993 c2s // kds keltec.. Amazing!
Discussion
(meant 'amazing' in the title)
After a few years of hesitation, A LOT of various models seen. After having sold my beautifull 996tt.. I have finally decided to take the plunge and buy a 993 c2s.. manual of course..
The car I bought was effectively very healthy and inspected by the relevent people for peace of mind. It also benefited from having brand new suspension fitted.
Still, it needed some additional tlc. I spent a small fortune, buying at porsche all the small missing parts such as: new badges, original mats, spoiler curtain, pedal rubbers, and a whole lot of other small things.
Then I had the exhaust modified by hayward and scott in essex with bypass to get the proper aircooled soundtrack. This is one cool and rather cost effective mod as one keep their existing rear boxes and get 'bypass valves' welded onto them. The sound is a nice deep burble, although far from being too intrusive or boy racer.
Finally, the car underwent a thorough paint correction and interior detailing with KDS keltec in Kent. The car was full of swirrles before.
The wheels needed refurb (did this at the same time with lepsons). This is where I went offside, as I had the wheels redone in a slightly brighter and mettalic silver rather than the dull original grey finish. I thought for a moment of getting the same 'chrome' paint as on a 993 turbo 's', but decided otherwise as it would have been too 'flash'.
The work done by Lepsons on the alloys is purely and simply first class. This guys are operating like a factory and the turnover is phenomenal. They can walk you through all sorts of different finishes before you even make your final colour decision.
The car does not have a single swirrle left on it, although at one point I thought it needed full respray. The depth of the paint is unbelievable now. A ray of sunshine makes the car come to life. The dullness is totally gone.
All the inside was cleaned / steam cleaned and very specific products were used. Leather and plastics were treated and sealed. I thought it needed reconnolysing but it did not. The engine bay was cleaned by hand.
The final result is mind blowing in the metal (not sure it shows really well in the pics). It was not cheap, but it is like having a different car. Almost a new car actually. The depth of the paint is shockingly beautifull. The pictures may not show the full extent of the work (I only have the 'after' pics), but it trully is the work of a magician. Kelly at KDS may not have the most advanced social skills, but hell he is one brilliant, fussy, hard working, perfectionist. Hats off to him adn his team.
I rarely post such threads, but I am so over the moon and positively surprised by the results that I thought of sharing it.
Btw, the car is no spring chicken as it has close to 80k miles on the clock. It now looks more like a 20k miles car.
After a few years of hesitation, A LOT of various models seen. After having sold my beautifull 996tt.. I have finally decided to take the plunge and buy a 993 c2s.. manual of course..
The car I bought was effectively very healthy and inspected by the relevent people for peace of mind. It also benefited from having brand new suspension fitted.
Still, it needed some additional tlc. I spent a small fortune, buying at porsche all the small missing parts such as: new badges, original mats, spoiler curtain, pedal rubbers, and a whole lot of other small things.
Then I had the exhaust modified by hayward and scott in essex with bypass to get the proper aircooled soundtrack. This is one cool and rather cost effective mod as one keep their existing rear boxes and get 'bypass valves' welded onto them. The sound is a nice deep burble, although far from being too intrusive or boy racer.
Finally, the car underwent a thorough paint correction and interior detailing with KDS keltec in Kent. The car was full of swirrles before.
The wheels needed refurb (did this at the same time with lepsons). This is where I went offside, as I had the wheels redone in a slightly brighter and mettalic silver rather than the dull original grey finish. I thought for a moment of getting the same 'chrome' paint as on a 993 turbo 's', but decided otherwise as it would have been too 'flash'.
The work done by Lepsons on the alloys is purely and simply first class. This guys are operating like a factory and the turnover is phenomenal. They can walk you through all sorts of different finishes before you even make your final colour decision.
The car does not have a single swirrle left on it, although at one point I thought it needed full respray. The depth of the paint is unbelievable now. A ray of sunshine makes the car come to life. The dullness is totally gone.
All the inside was cleaned / steam cleaned and very specific products were used. Leather and plastics were treated and sealed. I thought it needed reconnolysing but it did not. The engine bay was cleaned by hand.
The final result is mind blowing in the metal (not sure it shows really well in the pics). It was not cheap, but it is like having a different car. Almost a new car actually. The depth of the paint is shockingly beautifull. The pictures may not show the full extent of the work (I only have the 'after' pics), but it trully is the work of a magician. Kelly at KDS may not have the most advanced social skills, but hell he is one brilliant, fussy, hard working, perfectionist. Hats off to him adn his team.
I rarely post such threads, but I am so over the moon and positively surprised by the results that I thought of sharing it.
Btw, the car is no spring chicken as it has close to 80k miles on the clock. It now looks more like a 20k miles car.
