After months of searching, I've found a truly fantastic deal on a 2005 C2S with 41,000 miles on it. It's a private party deal and has an additional 3 months of CPO warranty remaining. I had a PPI done today where everything looked good except for the DME report. Here it is. Unfortunately, they did not include the engine hours where these ignitions occurred.

• Range 1 5886
• Range 2 501
• Range 3 46
• Range 4 7
• Range 5 2
• Range 6 1

My understanding is that level 1 represents bumping the rev limiter and that levels 2 and 3 represent the same thing with forward momentum propelling the RPM alittle further. At 3 ignitions per revolution and using the lower end of the ranges on the overspeed chart we can calculate approx 16-17 seconds at Range 1 (7300RPM), 1-2 seconds at 2 (7500 RPM), and 0.1 seconds at 3 (7700 RPM).

My question is should I be worried about Ranges 4-6 given the incredibly low numbers. If my math is right we're talking about hundredths of a second here. I've also searched and some have said that DME readings can give a reading of 1 in different ranges in error.

It's a great deal and I'll kick myself to pass it up, but I just don't want the liability of a potential disaster on my hands. Plus, I cycle through cars every 6-12 months and don't want something hard to resell given that I would definitely give this information to any prospective buyers.

Thanks for any help in advance.

 

From what I understand, ranges 5 and 6 could void the warranty even though there isn't much left. I had one or two hits at range 4 but I but that didn't stop me from buying my car. I'll be interested to see how others feel about your numbers.

 

Anything in a 5 or 6 would be enough to make me walk away. Nevertheless, I'm sure there are others in the forum who have purchased great cars with questionable DMEs.

 

I think this looks fine. Do some searches here and some more reading

 

No worries as long as the car is "right". The DME report in this case is a non-event, imo.

 

I wouldn't do it. It's a lot of money for a car that is telling you in black and white has had a bad incident. I'm pretty sure the warranty is void and anything related to the engine or gearbox will be denied. I'd keep looking. It could be fine... no way to know for sure until something happens.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone. Car still has CPO warranty for 3 more months which is still valid given they found a bad water pump on the PPI that they're currently replacing. Who knows though? If I buy it and the engine goes during the 3 remaining months they may use that to deny a warranty claim. I'll find out tomorrow the engine hours that these ignitions occurred from the dealer. If its remote then I'll be more likely to move forward. I'd still like to hear if anyone else has any thoughts.

 

Not a big deal, these cars are very durable.

 

What does levels 4-6 represent, that much more beyond the rev limiter?

 

Level 4 7900-8400
Level 5 8400-9500
Level 6 9500-

 

Are you able to get the hrs and cummulative time? It would be nice to know if someone was beating on the car recently or early in its life. If early, its nice to know the has been stressed. Use the DME as additional leverage against the price. You have time - especially going into the holidays to keep searching if you want to.

 

Here are the hours and the approximate mileage. The car now has 41,000 miles and was cpo'ed at 30,875 miles

• Range 1 5886 1033 34,433
• Range 2 501 882 29,400
• Range 3 46 788 26,267
• Range 4 7 788 26,267
• Range 5 2 788 26,267
• Range 6 1 753 24,120

It seems like the Range 4-6 events were 2 separate events, both prior to the CPO process and the most recent owner. I'm still on the fence, but have to decide today. Like I said, this is an exceptionally good deal and I wouldn't be able to find another c2s at this price.

 

I certainly claim no knowledge here, but can someone explain how you could go through a 1000 rpm range with only 1 ignition since the level 5 and 6 seem to be two different events? Just can't figure out how this is physically possible.

 

Why do you have to decide today? Is the private party seller pressuring you? If so, I would ask myself why? Also, if it is such a good deal, I again would ask myself why? I am not trying to burst your bubble, just a hunch that maybe the seller knows something about the car that they are not fully revealing.

It seems the 4-6 events were a long time ago, one would think if there was damage it would have surfaced by now. I hope it all works out for you whatever you decide (I am also searching for a 997C2S and there are a lot out there you just have to be patient...it appears to be a buyers market). Personally if only this DME report was the deciding factor I would pull the trigger (again, me personally).

 

I searched for mos and ran a number of cars through the ppi process. What price is the car listed at? Just curious. Are we talking mid 40s or lower? What options?