996 C4S advise please
996 C4S advise please
Author
Discussion

Matt80M

Original Poster:

1,140 posts

198 months

Sunday 27th May 2012
quotequote all
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

rash_decision

1,414 posts

203 months

Sunday 27th May 2012
quotequote all
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!

bridey0

2,961 posts

211 months

Sunday 27th May 2012
quotequote all
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 PM
Cheers

Prof Beard

6,669 posts

253 months

Sunday 27th May 2012
quotequote all
I hesitate to comment as I've only had my 996 C4S Cab Tip a week. But it's lovely. Read the buyers guides and/or get an inspection. So far mine is giving similar consumption to my previous Saab "old" 9-3 Aero Auto Cab (it was modified to 270bhp mind)

bridey0

2,961 posts

211 months

Sunday 27th May 2012
quotequote all
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 dash

Prof Beard

6,669 posts

253 months

Sunday 27th May 2012
quotequote all
bridey0 said:
Spot on about the Nav massive waste of time and space on the dash
I agree about the Sat Nav (I use my Tom Tom) but the rest of the PCM is worth having, as is Bose sound...

Callughan

6,313 posts

218 months

Sunday 27th May 2012
quotequote all
Take a look around loads being used as daily stters. 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...

Callughan

6,313 posts

218 months

Sunday 27th May 2012
quotequote all
selling already?

Matt80M

Original Poster:

1,140 posts

198 months

Sunday 27th May 2012
quotequote all
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?

Mankers

668 posts

195 months

Sunday 27th May 2012
quotequote all
I get about 17-20mpg, urban. And up to 32/33 cruising at about 70mph and 30 at about 80mph.

Had a minor service done recently @ £280 via indy.

Great car and perfect for trips into europe.

Agreed nav is ste, hard back sports seats are nice as is PSE.

Good luck with the hunt.

andysv

1,362 posts

253 months

Sunday 27th May 2012
quotequote all
Agree with all of above, i had a 100k miler with tip and it was a great car, i just swapped it for a 997 c4s and part of me misses the 996 i liked the slightly less refined nature of the older car. By the way our averaged over 20 mpg easily.

Dave Thornton

237 posts

175 months

Sunday 27th May 2012
quotequote all
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.

hungry_hog

2,836 posts

214 months

Sunday 27th May 2012
quotequote all
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

uktrailmonster

10,680 posts

226 months

Sunday 27th May 2012
quotequote all
I'd go for it on that budget for sure. Sports exhaust is a must on this car. Other options are not really important for me, but watch out for ruffled leather which looks terrible IMO.

Matt80M

Original Poster:

1,140 posts

198 months

Monday 28th May 2012
quotequote all
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.

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.

pdavison

1,639 posts

303 months

Monday 28th May 2012
quotequote all
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!

f1_dragon

310 posts

250 months

Monday 28th May 2012
quotequote all
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. wink

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

3,995 posts

199 months

Monday 28th May 2012
quotequote all
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???

tyeo86

292 posts

178 months

Monday 28th May 2012
quotequote all
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.

kayc

4,492 posts

247 months

Monday 28th May 2012
quotequote all
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.