Porsche 996 C4s

[Stead79]

Hi
Last week I finally managed to buy my realistic (non lottery win) dream car. Here is my 2002 996 C4s in basalt black.




It has covered 84,000 miles and has an amazing service portfolio which has mainly been carried out at PARR. The IMS and RMS and been changed relatively recently, it’s has excellent condition N rated Michelin tyres, recently fitted (and/or replaced) MO30 suspension, the list goes on and on. It also has just had a 3 day ‘wheels off’ ceramic coating. For an 18 year old car I’m over the moon with how it looks.

I went for a test drive and driving back I couldn’t think of a single reason why not to buy it (apart from the horrendous interior but more on that in a minute!). The deal was done and last Thursday I went to collect it. The drive home was sensible mainly because I had these items fitted to the roof .….






That’s right it came with OEM roof box, 2 OEM bike racks, OEM roof rails as well as a fully fitted cover and CTEK battery charger. A little bonus as I had no intention of buying these on their own.

Although the car had been detailed recently it hadn’t been cleaned before me picking it up so on Saturday I spent a few hours cleaning it up and it scrubs up well for a 18 year old car.








So that’s where we stand. I finally have my dream car tucked up in the garage and ready to go at the turn of a key. I’ll be keeping this thread updated as a diary and record about my adventures in it as we go along. It’s the car I’ll be keeping forever…….





About that interior………..

It’s in great condition but for me it’s got to go! I’ve already sourced a full black interior and my first updates on here will be me swapping it over so I have my perfect C4s specification 

[Stead79]

lewisf182 said:

God damn that’s a fine looking thing! Quite like the brown interior but can be a bit much.

These are 100% sure fire classics, one of the best looking 911’s ever. Wish i could have kept mine.

Not sure if yours is manual or auto, if auto the flappy paddle conversion transforms it, as does a topgear exhaust. Mine use to sound like a trumpet when on full throttle ???? miss that car hugely!

Thanks, good spot I didn’t mention the gearbox. There was only one option! It’s a manual

[Stead79]

gizlaroc said:

Liking that a lot.

I really like the savanna interior with the dark carpets etc. I think a black steering wheel would transform it.


Are you Gregs mate?

Yes good detective skills. I'm guessing you're Greg's new boxsters old owner and also a new 996 owner?"

[Stead79]

ATM said:

Nice

Will you sell the Savannah interior or keep hold of it?

If you do plan to sell please let me know.

The old interior will be going but I not 100% when the new one is going in ATM. I'll let you know

[Stead79]

Thanks for the positive comments. It's nice to see there's a lot of love for the 996.

RE the interior, I'm surprised for the amount of love for it TBH, I don't partially have an issue with the seats & door cards but the dash & roof lining combo are particular over powering.

I'm now in possession of the full black interior for this car. I'm not one to scrimp on thing and have gone with an OEM alcantara roof lining and some recently retrimmed alcantara steering wheel, handbrake & gear selector. Subject to my OCD cleaning of the new seats etc all items will all be going in shortly.

As mentioned the car came with a CTEK battery charger/conditioner. I've since purchased the quick release connector which fits discreetly in the 'frunk' allowing it to be connected/disconnected in seconds. It's a nice piece of kit

[Stead79]

With a few days holiday to use up before April and all the items for interior swap collected and cleaned I carried out the swap. It was a little daunting but the conversion went smoothly thanks to the 996 manuals being available online and a few handy YouTube videos.









As you can see I sourced a OEM alcantara roof lining and also recently retrimmed steering wheel, handbrake and gear gaiter. I've also found a manual for the head unit so have full connectivity inc apple car play which will help with the planed euro trip going forward



The cars exactly how I want it now. It's been out on a few essential journeys and brings a massive smile every time it gets into its stride.... I'm looking forward to the world opening up again and using it more and more, Cheers

[Stead79]

lewisf182 said:

Looks a very good effort that !
Making me extremely jealous and reminding me of my old one

Re the headunit, did you have to get expensive fibre conversion type kits, whats the latest with these? A couple years ago it was an expensive job and I ended up splicing in a bluetooth connection to the back of the radio just so I could have my own music.

