996 Turbo

raviramyead · Jul 1, 2004

I am considering buying a 996 turbo I wanted to find out if there were any significant changes from the car that was built upto 2001 MY and those built 2002 MY onwards. The only differences I have found appear to be a glovebox and BOSE as standard. Other that these 2 items did anything else of any significance change?

Guest · Jul 1, 2004

I'm not sure if the sunroof was an option, since I have seen a couple of cars without them. The current car has it as standard.

Mark_Bennett · Jul 1, 2004

ORIGINAL: Adrian Fuller

Don't forget the cupholders.......

True... Optional on the earlier cars, but fitted without a delete-option on the current ones[&o]

raviramyead · Jul 1, 2004

Thanks guy's so it would appear that the newer cars are not technically superior in any way then?

Guest · Jul 1, 2004

Although not definitive, when Evo reviewed it back in March 2000, it had 420 bhp, the same as now (unless you get the X50 engine upgrade). So power wise I think it has not changed. Some of the options have become standard, but I can't find any details of any significant technical changes.
I think the front lip on the aero kit changed at some stage as well, but that I don't think that is a big deal.

Rotorhead · Jul 2, 2004

PCM2 is better than PCM1

garyw · Feb 11, 2005

I hope it covers the 996 turbos[&:]
Had two over the past few years, last one was a MY01 and apart from tyre wear and a few moaning diff's not been bad at all.
garyw

Guest · Feb 11, 2005

That doesn' t sound to bad.

Thanks,

Seems to have a different enginee to C2 and C4 which by browsing around is more robust.

Guest · Feb 11, 2005

Does this forum also cover 996 Turbo's??

Sure does.
Truly a fantastic road oriented machine, to be used on a daily basis. You have to brake when joining motorways, since the acceleration/slip roads are too long and you are going too fast to merge [

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Standard is good, but X50 is better. A slightly different approach is required to drive them, compared to a C2.
Use the mid range torque, not the top end power so much. I like turbo cars in general, once you are used to the power delivery, the kick in the back is addictive.
Once you are used to it, it is fantastic fun, you can spin the wheels and slide it around. The balance (as long as you keep the power even) is great.

To get a feel for what you rare buying, put it in 2nd (at 20) and floor it. This is what I was advised. After doing this, I tried to resist as hard as I could, but ended up buying one. Drive one, and the decision process could all go out the window.

As far as I know there are no real issues. RMS is not a problem. The bottom end is developed from the GT1, the gearbox a development of the one in the 993 GT2. It is not a C2 with turbos. It's actually quite close to a GT3, but without the titanium con rod (although you can add these later). It's all race proven, although obviously nothing is ever 100%. I would extend the warranty, since if something big does go wrong it is bad.
They tend to smoke sometimes on start up, only for a second or two.

If looking at a 2nd hand one, I guess the only real item apart from the tyres, would be the clutch, but this is not covered under warranty and there is no real way to tell how much life is left in it (up to a grand to replace). Check the brakes too, since you can brake hard all the time easily, so pad/disc wear could be high.

The only downside, is that it is a bit quiet.
The other thing, is that you start wanting more, since it is so capable. Change the DME and air filter and 550 bhp can be yours (although the warranty is history).

I replaced the C4S, since the acceleration wasn't enough. Now it is.[

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Guest · Feb 11, 2005

Thanks the write up I took one out in the wet on Thursday and was amazed at the power delivery and how stable it felt it's so different to the C2 but the TT must be awesome in the dry.

The one I looked at had brand new fronts P-Zero's and what must have been rears that had done a couple of thousand again P-Zero's. The Disc's were ok and probably would need doing next service. As you say with the Clutch you just can't tell and if it goes then that's just bad luck. It's covered 23k but not to many stonechips there are a few but not a peppering.

As you say the buying process is cut and dry once you've been in it so I get it next Saturday [

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Guest · Feb 11, 2005

but the TT must be awesome in the dry.

