2001 996 Turbo
Discussion
Hi all,
Thought I'd get involved and share some details of my 'new to me' 2001 Turbo.
Although I'm originally from the UK, I now live in Dubai. I hadn't considered a Turbo as I thought a C2 would have been more than enough for me. I've always considered an M3 or a 911 to be the realistic dream car. Having owned two E46 M3's and now an E36 M3 the 911 itch was waiting to be scratched.
Pic of the E36 M3. It's a jap import and I've fitted Stoptech ST40 340mm callipers and BC coilovers. It's on BBS RK wheels in this pic which are super light but not to my taste so it's now on BBS RX wheels. It may be up for sale soon or I'll keep it for use on track.
Shortly before escaping the summer heat of Dubai to return to the UK I saw this 996 turbo come up for sale. It caught my attention as it was great value as it was only marginally more expensive than a C2 or C4 in this market. I then started doing my research into the turbo as I was already somewhat apprehensive about taking on a 996 due to the engine horror stories. Fortunately, when I returned to Dubai later in the summer, this car came back on the market so I thought I'd go and have a look at it. It all seemed to check out so I thought I'd arrange an inspection to make sure it didn't have any major issues. The inspection went really well and the report was glowing. We agreed a very reasonable price and I bought it. Still can't quite believe I own the thing!
Anyway, onto the car. I'm still loving it. It's a bit 'Peter Stringfellow' on the inside but I think a flash interior works on a pretty flashy car.
Here are the pics. They aren't the best as they are from the advert.
The paint is in very good condition with just a few chips which I'll have sorted over time. It came with a cover and the previous owner garaged it so it's been well looked after. The service history is huge. All being done at Porsche or a very well respected specialist in Dubai. It's had an absolute fortune spent on it. Went through the history and the original bill of sale was to a Sheikh!
The wheels are Forgestar F14 18's - 8.5" front and 12" rear. A nightmare to get tyres for out here, so I may revert to the originals that were supplied with the car. If I do this I'll sell the Forgestars and have the original wheels painted gunmetal. I love the look of these wheels though so we'll see.
Plans are to just maintain the thing rather than do any real modifications. If the turbos fail I'll look into more power when they are replaced. It's more than quick enough for me. I'd like to go with lighter tints on the windows as these are a bit dark. It's super hot out here so window tints are a must or you'll burn your @rse on the seats. I plan to install the 2nd gear detent I've read about to avoid the expense of repairing a second gear pop out issue. Some of the carbon interior is slightly warped on the dash due to heat, so I will look into getting this replaced. There's a tear in the bolster on the drivers seat due to the leather drying out and a crack tearing. Hoping to find some leather in Porsche Boxster red for sale. The rear struts on the engine lid are weak so I'll pick up a set - not expensive. The interior rear view mirror was getting cloudy so I sent it off to radar mirror in the states for a $99 refurb. Finally, the exhaust needs to be changed. Nothing wrong with it but it's too quiet.
I'm currently getting the inaccurate oil level readings looked into. Looks like its a sensor on the engine that requires the engine to be dropped to be fitted so I'm going look into getting a GT3 dipstick fitted. Then when I have the engine out for something major in the future I'll have the sensor done at the same time.
I'll update with pictures as I progress with the car.
Thanks for reading.
Matt
Thought I'd get involved and share some details of my 'new to me' 2001 Turbo.
Although I'm originally from the UK, I now live in Dubai. I hadn't considered a Turbo as I thought a C2 would have been more than enough for me. I've always considered an M3 or a 911 to be the realistic dream car. Having owned two E46 M3's and now an E36 M3 the 911 itch was waiting to be scratched.
Pic of the E36 M3. It's a jap import and I've fitted Stoptech ST40 340mm callipers and BC coilovers. It's on BBS RK wheels in this pic which are super light but not to my taste so it's now on BBS RX wheels. It may be up for sale soon or I'll keep it for use on track.
Shortly before escaping the summer heat of Dubai to return to the UK I saw this 996 turbo come up for sale. It caught my attention as it was great value as it was only marginally more expensive than a C2 or C4 in this market. I then started doing my research into the turbo as I was already somewhat apprehensive about taking on a 996 due to the engine horror stories. Fortunately, when I returned to Dubai later in the summer, this car came back on the market so I thought I'd go and have a look at it. It all seemed to check out so I thought I'd arrange an inspection to make sure it didn't have any major issues. The inspection went really well and the report was glowing. We agreed a very reasonable price and I bought it. Still can't quite believe I own the thing!
Anyway, onto the car. I'm still loving it. It's a bit 'Peter Stringfellow' on the inside but I think a flash interior works on a pretty flashy car.
Here are the pics. They aren't the best as they are from the advert.
