Another 996 thread!

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shalmaneser

Original Poster:

5,930 posts

194 months

Tuesday 31st December 2019
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Hi all,

Bored before NYE really kicks off so thought I might do a thread on my recently purchased (Oct '19) 996! I love an ownership thread so thought I'd give back.

Quick car history: I've had a 205 GTI to which I fitted a 2.0 16V engine, 309 running gear, 306 brakes:



Kept for about 7 years but once this got too noisy and uncomfortable I switched to a BMW E36 M3 Evo, which was a great car. Fitted Bilstein suspension, quick steering rack, rebuilt the whole back end, did loads of service items and kept for about 5 years before I got the itch to change:




Then bought a e46 M3 which I didn't like as much as the e36. Fitted Bilstein suspension, Porsche brakes, short shift. Definitely better than the old model in almost every metric, but just not as raw and fun!



I'd been in the market for a early 3.4 996 manual 2WD coupe for some time (isn't everyone) when this beauty popped up relatively close... While only 59K miles it definitely needs some work to make it 100% - clearly the previous owner was a service it once a year type and so parts that degrade over time haven't been fixed, so the gear shift was sloppy, squeaks from the suspension, mismatched tyres, but the engine sounded and felt strong and the bodywork and underside is in really excellent condition without a spot of rust anywhere! I can happily fix mechanical bits but I hate doing bodywork, no fun in fixing that (for me at least!) - I'm fairly convinced it's been garaged all it's life there's so little rust on it.

How it looked during the viewing:



And returning home after the purchase (yes that is a big grin):





Spec was almost perfect for me: No sunroof, grey leather sports seats, and 10-speaker (ie. not stupid BOSE fibre-optic) stereo and not much else. Only really missing a LSD but I have plans for that...

As a compulsive tinkerer/modifier I got stuck straight in with a shortshift to fix the baggy and very very long standard throw(crucial cup of tea in shot):



Fixing the leaking water pump (went for Meyle having had very good experiences with the brand in my BMW's). Fitted 964RS engine mounts at the same time, which made a big difference:





Also fitted a Sony head unit with bluetooth which I've been really impressed with. Connects to my phone without me touching it and means I can run Spotify very easily without having to even glance at my phone. And I love the dashboard without any massive LCD/LED screens on it. Plus a good bit lighter than the heavy old tape lump in there as standard.

As an xmas treat to myself got some 18" wheels - currently running 997 tyre sizes, will change the rears to the correct 265/36 R18's, but probably keep the front 235's as they're N rated Michelins in good order. I'm normally a fan of smaller wheels (I loved the 18's on my e46 M3) But I really think the 996 needs the bigger wheels to fill the arches:



There is no rubbing on the 997 spec 285/40 r18 tyres but I'm keen to get them changed. Could do with a 5mm or 10mm spacer on the front too.

As another cheeky xmas present got some second hand Dansk boxes with a cracked flexi which I got welded up for very cheap - they all do that, sir. This proved rather louder than anticipated but I've grown to really like them. Quiet on the motorway at 80 and a good few KGs lighter than the standard boxes too! In addition the tips are the standard parts so it all looks standard from outside. I'm slightly worried it might be an issue on track but we shall see...

Also got round to adjusting the throttle cable to take up the huge amounts of slack and allow me to open the throttle above 70%! I diagnosed this through one of those bluetooth OBD-II readers which allows you to view engine sensor readings through your phone, a highly recommended bit of kit and only cost a few quid.





And went for some pointless drives:



I've got to say I really really love driving this thing. The tyres were pretty old and poorly balanced when I bought it which made it super nervous at speed, but the new decent tyres on the 18's have really sorted that out and I love the way you can feel it rotating around your hips when cornering. The ride was much better on the 17s but is still pretty comfy on the 18s. The engine is nothing like as smooth as the inline 6 in the M3 (especially with the semi-solid engine mounts) but makes a great noise with the stainless exhaust and really comes alive above 4k.

Only negative really is the ratios of the gearbox which is just too high - exacerbated by the currently over large rear tyres. Coming from an M3 I'm also missing an LSD, as this leads to some funny handling especially at low speeds in the wet when only one wheel spins up.

Future plans involve improving the abysmal headlights, fitting some new coffin arms and rod ends, and swapping in a rebuilt gearbox with an LSD to fix a whine above 50mph or so - something I missed on the test drive! Still it enables me to fit an LSD and tackle an increasingly well known 996 weak point - the gearbox pinion gear bearing which wears prematurely.

