Porsche 996 (AKA Trigger's Broom)
Discussion
Nowhere near as interesting as PPBB's mega mileage car, but here's the story of my 996.
Just over 10 years ago, I fulfilled a dream, and bought a Porsche 911. At the time, I could have bought a 993, 964 or 930 for similar money, but the 996 drove better than the other cars I test drove, and my wife liked it because it was newer. I clearly bought the wrong car looking at current values. In addition, I bought just before the crash – a few months later the bottom dropped out of the sports car market.
Hindsight is such a wonderful thing, but hey ho, s
t happens, and I’ve had a massive amount of enjoyment out of her.
The car is a Jan 2000, RWD, manual, with a fairly low option count – no sports seats, no sunroof, 4 spoke steering wheel… but it does have PSM (one of the earliest RWD 996’s with this option), a rear wiper and the hifi upgrade (which is still pretty rubbish). Bought the car from Portiacraft in North London, with 57k miles.
Driving it away from Portiacraft on that Saturday morning was one of the happiest days of my life. The car was just fabulous to drive, with lovey steering, sharp handling, a decent ride and that lovey flat 6… plus it turned out to be practical in a way few other sports cars are – my golf stuff fitted no problem, and I could even get all my fishing gear in it. A week away is no problem at all.
This is what she looked like the day I picked her up…
In the early years, she covered a lot of miles as either mine or my wife’s daily driver. 20k in year 1, and 10-15 a year for the next 6-7 years. Last few years the mileage accumulation has slowed, and she now sits on 170k miles… still gets used every day and driven hard as often as conditions and traffic allow.
Doing this sort of mileage in a 996 isn’t without it’s downsides. Whilst the 1st couple of years were relatively low cost (just servicing/tyres/brakes), the steady stream of replacing old/worn out parts then began… radiators, fuel pump, diff and gearbox rebuild, clutch, RMS, lots of suspension components (more than once), MAF, ignition locks, door lock, batteries, AOS, water pump, alternator, window regulators, coil packs, plugs, a heater matrix, headers, 2 sets of back boxes and lots and lots of rear tyres (fronts last forever, but rears average about 6-8k - a set of PZero’s lasted a grand total of 2k miles). Upkeep has averaged over £2k/year.
Some years have been particualrly expensive – a gearbox and diff rebuild was painful, as were new headers (a horrible job on these as the studs snap, meaning extra cost to have them drilled out).
To give some idea of costs, the heater packed up in the middle of the cold snap back in January of this year. I drove her to work with no heater and no blower for 10 days, before my Indy could get her in. Whilst in, I asked them to look at an oil leak, which turned out to be the rear main seal (RMS). Whilst the gearbox was out I also had some power steering pipes and brake pipes attended to. £1,600. Then in April, I had a massive service, including discs and pads all round and the handbrake rebuilding. Another £2k.
My wife has taken to calling her ‘Trigger’s Broom’.
But (touch wood), I’ve never had any engine issues; original engine, original IMS (the seal is long gone), & bores as clean as a whistle. She still pulls very well.
Now I feel she’s mechanically tip top, I’m starting to make a few modifications to make her even better to drive.
Koni sports shocks and H&R -30mm springs replaced the 170k mile old originals last month. A Cup steering wheel (which transforms the driving position). A Continental DAB/BT head unit (stock looking, but a massive improvement over the original). Alpine speakers. A new bonnet emblem (in pewter).
She doesn’t look that much different to the car I bought 10 years ago, but she drives even better.
Further improvements are in the pipe line – I already have an M030 front ARB and H&R adjustable rear ARB ready to fit. Rennsport semi-solid engine mounts will be on soon as well, along with some exhaust tips more in keeping with a 996.1 than the 996.2 RS ones currently fitted. Then I’ll maybe look at wheels, as well as getting some bits of body work sorted.
Just over 10 years ago, I fulfilled a dream, and bought a Porsche 911. At the time, I could have bought a 993, 964 or 930 for similar money, but the 996 drove better than the other cars I test drove, and my wife liked it because it was newer. I clearly bought the wrong car looking at current values. In addition, I bought just before the crash – a few months later the bottom dropped out of the sports car market.
Hindsight is such a wonderful thing, but hey ho, s
t happens, and I’ve had a massive amount of enjoyment out of her.The car is a Jan 2000, RWD, manual, with a fairly low option count – no sports seats, no sunroof, 4 spoke steering wheel… but it does have PSM (one of the earliest RWD 996’s with this option), a rear wiper and the hifi upgrade (which is still pretty rubbish). Bought the car from Portiacraft in North London, with 57k miles.
Driving it away from Portiacraft on that Saturday morning was one of the happiest days of my life. The car was just fabulous to drive, with lovey steering, sharp handling, a decent ride and that lovey flat 6… plus it turned out to be practical in a way few other sports cars are – my golf stuff fitted no problem, and I could even get all my fishing gear in it. A week away is no problem at all.
