Zenith Blue 1999 Porsche 996 C4 3.4 Cab
Discussion
After the demise of my dear old Boxster last year, see this thread:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I thought hard about what I needed in a car, obviously Covid had knocked back the mileage a bit ( was doing 200-800 miles a week in the 986) but I wanted a 2+2 so that my missus and I could put the dogs on the back seat if we were going to our place on the coast.
Also I thought this might be the last chance to have another V8 as a daily (had an XK8 before) so decided to go for an R230 Merc 500SL.
After lots of deliberation and research I settled on this 2005 example:
However on the first morning I had complete brake failure and some odd electrical behaviour so firstly popped it into my Local Porsche Specialist who found a number of areas of concern and recommended I took it to HA Lock down the road for a look-see who ran diagnostics and determined it needed about £4,500 worth of work to make it roadworthy.....
...The supplying dealer were actually very good and took the car back to do all of the work, however after another 3 weeks it became clear that Mercedes could not supply some of the required parts so mid Jan I handed the keys back and walked away for a rethink....
My Missus asked me if any other cars came into play if we pushed the budget a bit and I suggested that the XKR and 996 would be contenders at the £16-20k mark, and in some ways both would probably suit me more than the SL.
I started to search, but there were not many decent XKRs around and those that were were snapped up fairly quickly and then this popped up advertised at Portiacraft:
A colour that I had liked for a long time, only 65k miles and it drove really nicely, so after discussing a few niggles the deal was done!
When I went to pick it up in early Feb I found it had the added bonus of a Hardtop!
Had to take a pic when we stopped on the way home!
I was finally the owner of a 911!
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I thought hard about what I needed in a car, obviously Covid had knocked back the mileage a bit ( was doing 200-800 miles a week in the 986) but I wanted a 2+2 so that my missus and I could put the dogs on the back seat if we were going to our place on the coast.
Also I thought this might be the last chance to have another V8 as a daily (had an XK8 before) so decided to go for an R230 Merc 500SL.
After lots of deliberation and research I settled on this 2005 example:
However on the first morning I had complete brake failure and some odd electrical behaviour so firstly popped it into my Local Porsche Specialist who found a number of areas of concern and recommended I took it to HA Lock down the road for a look-see who ran diagnostics and determined it needed about £4,500 worth of work to make it roadworthy.....
...The supplying dealer were actually very good and took the car back to do all of the work, however after another 3 weeks it became clear that Mercedes could not supply some of the required parts so mid Jan I handed the keys back and walked away for a rethink....
My Missus asked me if any other cars came into play if we pushed the budget a bit and I suggested that the XKR and 996 would be contenders at the £16-20k mark, and in some ways both would probably suit me more than the SL.
I started to search, but there were not many decent XKRs around and those that were were snapped up fairly quickly and then this popped up advertised at Portiacraft:
A colour that I had liked for a long time, only 65k miles and it drove really nicely, so after discussing a few niggles the deal was done!
When I went to pick it up in early Feb I found it had the added bonus of a Hardtop!
Had to take a pic when we stopped on the way home!
I was finally the owner of a 911!
Edited by Fat Albert on Saturday 22 October 17:07
After getting it home, unusually for one of my cars it didn't need mcuh doing, it had good tyres and brakes, everything worked and it drove as it should, happy days!
The only thing that stood out as needing attention was the stereo, it had the very basic standard head unit and 4x 4" 1 way speakers. Portiacraft had swapped out the standard Head Unit for a Blaupunkt Blue Tooth one, but it was not the best I heard and before the Boxster was collected I had removed the Alpine BT72 that I had in that - Basic but did everything I needed it to.
I researched speakers and found that it was a bit of a process to do the swap but not terribly difficult
When I removed the rear speakers I found out why they sounded so dire!