Edited by erics on Monday 30th May 00:44
Edited by erics on Monday 30th May 00:49
Edited by erics on Monday 30th May 01:00
sportsandclassic said:
Hi,
Get some new number plates to finish it off, it looks very nice otherwise.
Mike
Looks great but also needs some coloured centre crests for the wheels IMHOGet some new number plates to finish it off, it looks very nice otherwise.
Mike
I'm also thinking of changing my 996t for a mint 993 if I can find one; do you regret your change or would you recommend it
carcrazypop said:
sportsandclassic said:
Hi,
Get some new number plates to finish it off, it looks very nice otherwise.
Mike
Looks great but also needs some coloured centre crests for the wheels IMHOGet some new number plates to finish it off, it looks very nice otherwise.
Mike
I'm also thinking of changing my 996t for a mint 993 if I can find one; do you regret your change or would you recommend it
The 993 C2S I had was one of the cleanest cars I have seen and was mechanically 100% sorted as nothing was needed as I spent 2 weeks on that car preparing it.
The only thing for me was the gearbox it was not a manual, and for me I was not driving it everyday so I wanted something I could enjoy. With a 993 tip box they were very lazy and nothing like a modern 996/997 gearbox,they have improved but for me I am afraid it did not do it. I never bought the car for me I bought it to sell.
I am not trying to get into the debate over manual VS tip as they both have their places. I think 993 cars are beautiful and full of Porsche character whilst the 996 range has lost the edge for me personally apart from the TT/GT2/GT3 cars.
If the 993 I had was a manual I think I would of kept it for a year or two before moving her on.
Mike
Edited by sportsandclassic on Monday 30th May 09:13
sportsandclassic said:
carcrazypop said:
sportsandclassic said:
Hi,
Get some new number plates to finish it off, it looks very nice otherwise.
Mike
Looks great but also needs some coloured centre crests for the wheels IMHOGet some new number plates to finish it off, it looks very nice otherwise.
Mike
I'm also thinking of changing my 996t for a mint 993 if I can find one; do you regret your change or would you recommend it
The 993 C2S I had was one of the cleanest cars I have seen and was mechanically 100% sorted as nothing was needed as I spent 2 weeks on that car preparing it.
The only thing for me was the gearbox it was not a manual, and for me I was not driving it everyday so I wanted something I could enjoy. With a 993 tip box they were very lazy and nothing like a modern 996/997 gearbox,they have improved but for me I am afraid it did not do it. I never bought the car for me I bought it to sell.
I am not trying to get into the debate over manual VS tip as they both have their places. I think 993 cars are beautiful and full of Porsche character whilst the 996 range has lost the edge for me personally apart from the TT/GT2/GT3 cars.
If the 993 I had was a manual I think I would of kept it for a year or two before moving her on.
Mike
Edited by sportsandclassic on Monday 30th May 09:13
I totally agree about the tip. boxes in 993's; I've had them in the past and they're absolute rubbish compared to the tip. box in my 996t.
If I do go for a 993, it must be a manual, but I'm also looking for a low miles 'minter', which I think might be a tough ask, just have to wait and see.
I keep looking at the 'mint green' 993 at 911V but feel it's slightly over priced; they wanted £4k off me to swap for my 19k miles 996t which I thought was a bit steep, and also, not totally sure about the colour ?
Edited by carcrazypop on Monday 30th May 09:47
thanks for the kind comments.
The 996 turbo was an epic car. Particularly with a remap.
The 993 is a car with soul. Simple. In its latest aircooled itteration, it is one -well sorry for the lack of a better word- very 'cool' car.
With a decent exhaust on, you just want to cruise around, enjoy the sunshine, enjoy the soundtrack and think that life is beautiful.
I actually feel that a manual 993 WITH a 996 turbo are probably not far off from being the ideal porsche-nut garage. A bit of 'old' and 'new' testament.
I was also after a mint low miles 993. And I saw quite a few of them. But you know what, some of them were not very good at all. Most had re-issued service books.
I saw dozens of them. When I saw this onr, I knew it was for me. All it needed was a bit of tlc.
And I do agree, these pictures don't do Kelly's work any justice, but i am no pro photographer and my camera is a panasonic tz-65.. Don't expect miracles..
The 996 turbo was an epic car. Particularly with a remap.
The 993 is a car with soul. Simple. In its latest aircooled itteration, it is one -well sorry for the lack of a better word- very 'cool' car.
With a decent exhaust on, you just want to cruise around, enjoy the sunshine, enjoy the soundtrack and think that life is beautiful.
I actually feel that a manual 993 WITH a 996 turbo are probably not far off from being the ideal porsche-nut garage. A bit of 'old' and 'new' testament.
I was also after a mint low miles 993. And I saw quite a few of them. But you know what, some of them were not very good at all. Most had re-issued service books.
I saw dozens of them. When I saw this onr, I knew it was for me. All it needed was a bit of tlc.
