Porsche 911 (996) + Car History
Discussion
Hello all,
I have posted the odd readers cars thread in the past, I thought I would add a little car history to this one. I moved to London a couple years ago from the North. I am trying to carry on the Pistonheads spirit within the confines of the capital.
Car history thus far (aged 17 – 26):
- 90's Deawoo Lanos in Purple (Borrowed from Auntie)
- 1998 Fiat Punto 1.25 Sporting
- 2001 Vauxhall Astra 1.7 TDi
- 2003 MG TF 135
- 2010 BMW 330i Coupe
- 1988 Porsche 944 2.5 Lux
- 1998 BMW 528i SE
- 2009 Z4 Coupe 3.0si
- 1999 Porsche 911
Past Cars
The MG was sporty and great fun. It was supposed to be my girlfriends, I used it a lot.... It’s interesting that I grew up in the 90’s with TVR’s and Lotus’s. Porsches seemed boring to me, but now here I am with no Lotus’s, TVR’s or Jaguars featured in my history. I feel this can be blamed on my love of older cars that can be used.
The Search
For my recent purchase I was heading in the direction of two cars. Porsche’s/Lotus/Westfield alongside an old BMW or Mercedes. I kept being distracted by the allure of a 911. I wanted one but how? Just add water… I read up on the issues with the 996 and see what the real risk is. I did lots of research which could have scared me off, as it has with many. I knew from the moment I first called a dealer to enquire about a 911, that was it. There was no going back, I was buying a 911. It isn't retro but still the allure was too much. I decided I wanted a subtle grey or black (maybe dark blue), manual, rear drive, coupe. I wanted something simple and relatively focused, preferably cable actuated throttle and no driver aids (earlier 3.4 pre facelift). There were a lot of 996’s for sale but I was quite shocked by how few I was left with, with these filters.
The Car
Then I found this car, no LSD but basic, original and straight. I noted some issues on inspecting it which I used to haggle the price down with. The car had 2 previous owners, good service history. A specialists inspection showed the engine to be in good health which has meant I have yet to spend the money set aside for engine work. I like older cars so enjoy the tape player etc and have no thoughts to change anything such as this. Maybe if I keep it long enough it will feel retro?
Where she has been
I have only had the car around a month now but have taken it on two track days, the first being a rather wet a slippery airfield style day at Woodbridge and the second at Snetterton yesterday. I was impressed with the cars handling, steering feel and progressive rear end. The car is much easier to control than suspected, the wet airfield being a great place to learn the limits.
Plans
As to be expected with a car of this age and 99k miles on it there are items which are a little tired and need replacing. I've worked my way through a good amount so far and intend and bringing the car up to a good original standard. This has included replacing a couple hoses (oil leak), coolant expansion tank (coolant leak), front lower suspension arms (bushes/ball joint). I have also replaced the corroded standard exhaust silencers with Dansk sport items, this has improved the sound over the standard quiet items without going too far. The car currently has the original non sport suspension. Future work will include new suspension suited to track and road, I may go for the official Porsche sport kit or something a touch lower and and stiffer. Also an LSD at some point as well as re-tango'ing. Other than that I will be keeping the car very standard and original. I quite like the originally optioned 18" wheels.
1999 Porsche 911 3.4 (C2, Rear Drive)
Thanks
Parmley
I have posted the odd readers cars thread in the past, I thought I would add a little car history to this one. I moved to London a couple years ago from the North. I am trying to carry on the Pistonheads spirit within the confines of the capital.
Car history thus far (aged 17 – 26):
- 90's Deawoo Lanos in Purple (Borrowed from Auntie)
- 1998 Fiat Punto 1.25 Sporting
- 2001 Vauxhall Astra 1.7 TDi
- 2003 MG TF 135
- 2010 BMW 330i Coupe
- 1988 Porsche 944 2.5 Lux
- 1998 BMW 528i SE
- 2009 Z4 Coupe 3.0si
- 1999 Porsche 911
Past Cars
The MG was sporty and great fun. It was supposed to be my girlfriends, I used it a lot.... It’s interesting that I grew up in the 90’s with TVR’s and Lotus’s. Porsches seemed boring to me, but now here I am with no Lotus’s, TVR’s or Jaguars featured in my history. I feel this can be blamed on my love of older cars that can be used.
The Search
For my recent purchase I was heading in the direction of two cars. Porsche’s/Lotus/Westfield alongside an old BMW or Mercedes. I kept being distracted by the allure of a 911. I wanted one but how? Just add water… I read up on the issues with the 996 and see what the real risk is. I did lots of research which could have scared me off, as it has with many. I knew from the moment I first called a dealer to enquire about a 911, that was it. There was no going back, I was buying a 911. It isn't retro but still the allure was too much. I decided I wanted a subtle grey or black (maybe dark blue), manual, rear drive, coupe. I wanted something simple and relatively focused, preferably cable actuated throttle and no driver aids (earlier 3.4 pre facelift). There were a lot of 996’s for sale but I was quite shocked by how few I was left with, with these filters.
The Car
Then I found this car, no LSD but basic, original and straight. I noted some issues on inspecting it which I used to haggle the price down with. The car had 2 previous owners, good service history. A specialists inspection showed the engine to be in good health which has meant I have yet to spend the money set aside for engine work. I like older cars so enjoy the tape player etc and have no thoughts to change anything such as this. Maybe if I keep it long enough it will feel retro?
Where she has been
I have only had the car around a month now but have taken it on two track days, the first being a rather wet a slippery airfield style day at Woodbridge and the second at Snetterton yesterday. I was impressed with the cars handling, steering feel and progressive rear end. The car is much easier to control than suspected, the wet airfield being a great place to learn the limits.
