My 996TT has arrived

[Guest]

The big day (Friday) came and went, so I now have a turbo to replace the C4S.
Just need to exercise some restraint for the next couple of weeks while I run it in.

Avatar will be updated when I charge the camera and can be bothered to take a piccy.

Anyway, just thought I would say hello. Guess I ought to let the register know as well.

I thought it would come with Pirelli, Continental or Michelin tyres, but I got Bridgestone Potenza's, which seems odd.

Demented washing machine/hoovering sounds are now mine to be enjoyed - wish they did a sports exhaust ....

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Congratulations Stuart!

(You'll soon need more power though[])

 

[vic cohen]

Just pop down to Brands on Friday, even the INDY circuit will help run it in !!!!!!!!
Good luck and enjoy it

 

[Grant]

Congratulations Stuart & welcome on board, great time of year for it to arrive, the air is getting colder & Turbo's like cool dense air, by the time you have run it in cool evening's will mean be ready for ..TAKE OFF !!! I agree about the exhaust, I weakened & put a Cargraphic system on mine, now rips the sides off houses !!!
Anyway keep us posted, I hope you enjoy the gleeming new beast.
Grant

 

[Guest]

Only one question so far though -

On the C4S I used almost no oil (1 litre per 5000 miles), even when it was new and never noticed any blue smoke at start up.
Twice now on the new one, after leaving it overnight, there has been smoke when starting, although it disappears after a few secs. There is no smoke if it has just been left a few hours.
I have reads enough other posts on this being a general 911 characteristic, so am not unduly alarmed.
I just wondered if it would settle down, or is just something to get used to. It is quite different to the previous car.
Before you ask I have not been thrashing it yet either.

I have the driving experience at Millbrook on Wednesday, so will report back on what it was like (assuming some biblical flood doesn't sweep me away).

 

[garyw]

Congratulations Stuart, I was lucky enough to run my recent edition in on a trip to Switzerland, although the "manual" doesn't suggest a running in period, only not to track it for 1850 miles. I did 3300miles in a week so had a good blast through the Autobahns on the way home..[]
I used 1ltr of oil in the period, which is more than I ever used before but to be fair it is what I expected. Startup smoke has only been twice and under the same circumstances you describe.
Tyres, mine came with Michelin Pilot sport 2 which I plan to changed as soon as I can make my mind up with what too. During my trip on every bend the tyres screeched at even the simpliest of bends, and on braking it sounded like it had locked up all four wheels[].
I also have a rattle (same as my previous TT but that had done 42K) from the front diff when under slight load, so another warranty nightmare begins, Oh and a new chin spoiler required as there was some very exciting raods and passes[]
You have also managed to get your driving experience quite quickly, two weeks and still waiting for me[].
Happy motoring, and just smile when the Nova/Corsa brigade pass you.

 

[Guest]

just smile when the Nova/Corsa brigade pass you

Unless they are going the other way, they'll have to ctach me first []
In 3 days I have already noticed it gets more respect than the C4S did.

The manual only talks about "wearing in" of the moving parts and to avoid high engine speeds for for the first 3000 km. The dealer just mentioned to avoid going over 4500 rpm for the first 500 miles.
It does not mention avoiding full power, although I thought it wise to give it a couple of hundred miles first.

I got the driving experience stuff through around the start of July and replied quite promptly. I had wanted to do it in July but couldn't fit a day in, so went for August slot.
After the letters are sent out, the slots get booked quite quickly.

I don't understand why I can choose everything on the car, including whether the sun visors are covered in leather, the colour of the seatbelts and whether there is a light in the footwell, but I can't choose the make of tyres. I'm told it is a factory restriction and the dealership can't influence it, but if you tell them when you spec the car there would be enough notice for the factory - so I don't see the argument. Anyway, I doubt the rears will last too long.

Observations so far:
I've already confirmed what I noticed on the test drive, the clutch is lighter than the C4S with a slightly more agressive bite and the brakes, although the same size, stop more effectively for less pedal pressure. I'm not sure if there is less torque right at the bottom end (e.g. 1100rpm) since when in traffic it seems slightly more awkward to pull away very slowly. Although reversing seems easier than before and less prone to stalling.[&:]
The sports seats hold you better than the comfort jobs and the Bose system has more bass and treble definition than the Porsche sound upgrade system.

There's one spec of dust in the paint on the fuel flap (not enough to worry about given the stone chips the front is going to get).
There is something slightly loose in the cabin at the back, so not squeak and rattle free, but then the C4S wasn't either. If it annoys me too much then I might have to investigate.

The short shift is stiffer, is indeed short, feels much more solid and is great.

 

[Grant]

Stuart, I wouldn't worry about a puff of oil smoke on start up, as the OPC's say "they all do that sir"!!! Mine does as well , but only on the odd occasion, not all the time. You would expect the car to use more oil during running in, but at 14k mine uses hardly any, then again porkers do seem to vary in their drinking habits.
Can I ask you about the short shift, you have fitted, is it an official Porsche item? I have to say the standard gearbox has a slightly long throw from 2nd to 3rd & it's hard to get this spot on, so I would be interested to know more about it.
Grant

 

[Guest]

The short shift is a factory fit option now (for all 996 cars not just TT - not sure about the 997 yet).
It was about £200 I think.
I just looked on the Porsche.com website, but it is not listed.
I saw it originally in an advert, either Christophorus or Porsche Post, around March I think. There was a one or two page leaflet at the OPC when I was looking to order the car. I don't think I have it anymore, else I would scan it in. If you ask, the OPC should know what you are talking about.
I think it is possible to fit it afterwards, although you will need to pay the labour (or DIY).
My understanding is that it is the same shift mechanism as used on the GT3 RS.

The travel is dramatically shorter, about half what it was before, if memory serves. The thing feels completely solid with less slop (not that it was sloppy before). I can't remember what a turbo without it feels like, but I think it requires more force to push it back and forwards. However, if you are positive it is a very slick and quick gearchange. Once the gearbox is warm it is very nice. It makes it easier to change gear smoothly.
I also found the standard action on the C4S (which I think is similar) to be too long.
I expect the car on the driving experience tomorrow will have the regular shift, so I'll compare.
I'll take some pictures tomorrow with it in 1st and 2nd and you might be able to see the amount of throw and judge.
I don't think many people have them, since at Guildford they were all very interested in my car as it was the first.

BTW - I ordered the interior in Metropole Blue and it looks good with the Atlas Grey, since the paint has blue in it. The brochure shows that it is not a recommended colour combination, but everyone likes it. But then the Germans aren't always known for their fashion sense.