This also gives me a great opportunity to check the dreaded IMS bearing and RMS seal - although as an early cable throttle 996 this is likely to have a double row bearing and hence be much less susceptible to IMS failure.

Also going to remove the rear wiper and CD changer - these will be carefully stored away with the tape deck for the next owner. I really feel like the rear wiper ruins the rear 3/4 view on these and they are fairly useless anyway. Plus add lightness!

I'll also change the springs and dampers eventually but they feel pretty good given they've only got 60K on them. And the whole time just drive it loads and loads!

Edited by shalmaneser on Tuesday 31st December 18:32


Edited by shalmaneser on Wednesday 27th May 20:52

Tommie38

758 posts

193 months

Tuesday 31st December 2019
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Get a low temperature thermostat fitted! Quite a lot of information online about how best to drive to preserve the engine, oils etc etc.

Car looks great. smile

TheDukeGTi

202 posts

135 months

Tuesday 31st December 2019
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Looks great, wheels look much better, and the plans sound great.

Cool car history too!

V1nce Fox

5,508 posts

67 months

Tuesday 31st December 2019
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How much quicker/faster than your e36 m3 does it feel?

shalmaneser

Original Poster:

5,930 posts

194 months

Tuesday 31st December 2019
quotequote all
V1nce Fox said:
How much quicker/faster than your e36 m3 does it feel?
It's very hard to say as I've not had the e36 for a good few years. 0-60 I think is pretty comparable with the e46 m3 but I get the feeling with the porsche you have to launch it hard and really thrash the clutch as the gears are taller and there is so much traction off the line. Once up to speed the e46 feels quicker but the 996 is much lighter... I reckon its probably faster than the e36 but not as quick as the e46.

To be honest I felt the e46 was too quick to really have fun with on public roads, so that suits be pretty well.

Re. The low temp thermostat I understand that the 3.4s are much less likely to suffer from bore scoring which the LTT helps prevent but it's something I'll definitely look into, as it does seem to take a long time to warm up.

lucebayjack

164 posts

166 months

Tuesday 31st December 2019
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Lovely cars history there. Your E46 looks sorted and is quite a steal!

V1nce Fox

5,508 posts

67 months

Tuesday 31st December 2019
quotequote all
shalmaneser said:
It's very hard to say as I've not had the e36 for a good few years. 0-60 I think is pretty comparable with the e46 m3 but I get the feeling with the porsche you have to launch it hard and really thrash the clutch as the gears are taller and there is so much traction off the line. Once up to speed the e46 feels quicker but the 996 is much lighter... I reckon its probably faster than the e36 but not as quick as the e46.

To be honest I felt the e46 was too quick to really have fun with on public roads, so that suits be pretty well.

Re. The low temp thermostat I understand that the 3.4s are much less likely to suffer from bore scoring which the LTT helps prevent but it's something I'll definitely look into, as it does seem to take a long time to warm up.
I'm in an e36 eve atm and my potential next car to aim for is a 996/ Just curious how much of a performance step up it would feel.

shalmaneser

Original Poster:

5,930 posts

194 months

Tuesday 31st December 2019
quotequote all
I loved loved loved my evo and it also had the delicious pivot from the hips thing but I think in terms of performance I'm not sure the 996 is that much faster, but it's a more interesting challenge to drive and certainly feels more special. The engine isn't all that after the s50b32 but the package is fantastic. I can't wait to take it on track.

V1nce Fox

5,508 posts

67 months

Tuesday 31st December 2019
quotequote all
shalmaneser said:
I loved loved loved my evo and it also had the delicious pivot from the hips thing but I think in terms of performance I'm not sure the 996 is that much faster, but it's a more interesting challenge to drive and certainly feels more special. The engine isn't all that after the s50b32 but the package is fantastic. I can't wait to take it on track.
Thanks for posting this. I've had mine for years and feel like the logical step up is to move to a 996/997 but not sure what ti expect performance wise. I'm guessing the Porsche feels smaller/more nimble?

shalmaneser

Original Poster:

5,930 posts

194 months

Tuesday 31st December 2019
quotequote all
lucebayjack said:
Lovely cars history there. Your E46 looks sorted and is quite a steal!
Clearly a man of taste and distinction

rainmasterb

371 posts

206 months

Wednesday 1st January 2020
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Your M3 is identical to mine, except for the Porsche brakes, so you are clearly a man of fine taste.

