996 C4S advise please
Discussion
Hi guys and girls,
Just here for a bit of advice please.
I'm seriously considering a C4S as my next car and I'm planning to use it as a daily driver. I've never had a Porsche before but have just loved the shape and sound of these since they came out. I drive to work in central London every day and probably do about 15 miles a day roughly including appointments in the day.
I get out of London as much as I can and drive down to the south of France a couple of times a year, so will get the best out of it hopefully.
I have a budget of about 20-24k
Is this a realistic propect or would it daily use in London be a problem?
Is there anything I should be wary of?
Fuel consumption probably not an issue as currently runnning a pre-LCI BMW E90 330i Auto which is dreadful - I would imagine a manual 996 would be very similar.
This is probably the last chance I will have in running something that's not particularly practical as my only car before Mrs Matt80M demands something with babies in mind.
Advise, tips, warnings all welcome.
Thanks,
Matt
Just here for a bit of advice please.
I'm seriously considering a C4S as my next car and I'm planning to use it as a daily driver. I've never had a Porsche before but have just loved the shape and sound of these since they came out. I drive to work in central London every day and probably do about 15 miles a day roughly including appointments in the day.
I get out of London as much as I can and drive down to the south of France a couple of times a year, so will get the best out of it hopefully.
I have a budget of about 20-24k
Is this a realistic propect or would it daily use in London be a problem?
Is there anything I should be wary of?
Fuel consumption probably not an issue as currently runnning a pre-LCI BMW E90 330i Auto which is dreadful - I would imagine a manual 996 would be very similar.
This is probably the last chance I will have in running something that's not particularly practical as my only car before Mrs Matt80M demands something with babies in mind.
Advise, tips, warnings all welcome.
Thanks,
Matt
Matt80M said:
Hi guys and girls,
Just here for a bit of advice please.
I'm seriously considering a C4S as my next car and I'm planning to use it as a daily driver. I've never had a Porsche before but have just loved the shape
and sound of these since they came out. I drive to work in central London every day and probably do about 15 miles a day roughly including appointments in the day.
I get out of London as much as I can and drive down to the south of Francea couple of times a year, so will get the best out of it hopefully.
I have a budget of about 20-24k
Is this a realistic propect or would itdaily use in London be a problem?
Is there anything I should be wary of?
Fuel consumption probably not an issue as currently runnning a pre-LCI BMW E90 330i Auto which is dreadful- I would imagine a manual 996 would be very similar.
This is probably the last chance I will have in running something that's not particularly practical as my only car before Mrs Matt80M demandssomething with babies in mind.
Advise, tips, warnings all welcome.
Thanks,
Matt
You're budgets realistic enuff it depends on what u want. I've a mint 23k miles car coming up for sale with FPSH from West London Porsche if you're serious drop me a PMJust here for a bit of advice please.
I'm seriously considering a C4S as my next car and I'm planning to use it as a daily driver. I've never had a Porsche before but have just loved the shape
and sound of these since they came out. I drive to work in central London every day and probably do about 15 miles a day roughly including appointments in the day.
I get out of London as much as I can and drive down to the south of Francea couple of times a year, so will get the best out of it hopefully.
I have a budget of about 20-24k
Is this a realistic propect or would itdaily use in London be a problem?
Is there anything I should be wary of?
Fuel consumption probably not an issue as currently runnning a pre-LCI BMW E90 330i Auto which is dreadful- I would imagine a manual 996 would be very similar.
This is probably the last chance I will have in running something that's not particularly practical as my only car before Mrs Matt80M demandssomething with babies in mind.
Advise, tips, warnings all welcome.
Thanks,
Matt
Cheers
rash_decision said:
Buy one, end of!
They can be used as every day cars with no issues. Don't listen to all the scare stories or you'll just be put off, and worry about a car that may never miss a beat.
Don't concern yourself with Sat Nav as it's rubbish anyway!
Spot on about the Nav massive waste of time and space on the dashThey can be used as every day cars with no issues. Don't listen to all the scare stories or you'll just be put off, and worry about a car that may never miss a beat.
Don't concern yourself with Sat Nav as it's rubbish anyway!
Take a look around loads being used as daily s
tters. Buy the best one you can afford as loads of poor examples for sale. MPG will be much worse than your BM unless you drive like Miss Daisy, also car is reasonably low so you will have adjust how you approach speed bumps, underground car parks etc...
tters. Buy the best one you can afford as loads of poor examples for sale. MPG will be much worse than your BM unless you drive like Miss Daisy, also car is reasonably low so you will have adjust how you approach speed bumps, underground car parks etc...Thanks guy.
re. fuel - only getting about 17MPG from the BMW at the mo, so how much worse could it be?
How about routine servicing - would probably to it through an indy specialist - i do this with mine now. Just had plugs, filters and fluids done and it set me back about £400. Similar costs?
Re. Nav - yes, not bothered by that as an option at all. I went for a non nav BMW because I just felt a £100 tom tom did exactly the same job. No doubt, it will do a better job than the nav in a 8ish year old car.
So, looks like it's not a completely stupid idea then. I'll probably look to do it in the next couple of months. Selling one of my flats at the moment, so won't be doing anything until that's out the way. I'm going to have to do it though - I keep looking at them online - even saw one on the street the other day. Had to pull over and have a nosey at it. I think it's inevitable really isn't it?
re. fuel - only getting about 17MPG from the BMW at the mo, so how much worse could it be?
How about routine servicing - would probably to it through an indy specialist - i do this with mine now. Just had plugs, filters and fluids done and it set me back about £400. Similar costs?
Re. Nav - yes, not bothered by that as an option at all. I went for a non nav BMW because I just felt a £100 tom tom did exactly the same job. No doubt, it will do a better job than the nav in a 8ish year old car.
So, looks like it's not a completely stupid idea then. I'll probably look to do it in the next couple of months. Selling one of my flats at the moment, so won't be doing anything until that's out the way. I'm going to have to do it though - I keep looking at them online - even saw one on the street the other day. Had to pull over and have a nosey at it. I think it's inevitable really isn't it?
I bought a C4S 5 weeks ago and love it. Decide what colour / gearbox / options you want then decide what is a must-have.
For me, the must-have was the PSE and either black or seal grey with black leather, manual gearbox. I also ended up with PCM2 (that's the superb audio interface which also purports to be a sat nav), Bose sound (brilliant) and a few other bits but I did miss out on the sports seats. The perfectly-specced car probably doesn't exist.
Fuel consumption - I used to get 23mpg from my Evo 8 and I'm yet to see 20mpg - too many short journeys and booting it whenever possible. Compared to the Evo, I think it's better mpg on the motorway and worse around town. Don't worry about fuel - on your budget you won't lose much on depreciation so that will soften the blow. Rear tyres are £300 each by the way. It's not as fast as the Evo but I don't need it to be.
Buy on condition as everyone will tell you, but a cast iron paperwork trail is critical, not just the stamps in the book. Get it inspected unless you have the time do really do the homework. See more than 1, even if only as a point of reference.
For me, the must-have was the PSE and either black or seal grey with black leather, manual gearbox. I also ended up with PCM2 (that's the superb audio interface which also purports to be a sat nav), Bose sound (brilliant) and a few other bits but I did miss out on the sports seats. The perfectly-specced car probably doesn't exist.
Fuel consumption - I used to get 23mpg from my Evo 8 and I'm yet to see 20mpg - too many short journeys and booting it whenever possible. Compared to the Evo, I think it's better mpg on the motorway and worse around town. Don't worry about fuel - on your budget you won't lose much on depreciation so that will soften the blow. Rear tyres are £300 each by the way. It's not as fast as the Evo but I don't need it to be.
Buy on condition as everyone will tell you, but a cast iron paperwork trail is critical, not just the stamps in the book. Get it inspected unless you have the time do really do the homework. See more than 1, even if only as a point of reference.
Had mine 15 months - a great car, hasn't skipped a beat. I get about 20mpg in the burbs. Motorway I get around 30mpg.
As mentioned nav is a bit naff, mainly due to the lack of postcode. But the actual PCM screen is quite handy, and looks the part.
Switchable PSE (roaring lion upgrade) is the must have option IMO
As mentioned nav is a bit naff, mainly due to the lack of postcode. But the actual PCM screen is quite handy, and looks the part.
Switchable PSE (roaring lion upgrade) is the must have option IMO
Dave Thornton said:
I bought a C4S 5 weeks ago and love it. Decide what colour / gearbox / options you want then decide what is a must-have.
For me, the must-have was the PSE and either black or seal grey with black leather, manual gearbox. I also ended up with PCM2 (that's the superb audio interface which also purports to be a sat nav), Bose sound (brilliant) and a few other bits but I did miss out on the sports seats. The perfectly-specced car probably doesn't exist.
Fuel consumption - I used to get 23mpg from my Evo 8 and I'm yet to see 20mpg - too many short journeys and booting it whenever possible. Compared to the Evo, I think it's better mpg on the motorway and worse around town. Don't worry about fuel - on your budget you won't lose much on depreciation so that will soften the blow. Rear tyres are £300 each by the way. It's not as fast as the Evo but I don't need it to be.
Buy on condition as everyone will tell you, but a cast iron paperwork trail is critical, not just the stamps in the book. Get it inspected unless you have the time do really do the homework. See more than 1, even if only as a point of reference.
For me, the must-have was the PSE and either black or seal grey with black leather, manual gearbox. I also ended up with PCM2 (that's the superb audio interface which also purports to be a sat nav), Bose sound (brilliant) and a few other bits but I did miss out on the sports seats. The perfectly-specced car probably doesn't exist.
