993 -Keep as original or upgrade?
993 -Keep as original or upgrade?
Author
Discussion

stouffer

Original Poster:

200 posts

262 months

Tuesday 25th October 2005
quotequote all
I'm now the proud owner of a 993 C2 in midnight blue (96) with only 23K on the clock. 1 previous lady owner!
Full OPCSH and good spec. Sports seats (heated & Hard backed) a/c, sunroof, 3rd brake light (tiptronic- for those who consider it a bonus, 'balls' to those who don't!)sound upgrade (i've fitted an Alpine ipod compatible CD player which is awesome incidentally) etc.

After a bit of TLC, all trolley bumps have been removed from the doors(it literally did the weekly supermarket run in Hampstead). After a general 'tidy up' of the paintwork it has left her looking like new.
The alloys, 17in cups are pretty much unmarked (amazing I know, sorry ladies)and keep the car looking like when it left the factory.
Ninemesiter commented that the mechanics of the car are in amazing condition and the engine looks like new. So what's my point?

Do I keep her as original with the original wheels and exhaust system or do I upgrade? I know it's down to personal choice but has anyone else faced this same dilemma?
The wheels look a bit 'tall' if you know what I mean after 18 in Carrera's with low profiles on my Boxster S. Should I change to say 18inch sport design or turbo's as an example? What works withs with a Midnight blue 993 C2?
-Should I lower the vehicle?
-Sports exhaust? Not so it's uncomfortably loud at low speeds but 'sings' when the revs kick in sounds appealing?

I know I need to make my own choices but as I say, interested in all of your diverse opinions and especially from you 993 owners who've either upgraded or left well alone?

If I do go for wheels, any experience of PWS or Jasmine up here in the North West?

Cheers folks in anticipation of your time!


patrico

348 posts

278 months

Tuesday 25th October 2005
quotequote all
stouffer said:
If I do go for wheels, any experience of PWS or Jasmine up here in the North West?


Personally I love Sport Classic 2's on the 993 and I hear good things about Jasmine.

Pickled Piper

6,451 posts

262 months

Tuesday 25th October 2005
quotequote all
There are some basic mods that you could consider that will enhance the vehicle without detracting from its origibnal condition;

I would recommend the following:-

HID (Xenon) Headlamp upgrade- The original headlamps are on par with a 6volt Beetle.

RSR Exhausts - These are good value and based on the original exhaust. Sound very good IMO. (Do a search for other opinions)

Suspension upgrade. I haven't done this yet. The general consensus is that the original shock absorbers deteriorate very quickly.

I think the above would not detract from the vehicle and if / when you come to sell it most buyers "in the know" would consider them as enhancements.

Enjoy!

pp

verysideways

10,268 posts

299 months

Tuesday 25th October 2005
quotequote all
Congrats, sounds like a deeply yummy car!

I've had RSR's on both my n/a 993's (£300), and a motorsound airbox cover (£80), and here's the link to my HID install (vital!):
www.verysideways.com/live/pages/hi

Other than that, if the standard shocks have had it (with that low mileage?) buy something along the lines of Bilstein HD's.

I wouldn't lower the suspension on a 993 C2 personally, but if you do get a front protection bar to protect the PU (www.carnewal.com)

Wheels? I really like the Carrera '02 five blade design on a 993 C2, like this:



IMHO, etc.

VS
(now on 993 number 3, i guess i'm addicted)


>> Edited by verysideways on Tuesday 25th October 23:13

aceparts_com

3,724 posts

268 months

Tuesday 25th October 2005
quotequote all
Defo do the Xenon upgrade - I just did my car - ironic as I sell lights for a living!

Oh, upgrade to those nice oval side repeaters

Finally, drop in a 6 speed box.

manek

2,978 posts

311 months

Tuesday 25th October 2005
quotequote all
Agree about the HIDs. I did that on my 993 and it makes a HUGE difference...

taipan

20 posts

263 months

Tuesday 25th October 2005
quotequote all
Hi there.

I've got a 993 C2 which has had some (I consider) nice mods done by a previous owner. 18" BBS LeMans alloys look the absolute busines, RS splitters and spoiler, and for the soundtrack a K&N with open airbox. I don't know if this adds much to the performance (probably not) but it certainly lets you know when you've got to 5000 rpm. Nowhere the cost of an exhaust either.

Having gone from a BMW M Coupe to the 993 I have to say that I am really into the Porsche. I'm sure it is overall a bit slower but every journey is just such an event.

All the best , Martin.

Shed17

246 posts

263 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
Would agree on the HID's, personally prefer the Maxflo's to the RSR's as they are just better

Get the suspension seen too and take down to M030 height. If you are going to Colin at 9M he supplies matched Bilstein dampers and springs.

Could also consider a remap of the ECU, again 9M would get my recommendation.

993SC

292 posts

260 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
Bolt on supercharger.