That's what I love the most; the weather doesn't make much difference.
In the wet you need to take corners a little slower, but with a bit of common sense, you have no problems and you have PSM anyway.
It feels invincible. In bad weather, there isn't another car I would rather be in. I am currently wasting everything by a big margin. Even a few bikes have been surprised.

The mechanical grip generated by the rear tyres is very good. Traction out of corners, is brilliant. In the dry, you cannot use it's full potential on the road.

Just take your time to get used to it.

Anyway, congratulations on your purchase. Hope you have a long and enjoyable partnership.
What colour is it?

Guest · Feb 11, 2005

It's Artic Silver with Black Leather can't wait to get it. A fairly traditional Porsche Colour.

Thanks

Guest · Feb 11, 2005

Good safe colours.
Personally I like the metropole blue interior.

There is no dipstick (that I have found). I do 350 miles most weeks, sometimes an extra 400 gets added, so I check the oil every week. It will use some, probably more than your C2, so use the onboard display when you stop, to check it (since you have to do it when the engine is warm).

Fuel consumption should be around 21 mpg as long as you don't spend all your time in town.
This means you have to fill up every 250 miles (which is not wnough).

You will find that the speedo does not keep up when accelerating. You will also find that it is hard to look at the instruments when you are "going for it". Looking out the window is the main requirement.

Have fun. Cool damp air gives more power, and the slippery conditions helps to learn car control at sensible speeds.

Make sure the displaty shows the boost, and then try to get it as high as possible. Getting above 0.7 bar is hard[8D]

Guest · Feb 11, 2005

Thanks for the tips I did have it on the BAR setting on the testdrive and saw 0.5 next week I'll see what I can do.

I have a busy week ahead so it should go quickly.

21mpg isn't to bad in light of it's performance I am excited but I have a whole week to go.

garyw · Feb 13, 2005

ORIGINAL: Stuart MartinYou have to brake when joining motorways, since the acceleration/slip roads are too long and you are going too fast to merge []

Stuart, you made me chuckle at this comment...its very true, and recently had a little natter with an officer of the law about this very issue.
let me off with a be carefull and said even though I was clocked at 82mph it wasn't the biggest law ever broken in the land.
So a round of applause for a sensible copper..

garyw

Guest · Feb 13, 2005

You will also find that it is hard to look at the instruments when you are "going for it".

a big advantage is the three built-in speed alarms - the first one is quite quiet and puts a display in the middle of the tacho (I have this set to 40 for built-up areas); the other two prodcue a much louder warning and display 'Limit Exceeded' on the sat nav screen.
These latter two are the licence savers! I have mine set at 80 and 90 and regualry set off at least one on motorway slip roads...

Guest · Feb 13, 2005

I set mine like that on my C2 and will do the same when I pick the Turbo up....

tallmat · Feb 15, 2005

As a recent graduate to the 996 turbo club (from 3.2 carrera via 964 then 993) I hope you enjoy it as much as I. Mine is 3.5 years old, with 30,000 miles and 2 years of extended warranty remaining (a comfort...).

Setting the speed alarm is essential - initially I drove the car as my previous 911s and saw I'd drifted up to 120 on the M40 without realising what was happening.

Having read the recent article on Speed Camera detectors in 911 & PW, I think a road angel will be a wise investment.

Otherwise be prepared for higher service bills than other models, but having driven quite a few non-turbo 996 (and a 997) models, it's a quite different car to it's lower powered siblings.

Enjoy it!

Guest · Feb 15, 2005

Setting the speed alarm is essential

Each to their own, but I don't bother with it. Driving does require a fair amount of restraint though - if only our roads could be more like the Autobahn's. Whilst short periods can be fun, to go too quickly for any period is asking for trouble.

If buying it does not clean you out, then Porsche's driving experiences are good. The instructors give you some good info on how to drive the car.
There are also other people who can give driving tuition, and to drive it quickly, safely and smoothly is the main objective.

There is no substitute for miles though, so all the more reason to drive it as much as possible.