Thanks, I didn't fit the headunit as it was already in the car. TBH behind it there's a lot going on! From the receipts I know it has a 'Crutchfield ReadyHarness' but that's about all I know. Connectivity to the phone is via cable or Bluetooth. Cheers

[Stead79]

gizlaroc said:

Thanks, the steering wheel etc at actually black but they come out grey in the photos for some reason! Cheers

[Stead79]

gizlaroc said:

Did Jack at Royal do it?

The black I often feel looks too black, but that looks great.

I purchased it from eBay but the items were retrimmed by Royal Steering Wheels in Aylesbury. Is that the same guy/place? I'm impressed with the quality.

Cheers

[Stead79]

9 months on from my last update and how are we getting on? Very very well to be honest. It certainly hasn’t disappointed.

I’ll start with the expenses –
• Front top mounts (common problem)
• Rear silencer to exhaust tip re weld due to split (original system)
• Number plate lights assemblies (corroded)
• Radiator fan resistor (OS cooling fan not working)
• Coolant bottle cap (rev 4 version) - preventative

That’s about it. It’s just worked when I’ve wanted to use it. I can see why people use these every day.

Changes – I can’t believe I’m going here again but I’ve changed the interior again……….
• Wingback seats
• Silver centre console (optional extra)
• Tequipment handbrake (Since recovered in black alcantara)
• Tequipment gearbox (Since recovered in black alcantara)

All items came courtesy of a grey Boxster S I came about owning. Was a very well spec’d car but being a cat C, 13 owners and in poor shape it went on to save many Boxster’s with it’s bits

Upcoming changes –
This car will stay ‘standard’. For me it looks exactly as it should. No lowering, spacers, wiper deletes, engines mods etc but I think I’m on borrowed time with the exhaust. Whilst looking on a forum an ‘as new’ (40 miles on a car) Topgear switchable (remote control) exhaust came up for sale as 2/3rds original cost. I made an offer and it’s now at home. Perfect for me because at a press of a button I can increase the sound and then press it again when I get home and not annoy the neighbors. I can retain the original outlets as well. I’m refraining putting it on as the current one is sounding fine at the moment and also I’m thinking change the manifolds and cats at the same time (they’re all nearly 20 years old now so have seen better days). This isn’t cheap so I’ll save up before I attempt that.

As for the ownership – I’ve used it as much as possible. Run to the shops, popped to the pub, taken the kids out etc. It gets used. Highlight was a trip away with the Mrs around the South of England. Reading – New forest, overnight, New forest to Banbury via Salisbury, Chippenham, Kemble, Moreton-in-Marsh and then back to Reading. All this was avoiding motorways where possible. Car was faultless and most important comfortable. 2022 it’ll be doing some Euro trips if the COVID allows it.

Summing up - couldn’t ask for more TBH. It's fantastic to drive, it's usable and practical. It looks exactly how I wanted it to look after years of wanting to own one. There'll be many, many, many more years of ownership to come




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Edited by Stead79 on Monday 27th December 10:28

[Stead79]

Hereward said:

Was this seat change for comfort or aesthetics?

My current 996 seats don't support me across the shoulder blades enough so I become uncomfortable after 20 mins. It's not just me being weird, I have no such issues with my 4 other cars.

Do you happen to know if a certain type of 996 seat is regarded as more "comfortable" or supportive than another? Thank you.

I changed them because they're the option seat. I didn't have an issue with the standard seat for road driving. Here's both seats side by side. The lower section and lower back section parts seam identical

[Stead79]

Nice to see some interest in the thread. Lots has happened since the last update. Some good (it’s still awesome) and some bad/unexpected (the engine and gearbox have been apart). I’ve also made contact with the previous owner of the car for the last 5 years and have learnt a lot about it. I’ll update this properly shortly when I have chance.

To answer the above questions -

The sunroof is metal so doesn’t let the light through.

I use it as a family car when I have the chance. Kids are 10 & 8. Its no limo!

Cheers