996 advice

[billywhizzzzzz]

I've never been a fan of 996s but they're growing on me - probably because there's a nagging sense that they're unlikely to get any cheaper and they're cheap enough to have sitting there as a spare car to scratch the 911 itch. I have a Z4M that I don't want to sell - I'd considered selling this and getting a 997 but I think a 996 c2 or maybe c4 for winter would be an ideal choice when combined with a Z4MR (and my 2014 Land Rover Defender USW).

So - for my £10 or £12k - what should I expect? There's lots around with history but little mention of seals and oil leaks

Will they be robust to do 5k annually, mainly in winter?

Many thanks

Edited by billywhizzzzzz on Friday 13th February 18:20

[Cayenneand996]

as with all older cars you pay your money and you take your chance

You have to remember you are buying into an older car with the 996 so don't expect perfection, that said they are really good, well made and really good value right now

Pick carefully and drive a few cars to make sure its what you want - Our 996 reminds me of a TVR to drive, but with much better build quality

Clearly, service history, proof of mileage and condition are very important (at least to use to your advantage when negotiating against the car you buy)

With a car this age, to me its about the how the car looks, feels and runs rather than all the stamps in the book, but of course when you come to sell again all the service history become important.

Look for a low mileage example (we bought a genuine 43k miles car recently) they are out there

I hope you get a great car and you enjoy it.

To answer your question, YES a 996 can be a good choice daily driver and 5k miles is no problem, they are built to a very good standard - its just what the previous owners have done to it that counts!

[hygt2]

billywhizzzzzz]I have a Z4M that I don't want to sell[footnote]Edited by billywhizzzzzz on Friday 13th February 10:41[/footnote said:

I have driven Z4M Roadster extensively as well as having owned 2 996. They feel very different to drive. 996 is has a even more analogue feel than the Z4M and from the driving perspective:
- Z4M has no steering feel when compared to a sorted 996. In part driven by the overly thick rim of the Z4M but mostly the 996 has significantly more feedback.
- 996 has more front end hops which can feel unstable compared to the Z4M in a straight line cruise on fast country roads.
- Z4M suspension is much, much harder than 996. With a 996 engine at the back, you can use a lot more throttle or even full throttle through mid corner bumps on to the exit of the corner where a Z4M feel you are being thrown off the road / feel like you are out of control, as well as feeling a lack of rear end grip in the Z4M.
- Z4M "feels" faster at normal speed but I can drive a 996 faster in real terms because it feels less out of control on fast, bumpy A- and B-roads

Bottom line is whether you prefer the feel of one to the other. As my winter daily driver and at normal commuting speed, I enjoy the feedback and more compliant suspension of the 996.

Also, servicing and repair costs are higher in my 996Ts (03 Tip and 02 manual) compares to my friend's Z4M Roadster (06).

[selwonk]

NB. This is not a post to promote my car, because it's not yet for sale, but will be shortly.

This thread is useful to me as a seller too, because I'm not clear on how to price mine. In short:

1998 996 3.4 Carrera

Option codes:

C16 030 220 224 375 454 563 650

-- Oettle sports exhaust
-- 18" Porsche Sport Design split rim wheels

Currently 135K miles on the clock. However:

-- Hartech maintained since 2002.
-- Currently on the Hartech Lifetime Maintenance Plan with max. 12K miles per annum.
-- Maintained without compromise; all issues raised by Hartech addressed.
-- Engine rebuilt by Hartech due to valve spring failure a few years ago.
-- Just serviced and passed it's MOT without advisories
-- Suspension refreshed about 3 years ago; ride is very good for an M030 car IMO.

I've just flipped through the book and there are about 25 Hartech stamps.

Known issues:

-- Wheels really need refurbishing.
-- Hartech think the silencers will need replacing some time soon.
-- Needs new mats.

Body work is in excellent nick with the front end resprayed 18 months ago. The leading edge of the sills need doing and I was quote £120 by an excellent body shop we use at work.

I do about 6,500 miles a year in mine without issue. I was planning to price it at the top end of the budget in your opening post so hopefully that's some food for thought.

My opinion is you can get an excellent 996 for that money, but you could also get a right old pup too!

I'll be watching this thread with interest because I really need to understand better what price to put mine up for.

[billywhizzzzzz]

selwonk said:

NB. This is not a post to promote my car, because it's not yet for sale, but will be shortly.

I've seen one today at a Porsche dealer near me - nice car and serviced and checked over by them and although clearly looked after well and has a fully stamped service book, there's little history re seals/clutch/engine work so I could be in for a big bill - plus I think I want one with a sunroof - although not so fussed not to buy the right car without one.

But yours with all its history sounds interesting... Colour? and Trim? Can you DM me if you want to sell it plus details of where you're based?

And yes, interesting comments re the hardness of the Z4 - on the right roads it is sublime and I love the S54 engine and sound, but the lack of compliance can get gruelling which is why for all shorter and running around trips I use my 2014 Defender and also my wife's Allroad (which is far quicker than my Z4M locally due to the brilliantly compliant suspension and 4wd) - Hence being drawn to a 911 as well. Any excuse to get another car - particularly a 911 - really.

[selwonk]

Looks like you have emails switched off in your profile.

[skinny]

you can still get something decent for 10-12k, just won't be a C4S and unlikely to have a rebuilt engine at that price.

I got mine at new years, '99 C4 manual coupe, for a sniff under 10k. In very good condition, inside and out. Over 100k miles hence the cheap price, but there's a school of thought that says you want a 911 that has been used properly rather than something that just comes out occassionally or pootles around town.

there is a really nice one on 911uk classifieds, same colour as mine dark blue with black interior (personally i find the tan yellow, light grey, or red interiors a bit much but only seen them in pics rather than in the flesh), on the hartech lifetime plan, so you know it's had a good check over. with MO30 suspension and sports exhaust. just over 10k. that's where my money would go.

http://www.911uk.com/ads_item.php?id=5796

(no relation to seller)

[billywhizzzzzz]

selwonk said:

Looks like you have emails switched off in your profile.

Fixed that - try now

[billywhizzzzzz]

skinny said:

you can still get something decent for 10-12k, just won't be a C4S and unlikely to have a rebuilt engine at that price.

I got mine at new years, '99 C4 manual coupe, for a sniff under 10k. In very good condition, inside and out. Over 100k miles hence the cheap price, but there's a school of thought that says you want a 911 that has been used properly rather than something that just comes out occassionally or pootles around town.

there is a really nice one on 911uk classifieds, same colour as mine dark blue with black interior (personally i find the tan yellow, light grey, or red interiors a bit much but only seen them in pics rather than in the flesh), on the hartech lifetime plan, so you know it's had a good check over. with MO30 suspension and sports exhaust. just over 10k. that's where my money would go.

http://www.911uk.com/ads_item.php?id=5796

(no relation to seller)

Yes, seen that on Classic Cars For Sale - Looks great and similar spec to the one I saw today - only problem being that I'm in the SW and need to find time to get to Essex to view. There's a nice silver one in Brighton too.