As such, I have to challenge your wheel decision. My theoretical 996 keeps the 17" wheels but a suspension drop and some spacers gets them filling the arches perfectly.

But if I had to go up to 18s it could only be the optional cup twists or the lovely BBS sport classics.

Come on man!

(Nice car BTW!)

ATM

18,095 posts

218 months

Wednesday 1st January 2020
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Another vote for 17 here. I had the 997 18 when I bought mine but switched to 17 because I wanted to see if the thinner tyres added anything to the experience. The car still has way more grip than my brain or balls but just pottering around I definitely think the car has more feel through the steering.


shalmaneser

Original Poster:

5,930 posts

194 months

Wednesday 1st January 2020
quotequote all
Thanks for the comments all and Happy New Year!

I was genuinely torn about the 18" vs 17" thing, and had I been able to source some nice light 10 spoke 17's I might have gone for them. But the existing 17s were standard on the C4 not the C2 like I have so I wanted them changed, plus they looked rubbish in the dark grey. I ended up with the 18s for very cheap indeed and they already have very decent tyres on them, were in good condition and I reckon they look loads better.

Having said that from a visual perspective there does need to be a bit more front brake disc to fill the front wheels. In most cars the smallest wheel to fit over the caliper would be my choice from a styling POV but obviously that's a bit arse about face here as the brakes are already pretty great!

I may switch back in time, my perfect wheel would probably be some 18" wheels in 17" widths, I do reckon there is a bit too much grip with the 10" rears. Plus 17s will tend to be lighter.

I was toying with putting some cheaper tyres on all round to drop the grip levels slightly but I would like to do some track days and I worry how they would perform....

LordHaveMurci

12,034 posts

168 months

Wednesday 1st January 2020
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18's do seem to be the sweet spot for aesthetics, still rptempted by a set of 17's on mine, especially those 10 spokes, Allegeritas or Fuchs.

shalmaneser

Original Poster:

5,930 posts

194 months

Wednesday 1st January 2020
quotequote all
V1nce Fox said:
shalmaneser said:
I loved loved loved my evo and it also had the delicious pivot from the hips thing but I think in terms of performance I'm not sure the 996 is that much faster, but it's a more interesting challenge to drive and certainly feels more special. The engine isn't all that after the s50b32 but the package is fantastic. I can't wait to take it on track.
Thanks for posting this. I've had mine for years and feel like the logical step up is to move to a 996/997 but not sure what ti expect performance wise. I'm guessing the Porsche feels smaller/more nimble?
The 996 is definitely smaller and feels it too.

You get a lot more and better feedback from the wheel and controls - the gearshift for example is miles nicer than even the best e36/e46 BMW shifts, the steering way way better. I like the way the front end bobs up and down too, you can really feel the front end digging in under brakes. The brakes generally are excellent too - better than the standard setups in the BMWs for sure (I think the uprated brakes on my e46 are better overall though).

The pedals are really nicely spaced for heel and toeing too. It's also really fun putting the power down through a corner earlier and earlier and leaning on the rear end grip. I'm a bit wary of pushing it too far though!


ATM

18,095 posts

218 months

Wednesday 1st January 2020
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I've tried to get the rear end to break traction many times and now I've decided it's just impossible. So keep leaning and hopefully you'll come to the same conclusion as me.

Drew986

137 posts

189 months

Wednesday 1st January 2020
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I'll be following this thread with interest, as I have with both your e36 and e46 M3 threads, it seems our car history, to a degree has mirrored each other.

I think we had e36 M3's at the same time and we bounced a few PM's regarding suspension, I had my e46 M3 way back in 2007 thought.




So, Monday night saw my e92, 335i drive off in to the fog, back to Cardiff with it's new owner, this means I now have cash burning a whole in my pocket for a replacement.

What am I looking at?? Well... an early '98 - '99 Carrea 2 of course.

What colour is yours?

I'm trying to line up a viewing of a Ocean Blue metallic car for tomorrow.

shalmaneser

Original Poster:

5,930 posts

194 months

Wednesday 1st January 2020
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Mine is also ocean blue metallic! A really lovely colour actually. Good luck with the viewing.

therealsamdailly

328 posts

62 months

Thursday 2nd January 2020
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watching with interest, another early-996-coupe-on-17s owner here

Fast Bug

11,597 posts

160 months

Thursday 2nd January 2020
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I had those 18" wheels on my Ocean Blue 996 C2, they look good painted a darker grey colour. Pop the Carrera badge off, it's in the wrong place and without the badge the rear end looks a lot cleaner smile