And I do agree, these pictures don't do Kelly's work any justice, but i am no pro photographer and my camera is a panasonic tz-65.. Don't expect miracles..
carcrazypop said:
Looks great but also needs some coloured centre crests for the wheels IMHO
I'm also thinking of changing my 996t for a mint 993 if I can find one; do you regret your change or would you recommend it
I'm also thinking of changing my 996t for a mint 993 if I can find one; do you regret your change or would you recommend it
oh, and I agree on the reg plates. They were on the to do list from the off, but I have yet to get my head around doing this.
I also strongly recommand to anyone with a vanilla 993 (without the sound upgrade) to get themselves one of these new alpine amplified headunits. They are astonishing. The original sony unit was barely audible. This one gives a sound that is not far off the bose system in my 996 turbo. Really amazing. And it does not look flashy at all either.
I also strongly recommand to anyone with a vanilla 993 (without the sound upgrade) to get themselves one of these new alpine amplified headunits. They are astonishing. The original sony unit was barely audible. This one gives a sound that is not far off the bose system in my 996 turbo. Really amazing. And it does not look flashy at all either.
erics said:
...Kelly at KDS may not have the most advanced social skills, but hell he is one brilliant, fussy, hard working, perfectionist. Hats off to him adn his team.....
Sorry eric, I just needed to repond to the above minor point in your write up. Not sure what experience you had here...I had my GT3 detailed by Kelly last year, and the guy is a total enthusiast of the work he does and if he meets a fellow enthusiast can spend an entire evening exchanging thoughts and ideas about your car, other cars, cars in his garage, etc... So there is absolutely no problem with this social skills! more advanced that the average Petrol/Piston head!
...the car looks great though
I know what you are saying and you are correct, he is extremely passionate about his job but he seems to be extraordinarily busy working very very hard. So, my comment needs a little clarification: when I first contacted Kelly via email, he almost turned me off suggesting I may be a time waster, suggesting I was asking too many questions and unlikely to commit to have business done..
Then, and persevering through the slightly first cold approach, I drove from London to kds, he went: 'look, I don't really need business now, I have too much, so you could as well take your car elsewhere'.. I was a bit taken aback..
I thought 'blimey', I don't really feel welcome in here.
During the two weeks my car was there, things changed: the lady working there -Tracy- always returned all my calls and followed up every couple of days. She was a true gem and assisting along the way. She focussed on the car interior as well and went out of her ways to have some additional details fixed.
The delivery date was pushed away by a week.
When I came to pick up my car, Kelly was working on an Aston and barely said hi. I think it is because he is so focussed on his job that he does not even bother doing a bit of PR.
But you know what? All this is fine by me: there are still people on this planet with amazing work ethics. The chap is a bit rough, but in the end I totally understand where he is coming from. I highly respect this. He probably prefers to be judged by the results rather than playing the internet / marketing trick.
When I finally left, I said: 'hey Kelly, amazing job on the car, really very impressive'. He replied: 'yup, as usual!' and went straight back head down into his job... Regardless of the slightly immodest response, it seems that he and his team accomplish an absolute miracle on every car that passes through their hands.
So my initial comment was a little tongue in cheek but not a negative at all. More of the opposite in fact..
Then, and persevering through the slightly first cold approach, I drove from London to kds, he went: 'look, I don't really need business now, I have too much, so you could as well take your car elsewhere'.. I was a bit taken aback..
I thought 'blimey', I don't really feel welcome in here.
During the two weeks my car was there, things changed: the lady working there -Tracy- always returned all my calls and followed up every couple of days. She was a true gem and assisting along the way. She focussed on the car interior as well and went out of her ways to have some additional details fixed.
The delivery date was pushed away by a week.
When I came to pick up my car, Kelly was working on an Aston and barely said hi. I think it is because he is so focussed on his job that he does not even bother doing a bit of PR.
But you know what? All this is fine by me: there are still people on this planet with amazing work ethics. The chap is a bit rough, but in the end I totally understand where he is coming from. I highly respect this. He probably prefers to be judged by the results rather than playing the internet / marketing trick.
When I finally left, I said: 'hey Kelly, amazing job on the car, really very impressive'. He replied: 'yup, as usual!' and went straight back head down into his job... Regardless of the slightly immodest response, it seems that he and his team accomplish an absolute miracle on every car that passes through their hands.
So my initial comment was a little tongue in cheek but not a negative at all. More of the opposite in fact..
puntograle said:
Sorry eric, I just needed to repond to the above minor point in your write up. Not sure what experience you had here...
I had my GT3 detailed by Kelly last year, and the guy is a total enthusiast of the work he does and if he meets a fellow enthusiast can spend an entire evening exchanging thoughts and ideas about your car, other cars, cars in his garage, etc... So there is absolutely no problem with this social skills! more advanced that the average Petrol/Piston head!