The recommended replacements are the Alpine SPG10, but I wanted something a bit further up the range than that so bought a pair of Alpine SS40s to try in the rear, and if they worked I would do the fronts as well
The process involved cutting the old speakers off of their mountings, some light dremeling and then screwing the new speakers into the carriers
I then fitted the head unit and ran the wiring so that the Microphone can sit on the steering column
Not the prettiest or best sounding system, but it is sufficient for my needs and works really well
First job done!
The only thing that stood out as needing attention was the stereo, it had the very basic standard head unit and 4x 4" 1 way speakers. Portiacraft had swapped out the standard Head Unit for a Blaupunkt Blue Tooth one, but it was not the best I heard and before the Boxster was collected I had removed the Alpine BT72 that I had in that - Basic but did everything I needed it to.
I researched speakers and found that it was a bit of a process to do the swap but not terribly difficult
When I removed the rear speakers I found out why they sounded so dire!
The recommended replacements are the Alpine SPG10, but I wanted something a bit further up the range than that so bought a pair of Alpine SS40s to try in the rear, and if they worked I would do the fronts as well
The process involved cutting the old speakers off of their mountings, some light dremeling and then screwing the new speakers into the carriers
I then fitted the head unit and ran the wiring so that the Microphone can sit on the steering column
Not the prettiest or best sounding system, but it is sufficient for my needs and works really well
First job done!
Hi
Not sure if you’re aware but there’s a guy on eBay who sells some adapter brackets to make fitting replacement speakers easy. I used the kit in the front of my 996.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314188549674?mkcid=16&a...
Not sure if you’re aware but there’s a guy on eBay who sells some adapter brackets to make fitting replacement speakers easy. I used the kit in the front of my 996.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314188549674?mkcid=16&a...
The 986 and 996 are a great balance between an analogue sporty feel and comfort, being softer sprung than the modern sports cars - which actually makes them much more usable on today's roads
When I got my Boxster I was also looking at Z4s, which had a great soundtrack from the straight 6 and more modern feeling for my Wife's benefit, but it felt like there was a layer of software between me and the road...
When I got my Boxster I was also looking at Z4s, which had a great soundtrack from the straight 6 and more modern feeling for my Wife's benefit, but it felt like there was a layer of software between me and the road...
Fat Albert said:
The 986 and 996 are a great balance between an analogue sporty feel and comfort, being softer sprung than the modern sports cars - which actually makes them much more usable on today's roads
When I got my Boxster I was also looking at Z4s, which had a great soundtrack from the straight 6 and more modern feeling for my Wife's benefit, but it felt like there was a layer of software between me and the road...
We also looked at the Z4 before choosing the 996. I agree less analogue it also a chunk less practical too. Much less interior space. When I got my Boxster I was also looking at Z4s, which had a great soundtrack from the straight 6 and more modern feeling for my Wife's benefit, but it felt like there was a layer of software between me and the road...
In mid March I decided it was warm enough to get the hard top off so I arranged with Dove House to store it for me, I felt that the 996 felt right at home in the showroom amongst some exotic kit
Weirdly you can't put the back windows up when the roof is down, which is a shame, on my old SAAB having the rear windows up really reduced the buffetting and rain ingress!
Also in March i returned to my car in Tesco car park to see how this mouth-breather had parked, yes, I know I was slightly over the line, but even so did he just drive until he felt resistance? There was a slight mark on mine. but just not worth the aggro to deal with
I have also discovered that the Frunk in a C4 is significantly smaller than that of the 986!
The 986 with my son's 90 litre sailing bag, with room to spare!
Weirdly you can't put the back windows up when the roof is down, which is a shame, on my old SAAB having the rear windows up really reduced the buffetting and rain ingress!
Also in March i returned to my car in Tesco car park to see how this mouth-breather had parked, yes, I know I was slightly over the line, but even so did he just drive until he felt resistance? There was a slight mark on mine. but just not worth the aggro to deal with
I have also discovered that the Frunk in a C4 is significantly smaller than that of the 986!
The 986 with my son's 90 litre sailing bag, with room to spare!
