996 Service Intervals

[fidgits]

I'm thinking of taking the plunge and getting a 98/99 996...

But can anyone tell me the service intervals and costs? (both Porsche and independant).

Also, I'm looking at the cars in the 25K range, am I only going to find dogs at this price? or can i get a reasonable car?

[magic torch]

Definitely get it OPC inspected, and then a Porsche warranty £725.

If you're not too worried about spec you should get a good one at that price.

Have a look at some of the Indies web-sites for service prices.

Good luck.

[nervous]

fidgits said:

I'm thinking of taking the plunge and getting a 98/99 996... But can anyone tell me the service intervals and costs? (both Porsche and independant). Also, I'm looking at the cars in the 25K range, am I only going to find dogs at this price? or can i get a reasonable car?

if you can stretch your budget, my C4 is up for sale and its a really nice one, not too far from your price range either (just been serviced too) www.pistonheads.com/sales/75076.htm

ask around on here, the folks that have seen it will tell you its a good un

[DucatiGary]

fidgits, buy mine and i'll buy nervy's

deal?

you dont want his anyways, wooo feature car in EVO, woo famous previous owner, wooooo exclusive high spec.

WOOOO

[fidgits]

oooh, that is a nice one nervous...

the only downsides are I need to get rid of my IS200 first (so i was tempted to be lazy and do the trade-in) and im down near bristol, so a far distance to you.
(although my brother is up that way, hmmm)

[nervous]

well, mail me if youd like some more pics or to talk about it chum. bristols not that far for the right car

[DucatiGary]

also service intervals are 12k or 1 year for a minor and 24k or 2 years for the major.

I paid 280 for the last one (minor) at OPC and the major I think is about 380.

[fidgits]

damn, thats not much more than my IS!

and is yours up in the classifieds Andy?

[fidgits]

nervous said:

well, mail me if youd like some more pics or to talk about it chum. bristols not that far for the right car

thanks, I realise its only a few hours, and i guess in this market you should be prepared to travel for the right car, its just im really busy with work for the rest of the month, and if im going to make the move, i want to do so before i hit 60k in the Lexus and have the BIG service.

One question though, is the sports exhaust very loud?

[magic torch]

Got to be prepared to travel for the right car.

Although if you get it professionally inspected, you may not need to travel until you collect it.

Just a thought.

[fidgits]

I havent actually driven a 996 yet, so I was hoping to find something closer to home to make sure I can fit in and like the way they drive before spending money on inspections.

[nervous]

fidgits said:

One question though, is the sports exhaust very loud?

not at all. its just free's up a more tuneful sound when you want it, ie when pressing on. its a tuned tone rather than a noise like from other 'sports' exhausts.

plus, i live in a tiny little village in the end of nowhere, if i had a loud exhaust theyd truss me up like the wicker man.

[nervous]

fidgits said:

I havent actually driven a 996 yet, so I was hoping to find something closer to home to make sure I can fit in it

if it helps, im 6 ft 4 and built like a brick latrine and my 996 is the comfiest car ive ever driven.

[magic torch]

Try a few out C2, C4, manual, tippy thing, etc.

When you know what you're looking for, have a scout nationally.

Get a professional to inspect, and decide from that. The OPC inspection picks up minor things such as a missing spare fuse. Also worth speaking to the place that last serviced it.

Sports exhausts sound

[fidgits]

Ahhh...

I'm 5'4" and can 'just' reach the pedals in a TVR Chimera (opposite problem to you mate!)

plus, I guess the only 'boot' space is under the bonnet - how much do you reckon you could get in there?
(i need to be able to fit at least a carry-on and briefcase)

[DucatiGary]

was funny, when i bought mine (was my first car also) I seen one that looked nice on autotrader, went to see it, the guy wouldent take it out his garage (cos it was raining) said Ill have it anyways, so he took me out but wouldent let me drive it till I either shown insurance or give him the cash.

I didnt faff about just bought the thing, and never looked back

there are a few dogs out there now, but still alot of good ones too but youll find the good ones have had all the consumables replaced in the past 18 months (disks clutch etc etc) so theses will command more money than the driven but not looked after cars, youll find the best ones will be private sale, anyone that has looked after a car like this will not want to take a 5-7 grand hit by trading or giving it to a dealer.

[DucatiGary]

being a short arse wont be any problem in them, and as for space I do the shopping in mine most weekends (just for the excuse to drive her again)

[nervous]

well, my missus is 5 ft 4 and she drives it no problems at all. so thats not a problem.

and i have to carry a ton of gear for my job and the c4 happily swallows all of it. the boot is more than enough for a carry on and the space behind the seats in the back is big too. more even if you fold down the seats.

for example, this last month i have been running the 'junior engineers for Britain' contest, which is sponsored by k'nex. for this i have to carry around 24 massive boxes of knex, and they all fitted in the Porsche, with enough space for me and my equally over-sized colleague. when i last ran the contest two years ago and i had an Audi s3 i had to put some of them on the front seat to get them all in.

[ballcock]

fidgits said:

Ahhh... I'm 5'4" and can 'just' reach the pedals in a TVR Chimera (opposite problem to you mate!) plus, I guess the only 'boot' space is under the bonnet - how much do you reckon you could get in there? (i need to be able to fit at least a carry-on and briefcase)

I bring carry on to work every day

The normal Samsonite type wheelie bin fits the front compartment nicely , with room to spare for ,say , a collapsible type carry bag or possibly a briefcase. If you've a flight case type thing , it sits in the passenger foot-well , on the back seat or back seat down , under the rear window ... There's no end of options.
To give you an idea , my wife and I plus 2 chislers have headed off for weekend breaks in it , we even managed to fit some spare socks and jocks!!

Edited cause I fecked up de wink.

>> Edited by ballcock on Saturday 6th May 20:55

[fidgits]

Can anyone comment on the C2 convertable..?

is there a lot of body flex and scuttle shake? does performance suffer a lot from the extra weight? are they just for footballers?