Fuel consumption - I used to get 23mpg from my Evo 8 and I'm yet to see 20mpg - too many short journeys and booting it whenever possible. Compared to the Evo, I think it's better mpg on the motorway and worse around town. Don't worry about fuel - on your budget you won't lose much on depreciation so that will soften the blow. Rear tyres are £300 each by the way. It's not as fast as the Evo but I don't need it to be.
Buy on condition as everyone will tell you, but a cast iron paperwork trail is critical, not just the stamps in the book. Get it inspected unless you have the time do really do the homework. See more than 1, even if only as a point of reference.
Thanks mate. All very useful. I think your spec seems pretty much exactly what I was looking for. I want a manual. Bose sound and PSE are both high up the list.
Rear tyres similar to run flats in BM anyway.
Thanks again.
I've got a C4S cab and I'm averaging 23mpg. On a motorway run (with 50mph average speed cameras on some of it) I've managed 34mpg so if you really need it to be economical then it can be!
I'd echo the advice already given, choose your ideal spec and then see how close you can get to it. For me it was PSE, cab, nav, manual in a dark colour. I was lucky and found a lapis blue one with my perfect spec and the X51 power upgrade too.
I've had mine nearly a year & am still loving it so go for it!
I'd echo the advice already given, choose your ideal spec and then see how close you can get to it. For me it was PSE, cab, nav, manual in a dark colour. I was lucky and found a lapis blue one with my perfect spec and the X51 power upgrade too.
I've had mine nearly a year & am still loving it so go for it!
Just to echo as already said above really.
I've had mine for coming onto 7 years (where does the time go??). Pootling around London, no issues. Loads of fun on track days and have just returned from a trip to the Alps where it didn't miss a beat. 25mpg for the entire 1800 mls (including many de-resricted Autobahns) and easy 30 mpg on French motorways.
Definitley get one with PSE and Bose IMHO. I'd make provision for other Sat Nav now as even PCM2 is dated. Check that condensors/rads/coil packs/oil pressure switch are all OK, these seem to be the most common issues with C4S's with age.
Enjoy, great cars!
I've had mine for coming onto 7 years (where does the time go??). Pootling around London, no issues. Loads of fun on track days and have just returned from a trip to the Alps where it didn't miss a beat. 25mpg for the entire 1800 mls (including many de-resricted Autobahns) and easy 30 mpg on French motorways.

Definitley get one with PSE and Bose IMHO. I'd make provision for other Sat Nav now as even PCM2 is dated. Check that condensors/rads/coil packs/oil pressure switch are all OK, these seem to be the most common issues with C4S's with age.
Enjoy, great cars!
steve singh said:
I think the 996 C4S looks amazing.
It sounds glorious with PSE.
Only downside I've heard is that people say it's slow due to weight - hence all depends on your previous car history in terms of how you'll find it???
I've owned the latest m3, rs4 and focus rs and it isnt slow at all. top end is truely awesome and with the pse the roar is different gravy. It sounds glorious with PSE.
Only downside I've heard is that people say it's slow due to weight - hence all depends on your previous car history in terms of how you'll find it???
Matt80M said:
Hi guys and girls,
Just here for a bit of advice please.
I'm seriously considering a C4S as my next car and I'm planning to use it as a daily driver. I've never had a Porsche before but have just loved the shape and sound of these since they came out. I drive to work in central London every day and probably do about 15 miles a day roughly including appointments in the day.
I get out of London as much as I can and drive down to the south of France a couple of times a year, so will get the best out of it hopefully.
I have a budget of about 20-24k
Is this a realistic propect or would it daily use in London be a problem?
Is there anything I should be wary of?
Fuel consumption probably not an issue as currently runnning a pre-LCI BMW E90 330i Auto which is dreadful - I would imagine a manual 996 would be very similar.
This is probably the last chance I will have in running something that's not particularly practical as my only car before Mrs Matt80M demands something with babies in mind.
Advise, tips, warnings all welcome.
Thanks,
Matt
Tbh i wouldnt bother..slow,dull car..buy a 996tt which is 25% dearer and 90% better.Just here for a bit of advice please.
I'm seriously considering a C4S as my next car and I'm planning to use it as a daily driver. I've never had a Porsche before but have just loved the shape and sound of these since they came out. I drive to work in central London every day and probably do about 15 miles a day roughly including appointments in the day.
I get out of London as much as I can and drive down to the south of France a couple of times a year, so will get the best out of it hopefully.
I have a budget of about 20-24k
Is this a realistic propect or would it daily use in London be a problem?
Is there anything I should be wary of?
Fuel consumption probably not an issue as currently runnning a pre-LCI BMW E90 330i Auto which is dreadful - I would imagine a manual 996 would be very similar.
This is probably the last chance I will have in running something that's not particularly practical as my only car before Mrs Matt80M demands something with babies in mind.
Advise, tips, warnings all welcome.
Thanks,
Matt
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff


