The 997 Appreciation Thread
Discussion
Just had had the MFK inspection (Swiss MOT) done. The Car is @ 319'820 km atm.
I haven't done anything prior to the inspection to the car other than washing it a couple of weeks ago.
In my ownership of 16 months, I have done a regular oil and filter service myself and changed the rear drop links.
Other than a new set of Michelin PS4S tires it needed noting but fuel.
Oh yes, regarding the MFK test: It passed with flying colours!! :thumbs:
Only (oral) advisory was to check the alignment of the front fog light as they are very, very slightly off.
The springs and shocks showed perfect symmetrical damping rates across the axle on the machine too!
The inspector commented about 5 times that it was in incredible state for the mileage. And handed me the keys back with a smile after the test drive complimenting me again for how nice it drove.
You have to know that in Switzerland MFK test are run by the government and the inspectors never show any joy or interest in cars as if they would be prohibited by law
So I’m very pleased with my 997 and it shows that these are capable of big mileage if you look after them!
here together with the Mini on the Gotthard Pass two weeks ago
I haven't done anything prior to the inspection to the car other than washing it a couple of weeks ago.
In my ownership of 16 months, I have done a regular oil and filter service myself and changed the rear drop links.
Other than a new set of Michelin PS4S tires it needed noting but fuel.
Oh yes, regarding the MFK test: It passed with flying colours!! :thumbs:
Only (oral) advisory was to check the alignment of the front fog light as they are very, very slightly off.
The springs and shocks showed perfect symmetrical damping rates across the axle on the machine too!
The inspector commented about 5 times that it was in incredible state for the mileage. And handed me the keys back with a smile after the test drive complimenting me again for how nice it drove.
You have to know that in Switzerland MFK test are run by the government and the inspectors never show any joy or interest in cars as if they would be prohibited by law
So I’m very pleased with my 997 and it shows that these are capable of big mileage if you look after them!
here together with the Mini on the Gotthard Pass two weeks ago
Fitted the winter wheels yesterday
They are the 18" Carrera III wheels with Continental TS 810 S tires on them. Fabulous setup!
The car honestly drives better on the 18" winter wheels than on the large 19" Sport Design wheels.
Doing stuff like this yourself allows you to align the crest to the valve and to put the wheel lock in the top hole.
They are the 18" Carrera III wheels with Continental TS 810 S tires on them. Fabulous setup!
The car honestly drives better on the 18" winter wheels than on the large 19" Sport Design wheels.
Doing stuff like this yourself allows you to align the crest to the valve and to put the wheel lock in the top hole.
Did a Service last Saturday. Last one was 18 months and 15'000km/9'000miles ago, also done by myself with the same oil.
Oil consumption has been virtually non-existent in this period. Twice I topped up with 0.5l, which works out as 0.06l/1'000km.
Engine has 163'000km/100'000miles.
10l of Motul 5W40, filters and a replacement belt to hand.
Nothing beats good tools! (Proxxon is not Gedore or Hazet, but at the price point very good!)
Being a city boy, I don't have my own garage or a driveway I could work on. I performed the work in the underground garage where the car is parked.
This means logistically, you have to think about every tool and bit and bring it with you, as you don't want to realize you left the new washer at home once you drained the oil.
So I set about to work, the car being on the floor.
Oil and filter are out.
I couldn't change the belt, since the tensioner wouldn't move. Instead the 24mm HEX screw turned loose.
I will order a new tensioner and probably the other two pulleys too and change them next weekend.
Design911 has the OEM Porsche ones, or Vaico (tensioner) and Meyle (pulleys) for (almost) half the price.
Any views from you?
Out with the old air filter, in with the new one.
Clean the airbox and fill up with 8l of Frances finest engine oil (0.25l put directly in the oil filter housing).
Change cabin filter (probably the biggest pia of the whole job). Sorry, no photos.
Oil level before first start. Let run for two minutes (along with the obligatory low pressure warning for 0.5 seconds on startup (BTW do any of you pull the fuel pump fuse prior to doing an oil change?)).
OBD check and service light reset (hasn't triggered) using my iCarsoft PORII.
Checking oil filter and magnetic sump plug for debris.
Going for a wash and enjoying what a beauty the car is
Next Saturday it is booked for a break fluid flush and will receive a belt and pulley change.
Also backordered is a set of 200cel cats from Top Gear, since I had some CEL messages in the past. (all four O2 sensors the cats have been reconditioned 30'000km/18'000miles ago). Also when I have time, I intend to remove the front bumper and have it resprayed and clean the radiators in the meantime.
Oil consumption has been virtually non-existent in this period. Twice I topped up with 0.5l, which works out as 0.06l/1'000km.
Engine has 163'000km/100'000miles.
10l of Motul 5W40, filters and a replacement belt to hand.
Nothing beats good tools! (Proxxon is not Gedore or Hazet, but at the price point very good!)
Being a city boy, I don't have my own garage or a driveway I could work on. I performed the work in the underground garage where the car is parked.
This means logistically, you have to think about every tool and bit and bring it with you, as you don't want to realize you left the new washer at home once you drained the oil.
So I set about to work, the car being on the floor.
Oil and filter are out.
I couldn't change the belt, since the tensioner wouldn't move. Instead the 24mm HEX screw turned loose.
I will order a new tensioner and probably the other two pulleys too and change them next weekend.
Design911 has the OEM Porsche ones, or Vaico (tensioner) and Meyle (pulleys) for (almost) half the price.
Any views from you?Out with the old air filter, in with the new one.
Clean the airbox and fill up with 8l of Frances finest engine oil (0.25l put directly in the oil filter housing).
Change cabin filter (probably the biggest pia of the whole job). Sorry, no photos.
Oil level before first start. Let run for two minutes (along with the obligatory low pressure warning for 0.5 seconds on startup (BTW do any of you pull the fuel pump fuse prior to doing an oil change?)).
OBD check and service light reset (hasn't triggered) using my iCarsoft PORII.
Checking oil filter and magnetic sump plug for debris.
Going for a wash and enjoying what a beauty the car is
Next Saturday it is booked for a break fluid flush and will receive a belt and pulley change.
Also backordered is a set of 200cel cats from Top Gear, since I had some CEL messages in the past. (all four O2 sensors the cats have been reconditioned 30'000km/18'000miles ago). Also when I have time, I intend to remove the front bumper and have it resprayed and clean the radiators in the meantime.
Interesting Video about intake modification on a 3.6 C2 997.1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc9c07qCuKY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc9c07qCuKY
It was available to be covered in leather as a factory option. Porsche Exclusive would have been able to paint it. That is what I have done
You can read about it with lots of more pictures in my reader car thread here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
It has taken several hours to do, but it's without a doubt the best thing I have done to the 997!!
You can read about it with lots of more pictures in my reader car thread here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
It has taken several hours to do, but it's without a doubt the best thing I have done to the 997!!
Some pictures of the process:
The products I used:
Here you can see the difference between the grey and the new black.
Photos do not do it justice. The cabin has become so much, much more modern!
I'm an absolute geek to keep everything looking OEM, but since this could have been specced by the factory (in leather albeit) and the 997.2 had the same areas in black with the same grey inserts across the dash, it works tremendously well!
The products I used:
Here you can see the difference between the grey and the new black.
Photos do not do it justice. The cabin has become so much, much more modern!
I'm an absolute geek to keep everything looking OEM, but since this could have been specced by the factory (in leather albeit) and the 997.2 had the same areas in black with the same grey inserts across the dash, it works tremendously well!
Big_Dog said:
My C2 PDK, had this about 3 years now. Has PASM and is a non S. I love it though. Still not sure about the wheels. 
Then you have a 997.2. They all came like this from the factory. Lucky you! ETA, ah, I meant you where referring to the black PCM.
lovely car you have there!
I'm not really a fan of the Carrera IV wheel either.
Much prefer the look of the 18" Carrera III wheel from the 997.1. They are often available on ebay for a rather good price.
Edited by Filibuster on Sunday 10th May 12:17
RicM5 said:
KW3 DDC suspension
KW lift kit
Engine mounts
Geo set up
3 rd radiator
CSR exhaust
CSR lightweight clutch and fly wheel
CSR mechanical LSD
CSR front bumper
CSR carbon ducktail
Upgraded brake fluid and pads
Vorsteiner lightened alloy wheels
Some othe cosmetics etc
KW lift kit
Engine mounts
Geo set up
3 rd radiator
CSR exhaust
CSR lightweight clutch and fly wheel
CSR mechanical LSD
CSR front bumper
CSR carbon ducktail
Upgraded brake fluid and pads
Vorsteiner lightened alloy wheels
Some othe cosmetics etc
What impact did the clutch and fly wheel make?
ATM said:
A brand new 911 turbo only costs them around 7000 - that was a few years ago - to manufacture and they sell for over 100 grand.
Surely this can't be right. I know you don't factor in R&D, but even not accounting for labour (and the associated) costs, the bare parts alone at cost most be worth more than 7k (£/€). FrankCayman said:
I think the 997.1 looks so much nicer than the 997.2....such I pity I wouldn't dare buy a gen 1 S....lovely cars
The rear certainly is prettier, but they have done a very good job with the front of the 997.2.The way they have integrated the DLR into the openings is just right. Also I'm not keen on the middle strike (?) in the side vents of the 997.1
I have found myself several times thinking about upgrading the front.
CSR for instance have done it the other way round with this CSR Retro. It is a 997.2 with the rear backdated to 997.1.
On an other note, there is a mod to have the fog lights on as DLR when the switch is on the Home position.
And Yes, they turn automatically off when you switch on the main headlights. How to is described in my readers cars thread.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
ATM said:
Yes I think there was a sport suspension option which was free as it replaces the PASM active dampers. Well it was free on the gen 1. So passive dampers with one setting and it was stiffer and lower than the standard setups. I've read it's not as a stif as the PASM on hard. The earlier PASM was either quite soft or quite hard and nothing in between. No idea about gen 2 but can't be much different.
I can confirm this. I have the P17 Sports Suspension option on my C2 compromising of 20mm passive sports suspension and a LSD.It was either free on the C2S, or the same price as the PASM on the C2.
I still have the Porsche setup, although it has been redone at least once completely, certain parts I think even twice in the past.
I'm rather happy with this, as I'm a big fan of a properly setup passive suspension. It rides well in all circumstances I need it for and provides decent amounts of comfort. Wouldn't want to switch around the dampers setting, tbh.
Front end has a new bumper with integrated DLR
Rear has newly designed LED rear lights. They have a little kink at the bottom corner.
Plus some new wheel designs, I think.
The changes really are subtle. On the interior the biggest change is having a black centre consol, rather than a grey one with the new PCM 3(.1?) and a slightly new designed HVAC. Cosmetically that about it. Exhaust tips didn't change afaik, but do vary between engines and PSE option as with gen 7.1.
(New DFI engine and PDK instead of torque converter auto are the main technical changes. AFAIK there was changed very little else.)
Slippydiff said:
Gen 2 S with Gen 1 Aerokit front bumper, Gen 2 rear end with the non-S squoval tailpipes (and a ducktail) and some wheels that fill the arches more convincingly.
Oh, and the infotainment screen delete a la CSR “Snakebite”.
I really like that! Oh, and the infotainment screen delete a la CSR “Snakebite”.
Although from that centre console (HVAC and buttons bellow) it is a Gen 1 car.
Do you have any more photos?
What is that gear knob again? I have looked into them about a year ago, but didn't buy one in the end.
Aren't they the ones that come in two different lengths?
Slippydiff said:
What a great Video, thanks for sharing!And an absolutely great car as well!
But this def. is a Gen 1 car with no Gen 2 updates. Have a look at the CSR register. This is CSR-028.
CSR-007 is the car I was referring too earlier. That is in facht a 997.2 with a backdated rear to 997.1.
Mariosbt said:
On an other note, there is a mod to have the fog lights on as DLR when the switch is on the Home position.
And Yes, they turn automatically off when you switch on the main headlights. How to is described in my readers cars thread.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
You don’t have to do any mods. To have your front fogs as DRL’s on a 997.1 just turn light switch to home & pull the switch out one notch. This won’t put your rear fog light on. No need faffing around with wires. And Yes, they turn automatically off when you switch on the main headlights. How to is described in my readers cars thread.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Essentially they would be fog lights.
This way I don‘t have to think about anything and they truly work like DRL. And it doesn’t affect the normal function of the light switch.
Also 100% reversible in 2 minutes.
Well spent 10 cents and 15 minutes installation time.
Also I‘m a sucker for these kind of hacks
Slippydiff said:
Sorry, I should have been more clear, my preference would be for a Gen 2 S (or non-S for that matter) with the mods I outlined.
This is a Gen 1, but I'd base such a project on a Gen 2 and retain the later car's rear end :
albeit with some BBS wheels such as these :
a 'mare to keep clean, but they're light, and by jove they'd look good with anthracite or gloss black centres
Ah, now I get what you mean...This is a Gen 1, but I'd base such a project on a Gen 2 and retain the later car's rear end :
albeit with some BBS wheels such as these :
a 'mare to keep clean, but they're light, and by jove they'd look good with anthracite or gloss black centres
I misunterstood what you meant.
Sound like a great build! Just the other way round from what I would do
Should you ever attempt this build, I‘d take your Gen 2 front bumper!
Slippydiff said:
Sorry, I should have been more clear, my preference would be for a Gen 2 S (or non-S for that matter) with the mods I outlined.
