To Aerokit, or not - that is the question?

[robertc@okw.co.uk]

Just seen in the showroom of my OPC a C4 in Guards Red (my colour) with the Aerokit Cup fitted. Looked great.. The OPC is doing a special price on the conversion until the end of June. I am very tempted. Any others had it fitted? Any opinions on the look? What about the ground clearance?

I did think about having it fitted when I ordered the car, but was worried that it upset the classic sloping profile at the rear of the 911. However, on seeing it in the showroom it does make the car look very agressive...

 

[Chris5150]

I wouldnt do it. Strange answer you may think from a 997 GT3 driver, but to be honest I am not that keen on my rear spoiler at all, got to have it as no option on the GT3, and to be honest I think it looks better on the GT3 due to the centre pipes & rear bumper.
I had a 997 C4S in guards red and it looked lovely, I really wouldnt have considered putting the aeorkit on it, I do feel it will spoil the lines somehwat. The other thing with the aerokit is that it just makes the car look like you want it to be a GT3 lookalike..I really do think Porsche should have created a seperate aerokit rather than just bung on the GT3 wing & front spoilers, something a tad more subtle at the rear I feel would suit the car better. I have noticed that the aeorkitted carreras dont seem to sell quite as well either so I think the general consensus is not to do it!...if you want aggressive buy the GT3 instead.
Its going to be interesting to see what the Turbo aerokit will look like, I wonder if that will be the same GT3 kit or if it will e a differant one.
This is the only angle I like the rear spoiler from, square on the back. Obivously this is just my opinion, Im sure many others like it.

 

[pwebb]

Robert
I agree with Chris on the resale if that's at all relevant. Bramley Motors had a red 997S with Aerokit knocking around for ages earlier in the year.
Does look good, but personally love the purity of the unadorned shape.
Peter

 

[Adam2S]

Well its each to their own, but for me I am 100% sold on the looks of the aerokit - I very much think I would not have bought a 911 if the aerokit was not available. I love the aggressive looks and Ive had nothing but compliments from people Ive spoken to and various people rubber necking from the side of the road (PSE is equally to blame on this front too!). Ive even had a couple of chaps tapping on the window to say "nice car mate" whilst waiting at the lights.

Each to their own and I realise the aerokit is as abhorrent to some as it is essential to others. As I said earlier I love it and I do not in anyway feel that Ive made the wrong choice foir me, but, and its a big but, its certainly not for somebody who wants an understated car, especially not if you add PSE. If you dont mind (or enjoy) your car getting a lot of attention then aerokit is for you - if not, then stay away.

Ground clearance has been much much better than I expected, only one very minor scrape so far but it was a HUGE car park speed bump. I was worried on this front but so far the warnings have been unfounded - Im sure its worse though if you have the -20mm suspension or a GT3! I assume you have PASM like me??

As for the GT3 lookalike/wannabe then that doesnt wash with me. If I had wanted a GT3 then I would have ordered one, but I didnt. Sure the GT3 is a much more extreem driving machine and yes to the untrained eye they look the same, but for me personally the GT3 was far too raw for what I wanted. I was lucky enough to drive a GT3-RS and it had me grinning for days, but I know that as an everyday driver I would have become weary of its uncomprimising edge. I need the rear seats, I want the complaint drive of a carrera S and all those little extra luxuries such as BOSE. I do not see a carrrera (S) Aerokit as a GT3 lookalike at all, its a completly different car with a different appeal entirely. Its the 911 version of a sheep in wolfs clothing and that is exactly what I wanted.

Ive seen plenty of examples of cars stuck at dealers that arnt aero cars and my local dealer has sold 3 aero cars almost as fast as they have come into the showroom so I think its means little either way. Sure its going to loose some or all of the cost of it, but thats not the point - if we were worried about loosing the odd grand or so then there is no way buying such an expensive car makes sense in the first place. These cars are a passion not a sensible business decision.

So in summary - if you love the agressive looks the aerokit then go for it (it sounds from your posting that you do). Its your choice at the end of the day and if you like the way it looks then its for you.