The paint is in very good condition with just a few chips which I'll have sorted over time. It came with a cover and the previous owner garaged it so it's been well looked after. The service history is huge. All being done at Porsche or a very well respected specialist in Dubai. It's had an absolute fortune spent on it. Went through the history and the original bill of sale was to a Sheikh!
The wheels are Forgestar F14 18's - 8.5" front and 12" rear. A nightmare to get tyres for out here, so I may revert to the originals that were supplied with the car. If I do this I'll sell the Forgestars and have the original wheels painted gunmetal. I love the look of these wheels though so we'll see.
Plans are to just maintain the thing rather than do any real modifications. If the turbos fail I'll look into more power when they are replaced. It's more than quick enough for me. I'd like to go with lighter tints on the windows as these are a bit dark. It's super hot out here so window tints are a must or you'll burn your @rse on the seats. I plan to install the 2nd gear detent I've read about to avoid the expense of repairing a second gear pop out issue. Some of the carbon interior is slightly warped on the dash due to heat, so I will look into getting this replaced. There's a tear in the bolster on the drivers seat due to the leather drying out and a crack tearing. Hoping to find some leather in Porsche Boxster red for sale. The rear struts on the engine lid are weak so I'll pick up a set - not expensive. The interior rear view mirror was getting cloudy so I sent it off to radar mirror in the states for a $99 refurb. Finally, the exhaust needs to be changed. Nothing wrong with it but it's too quiet.
I'm currently getting the inaccurate oil level readings looked into. Looks like its a sensor on the engine that requires the engine to be dropped to be fitted so I'm going look into getting a GT3 dipstick fitted. Then when I have the engine out for something major in the future I'll have the sensor done at the same time.
I'll update with pictures as I progress with the car.
Thanks for reading.
Matt
Edited by Onetrackmind on Sunday 19th October 15:52
Love the car and the wheels.... really couldn't cope with the interior so fair play to you!
I assume the "well respected specialist" is Alex Renner up at DiP... a good place with mostly good guys, be careful on the costs if you take it back there, they like everything to be as it was when the car rolled off the production line and you'll pay accordingly!
My Cayenne and Ferrari both go there but I always check their estimates thoroughly before authorising work.
I assume the "well respected specialist" is Alex Renner up at DiP... a good place with mostly good guys, be careful on the costs if you take it back there, they like everything to be as it was when the car rolled off the production line and you'll pay accordingly!
My Cayenne and Ferrari both go there but I always check their estimates thoroughly before authorising work.
K50 DEL said:
Love the car and the wheels.... really couldn't cope with the interior so fair play to you!
I assume the "well respected specialist" is Alex Renner up at DiP... a good place with mostly good guys, be careful on the costs if you take it back there, they like everything to be as it was when the car rolled off the production line and you'll pay accordingly!
My Cayenne and Ferrari both go there but I always check their estimates thoroughly before authorising work.
Yep, it's nearly all at ARM. Not sure ill use them that much tbh as they do seem a bit keen to get every minor thing done. I did, however, take advantage of the half price servicing they're doing. Just didn't authorise any other work as I can do most of it myself or it wasn't necessary. Running a Fezza and a Cayenne through them can't be cheap. I assume the "well respected specialist" is Alex Renner up at DiP... a good place with mostly good guys, be careful on the costs if you take it back there, they like everything to be as it was when the car rolled off the production line and you'll pay accordingly!
My Cayenne and Ferrari both go there but I always check their estimates thoroughly before authorising work.
Interior is actually pretty nice to sit in. More of a terracotta than red. May get some black mats to dull it down a bit.
Onetrackmind said:
K50 DEL said:
Love the car and the wheels.... really couldn't cope with the interior so fair play to you!
I assume the "well respected specialist" is Alex Renner up at DiP... a good place with mostly good guys, be careful on the costs if you take it back there, they like everything to be as it was when the car rolled off the production line and you'll pay accordingly!
My Cayenne and Ferrari both go there but I always check their estimates thoroughly before authorising work.
Yep, it's nearly all at ARM. Not sure ill use them that much tbh as they do seem a bit keen to get every minor thing done. I did, however, take advantage of the half price servicing they're doing. Just didn't authorise any other work as I can do most of it myself or it wasn't necessary. Running a Fezza and a Cayenne through them can't be cheap. I assume the "well respected specialist" is Alex Renner up at DiP... a good place with mostly good guys, be careful on the costs if you take it back there, they like everything to be as it was when the car rolled off the production line and you'll pay accordingly!
My Cayenne and Ferrari both go there but I always check their estimates thoroughly before authorising work.
Interior is actually pretty nice to sit in. More of a terracotta than red. May get some black mats to dull it down a bit.
I've actually started taking them both to Saluki in Al Quoz (it's owned and run by a PHer) as he's much more reasonable on the labour and more flexible generally.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff