1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 (996) Manual

Highlights

• Early production ‘C4’ coupe

• M030 suspension 

• Numerous desirable options

• OE BBS split wheels

• Great colour combination

Overview

Often cited as the benchmark sports car for all-round usability, performance and lineage, the Porsche 911 has evolved significantly over the years, from the early air-cooled cars up to the latest hybrid iterations, yet it has retained its unmistakable silhouette and rear-mounted engine throughout, and has earned itself a fiercely loyal following throughout its lifetime.

The 996-era was the first of the 911s to introduce water-cooling for Porsche’s iconic flat-six engine architecture, offered in 3.4 (pre-facelift) and 3.6-litre (post-facelift) guises, with the facelift car also gaining some minor styling revisions. Whilst there was a period that the latter was preferable to enthusiasts, the original 996 design with so-called ‘runny egg’ headlights have now come back to the fore for those looking for the purest 996 experience, which is exactly what we have here. 

Finished in the classic combination of Lapis Blue metallic over a light grey interior, this 996 boasts a number of desirable factory options, and would make for an ideal engaging daily driver or weekend toy for any Porsche enthusiast with the added security of being usable in all weathers thanks to being an all-wheel-drive Carrera 4 model.

History and documentation

• First registered 11 Dec 1998

• UK-delivered ‘C16’ code car

• Desirable ‘M030’ code sports suspension

• Specified with a number of optional extras, including hard-shell sports seats (375/376), headlight washers (288), a three-spoke steering wheel (436), cruise control (454), and a sunroof (650)

• Stamped service record as follows: Jan 2000 @ 4,187 miles, Jan 2001 @ 6,771 miles, Nov 2001 @ 9,575 miles, Apr 2003 @ 10,980 miles, Mar 2004 @ 13,650 miles, Mar 2005 @ 18,663 miles, Mar 2006 @ 21,906 miles, Mar 2008 @ 33,592 miles, Mar 2009 @ 44,091 miles, Mar 2015 @ 81,920 miles, Jan 2016 @ 87,237 miles, Mar 2019 @ 89,134 miles, Oct 2021 @ 98,392 miles, Jul 2023 @ 101,280 miles

• Brake fluid changes recorded as follows: Apr 2003 @ 10,989 miles, Apr 2006 @ 21,906 miles, Mar 2008 @ 33,592 miles, Mar 2015 @ 81,920 miles

• Collection of invoices, with the seller stating that they have every service invoice from new

• Two keys, plus the lesser-seen third ‘emergency’ key

• Current MOT expires 04 Mar 2026, with advisories for worn front brake discs - the seller reports that this was surface corrosion due to lack of use and that this has now gone, after some use!

• V5 present in owner’s name

• Complete tool kit and collapsible spare wheel

• Fitment of 4x ‘coffin’ arms, both lower rear arms and alignment carried out Oct 2021

• Air-conditioning condensers and 1x radiator replaced Jun 2022

• HPI clear

Interior

• Grey leather interior in excellent condition throughout

• Small marks to high-traffic areas such as the door cards, steering wheel and shifter

• Light scratches to the rear of the hard-shelled sports seats

• Slight patination to the front seat leather and outer bolsters

• An aftermarket Alpine double-din stereo has been fitted

• The HVAC controls have been re-located due to fitment of the stereo (a common 996 modification) and an additional storage cubby has been installed in the centre console

• Elsewhere, there are a few scratches visible to the door pulls and the frunk/bonnet opening levers 

• The factory sunroof is said to be in full working order with no water ingress issues

• Up front, the luggage compartment is clean and tidy throughout

• No reported faults from the seller

Exterior

• Finished in Lapis Blue Metallic, this 996 presents very well indeed, and has recently been professionally detailed

• The bodywork looks straight-and-true throughout, and we can see no sign of any impact damage

• Looking closer, there appears to be a few scuffs on the black lower front bumper splitter, along with gravel rash to the rears of all four arches

• The usual smattering of stone chips to the front end/mirror caps are to be noted

• Being particular, we also noted that the inner black trims for the front bumper have faded

• All four of the rare and desirable OE BBS split-rim alloy wheels are in excellent condition, and are wrapped in correct Porsche N-rated tyres

Mechanical

• 3.4-litre water-cooled flat-six ‘M96’ engine, producing 296bhp

• Six-speed manual gearbox

• All-wheel drive ‘Carrera 4’

• The seller states that this 996 is “totally original” and has not been modified

• The engine bay looks to be in good order, though there’s little on show in the rear of a 996!

• No reported faults or mechanical issues

Summary

Here in the UK, we often have bouts of very… ‘British’ weather, which can put a spanner in the works if you plan to enjoy your high-performance car; not so with a Carrera 4, which offers all-weather thrills and added safety through its all-wheel drive system and PSM stability management.

This example is finished in one of the best colours for the 996 (in our view, anyway) and boasts several desirable optional extras, making it a very tempting prospect indeed for anyone looking to add a late 90s / early 00s icon to their collection or driveway. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Muir of Ord, Highland County, nr Inverness.