This is what she looked like the day I picked her up…
In the early years, she covered a lot of miles as either mine or my wife’s daily driver. 20k in year 1, and 10-15 a year for the next 6-7 years. Last few years the mileage accumulation has slowed, and she now sits on 170k miles… still gets used every day and driven hard as often as conditions and traffic allow.
Doing this sort of mileage in a 996 isn’t without it’s downsides. Whilst the 1st couple of years were relatively low cost (just servicing/tyres/brakes), the steady stream of replacing old/worn out parts then began… radiators, fuel pump, diff and gearbox rebuild, clutch, RMS, lots of suspension components (more than once), MAF, ignition locks, door lock, batteries, AOS, water pump, alternator, window regulators, coil packs, plugs, a heater matrix, headers, 2 sets of back boxes and lots and lots of rear tyres (fronts last forever, but rears average about 6-8k - a set of PZero’s lasted a grand total of 2k miles). Upkeep has averaged over £2k/year.
Some years have been particualrly expensive – a gearbox and diff rebuild was painful, as were new headers (a horrible job on these as the studs snap, meaning extra cost to have them drilled out).
To give some idea of costs, the heater packed up in the middle of the cold snap back in January of this year. I drove her to work with no heater and no blower for 10 days, before my Indy could get her in. Whilst in, I asked them to look at an oil leak, which turned out to be the rear main seal (RMS). Whilst the gearbox was out I also had some power steering pipes and brake pipes attended to. £1,600. Then in April, I had a massive service, including discs and pads all round and the handbrake rebuilding. Another £2k.
My wife has taken to calling her ‘Trigger’s Broom’.
But (touch wood), I’ve never had any engine issues; original engine, original IMS (the seal is long gone), & bores as clean as a whistle. She still pulls very well.
Now I feel she’s mechanically tip top, I’m starting to make a few modifications to make her even better to drive.
Koni sports shocks and H&R -30mm springs replaced the 170k mile old originals last month. A Cup steering wheel (which transforms the driving position). A Continental DAB/BT head unit (stock looking, but a massive improvement over the original). Alpine speakers. A new bonnet emblem (in pewter).
She doesn’t look that much different to the car I bought 10 years ago, but she drives even better.
Further improvements are in the pipe line – I already have an M030 front ARB and H&R adjustable rear ARB ready to fit. Rennsport semi-solid engine mounts will be on soon as well, along with some exhaust tips more in keeping with a 996.1 than the 996.2 RS ones currently fitted. Then I’ll maybe look at wheels, as well as getting some bits of body work sorted.
Great write up - I keep reading about radio swaps for my 996.2 pcm but looks complicated - not sure what amp I have so will keep pondering!
To put it into context the two Skoda superbs I had from new cost approx £22k in depreciation in 6 years of ownership - £3.5k+ pa - £2k seems cheap!!
Regards
Ian
To put it into context the two Skoda superbs I had from new cost approx £22k in depreciation in 6 years of ownership - £3.5k+ pa - £2k seems cheap!!
Regards
Ian
Rocket. said:
Lovely 996 and great that you've stuck with it through thick and thin.
Really like the steering wheel too, where do I go looking for one of those please ?
There comes a time where you're 'all in' with costs - the car won't fetch anything 2nd hand if it's not tip top, so you have to spend. Mines done a lot of miles, but my Indy says it drives better than most cars they see with half the mileage... no surprise given most of the mechanicals are new Really like the steering wheel too, where do I go looking for one of those please ?
I got the steering wheel from a company called Bella Volante on Ebay. Exactly the same as the Porsche model, just lacks the Porsche script on the horizontal spoke... but it cost >£200 less than the Porsche wheel, and came with a boss and fitting kit (inc. the airbag resistor).
Paynewright said:
Great write up - I keep reading about radio swaps for my 996.2 pcm but looks complicated - not sure what amp I have so will keep pondering!
To put it into context the two Skoda superbs I had from new cost approx £22k in depreciation in 6 years of ownership - £3.5k+ pa - £2k seems cheap!!
Regards
Ian
You can see what hifi option you have by checking the option codes on the inside of the hood. Mine had option 490, the non-most, 6 speaker set up.To put it into context the two Skoda superbs I had from new cost approx £22k in depreciation in 6 years of ownership - £3.5k+ pa - £2k seems cheap!!
Regards
Ian
I then bought an adapter harness from Bergillfx (https://www.bergvillfx.com/index.php/catalogsearch/result/?q=porsche+996), which made it pretty much plug and play.
True enough on the depreciation piece... I also have a 2018 Touareg on lease that my wifes uses (or did, before she moved to the Bahamas for work)... costs a lot more than the 996 each year.
Like the others, love to see one used properly and have the miles racked up. Mines on 117k now and feels pretty solid (also a bit of triggers broom though...), I'm only adding about 5-6k a year though.
How have you found it for rust etc? I've undersealed mine, they're older cars but they seem to take winter conditions well for the age.