This is a Gen 1, but I'd base such a project on a Gen 2 and retain the later car's rear end :
albeit with some BBS wheels such as these :
a 'mare to keep clean, but they're light, and by jove they'd look good with anthracite or gloss black centres
Ah, now I get what you mean...This is a Gen 1, but I'd base such a project on a Gen 2 and retain the later car's rear end :
albeit with some BBS wheels such as these :
a 'mare to keep clean, but they're light, and by jove they'd look good with anthracite or gloss black centres
I misunterstood what you meant.
Sound like a great build! Just the other way round from what I would do
Should you ever attempt this build, I‘d take your Gen 2 front bumper!
Edited by Filibuster on Thursday 21st May 19:02
Gixer968CS said:
4 years ago I bought a lovely looking 2006 997 C2S. 33,000 miles, one owner and had just had the Official Porsche 110(??) point approved car inspection. In 4 years I've added another 20k miles. Some of the issues:
Plastic membranes in the doors leaked resulting in the interior flooding with water. Entire interior out for a week to dry off, doors stripped and membranes replaced
All radiator hoses perished, front end dropped and hoses replaced
Car began a misfire and resulted in all the coil packs being replaced
Another misfire as a result of the loom chafing somewhere above the engine. Entire engine out to replace the £80 component
While the engine was out it had a new clutch and flywheel as the clutch was worn beyond the minimum limit
All this in addition to usual running stuff - all discs and pads, two droplinks replaced and tie bars, new battery, froot electric switch packed up etc etc.
Currently my aircon has packed up. So, I could submit a picture saying how pretty the car is (it really is a fine looking example) but I will be getting shot once the a/c is fixed.
Before buying the 911 I ran a 2006 SAAB 93 for 3 years. It had done 126,000. I put c30k miles on it and all it needed was an exhaust section, two tyres and four brake discs. Strange that a lower mileage pampered garage queen from a "high quality" manufacturer is so much worse reliability-wise
I used to climb in the Porsche and feel like every drive was an occasion. My driving pleasure is now always ruined by the nagging feeling of what will break next and cost me an enormous amount of money to fix
Most of these things are consumables, aren't they? Plastic membranes in the doors leaked resulting in the interior flooding with water. Entire interior out for a week to dry off, doors stripped and membranes replaced
All radiator hoses perished, front end dropped and hoses replaced
Car began a misfire and resulted in all the coil packs being replaced
Another misfire as a result of the loom chafing somewhere above the engine. Entire engine out to replace the £80 component
While the engine was out it had a new clutch and flywheel as the clutch was worn beyond the minimum limit
All this in addition to usual running stuff - all discs and pads, two droplinks replaced and tie bars, new battery, froot electric switch packed up etc etc.
Currently my aircon has packed up. So, I could submit a picture saying how pretty the car is (it really is a fine looking example) but I will be getting shot once the a/c is fixed.
Before buying the 911 I ran a 2006 SAAB 93 for 3 years. It had done 126,000. I put c30k miles on it and all it needed was an exhaust section, two tyres and four brake discs. Strange that a lower mileage pampered garage queen from a "high quality" manufacturer is so much worse reliability-wise
I used to climb in the Porsche and feel like every drive was an occasion. My driving pleasure is now always ruined by the nagging feeling of what will break next and cost me an enormous amount of money to fix
Also, as many have stated before, the 996/7 cars like to be used. As with many cars, garage queens tend to have more problems, especially such as you have stated. I have always believed in well maintained, high mileage cars.
Now the problems above have been addressed, do start to drive your lovely car a bit more. 7k miles p.a. should be a good target
(longer trips with the least amount of cold starts are best, obviously. general rules of how to treat an engine well are crucial too.)Other stuff will break/wear out, but this will be the case with any car and shouldn't prevent you from enjoying your car.
In case you don't want to be adding too much miles on your garage queen, sell it and buy another one with more miles that has a lot of work carried out. Pocket the change and use it for fuel/modifications/maintenance/euro trip. These cars natural habitat is the road, not the garage to be looked at.
RiccardoG said:
Out of curiosity, does anyone know how to "test" for dodgy door membranes?
My car is 14 yrs old now and I believe they're still the original. On that note, the coil packs lasted 13 years, only changed last year.
There has been a WD episode where they tested the door seals of a DB7 with a fog machine. My car is 14 yrs old now and I believe they're still the original. On that note, the coil packs lasted 13 years, only changed last year.
They fogged up the whole interior and switched on the AC to have an overpressure in the cabin and could look where the fog escaped around the window seal.
I bought a fog machine on amazon for around £30 with the intention of doing this on my classic car, but have never gotten around to do it.
Also I wanted to search for a leak in my 997 inlet system. Again, I have yet to try it....
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