The 997 Appreciation Thread

[740EVTORQUES]

Great car OP, red really suits 997s

I’m Off on a trip to the Black Forest in a convoy of 911s of various ages in a couple of days, they’re awesome things.

Newer cars might be faster, but definitely not better.

BTW I can recommend Center Gravity (sic) for a really good Geo setup, they worked wonders on mine, it’s so easy to drive on the limit now.

[Filibuster]

I did this too to quote myself from my readers car thread:

Filibuster said:

Before:






During:





















After:




Huge disclaimer: Do not try this at home!!! It isn't half as easy as it looks on these photographs!!!
It took me roughly 14h to do this and I lost half of my hairs... You have to be a complete nutter to do this!!

But wow, was it worth it!!! It really does look factory OEM and is a huge improvement over the vulcan grey, imho.
Everything else in my 997 is basically standard, but this is what you could order from the factory (leather upholstered PCM/HVAC) and is what Porsche did with the 997.2. (vulcan grey interior parts with black PVM/HVAC)

Oh, and I fitted a cheap Dension clone (Mr. 12 Volt) I bought off Amazon.
Works really really well, but I still have to fit a microphone (a visible one that was supplied is not acceptable to my eyes. will have to buy one in the states that fit the same mounting point of the oem one in the steering wheel column). I didn't have a CD changer, but nevertheless I didn't need programing it. My built in telephone modul (fully functioning with its own SIM card ) still works alongside the bluetooth (although without microphone atm)....

[andrew-494ym]

Thank you. yes Ive noticed their thirst already!

dgswk said:

Forgot to say, lovely 911 by the way, I really wanted Red or Yellow but got bored and went black in the end.

Mine also has the extended grey / black leather which is nice too. I also have crappy HVAC switches to swap at some point and also want to paint the silver bits a darker black….



You’ll get used to this, they like a drink…

Edited by dgswk on Tuesday 30th April 18:58

[rob1234]

Not TOO bad if you go easy...!

[andrew-494ym]

Thanks, the funny thing about the colour is, I never considered a red one until I saw one in the metal. I don't consider myself a red car fan, although ive had a R5GT Turbo, 328i coupe, and n Esprit S3, all red, in the dark and distant past.
When I saw the 997, and realised how good it was, I had to have it. I also have an aversion to black leather interiors, so this was perfect.
The trip sounds fantastic, I'd like to do a european road trip in mine at some point.

740EVTORQUES said:

Great car OP, red really suits 997s

I’m Off on a trip to the Black Forest in a convoy of 911s of various ages in a couple of days, they’re awesome things.

Newer cars might be faster, but definitely not better.

BTW I can recommend Center Gravity (sic) for a really good Geo setup, they worked wonders on mine, it’s so easy to drive on the limit now.

[andrew-494ym]

Great work, I can't take credit for mine, the previous owner did it. It looks so much better grey, I wonder why Porsche did them silver. My HVAC switches came today, only the cheap ebay ones, so that will be my first job to do. Then I need to order a low temp stat and housing, and possibly the 3rd rad mod.

Filibuster said:

I did this too to quote myself from my readers car thread:

Filibuster said:

Before:






During:





















After:




Huge disclaimer: Do not try this at home!!! It isn't half as easy as it looks on these photographs!!!
It took me roughly 14h to do this and I lost half of my hairs... You have to be a complete nutter to do this!!

But wow, was it worth it!!! It really does look factory OEM and is a huge improvement over the vulcan grey, imho.
Everything else in my 997 is basically standard, but this is what you could order from the factory (leather upholstered PCM/HVAC) and is what Porsche did with the 997.2. (vulcan grey interior parts with black PVM/HVAC)

Oh, and I fitted a cheap Dension clone (Mr. 12 Volt) I bought off Amazon.
Works really really well, but I still have to fit a microphone (a visible one that was supplied is not acceptable to my eyes. will have to buy one in the states that fit the same mounting point of the oem one in the steering wheel column). I didn't have a CD changer, but nevertheless I didn't need programing it. My built in telephone modul (fully functioning with its own SIM card ) still works alongside the bluetooth (although without microphone atm)....

[740EVTORQUES]

I fitted the Mr volt Bluetooth thing as well, really good value.

If your rubberised plastics are going gooey then I’d highly recommend Wicked Coatings in Poole. If you take the bits off yourself and post them they will refurbish them for about £350, not cheap but way cheaper than buying new ones. Its not an easy job to DiY and get right I think


https://www.wickedcoatings.co.uk/

[CrouchingWayne]

Had an advisory for read brake corrosion to consider fixing - usual story on the inside of the disk. Pads are fine.

Is the below kit any good, or any alternative places to keep an eye on for sales? Might pick up a kit next time there’s a decent offer

https://www.design911.co.uk/p/brake-pads-and-brake...

[ATM]

CrouchingWayne said:

Had an advisory for read brake corrosion to consider fixing - usual story on the inside of the disk. Pads are fine.

Is the below kit any good, or any alternative places to keep an eye on for sales? Might pick up a kit next time there’s a decent offer

https://www.design911.co.uk/p/brake-pads-and-brake...

Design 911 are the most expensive place to buy parts. Can even be cheaper at OPC depending on what you're after. I generally use Autodoc but they can take a couple of weeks. Although ebay can be good too. And don't forget Euro Car Parts or car parts 4 less or whatever their other online brand is called.

Autodoc have Brembo discs and others a bit cheaper and more expensive too. Same for pads.

Don't assume Porsche use Brembo - thats just for calipers. I believe they use Textar and Pagid. Any of the big brands will be fine.

