New 997 owner!

[circleace]

Hi
I will be collecting my used 997 on Wednesday and can't wait! Been a 911 man for over 20 years and this will be my 6th Porsche! Had a 964 Cab, 996 Coupe, 911 Sportmatic, 997 Coupe, 3.6 Cayenne ( had a baby! ) and now back to a 997 Carrera S Manuel. Been debating for a while whether to get something different and looked around but after a few Months, I just can't bring myself to get anything else. Nice spec, all the bits needed but mileage a bit higher than wanted but budget fitted. Has 47000 miles on, 05 plate and Porsche approved. Reg number AE05CKD so if any previous owner knows the car, any info would be great! Looking forward to joining discussions....

 

[pwebb]

What colour and spec? Just that quite a few cars (like mine) were registered with personal plates from new, and then issued with normal age related plates by the new owner/dealer. Funnily enough I spotted an old (very old) Daimler I used to own at Goodwood Revival last week which had changed plates. Recognised it by marks on the seats.

 

[paulmichele]

I've have also just re-joined the club - 10 years after having a 944 Turbo - I've finally taken the plunge and bought a 997.

My car is an 05 C2S in speed yellow, 68k on the clock but just been serviced by Strasse. I hope I know a lot about the history (cheers, Tim B for all that). Like you, it has rather too many miles but the price was right and, more importantly, it is in immaculate condition, having had two clearly very careful owners. Hopefully, I'll make it a third.

As a newbie to 911 ownership, I'd be grateful for any tips on how to make the most of the car - without building up loads of miles. For example, what do people think of the official Porsche training days? Or are there alternatives?

 

[circleace]

Hi
Seal Grey, Manual, PCM, Heated Seats, Sports seats, Chromo Pack, Multi Funtion wheel, Sports exhaust, Phone module, CD Changer, Sound system and a few bits more! Nice spec and can't wait!! Cayenne was a lovely car whilst my daughter was younger due to prams and bits so my wife said change it back as she knows I am always going to want a 911 again! Have a CLS 500 Mercedes as a family car so she will have that which is also a great car in its own right.
Had a MASERATI 4200 for a while and it was lovely but kept having problems and the cost of servicing those are big money plus they just do not hold the road as good.

 

[garyw]

A big hearty welcome to the new owners [] and to the club (once again)
It can take a while for the club to put you on the register, so if you send Rob our RS an email to 997@porscheclubgb.com he will send you the welcome letter and information form.

I hope the car is performing to your expectations and more, I'd like to say the 997 owners are friendly bunch and usually offer plenty of feedback...
Just don't expect them to wave like many of the 944 owners sometimes do [&:] a nod maybe []

I think the new offering that Porsche GB are doing for driver training at Silverstone really does offer some good value for money unlike the previous offers.
We try to organise quite a few trips out where once again many people learn about their cars, things they never knew about- controls systems etc...

The car is easily usable in all weathers so do enjoy them..

garyw

 

[circleace]

Collected my 997 today and I must say I am in love!! The difference between the standard C2 and this C2S is so evident. Drove a good 100 miles in it and it is so much more responsive. Must say Colchester Porsche know how to treat a Customer especially the sales girl Maria!! Georgeous as well!!
I really thought the Sports Chromo Pack would have been a silly thing to have but it really does make a difference plus the sports exchast sounds amazing..
Further update after a few days......

 

[garyw]

Apart from the wart on the dash, I can't think of too many reasons not to have sports chrono... welll apart from that surely a sports car such as Porsche should have it as standard?
For me the option in the Turbo is a non starter.. you have to have it for the over boost...[]

garyw

 

[okellyt]

ORIGINAL: circleace

Must say Colchester Porsche know how to treat a Customer especially the sales girl Maria!! Georgeous as well!!

Yep, I always found them to be very good. the service guys are excellent too.

I think I'll have to drop down there on some pretext before I can reply on your comment about Maria, I am sure you are correct on all counts.

 

[flanagan]

Did you buy your 997C2S with the X51 Powerkit or have it retro-fitted by Porsche?

Either way, are you impressed with the difference or do you think the other modifications you have made are better value for money?