...the car looks great though
I had my GT3 detailed by Kelly last year, and the guy is a total enthusiast of the work he does and if he meets a fellow enthusiast can spend an entire evening exchanging thoughts and ideas about your car, other cars, cars in his garage, etc... So there is absolutely no problem with this social skills! more advanced that the average Petrol/Piston head!
...the car looks great though
Edited by erics on Monday 30th May 15:10
erics said:
I drove from London to kds, he went: 'look, I don't really need business now, I have too much, so you could as well take your car elsewhere'
I commend your tolerance and patience. That would have been it for me. I will be having my car detailed at some stage and won't be using this chap. I'm positive that there are equally proficient detailers out there who can muster a modicum of good manners towards me when I procure their not inexpensive services.Still, as he said, he seems busy enough so there are obviously enough people out their who will tolerate such rudeness and pay for the pleasure.
I am glad you are pleased with the results though and I hope you enjoy your fantastic car.
You should not be deterred by my post. Here is why:
Last year, I had a 1989 black mercedes 300sl type r107 paint corrected by people who were nicer and cheaper than KDS (I did not know of them at the time).
Still, after having seen the results on my 993, I wish I had used KDS for the mercedes as well.
Seeing the result of my 993 leads me to the following conclusion: it would be VERY difficult to get a better job.
Despite my brief initial grief, I can wholeheartedly recommend KDS. Forget the slight roughness (which may actually be down to a lot of people messing him around), and just judge by the quality of the job done.
Prepare yourself to be impressed.
NOW, the next step will be to get the car serviced... Another lump of cash about to come out... Have to find the right place there as well...
On another different front, I have to report something else in my recent 993 adventure: I had the car inspected (prior to purchase) by a well respected specialist in Essex (near where the seller was). I was not there when they did it, but someone I know was there. They spent 4 hours on the car checking everything and giving me a full run down over the phone. I know they looked in all the 'right' places.
Yet, it took them 3 weeks (!) to get the written inspection back to me (I had to ask 3 times and felt like I was ennoying them).
There, I ended up being pretty pi$$ed off and certainly won't use these people for servicing despite the good feedback they get.
So the search is on for the right specialist not too far away from me (East-ish London).
Last year, I had a 1989 black mercedes 300sl type r107 paint corrected by people who were nicer and cheaper than KDS (I did not know of them at the time).
Still, after having seen the results on my 993, I wish I had used KDS for the mercedes as well.
Seeing the result of my 993 leads me to the following conclusion: it would be VERY difficult to get a better job.
Despite my brief initial grief, I can wholeheartedly recommend KDS. Forget the slight roughness (which may actually be down to a lot of people messing him around), and just judge by the quality of the job done.
Prepare yourself to be impressed.
NOW, the next step will be to get the car serviced... Another lump of cash about to come out... Have to find the right place there as well...
On another different front, I have to report something else in my recent 993 adventure: I had the car inspected (prior to purchase) by a well respected specialist in Essex (near where the seller was). I was not there when they did it, but someone I know was there. They spent 4 hours on the car checking everything and giving me a full run down over the phone. I know they looked in all the 'right' places.
Yet, it took them 3 weeks (!) to get the written inspection back to me (I had to ask 3 times and felt like I was ennoying them).
There, I ended up being pretty pi$$ed off and certainly won't use these people for servicing despite the good feedback they get.
So the search is on for the right specialist not too far away from me (East-ish London).
Caymanator said:
I commend your tolerance and patience. That would have been it for me. I will be having my car detailed at some stage and won't be using this chap. I'm positive that there are equally proficient detailers out there who can muster a modicum of good manners towards me when I procure their not inexpensive services.
Still, as he said, he seems busy enough so there are obviously enough people out their who will tolerate such rudeness and pay for the pleasure.
I am glad you are pleased with the results though and I hope you enjoy your fantastic car.
Still, as he said, he seems busy enough so there are obviously enough people out their who will tolerate such rudeness and pay for the pleasure.
I am glad you are pleased with the results though and I hope you enjoy your fantastic car.
Looks fantastic....all of the things you've had done are on my wish list albeit I may need a front end respray due to the severity of the stone chipping! Had my C4 detailed after I bought it including paint correction and I can vouch for the massive difference and how it brightens up the paintwork!
Is yours Iris blue?
Enjoy the fruits of your labour!
Is yours Iris blue?
Enjoy the fruits of your labour!
Ocean blue
blueyonder said:
Looks fantastic....all of the things you've had done are on my wish list albeit I may need a front end respray due to the severity of the stone chipping! Had my C4 detailed after I bought it including paint correction and I can vouch for the massive difference and how it brightens up the paintwork!
Is yours Iris blue?
Enjoy the fruits of your labour!
Is yours Iris blue?
Enjoy the fruits of your labour!
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