2001 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Manual (996)

Highlights

• Manual Carrera 4 model

• Lesser-seen Meridian Metallic Silver

• Dansk supersports exhaust system 

• Advisory-free MoT to Feb 2027

• Presents very well overall 

Overview

Fried eggs, turbo twists and tombstones - three things that you may not traditionally associate with cars, but three things that are key to the 996 recipe; so-called Fried Egg headlights seen on the 996.1, the iconic ‘turbo twist’ wheels, and the classic Porsche Tombstone seats. 

Representing Porsche’s first foray into water-cooling for their 911 model, the 996 came under intense scrutiny from the word go, and it’s hardly surprising given that it spelled the end of the iconic air-cooled flat-six engine, along with completely redesigning the 911’s front end and aesthetic. 

Once the initial shock and awe died off, however, it was clear the 996 was leaps-and-bounds ahead of its predecessor as far as everyday driving was concerned, and the halo Turbo and GT models were more than enough to placate the enthusiasts and collectors alike. 

These days, the 996 is quite rightly escaping the doldrums of Porsche’s model range, offering owners a refreshingly analogous driving experience but with plenty of comfort and convenience, making them a tantalising proposition for those looking for a dailyable performance car that has a keen enthusiast and specialist following. 

This particular example is a pre-facelift 996.1 Carrera 4, making it even more suitable for all-weather use thanks to its all-wheel drive system. Even more importantly, this example has the six-speed manual gearbox, and is finished in the lesser-seen shade of Meridian Metallic. Points all round, then! 

History and documentation

• Registered 20 Jan 2001

• Stamped service book with services as follows: Apr 2002 @ 9,274 miles, Nov 2003 @ 15,417 miles, Dec 2004 @ 21,051 miles, Nov 2005 @ 26,787 miles, Apr 2007 @ 34,027 miles, Sep 2008 @ 45,668 miles, Jun 2009 @ 55,110 miles, Jul 2010 @ 64,439 miles, Jan 2012 @ 72,865 miles, Mar 2019 @ 80,198 miles, Jun 2020 @ 81,402 miles, May 2021 @ 82,202 miles, Jun 2023 @ 82,966 miles, Jul 2024 @ 83,572 miles, Jan 2026 @ 84,861 miles  

• Latest brake fluid change carried out in June 2025 @ 84,150 miles 

• Porsche certificate of conformity 

• Full document pack

• Original order form confirming factory specification 

• Collection of invoices and old MOT certificates totalling approximately £35,000 worth of investment in maintaining the vehicle to a high standard

• Two keys

• Current MOT with no advisories expires 02 Feb 2027

• V5 present in owner’s name

• HPI Clear

Interior

• Black full leather interior in good order throughout

• Lower centre console delete - adds legroom for taller drivers 

• Original stereo, changer and surround included

• Aluminium gear knob and dial surrounds

• The driver’s seat leather has creased and worn shiny over the years

• We note some corrosion beginning to appear around the door striker plates

• Looking closely, there are some light indentations and commensurate wear marks on the door cards, seat bases and high-traffic areas

• The silver surround for the gearstick base has dulled with age

• Some light patination is visible to the high-traffic areas 

• No reported faults 

Exterior

• Lesser-seen Meridian metallic paintwork in very good order

• Original ‘Turbo look’ wheels

• Replacement/spare rear wing included

• Stone chips are visible on the front end and exposed edges such as the wheel arches - typical on a 911 of this era 

• An area of scratches is visible on the offside front bumper, at the leading edge of the wheel arch 

• Bubbling is beginning to appear on the rear edge of the offside rear arch

• There appears to be an indentation on the nearside sill 

• All four wheels present very well with no kerb damage or large imperfections 

• Michelin Pilot Sport tyres

• Overall, a very smart example of Porsche’s 996-era 911

Mechanical

• 3.4-litre M96 naturally aspirated flat-six engine

• Six-speed manual gearbox 

• All-wheel drive

• RMS replaced, IMS checked and said to not need replacement

• BC Racing coilovers

• Dansk supersports exhaust system

• Low-temperature thermostat fitted - considered a ‘must do’ upgrade for all M96/M97 engines

• Brake calipers rebuilt with new sleeves, seals and SS valves 

• The seller reports the fuel lines, brake lines, and engine mounts were replaced this in June and August 2025

• The clutch was changed at circa 80,000 miles at the same time as the RMS replacement and IMS inspection 

• Serviced in January at 84,861 miles (Fully Synthetic Oil, Air filter, Oil filter, Spark plugs & Cabin/Pollen filter)

• No reported mechanical faults or issues

Summary

With the 996 now firmly on the proverbial Top Gear ‘cool wall’ after years languishing at the bottom of Porsche’s back-catalogue, good examples such as this are becoming increasingly sought-after. 

A reluctant sale, boasting a number of considerate upgrades and benefitting from a recent raft of preventative mechanical works, this ‘.1’ 996 looks set to give its next owner plenty of fun and no doubt draw more than a few admiring glances along the way. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Saltcoats, Ayrshire.