Thanks very much and looking forward to meeting you all at AutoFarm

 

[davidcross]

Can I ask you Circleace if u wud ever go back to the earlier models now u have the 997s?

 

[circleace]

Hi
To answer would I go back to an earlier model, the simple answer is no! I believe the 997 is what the 996 should have been in the first place and should have succeeded the 993. It handles lovely and has is everything you expect from a 911.

To answer the question about the X51 Powerkit, I don't know what that is to be honest!! Help!! Is that the Sports Exchaust that I have on the car?? Is that what is it called??

 

[davidcross]

Ok so i guess trading back down to a 964 wud be too hard a pill to swallow then? Personally i love my 997s but being a petrolhead i cant help but keep thinking about chopping about into different cars!!!

 

[okellyt]

ORIGINAL: circleace

To answer the question about the X51 Powerkit, I don't know what that is to be honest!! Help!! Is that the Sports Exchaust that I have on the car?? Is that what is it called??

The X51 Power kit is basically an upgrade to the C2/4 S engine.

It replaces the piston heads and various parts of the engine along with a new air induction system and other changes. In effect its half a new engine. It also comes with a sports exhaust

Power was quoted as up from 355 to 381hp rev limit goes up from 7200 to 7450 rpm, torque up to 307lbft (400nm) and acceleration figures fall dramatically, 0-100 claimed at 9.7s (down from 10.9) and 0-124mph in 14.9 (down from 16.5).

A US mag got hold of an early 997 x51, tinkered with it (primarily improving the breathing of the engine) and got sub 4 second 0-60 runs, from that point on the power kit engine got a reputation for being a bit special. But very expensive at about £8.5k to spec when new, up to £10k as a retrofit.

What I did find was that the air intakes and Carbon air box strangle the engine and starve it of air. Also to quote an engineer "its got the largest throttle body I have ever seen on a stock 911". So the capacity for the engine to breath a huge amount of air and improve its performance was there. I am not sure the mods I have made would have achieved the same increase in both power and torque if I had not started with the x51. There are a few modified C2S' round with similar power figures mind.

The increase in measured power from starting the changes is ~ 53hp so far. Torque is just silly as I have upward of 369lbft on a pessimistic rig.

 

[circleace]

It has been a few days since getting back into a 997 and I must say its good to be back. I must explain that the last 997 I had was a couple of years ago and decided to change as the patter of tiny feet were due. Since changing the 997 to a Cayenne ( wanted to remain a Porsche man! ) I have had a Maserati 4200, a CL500 Mercedes and a CLS500. The Masa was great but kept going wrong, the CL was like driving whilst in a bath and the CLS500, which is what my wife drives now, is very, very relaxing but great car. But now I am back and it feels me with excitement every morning going to work and love driving home after work. Great car, no sorry, fantastic car! I think that once the 911 bug gets you, it sticks, no matter whats out there. As I said, sixth Porsche, fifth 911 and keep coming back. Yes, sometimes people can say these are not as exclusive as some marques but for everyday use, it cannot be beaten by any other supercar.
The 964 I had will always have a special place in me as it was my first. Maritime Blue Cab with grey leather and at the time, around 1989, it was very special. Should have kept that one!! So the more I think about '' would I go back to a 964? '' , yes I would but if I went back, I would go for the 993 as I have never had one..

 

[garyw]

Totally agree that the 964 and 993 are special, but you'll find the 997 is in a different way, I think its certainly as pretty as the 993 considering all the legal ropes it has to adhere too..
Also very easy to use everyday [] and that special bit for when you don't want to feel like your driving in the bathtub...[]

garyw

 

[davidcross]

Tks for the detailed reply circleace. The only other question I guess is how u wud feel living with the extra power u will have now gotten used to if u went back to 964 ownership. In reality I'll end up keeping my car and I recon that will b the smart move given cost of service and maintenance going forward. Best the devil You know and all that.

 

[circleace]

To answer the question about living with the extra power, its the shape I love more than the power!! Just love 911's whatever power they have......

 

[davidcross]

I know that feeling!!!! Sad isnt it.....