New Owner - C2 996
Discussion
Hi,
I've just purchased an early c2 996 and am finding out more about the car as I work the sponge around it.
There is a random cable in the rear passenger footwell that comes from under the rear seat area with an electrical connector block on the end. I found it under the rear floor mat. Does anyone have any idea what this could be wired to?
The car is in my RR thread.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Early days but I can see what all the fuss is about! Looking forward to getting some decent drives in and some good photos. The engine is amazing.
I've just purchased an early c2 996 and am finding out more about the car as I work the sponge around it.
There is a random cable in the rear passenger footwell that comes from under the rear seat area with an electrical connector block on the end. I found it under the rear floor mat. Does anyone have any idea what this could be wired to?
The car is in my RR thread.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Early days but I can see what all the fuss is about! Looking forward to getting some decent drives in and some good photos. The engine is amazing.
Edited by mmcd87 on Tuesday 15th November 12:22
Hi,
It's a 1998 3.4L C2. I bought privately. The car has had quite a bit of work done over the years, lots of history, etc.
I wanted an early one for the cable throttle and no bodykit. I figured an early C2 996 would be as close to old skool porsche as you can go whilst still being affordable and having decent performance. Love the amber lights as well.
The 3.4L seems to get bad press but the way it goes and sounds is just fantastic. It feels fast. Perfect on road performance with a manual gearbox. Mines had the IMS done by the last owner but the dual row bearings on the early ones seem ok.
Makes you smile when you open the garage. An equivalent Boxster is literally half the price though if you still wanted to drop the roof. Saying that the sunroof on the 911 is pretty good.
It's a 1998 3.4L C2. I bought privately. The car has had quite a bit of work done over the years, lots of history, etc.
I wanted an early one for the cable throttle and no bodykit. I figured an early C2 996 would be as close to old skool porsche as you can go whilst still being affordable and having decent performance. Love the amber lights as well.
The 3.4L seems to get bad press but the way it goes and sounds is just fantastic. It feels fast. Perfect on road performance with a manual gearbox. Mines had the IMS done by the last owner but the dual row bearings on the early ones seem ok.
Makes you smile when you open the garage. An equivalent Boxster is literally half the price though if you still wanted to drop the roof. Saying that the sunroof on the 911 is pretty good.
I found mine by chance really looking on and off. It's not perfect but seems very clean and honest, very good for its age.
The engine is amazing. My last car was an Impreza STI and the Porsche feels no slower despite the power and particularly torque drop. Lighter car though obviously but I wasn't expecting it to feel so punchy! Big change of character over last few thousand rpm is great fun.
It's got Dansk 300s backboxes which I'm told sound amazing at full chat
The engine is amazing. My last car was an Impreza STI and the Porsche feels no slower despite the power and particularly torque drop. Lighter car though obviously but I wasn't expecting it to feel so punchy! Big change of character over last few thousand rpm is great fun.
It's got Dansk 300s backboxes which I'm told sound amazing at full chat
I have all the old Evo Magazine reviews, and also bought the Autocar 911 review book which is a good secondhand buy off Amazon. It's interesting to compare C2, C4 and PSM system.
PSM sounds like a very nice to have. Both magazines loved the C4 with it fitted and said it didn't interfere much at all. But I liked the idea of less complexity and like I said before, really wanted that cable throttle. Response is instant.
I wouldn't have turned down a good 3.6L with the right history. A good C4 also sounds like it would be equally as good, being still rear biast, but easier to drive with confidence.
PSM sounds like a very nice to have. Both magazines loved the C4 with it fitted and said it didn't interfere much at all. But I liked the idea of less complexity and like I said before, really wanted that cable throttle. Response is instant.
I wouldn't have turned down a good 3.6L with the right history. A good C4 also sounds like it would be equally as good, being still rear biast, but easier to drive with confidence.
dellyend1 said:
Great Stuff ! I've had my 1998 996 C2 since May and absolutely love the thing. Was slightly worried having come from TVRs that I'd miss the noise, grunt and madness but I have to say 4 months on and I am still pinching myself that i have such a great looking and capable car in the garage that goes like the clappers and sounds awesome.
I've just seen a picture of yours in your airbox thread. Colour combo looks great! What spec is yours? Did you install the factory airbox back in?Very similar spec. Mine has: -
Sport package - sport seats, LSD, M030 suspension
Traction control
18" alloy wheels
3 spoke steering wheel
Uprated Hi-fi sound system
Trip computer
Only thing I wish it had was cruise control, but can't be too fussy. It's harder to add on the cable throttle cars I believe.
Keen to delete the rear wiper and centre console. I spotted a few Cyprus import cars without the rear wiper and it looks better I think and would save a bit of weight. Also some uprated headlamp bulbs are definitely needed!
If the car has an aftermarket head unit, will this likely still be using the porsche amplifier?
Sport package - sport seats, LSD, M030 suspension
Traction control
18" alloy wheels
3 spoke steering wheel
Uprated Hi-fi sound system
Trip computer
Only thing I wish it had was cruise control, but can't be too fussy. It's harder to add on the cable throttle cars I believe.
Keen to delete the rear wiper and centre console. I spotted a few Cyprus import cars without the rear wiper and it looks better I think and would save a bit of weight. Also some uprated headlamp bulbs are definitely needed!
If the car has an aftermarket head unit, will this likely still be using the porsche amplifier?
Car is Ocean Blue with Metropol blue interior. Interior colour really makes the car feel special and I'd highly recommended it if it works with the exterior colour.
Seats feel great to me. I did a 6hr drive in them on the way back and had no real complaints. Driver and passenger adjust for height and reach manually, and electrically recline. I wouldn't turn a car down for not having them however, you need to buy these cars on condition and not spec.
Seats feel great to me. I did a 6hr drive in them on the way back and had no real complaints. Driver and passenger adjust for height and reach manually, and electrically recline. I wouldn't turn a car down for not having them however, you need to buy these cars on condition and not spec.
AlasdairB10 said:
Excellent thread - so much wise buying from everyone.
Hope the OP doesn't mind but here's mine which I picked up about a month ago. 02, 70k miles, manual, metropol with no psm or sunroof. Like most right now I was ideally after a 3.4l 014 car (so I'm a little envious of the OP) but the ones I looked at were overpriced and under looked after. I'm developing its upgrade program at the moment but console/PCM delete, milltek back boxes and PSS10s are on the list.
Not at all, it would be good to see some more pics if you have. Yours looks spot on!Hope the OP doesn't mind but here's mine which I picked up about a month ago. 02, 70k miles, manual, metropol with no psm or sunroof. Like most right now I was ideally after a 3.4l 014 car (so I'm a little envious of the OP) but the ones I looked at were overpriced and under looked after. I'm developing its upgrade program at the moment but console/PCM delete, milltek back boxes and PSS10s are on the list.
I was keen for no sunroof but can't be too fussy and I actually quite like it now I've got it.
Minor update. The car needed a service, so ordered the below. A service kit from FrazerPart and some uprated Osram Night Breaker 'Unlimited' bulbs (a set for both main and full beam): -
The kit came with spark plugs as well but they were changed not long ago according to the history I have on the car so I left them be!
The usual oil debate resulted in a phonecall to Hartech and the recommendation of the below, purchased from Opie Oils. I then got a filter socket from Halfords.
Worst item was the cabin filter - worth checking yours!
The headlight bulbs on the car had been 'upgraded' around 10 years ago (I'm a nerd with Google) with some HID effect bulbs on the main beam, which made me glad when I realised it may not have been my eyes failing after all. You can see the difference from them to the new Osrams.
The Osrams are such good value I did the full beams also. Light performance is pretty impressive compared to stock.
And colour difference to the original fog lights.
Still in one piece
On the to do list is new wipers are the originals are past their best.
The kit came with spark plugs as well but they were changed not long ago according to the history I have on the car so I left them be!