Edited by Fat Albert on Wednesday 26th October 19:59
In April we went away for a few days and when we got back the 996 hadn't been used in a week so had gone into sleep mode (the remote unlock switches off) to reawaken the car you just simply insert the key into the lock and turn.....
.....and turn and turn, the lock was broken - not something I thought to check before leaving it for a week.
I spoke to Portiacraft and Dove House and the only two options to try were to either get something long and pointy to pull the internal pull handles or to open the Frunk and remove/re-attach the battery to re-awaken the car.
I called the RAC and the guy spent over 2 hours with little puffer cushions to open the gap in the windows and trying to press the unlock button and pulling the interior handles, but the car was deadlocked so nothing worked. He opened the Frunk and disconnected the battery, but alas the car was still fast asleep when reconnected.
I called Portiacraft again and they went off and had a rummage in their spares and found a Passenger window for a cab, so it was decided to take the nuclear option. We picked a dry day according to the forecast and I covered the window in tape
I had an Emergency Glass Hammer from when I was flying a light aircraft with a glass Canopy and a single hit from that shattered the window and I was able to roll it down and get most out in one piece, however, there was still a ton of glass all over the interior!
Following a slightly drafty drive down to North London, Portiacraft set to work replacing the window, the lock and investogating a slow-starting problem.
A few hours later I returned to a fully glazed car with a new starter motor changed under warranty- can't fault the service from Porticraft
.....and turn and turn, the lock was broken - not something I thought to check before leaving it for a week.
I spoke to Portiacraft and Dove House and the only two options to try were to either get something long and pointy to pull the internal pull handles or to open the Frunk and remove/re-attach the battery to re-awaken the car.
I called the RAC and the guy spent over 2 hours with little puffer cushions to open the gap in the windows and trying to press the unlock button and pulling the interior handles, but the car was deadlocked so nothing worked. He opened the Frunk and disconnected the battery, but alas the car was still fast asleep when reconnected.
I called Portiacraft again and they went off and had a rummage in their spares and found a Passenger window for a cab, so it was decided to take the nuclear option. We picked a dry day according to the forecast and I covered the window in tape
I had an Emergency Glass Hammer from when I was flying a light aircraft with a glass Canopy and a single hit from that shattered the window and I was able to roll it down and get most out in one piece, however, there was still a ton of glass all over the interior!
Following a slightly drafty drive down to North London, Portiacraft set to work replacing the window, the lock and investogating a slow-starting problem.
A few hours later I returned to a fully glazed car with a new starter motor changed under warranty- can't fault the service from Porticraft
Edited by Fat Albert on Thursday 3rd November 23:07
Thanks Marky!
It is almost 10 years since I lost my 968 in that aquaplaning incident
and feel for the owner of the Elan that I reversed through, she had had the same accident an hour earlier
I stepped away from Porsche for 5 years with an XK8
and a SAAB Convertible
which, weirdly, was built in the same factory as my Boxster!
It is almost 10 years since I lost my 968 in that aquaplaning incident
and feel for the owner of the Elan that I reversed through, she had had the same accident an hour earlier
I stepped away from Porsche for 5 years with an XK8
and a SAAB Convertible
which, weirdly, was built in the same factory as my Boxster!
CarlosSainz100 said:
Can someone tell me: does the 996 steering wheel adjust for reach as well as rake? My 986 boxster didn't which was a problem for me. Also on the 996 am I right in thinking the seat can go back further than the 986?
Cheers
Just rake I'm afraid. Can fit steering wheel spacers but I think you need an aftermarket wheel for that...Cheers
shalmaneser said:
CarlosSainz100 said:
Can someone tell me: does the 996 steering wheel adjust for reach as well as rake? My 986 boxster didn't which was a problem for me. Also on the 996 am I right in thinking the seat can go back further than the 986?
Cheers
Just rake I'm afraid. Can fit steering wheel spacers but I think you need an aftermarket wheel for that...Cheers
I do between 100 and 800 miles a week (and did the same in the 986) and find that it is pretty good for that
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff