C15 Hong Kong spec 993 Turbo

[Neil_Pickard]

I'm changing my 993 Cab for a 993 Turbo and have been offered a C15 spec Turbo. I have a couple of questions if any one knows the answers:
1. Is there a difference in spec between C15 (HK) and C16 (UK).
2. The car was devlivered to the UK and never actually exported to HK. It was then registered brand new in the UK in 1998 so it's a late model on an R reg. Assume the pricing should be lower than a UK spec car but would it be by much as it is RHD?
The car is in good condition and the mechanic who has looked over it says it is a very good car, it's also in the colour combo that I want, Artic Silver with Black leather.
I'll be keeping the car for a few years so was just concerned about resale?
Any comments please let me know.
Neil

 

[tallmat]

I wouldn't expect there to be much price differential.

I've two mates in HK, both 993 owners, and from what I've seen and experienced driving them, there's no noticeable difference in spec.

Coincidentally I've recently bought exactly the same spec car - a '98, Artic Silver with black leather. Pic attached.

I searched for a long time before finding one that a) was unmolested and b) I could afford!

Happy to help if you need any more guidance etc on the purchase. Good luck.

 

[Neil_Pickard]

Thanks, I was of the thinking that I need to get the best condition and un-molested Turbo that I can for the money. I've seen a couple of UK cars that don't have a full histories and this one has everything going back to registration. It's also a dealer I have bought my last two cars from, so there is a level of trust too.
Are there any particular areas that I should be looking for on the car in your experience? I've the usual list of check points to go through but any additional would be much appreciated.
I'll post some pictures once I've given it the once over at the end of the week.
Thanks
Neil

 

[tallmat]

I'll do a proper reply later, but in meantime this may help with the specs question:

http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=64954&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

I reckon some of the guys on this post would have your answer...

 

[Gordon Attar]

Neil

The value of the car will be less as everyone will be suspicious of the C15, a number of things to take into account and check

1 - check vin number
2 - a car registered in 1998 should be a 98 model should be WPOZZZ..WS3------ and they are fairly rare in the UK
3 - if the VIN doesnt stack up i.e. its a 'TS' is 96 or 'V' is an 97 model vin number their is an unexplained gap, then I would presume it was imported.
4 - If the current value is say £45k and an equivalent UK car is £50k then you could always presume it will be 10% less valuable.
5 - If it was delivered direct to UK then you should have a letter from Porsche GB or Porsche Germany to back this up. If you havent then I would get one whilst you own it, this would probably reduce the value difference to a minimum
6 - Try Pistonheads.com re differences between C15 and C16,

 

[jdpef356]

You may wish to take a look at:-

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=edhyQUWUofMC&pg=PA20&lpg=PA20&dq=c15+spec+porsche+993&source=bl&ots=ei-RXJSSXn&sig=ZoS425_Z8S4M1HH0E0ot5lGN4z0&hl=en&ei=RYIcTs25HMbChAeNtMCvBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&sqi=2&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false

Thank god for copy and paste[]

 

[Mark Elder]

+1 for checking the date code in the VIN number - there has been a case on here a couple of years ago of someone buying a 996 from a dealer, declared as non-C16 but "new" when first registered in UK - but after purchase he realized the VIN number meant it had a couple of years "unaccounted".

Personally I'd think it's wrong that an HK car would attract a lower price - but I suspect people, if presented with two identical cars, one HK and one UK, they would go for the UK. So there probably is a very small price differential - but in reality you have to find a great car and there are fewer and fewer out there - so I'd not be too worried about it being an non-UK car - just buy a good car.

 

[clyde]

I can't say with any authority but I would assume that there must be differences between a C15 and a C16 car otherwise there wouldn't be a need for the two codes. One code would do for both. These differences may not be significant, for example no rear foglights on the C15 but then again they just might be, for example the C15 model have additional smog control devices.

Before even thinking about this car I would want to know what the differences between C15 and C16 specifications were and the cost of retro fitting the car to UK spec if it hasn't already been done and can of course be done at an acceptable cost.

I would also want to know why the car ended up in the UK rather than HK as I wouldn't imagine that HK cars were exported through the UK

Lastly, it doesn't have to be a '98 build to be 1998 "R" registered, it could be a late '97 model year car registered on 1 January. You probably need to find out when it was built, either by contacting Porsche or by some investigation of the VIN number and a spec book, and compare this with the date of first registration to assure yourself that it's not a re-register as raised by Mark

 

[jdpef356]

Now Neil if you were a club memebr you could ask for COA Free of charge[&o] I would also add a cheecky letter asking the differnece bewtween the contry codes.[]

Suggest re new membership or pay the £65.00 for non members to obtain COA.

 

[Mike M]

I have a C23 standard 993 C2, and from what I can see theres no diffrence to the UK specification version. You can still get a letter of authenticity from Porsche even if it is an overseas car as I have recently got one for mine. As others have stated it really comes down to the cars condition and service history in my opinion.

 

[Neil_Pickard]

Thanks for all the comments and will be viewing the car tomorrow.
I've been told that there is no differences in the two specs other than a slightly different alarm system.
There is loads of history with the car and the mechanic that's seen the car says it's the best he has seen for a while and I trust his views as he looks after my 993 Cab and Cayenne.
I'll update you tomorrow when I've seen it in the flesh.
And yes it is about time I started the membership again!!!!!!!!

 

[turboww]

Try putting the VIN number here:

http://www.autoatlanta.com/life/vin/vin.php

Should give you the original specs and codes.

(Oh, and look at Polar as well [])

 

[Spy]

Sometimes, the differences between different country cars are not visible or obvious.

When I used to work at Ford, cars would have differences specific to a country, for example a different thermostat to account for hotter/colder temperatures, different sump guards to account for rougher/track roads, no rear fog light because it is not a legal requirement in some countries etc.

If it is a Hong Kong car, I would imagine the differences are minimal and should run fine in the UK.

 

[sue11sam]

except for the sweet and sourostat[]

 

[Neil_Pickard]

Thanks for the responses, hopefully I will pick the Turbo up on Saturday and I will send some pic's.
As far as I can see there are no differences and it drives very well and is very straight.
Insurance is very cheap at £320 with Aon private clients, 1500 limited miles and must be garaged, would highly recommend you ask them for a quote. They also include track day cover for certain tracks, which hopefully I will use by the year end.
Neil

 

[ChrisW]

I owned a 964RS from HK ..

It came with a Km speedo which had been exchanged for mph, but the original came with the car ... otherwise, not difference from C16 ... and it has just been shipped back to HK, selling at an extraordinary price.

A lovely car ...

 

[Gordon Attar]

Neil

Congratulations, the start of the long slippery road.

About 6 months time you will be looking at upgrades, maybe next spring now.

Oh on the test drive did you fully put your foot down and was it scary....

and last but not least which one was it you bought (dealer)?