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'Must have' options for 996

E

evoke

New member
Having got the urge to buy a 996 this year, i'm wondering about the kind of 'must have' options that I should look for. I know I want leather and satnav (PCM I think it's called in the Porsche world). What other options are considered essential when specc'ing a 996? More specifically, how desirable is the PSE (Porsche Sports Exhaust)?

I basically want to compile a list of must-have options to take to my Porsche dealer so that he can locate a car for me.

Taz
 
Colours and seats tend to be personal. PSM, 18" wheels, sound upgrade are the usual basics. Thereafter, we all have our preferences. For example, I wouldn't buy a road car without heated seats and cruise, but I don't like the sun roof on a 911. I like the Xenon headlights, but I don't like the headlamp washers.

IMO the PSE is fundamental.
 
Hi Rumba
I would agree with the sentiments expressed above - Litronic (Xenon headlamps) are very useful, as is PCM/Sat/Nav (this may be upgradeable to PCM2 with greater detail, MP3 CD playability and TCM - might be worth asking about this, and see other threads on TCM/Sat-Nav in the Boxster & 997 forums) . I personally wouldn't be bothered about the integrated GSM phone, but just depends on how contactable you need to be.

I like the full leather option, IMHO it gives a certain extra sense of occasion to the interior, and heated seats are a must for me. With dark colour interiors some of the Aluminium/Arctic silver trim packs can look effective. I had a small arctic silver trim pack on my old 986S and it went well with the black interior - a question of personal taste in essence.

Although the BOSE sound system is very good, the optional Porsche Sound Pack isn't too far off the mark, with good volume and bass but the standard sound system is rather feeble in my opinion.

Reversing park sensors are also handy, but can look rather prominent on some earlier models, so it's a question of taste really - I quite appreciate mine when squeezing into tight places.

Full electric seats with lumbar support and memory can also be handy, especially if another driver uses the car from time to time.

I hope this is of use and have fun looking for your dream car!

Rob[8D]
 
Not trying to hi-jack the thread, but how can I tell if a car has full leather on the dash etc? Mine has stitching along the dash and doors so is that the leather option?
On your post, I didnt want a car with PSM as I wanted the raw driving experience. Its that all right!!![;)]
 
Bull996, as long your car is Uk spec (C16) it will have a leather dash as full leather was standard for the Uk although not in most of mainland Europe!

Rhumba:
It is always down to personal taste, for me 996 options in order of priority.....
Sports Suspension
18 inch wheels
Bose Stereo
Cruise control (for all those speed cameras)
PSM (it won't spoil your fun, but will help in an emergency)
Litronics are good if you do a lot of night driving
PCM (only for re-sale though)
Alloy Gear Lever & Handbrake.
You can add in Sports Seats, Heated seats, full electric seats with memory, etc etc etc, the list can get very long.
If you go for a C4S it will have PSM, sports suspension, upgraded stereo and much more as standard!
 
The GT PP magazine has an article about options and resale, could be worth picking up a copy...

garyw
 
After owning my car for a couple of months I dont feel it's necessary to have the "a.p" option.

Ant.

P.S. Carrera c2
 
Oliver,

I like the Xenon headlights, but I don't like the headlamp washers.
Click to expand...

Sadly for you, UK law means you can't have the former without the latter. Unless of course, someone has fitted one of the after market HID kits.
 
ORIGINAL: John Ware

Oliver,

I like the Xenon headlights, but I don't like the headlamp washers.
Click to expand...

Sadly for you, UK law means you can't have the former without the latter. Unless of course, someone has fitted one of the after market HID kits.
Click to expand...

I've got both, but there are times when I just want to give the screen a light wipe, and the headlamp washers come on and drench the whole car[:mad:]
 
eh?

My headlamp washers only work if the lights are on and I push the stalk away. The screen wash is a pull-towards...

Is it different on a 996? Is it away for rear-screen wash or something?
 
No, the rear wipe on a 996 is on a switch and there is no washer. But, I'm pretty sure that, on my current 996, if the lights are on, a windscreen wash wipe is followed by a high pressure headlamp wash. So, I try to avoid it.
 
On the 996 C4S I had and the 996TT, both of which had/have litronics, pulling the stalk on the right washes the windscreen, leaving the headlights alone.
Pushing the stalk washes the headlights, but as Mark says, only if the headlights are on.

If you pull and hold, the water continues to come out on the windscreen, but if you push and hold it makes no difference - the washers pop up, squirt for about 1 sec, then go back in.
 
....and on the 987 (and I assume the 997) you pull the stalk for screen wash, and after every 10 or so uses, the headlights get a wash. The headlights can be squirted independently with a separate button on the bottom edge of the stalk which washes pretty much the whole car!
 
the rear wipe on a 996 is on a switch and there is no washer.
Click to expand...

Correct

I'm pretty sure that, on my current 996, if the lights are on, a windscreen wash wipe is followed by a high pressure headlamp wash.
Click to expand...

Incorrect. Towards you is windscreen wash only. Away from you is headlamp wash only. It sounds like yours might have a proverbial crossed wire
 
No, it's probably my error. Although I'm sure it was the case on previous 911s and, I think, my BMW.
 
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