Then if you want to sell the car later on you can remove the blower and have it original again (assuming the new buyer wanted it original etc etc).

I do believe Mr 9M has done a few of these conversions...

stouffer

Original Poster:

200 posts

262 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
Thanks folks, very much appreciated.
I like the sound of the RSR's and possibly an upgrade of the suspension.
Wheels, you've got me thinking verysideways! I always loved the Carreras on my Bosxter s. Ummm, decisions decisions.

I've put clear indicators on the front and side repeaters and this really brings the car into the millenium in my opinion.

Ohh and thanks for the 'drop a six speed box in' comment. Harsh but fair! Now where's my handbag and make up?

I'm going to give Colin a call (Ninemeister). I'd highly recommend these chaps to anyone. Thanks again folks.

GuyR

2,536 posts

309 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
Does anyone sell/install Xenons in the UK for 993s?

The reason I ask is that I just bought a 993 C2 Cabriolet Handbagtronic (sorry Tip...) as a runabout.

Guy

roygarth

2,674 posts

275 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
Presume answer is no but are there any replacement 'Hi-Power bulbs' that will improve 993 headlamps?

danww

6,914 posts

257 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
Guy et al,

Several people sell a Xenon upgrade kit for 993s, e.g. 9M, for about 300 quid.

http://tinyurl.com/ajwbp

Re. install, I imagine pretty much any competent independent could do it. If you ask VS he'll probably say you can do it yourself with one arm tied behind your back ...

Dan

danww

6,914 posts

257 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
Regarding the upgrade question, I've been thinking about this as well, and I would say:

1. as long as whatever you do is reversible and you keep all the original parts it probably doesn't matter much what you do

2. whatever you do should be tasteful (this may conflict with 1. of course)

3. performance upgrades, I think you either leave it pretty much as is or go berserk with a supercharger or RUF conversion (this last probably does conflict with 1.)

Clear lenses, def. worth doing (incl. repeaters)
Lowering, I think the standard C2 does ride rather high
Wheels - I like the originals so would leave as is
Xenons - probably worth doing, but haven't done it yet, I'm a bit worried that precious luggage space will be lost

Dan

verysideways

10,268 posts

299 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
danww said:
Re. install, I imagine pretty much any competent independent could do it. If you ask VS he'll probably say you can do it yourself with one arm tied behind your back ...


Dan, you know me too well... it's pretty easy to install, as i said have a look at my hid install page and i did it in such a way that it was very quickly and easily reversible - if, on the way to Le Mans, you lose a HID bulb, you could switch back to a normal bulb in about 3 minutes. No loss of luggage space, it's all in the wing Dan.

Pickled Piper

6,451 posts

262 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
GuyR said:
Does anyone sell/install Xenons in the UK for 993s?

The reason I ask is that I just bought a 993 C2 Cabriolet Handbagtronic (sorry Tip...) as a runabout.

Guy


I'm not sure about upgrades specific to the 993. I believe you can buy the official Porsche Litronics kit for big money. However, there are several suppliers of generic H1 kits. These are not rocket science to fit.

I got mine from HID-Online.com.

Lots of fitting instructions on here and also on Rennlist. If you don't trust yourself get a garage to do it.

pp

danww

6,914 posts

257 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
verysideways said:

No loss of luggage space, it's all in the wing Dan.


Ah, is it? All the ones I've seen (when looking) had a sort of flat square box (can you tell I'm technical?)mounted against the inner wing inside the front luggage area.

:thinkingcap:

abarber

1,701 posts

268 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
After a few years, all the crap that builds up behind the lense plus degrading bulbs make the headlights pretty hopeless.

I cleaned out the Lenses (very ease, see p-car diy), and fitted Osram Silverstar +50 bulbs. Massive improvement, now plenty good enough for me and no need to modify / cut holes in the headlight unit. All for about £50.

Al.

david hype

2,296 posts

279 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
Not much more to add except that old slippery slope thing again...

993 modification is seriously damaging to your wallet!

I have a garage full of the original bits from my 993 and a car that I prefer over the standard one that I bought five years ago.

I will probably never get the cost of the modifications back, but WTF I like it.

D!

993_C2S

216 posts

253 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
Pickled Piper said:
There are some basic mods that you could consider that will enhance the vehicle without detracting from its origibnal condition;

I would recommend the following:-

HID (Xenon) Headlamp upgrade- The original headlamps are on par with a 6volt Beetle.

RSR Exhausts - These are good value and based on the original exhaust. Sound very good IMO. (Do a search for other opinions)

Suspension upgrade. I haven't done this yet. The general consensus is that the original shock absorbers deteriorate very quickly.

I think the above would not detract from the vehicle and if / when you come to sell it most buyers "in the know" would consider them as enhancements.

Enjoy!

pp


Absolutely spot on advice. RSRs -