[ThunderSpook]

I had a message come up last night about checking my indicator bulb (997.2) and I’ve noticed a huge crack across the clear part of the plastic which you can actually see through.

I had a look again a bit later and noticed the other rear light has gone dim. Both lights have had condensation in for a while. I understand both these issues are common with the .2 and neither are repairable.

I’ve emailed my OPC for a price, but other than that Design911 seem to be the only place that sell replacement lights. Any other options? They’re not exactly cheap!

[andrew-494ym]

I checked out eurocarparts to compare v design911, their price for the brembo front discs and pads was £241 v £318 . But design911 kit comes with wear sensors, vibration dampers, pins. No mention of any extras with eurocarparts.

compare

CrouchingWayne said:

Had an advisory for read brake corrosion to consider fixing - usual story on the inside of the disk. Pads are fine.

Is the below kit any good, or any alternative places to keep an eye on for sales? Might pick up a kit next time there’s a decent offer

https://www.design911.co.uk/p/brake-pads-and-brake...

[Slippydiff]

Euro Car Parts can pretty much be guaranteed to supply the wrong parts, and or the wrong quantities. To put it bluntly, they’re a complete ‘mare.

The comments regarding Design 911 being THE most expensive (ie more expensive than OE) can be true, but that’s rarely the case when it comes to steering and suspension components in my experience.

Parts like TRW (OE) steering rack inner and outer tie rods can be purchased off Design 911 for half or even a third of what they’d cost from your local OPC.
It’s important to do your due diligence and compare prices between Design 911, Frazer Parts, Rose Passion, your local OPC, Heritage parts etc. But ALWAYS check what brand you’re buying and ensure you’re comparing like for like, because all too often the cheapest components can be made in China and be inferior quality to the likes of TRW and the other OE manufacturers.

[andrew-494ym]

Euro Car Parts can pretty much be guaranteed to supply the wrong parts, and or the wrong quantities. To put it bluntly, they’re a complete ‘mare.

You are right, I did my wife’s Kia Sportage front brakes last year, discs and pads were the wrong size. Had to go main dealer in the end.

[Marley71]

ATM said:

CrouchingWayne said:

Had an advisory for read brake corrosion to consider fixing - usual story on the inside of the disk. Pads are fine.

Is the below kit any good, or any alternative places to keep an eye on for sales? Might pick up a kit next time there’s a decent offer

https://www.design911.co.uk/p/brake-pads-and-brake...

Design 911 are the most expensive place to buy parts. Can even be cheaper at OPC depending on what you're after. I generally use Autodoc but they can take a couple of weeks. Although ebay can be good too. And don't forget Euro Car Parts or car parts 4 less or whatever their other online brand is called.

Autodoc have Brembo discs and others a bit cheaper and more expensive too. Same for pads.

Don't assume Porsche use Brembo - thats just for calipers. I believe they use Textar and Pagid. Any of the big brands will be fine.

Put Sebro discs on mine from Type911 last year. Porsche specialist in Edinburgh said they're the ones.

[Filibuster]

andrew-494ym said:

Thank you. yes Ive noticed their thirst already!

dgswk said:

Forgot to say, lovely 911 by the way, I really wanted Red or Yellow but got bored and went black in the end.

Mine also has the extended grey / black leather which is nice too. I also have crappy HVAC switches to swap at some point and also want to paint the silver bits a darker black….



You’ll get used to this, they like a drink…

Edited by dgswk on Tuesday 30th April 18:58

I beg to differ. Again, to quote myself from my readers car thread:

Filibuster said:

Filling up with a younger brother...


28.25 mpg @ avg. 78.3 mph over a distance of 744 miles, including the N85 between Grenoble and Gap and also the route départemental into St. Tropez. Not a bad GT, I would have said.

I don’t know what car you are comparing the 997 to, but ime they are very frugal. Good aerodynamics play a major role afaik.

[VerySideways]

Filibuster said:

I don’t know what car you are comparing the 997 to, but ime they are very frugal. Good aerodynamics play a major role afaik.

My base 997.2 manual can achieve 35.1mpg on the motorway at a steady 70mph on cruise control.
Obviously i only did that once to see what it would do...

[andrew-494ym]

VerySideways said:

My base 997.2 manual can achieve 35.1mpg on the motorway at a steady 70mph on cruise control.
Obviously i only did that once to see what it would do...

Who cares anyway, lifes too short to worry about fuel consumption on a weekend toy anyway.... right?

[Filibuster]

andrew-494ym said:

Who cares anyway, lifes too short to worry about fuel consumption on a weekend toy anyway.... right?

Yes, you are right.
That is why I added a Range Rover Classic as a 5th car to the fleet some time ago. I never bothered to do a complete readout, but I think this is the least economic car I have owned so far.

But I really intend to bring the fleet down to a two car garage this year! 997 will stay and all other cars will probably be replaced with an Audi SQ7 (petrol one of course )

[RiccardoG]

dgswk said:

Useful guide here:
https://www.bergvillfx.com/categories/audio-amplif...

Mine had this, when I identified lack of power to the amp, I plugged the fuse in, got an awful white noise.... Amp is sat on window sill currently, still waiting for me to post it off for repair

Had mine repaired by Tore (link above) back in 2012. Cost £120 inc shipping. Still going strong!

[RiccardoG]

Filibuster said:

But I really intend to bring the fleet down to a two car garage this year! 997 will stay and all other cars will probably be replaced with an Audi SQ7 (petrol one of course )

Shame to see the SL go!

My garage not too dissimilar to yours. SLK instead of SL, MINI Cooper (non S), sensible car BMW 3 Touring, petrol (new).