The usual oil debate resulted in a phonecall to Hartech and the recommendation of the below, purchased from Opie Oils. I then got a filter socket from Halfords.
Worst item was the cabin filter - worth checking yours!
The headlight bulbs on the car had been 'upgraded' around 10 years ago (I'm a nerd with Google) with some HID effect bulbs on the main beam, which made me glad when I realised it may not have been my eyes failing after all. You can see the difference from them to the new Osrams.
The Osrams are such good value I did the full beams also. Light performance is pretty impressive compared to stock.
And colour difference to the original fog lights.
Still in one piece
On the to do list is new wipers are the originals are past their best.
IknowJoseph said:
eastsider said:
PIAA
Got a good source of these?Jay-44 said:
I'm new to 996 ownership having owned many many cars and classic cars i got into my first PORSCHE and love it to bits, its a 2001 3.4 C2 77k miles with a really nice history file lots of nice options inc PSM, PSE, Heated Black leather sports seats, just had full Koni suspension set up 997 short shift. this is a keeper.
Booking it in to PARR for a service and i have many subtle plans for it, can not wait!
Cheers and love all the 996's on this thread guys
Jay is it the Koni Sport kit your car is fitted with, with the adjustable shocks? How is it ride quality wise etc? Have you adjusted it much? It is high on my list if I decide to refresh the suspension in future as the Koni stuff seems good quality and it has H&R springs I believe - again decent reputation. Would be good to get an opinion.Booking it in to PARR for a service and i have many subtle plans for it, can not wait!
Cheers and love all the 996's on this thread guys
As stated before the old wipers were in a sorry state, and a bit of research led only to some first world Porsche owner problems. The PIAA wipers are hard to obtain for a sensible price now and the general tone of the internet suggested that the Bosch ones are generally a bit of a compromise, needing spoilers flipped, are wrong hand drive, etc. I decided to ignore this and see for myself, as the old wipers on my car were already Bosch stamped... I went for Bosch 582S kit on the front, and a new Bosch 'Super Plus' rear for little over £20 delivered from Ebay.
So here are the wipers. Note the new spoiler design on the drivers side, now metal and part of the wiper body. Also note the curved passenger blade.
Drivers side was indeed set up for wrong wheel drive, but you literally have to reverse the wiper centre clip 180deg and all is well. Just pops out with your thumb.
Picture of them fitted on the car. Looks good, looks OEM which is what I was after.
To celebrate I gave the car a wash and took it out for a drive with the clear day we had.
So here are the wipers. Note the new spoiler design on the drivers side, now metal and part of the wiper body. Also note the curved passenger blade.
Drivers side was indeed set up for wrong wheel drive, but you literally have to reverse the wiper centre clip 180deg and all is well. Just pops out with your thumb.
Picture of them fitted on the car. Looks good, looks OEM which is what I was after.
To celebrate I gave the car a wash and took it out for a drive with the clear day we had.
Edited by mmcd87 on Sunday 6th November 14:36
Small update. I spend an unhealthy amount of time searching these forums so decided to show some support.
I also wanted a keyring. Staying away from the usual Porsche design ones I went with this for something a bit different.
My passenger side air vent looked broken since I bought the car, as all the horizontal slats were loose and didn't move up and down together. It turned out there was a banana shaped clip that had somehow come off inside the vent. With the vent out the car and a pair of pliers I managed to clip it back in to all the slats - better than a new vent!
The vent comes out with 3 screws - you can see the position of them by the pink tabs.
I also wanted a keyring. Staying away from the usual Porsche design ones I went with this for something a bit different.
My passenger side air vent looked broken since I bought the car, as all the horizontal slats were loose and didn't move up and down together. It turned out there was a banana shaped clip that had somehow come off inside the vent. With the vent out the car and a pair of pliers I managed to clip it back in to all the slats - better than a new vent!
The vent comes out with 3 screws - you can see the position of them by the pink tabs.
Edited by mmcd87 on Sunday 6th November 15:47
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