How have you found it for rust etc? I've undersealed mine, they're older cars but they seem to take winter conditions well for the age.
Did a few minor jobs today...
Replaced the hood emblem with a pewter version and a new gasket (yes, the hood is stone chipped!)
Replaced the rear and dash speakers with Alpine units - much improved sound quality, a low cost upgrade, and super simple to fit with a kit from JMG.
Installed a rear wiper delete kit - cleans up the rear (I've already done the rear badge delete).
Was going to fit the new exhaust tips, but the access is horrible, and it's a bit cold for laying on the drive under the car, so I'll leave them to my Indy when it goes in for the cats.
Replaced the hood emblem with a pewter version and a new gasket (yes, the hood is stone chipped!)
Replaced the rear and dash speakers with Alpine units - much improved sound quality, a low cost upgrade, and super simple to fit with a kit from JMG.
Installed a rear wiper delete kit - cleans up the rear (I've already done the rear badge delete).
Was going to fit the new exhaust tips, but the access is horrible, and it's a bit cold for laying on the drive under the car, so I'll leave them to my Indy when it goes in for the cats.
CornedBeef said:
Like the others, love to see one used properly and have the miles racked up. Mines on 117k now and feels pretty solid (also a bit of triggers broom though...), I'm only adding about 5-6k a year though.
How have you found it for rust etc? I've undersealed mine, they're older cars but they seem to take winter conditions well for the age.
I asked my Indy to have a look last time it was in and they said it's pretty clean underneath. I do have a small bubble on the NS front wheel arch that will need sorting... will probably end up having the front end painted as the hood is pretty badly stone chipped, there are a couple of cracks in the bumper paint where someone's used it to touch park, and I have a few marks on the front wings that are beyond polishing out.How have you found it for rust etc? I've undersealed mine, they're older cars but they seem to take winter conditions well for the age.
Nice write up and 996. My 996 has 120k miles on the original suspension I was thinking it might need a refresh, but hearing your made it to 170k maybe I can leave this for a while yet.(to be fair has had some suspension work just not the shocks or springs). Like the badge too, does this have the same tabs on back and just fix with glue, as being pewter will be quite heavy I assume.
mikey P 500 said:
Nice write up and 996. My 996 has 120k miles on the original suspension I was thinking it might need a refresh, but hearing your made it to 170k maybe I can leave this for a while yet.(to be fair has had some suspension work just not the shocks or springs). Like the badge too, does this have the same tabs on back and just fix with glue, as being pewter will be quite heavy I assume.
After feeling the difference on new springs and shocks I should have done it years ago.Did my suspension in 2 stages. Had the top mounts and load of other smaller components done last year.. they made a big difference. Then springs and shocks this year, which has properly transformed the handling. They deteriorate slowly, so you don't notice how bad they have got until you get new stuff fitted.
The Knoi sports kit is great VFM... c.£1k (delivered from Germany), and another £800 or so to get it fitted and aligned (mine's aligned to X74 settings).
The badge is just the same as the stock coloured badge... has 2 pins on the back that go through the hood, and then 2 bolts that fix it in place. Weighs the same as the stock badge.
This guy changes his badges. Quite good for technique and ideas on products to use.
https://youtu.be/dyZDPqxIFzk
https://youtu.be/dyZDPqxIFzk
Edited by EarlOfHazard on Sunday 28th October 10:50
Looks much better without the Carrera script and the wiper delete Chris 
Paynewright said:
Chris,
Did removing the Carrera badge leave any shadow? I guess it needed a wash and polish to remove any engrained dirt as a minimum?
Ian
A bit of tar and glue remover makes short work of the residue from the badge.Did removing the Carrera badge leave any shadow? I guess it needed a wash and polish to remove any engrained dirt as a minimum?
Ian
Bit warmer today, so got around to fitting the new exhaust tips.
Bought the old ones many years ago to replace the tiny originals. They looked OK, but were off a late 996, which has a different rear bumper, so they weren’t quite right. Didn’t want to pay the ridiculous money being asked for the proper ‘big ovals’, so took a risk on some copies off eBay.
Fitting them is a bit of a PITA as the access is very tight, but they went on OK.
Original on the left, new on the right.
And both fitted.
Bought the old ones many years ago to replace the tiny originals. They looked OK, but were off a late 996, which has a different rear bumper, so they weren’t quite right. Didn’t want to pay the ridiculous money being asked for the proper ‘big ovals’, so took a risk on some copies off eBay.
Fitting them is a bit of a PITA as the access is very tight, but they went on OK.
Original on the left, new on the right.
And both fitted.
Both are pretty flush, but the OS one does stick out a bit more than the NS... though nothing you’d notice unless you were looking for it. Must be down to how the back boxes are mounted.
I’ll see if my Indy can sort it as it’s beyond my meagre skills... I’m just happy to have got them fitted without skinning any knuckles
I’ll see if my Indy can sort it as it’s beyond my meagre skills... I’m just happy to have got them fitted without skinning any knuckles
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