 

[Chris5150]

Fair comment indeed Adam, glad you are happy with your Porsche and the choices you made. I would just like to make the point that I did not intend that Porsche buyers themselves put the kits on carreras to make them look like GT3's, I was purely meaning that there is an audience out there that would percieve it that way. Many specced up carreras are the same sort of price as a GT3, we as porsche drivers know this and understand we all have differnat tatses & choices to make,and I certainly understand the need for backseats, wish I had some!
But I really do think that Porsche should create an aerokit for carreras that is differant to the GT3...It should stand in its own right, more lazy designers at Porsche me thinks!

 

[Count]

I have a C4S with the Aerokit. I am in agreement with Adam in that I would not buy the standard car as I much prefer the lines of the car with the fixed rear wing, front spoiler and I also have the sideskirts as well (not sure if they are part of the Aerokit or separate).

I have no desire for my car to be a GT3 lookalike, I think most people are confused by 911 designations if they are not Porsche fans anyway. Clearance has not been as issue for me, the odd scrape is very unusual and OK in that I have panicked and then been relieved at the lack of any damage. The front lip is a disposable item as far as I am concerned for peace of mind. I have it PaintShielded and I reckon it will be OK for as long as I own the car.

PSE and Aerokit do command more attention and I like that in the car. I guess a regular car is more stealth but this way Porsche can accomodate both types of buyer. Any car is easily changed anyway so the kit can be added or removed easily. The real test is whether you prefer the car with it or not. I don't buy the car for the next owner to be happy, I buy it for me to enjoy so I'm relaxed about gloomy predictions of the dealer not being able to sell one car versus another. At trade-in, I am likely to want another Aero car anyway so it should level out.

The red cars seem to me a good candidate for the Aerokit, I think the benefits in terms of the looks are more noticeable on the red and silver/grey cars that can seem a bit bland to me. Yellow should always have the kit imho as a C4S in yellow without looks daft I think. I have GT Silver (which is more grey than silver really) and the car really stands out for me.

As an aside, I also have the turbo wheels and these on a red car are great as well. The turbo wheels are exactly the sort of design I really like so I went with them as well. I think that's the beauty, mess about a bit and really you can have exactly what you want - at these prices it should be the least you expect !

 

[okellyt]

ORIGINAL: robertc@okw.co.uk

Just seen in the showroom of my OPC a C4 in Guards Red (my colour) with the Aerokit Cup fitted. Looked great.. The OPC is doing a special price on the conversion until the end of June. I am very tempted. Any others had it fitted? Any opinions on the look? What about the ground clearance?

I did think about having it fitted when I ordered the car, but was worried that it upset the classic sloping profile at the rear of the 911. However, on seeing it in the showroom it does make the car look very agressive...

Robert

The simple question is "how brave do you feel".

Like you I looked at the Bodykit and Turbo wheels on my basalt balck C2S but chickend out as

Buy the car for youself not who'll buy it next or you won't really feel like its your car.

If you can afford it and want it go buy the Aero kit but do one more thing - get the Turbo Wheels too, together they make the car look even more fantastic

 

[david_yorkshire]

I'm definitely in the yes to the aerokit camp.
but then I would say that as my 2S in gurads has one fitted !
Looks like a GT3 ?
maybe
most people don't know / care
I think the GT3 is fairly easily to distinguish from the aerokit (black lower front chin lip, front pu top grille, different rear pu & centre tail pipes - and lower ride height !)
As for ground clearance - you guys with no problems must live in Norfolk!
I'm on my second lower chin lip in 8 months - wore the first one away.
not an issue with speed bumps usually, but changes in incline, such as drives are a nightmare !
Mine also has black wheels with a red rim - again detracts from it being a GT3 to those that know.

David

 

[Adam2S]

David - I live in Leeds so Im assuming I cant be all that far away from you - no real problems with ground clearance as stated before, but then Ive only had the car a few weeks.

Deffo agree with Tom and Robert's comments re the turbo wheels, they match the aggressive looks of the aerokit perfectly. They certainly give the car a very distinctive look that means anybody in the know could not mistake for a GT3! Funny enough the only cases of mistaken identities Ive had so far were from a couple of general non-porsche enthusiast admirers who asked if its was a Turbo, although I doubt this was down to the wheels! I suspect its down to a more general misconception that there are only 2 types of 911 - normal and turbo!

Anyway, seems like a half decent excuse to post a pic of my pride and joy again to help you decide....[]

 

[sawood12]

I think worries that the kit will somehow harm the resale value of the car does not rub up agains the general practice of current 996 owners. The aero kit is a very sought after modification and alot of people are spending alot of money fitting it and the various part of the kit trade on ebay for rediculous prices. Speaking as a future used 997 owner I will be targetting the Aerokit and X51 and the passive suspension with LSD option so all these things will have more value for me. If anyone out there with a car of this spec then give me a shout in about 5yrs!

 

[okellyt]

Lovelly car

Oh for deeper pockets and smaller speed humps near me....

 

[Count]

Looking at the pics of Adam's car, I immediately think that is a car I would buy and enjoy. If I see a standard car, I usually feel it's a bit samey.

Interesting to hear the 996 specs finding Aero desireable.

I even prefer the rear wing on my car to the Turbo though I think there's an Aero for the Turbo due in the next MY08?

 

[Chris5150]

Very nice car indeed Adam, I have to say that your car looks very well indeed with the kit & the turbo wheels.
I dont quite concur with the grounding the car comments though, I live in Yorkshire & have driven 2.5k miles in the GT3 and I really havent found it much of a problem, touched the lip spoiler a couple of times hammering on over the odd dip in the road, but generally I have been surprised how well its coped. Not yet caught it on a speed bump and Ive been over a few!

 

[Rodney Naghar]

Interesting to hear the 996 specs finding Aero desireable.

The Aerokit on the 996 isn't like the GT3 kit. I have the Aerokit, but would not have bought the GT3 kit, because of rear visibility problems and I didn't want it to look like a GT3. However both kits are popular and sought after (the GT3 kit almost exclusively with older cars).

IMO I think the aerokit on the 997 is stunning and goes especially well with the turbo alloys.

FYI......I was speaking to a Chipsaway guy yesterday who refurbs the Ecurie25 cars. He said because the turbo alloys have a chrome finish they can't refurb them so Ecurie just end up buying new ones......maybe something to think about.

 

[Count]

The Turbo wheels look great but I am concerned about their kerbing. I had very similar wheels on my M3 and the odd scuff even from potholes can't really be avoided. My wife hates my habit of photographing all four wheels to prove they are perfect before any little journey she makes []

 

[robertc@okw.co.uk]

Hey Guys

Thanks for all your opinions and answers to my questions.

It is a difficult choice as I really like the cars both with and without the kit. I must admit, however, that I actually prefer the rear wing on the Turbo as it sits lower on the rear deck and is a little more discreet. However, I realise the Aerokit was not designed to be discreet!!![]

I did see advertised in the press recently a really nice styling kit by STROSEK. (See pictures below). However, I would be unsure about fixing non Porsche parts to a car still in warranty... I shall pop into the OPC again this weekend, to have another look at the Aerokit car and make a final descision.

By the way, I think Adam's car looks superb. Am I the only one who thinks the Turbo wheels actually look even better on the C2s and C4s than the Turbo?

Thanks again..

 

[robertc@okw.co.uk]

second picture STROSEK kit

 

[Count]

That Strosek kit fails for me. I think most of the aftermarket kits struggle to look as "natural" as Porsche's own kits. Maybe Techart have done some clever stuff. Those wheels on the Strosek kit are way too big and the looks move from sporty to "narcotics dealer".

If you like the kitted look (as I do) then the C4S with Aero is the way to go imho. Porsche looks, as OTT as most aftermarket efforts and no hassles from the OPC just in case.

 

[blaine54]

I've just sold my aero kitted 997 [] & had no probs with selling the car. The buyer from Porsche was keen to take it as soon as I said it had the kit on it, as they didn't have many in stock for re sale. I personally loved the look of it and now I'm specing my new one for 08 will probably go the same route but with an X51 kit to spice it up a little. I only really had problems with ground clearance on slopes, just take speed bumps carefully and you'll be fine. If you like the look go for it, after all beauty is in the eye of the beholder