Plans
As to be expected with a car of this age and 99k miles on it there are items which are a little tired and need replacing. I've worked my way through a good amount so far and intend and bringing the car up to a good original standard. This has included replacing a couple hoses (oil leak), coolant expansion tank (coolant leak), front lower suspension arms (bushes/ball joint). I have also replaced the corroded standard exhaust silencers with Dansk sport items, this has improved the sound over the standard quiet items without going too far. The car currently has the original non sport suspension. Future work will include new suspension suited to track and road, I may go for the official Porsche sport kit or something a touch lower and and stiffer. Also an LSD at some point as well as re-tango'ing. Other than that I will be keeping the car very standard and original. I quite like the originally optioned 18" wheels.
1999 Porsche 911 3.4 (C2, Rear Drive)
Thanks
Parmley
Edited by parmley on Sunday 7th December 17:02
Edited by parmley on Sunday 7th December 17:11
Edited by parmley on Sunday 7th December 18:14
JohnnyD1999 said:
Really love the car mate, have been seriously considering one of these myself with exactly the same criteria as yours, looks like you've found a beauty! How do you find the overal performance on road and track? What other changes (if any) do you plan to make?
I find the car feels great on the road but really makes sense when you push it on track or where possible on a country lane. The steering is just wonderful. I have done a few track days in a Lotus Exige S2 in the past, it's not as special and focused as the Exige but I think I am having a little more fun in the 911 at my driving skill level. Once past the limit you have time to control it instead of all grip then total spin. Especially in the wet the 911 is great fun on track, the traction with the engine over the driven wheels is immense. Great fun accelerating out of corners. The acceleration feels ample for for road and track, I wanted something in line with or faster than a e46 M3 (popular track choice).I think the standard comfort suspension is a little soft for fast road and track, though saying that with our road conditions a lot of people will think it is great. The sports suspension is 10mm lower and a little stiffer. I may go slightly lower and stiffer with an Ohlins suspension kit.
Apart from the suspension and LSD mentioned the only other modifications I would make are the seats. They are too flat for track driving, I would like something with a little more lateral support but may struggle to find something that won't spoil the original look and feel. The standard seats are comfortable too which is useful as its my only car and I do a fair amount of miles. I would say my intentions for the car are standard Carrera with a hint of GT3. Naturally aspirated and great handling.
I do have little day dreams now and again about a 3.9 litre engine rebuild to go with the suspension but that would be something for the distant future if I kept it long term.
Sounds like you have good plans for it. Are you referring to the Ohlins DFV kit? If so that looks like a great bit of kit and from what I can work out should still be more than usable day to day on the road if setup properly. As you say seats can be tricky to balance OEM feel with more security during spirited driving, Maybe some black, Recaro speeds/SR's or even standered sports seats might offer a little more support?
Has your car had any history of IMS upgrade or a clutch change?
Has your car had any history of IMS upgrade or a clutch change?
Edited by JohnnyD1999 on Sunday 7th December 20:21
Yes that is the Ohlins units I am looking at. http://www.roadandtrackbyohlins.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/ohlins_prodnews_201304_rt-auto_porsche_9961.pdf
Also JRZ now do some road and track systems, I am just waiting to see how the cost compares. JRZ RS.
Also JRZ now do some road and track systems, I am just waiting to see how the cost compares. JRZ RS.
parmley said:
I think the standard comfort suspension is a little soft for fast road and track, though saying that with our road conditions a lot of people will think it is great. The sports suspension is 10mm lower and a little stiffer. I may go slightly lower and stiffer with an Ohlins suspension kit.
Apart from the suspension and LSD mentioned the only other modifications I would make are the seats. They are too flat for track driving, I would like something with a little more lateral support but may struggle to find something that won't spoil the original look and feel. The standard seats are comfortable too which is useful as its my only car and I do a fair amount of miles. I would say my intentions for the car are standard Carrera with a hint of GT3. Naturally aspirated and great handling.
I eventually fitted M030 sports suspension and GT3 seats to my 996.2. The suspension transformed the car without making it unreasonable for the road, and I personally found the seats incredibly comfortable. GT3 seats are fairly easy to find on Ebay, and although they're not cheap it's pretty easy to sell them later for most of what you paid for them (although I kept them and installed them in the Cayman that followed the 996)Apart from the suspension and LSD mentioned the only other modifications I would make are the seats. They are too flat for track driving, I would like something with a little more lateral support but may struggle to find something that won't spoil the original look and feel. The standard seats are comfortable too which is useful as its my only car and I do a fair amount of miles. I would say my intentions for the car are standard Carrera with a hint of GT3. Naturally aspirated and great handling.
NNH said:
I eventually fitted M030 sports suspension and GT3 seats to my 996.2. The suspension transformed the car without making it unreasonable for the road, and I personally found the seats incredibly comfortable. GT3 seats are fairly easy to find on Ebay, and although they're not cheap it's pretty easy to sell them later for most of what you paid for them (although I kept them and installed them in the Cayman that followed the 996)
The M030 kit is very tempting, currently you can have it fitted, full alignment etc for £1,400I am intrigued by the GT3 seats but unsure on how they would affect access to the rear seats? I do use them occasionally.
parmley said:
NNH said:
I eventually fitted M030 sports suspension and GT3 seats to my 996.2. The suspension transformed the car without making it unreasonable for the road, and I personally found the seats incredibly comfortable. GT3 seats are fairly easy to find on Ebay, and although they're not cheap it's pretty easy to sell them later for most of what you paid for them (although I kept them and installed them in the Cayman that followed the 996)
The M030 kit is very tempting, currently you can have it fitted, full alignment etc for £1,400I am intrigued by the GT3 seats but unsure on how they would affect access to the rear seats? I do use them occasionally.
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