Symptom check, upgrade options from LN Engineering and Flat 6 Innovations, and real-world repair costs.
- AudiB7 · A4 · S4April 10, 20266 min
Audi B7 A4 & S4 Buying Guide: Every Failure Mode and What to Check
Timing chain tensioner rattle, carbon buildup on the 2.0T FSI, S4 V8 oil consumption, DSG fluid service, and the rest. Full pre-purchase checklist for the 2005-2008 Audi B7 platform.