Newbie - 996 Targa Tip

Hi All :bye: Long time owner (since 2014) of a 2003 996 Targa Tiptronic in Seal Grey. Only just gotten around to joining 911UK after browsing the site as a guest for many years. In particular I have learnt a lot about leaky, creaky roofs from DeMort - thank you, sir :worship: :thumbs: Previously owned a 2003 Boxster S (manual in Midnight Blue). Loved it but had to get rid when we had kids. That was summer 2008 just before the crash - one trade I actually did well on...! Bought the Targa privately with around 80k on the clock from the 3rd owner. First two were father and son. Full Porsche history from OPCs local to me. I got OPC Byfleet (now Brooklands) to check it over and borescope it. All in good order and very thorough - helped me negotiate a very good price IMO. I really rated (and still do rate) the guys at Brooklands - their Camtune indie legacy lives on in my experience. Last year I had a brief dalliance with a manual C4S - loved the look of the car and the feel of the gearbox but that and the electric seats didn't do my sciatica any good so I had to get rid. I had a similar issue with my Boxster too and hence I have the slush box! I find the Tiptronic works well with the more relaxed, airy set up of the Targa. When I was looking for it I was also considering a cab but went for the Targa as the cab has too little space in the back for what I needed it for. I grudgingly had to turn down a stunning C4S cab with every conceivable option and in PTS - Ferrari silver blue and 50k miles for £15k! All things considered, my Targa has been good as gold over the past 7 years - the alternator failed after a couple of months and in 2017 I had to get the Tiptronic gaskets replaced (by Nine Excellence) after it started leaking. This was not long after an OPC had changed the gearbox oil :roll: - changing the oil seems to be a catalyst from what I've heard... The engine uses negligible amounts of oil (I rarely top it up between annual services) and I've put around 25k on the clock - it's now at 105k miles. As it's a Targa, I have to regularly clean and grease the rubbers to stop creak and squeak but it's no big deal - just part of the 'detailing'. I also check the gutters and drains are clear after a leak many years ago. Dry ever since! The roof still works like a dream - I have again taken DeMort's advice and never lubed the mech/runners etc. Other work done? I had a 'Gundo hack' carried out on the mufflers back in '16 which I am really happy with; At the same time I had the seams welded as they were splitting and they have held up impeccably since. Suspension is still really tight and quiet - I think it's still the original set up. Inside the car, I've not done much - I put a Pioneer AVIC F88 double DIN head unit it when the CDR23 started playing up but while the Pioneer is a very capable, high spec head unit I was never happy with it in my 996. It didn't look right and the integration with the MOST system wasn't great. I've recently upgraded to the PCCM Plus and fitted it myself (thanks to Essendia's copious posts on the subject) and am very happy with it. Not as good a unit as the Pioneer but fits into the 996 way, way better IMO. On my to do list are to fit ally flappy paddles to the steering wheel. I've got a manual wheel I plan to do this to: once done I can remove my part carbon wheel and get it renovated (the carbon has started to crack and craze) and I've also got some hard back sports seats to go in, with the backs painted Seal Grey - they look fantastic. At some point I reckon I will have to bite the bullet and get the engine rebuilt... Either proactively or reactively (i.e. wait till it starts ticking or goes bang!)... If and when I do, I will be going direct to Hartech and am very tempted by their 3.9 litre option. I think the torquey engine will suit the car and box. I haven't touched the IMS, based on advice I've had from specialists along the lines of 'if it was going to go, it would have gone by now". Finally, a couple of months ago I contributed a 'readers cars' piece to a new magazine being launched soon, called Strada (it's been set up by a couple of the Modern Classics guys): a link to this follows if you're interested: https://stradamagazine.co.uk/blog/why-a-laidback-porsche-996-suits-this-reader-fine That's all from me. Thanks for reading (if you've made it this far!). Edited to add photos of my three pieces of Pork - also before and after head unit pics

:welcome: to 911uk Congratulations on such an excellent introductory post. Nice looking car :thumb:

Thank you :thumbs: Nice to be properly on board as a member and not a guest/lurker :lol:

Nice looking Targa, I have the same Carbon interior trim in mine, minus the carbon steering wheel.

Thanks, Infrasilver I have always been a fan of yours especially its lower and meaner stance. I've been tempted to fit lowering springs but worry about the impact on the ride (and also the roof!). Did you find much of a difference between standard and lowered suspension? Nice that yours has the (mini?) carbon pack - I think mine has the 'midi' pack with instrument surround and steering wheel (partly) in carbon. The 'maxi' carbon pack includes the armrests, centre tunnel (and probably every other piece of exposed plastic :grin: ) I have a plain black manual wheel which I plan to put Merc ally paddles onto. I will then take the factory wheel off and get the cracked carbon lacquer refinished. I think the plain wheel will look better though so I will probably keep it on there and keep the carbon wheel in storage, much to the delight of my better half :grin:

Welcome aboard young man . For Targa roof noises then i assume you have already read my list but for anyone else .. http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=116450&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=20 Scroll down to my large post about noises . These roofs are slow but as long as you don't have to pull it closed by hand then your fine.

It is a little less compliant but being lower than a GT3 I am happy with the ride and even though Porsche thought the Targa needed to have a softer ride I haven't had any issues with the roof. I have the carbon instrument surround too, along with the gear knob and handbrake. I do think the maxi pack is a little too much. The mini or midi looks good and breaks up the interior somewhat, my body colour console also helps that.

Thanks deMort You are quite correct I have read that and very helpful it was too :thumbs: I reckon I am familiar with most - if not all - of your writings on the 996 Targa roof - you should write a book sometime! We have exchanged the odd email over the past too :bye: Your advice has been invaluable to me in stopping the leaks, creaks and squeaks - the only thing I seem to suffer with not, and only periodically these days, is a little squeak from the tailgate near the wiper. I've tried Gummi Pfledge and KryTox on the rubber and both Gummi and McLube (again not at the same time!) on the hard parts of the hatch and it's improved it but it sometimes comes back. Seems to be worst when it's cold (most of the time :grin: ). It's only periodic and mildly irritating (as roof is otherwise quiet as a mouse now) as exhaust and stereo hide it haha The roof itself works great (touch wood). Smooth and quiet. I reckon it takes around 6 to 7 seconds each way. Thanks again and all the best (and happy Easter!)

Thanks for the replies I didn't realise yours was even lower than a GT3!! It does look fantastic in the photos I've seen. Mine looks like a 4x4 / allroad version in comparison :grin: Glad to hear it hasn't affected the ride (or roof) noticeably. I've been conscious of Porsche's decision to soften the ride (like they did with the 993 and add those lovely split rim 17" wheels) but they were perhaps erring on the side of caution and/or didn't trust the longevity of the roof :grin: At some point I want to lower it a bit and add subtle spacers to mine. When I asked Nine Excellence about the suspension they said it was absolutely fine as it was. I was really impressed with their integrity as it was a great opportunity for them to tell me it needed a complete overhaul. Ah yes I forgot about the gear shift and handbrake. It's a nice touch and I agree with you the 'maxi carbon' is a bit OTT - a bit Max Power c. 1998 :grin: I plan to get my centre tunnel painted seal grey at some point. I think it will liven up the black interior nicely. I've got some hard back sports seats to go in (see pics) and was toying with getting the backs done in artic silver but am really pleased with the deal grey. I know they're not 'factory' with additional bits in seal grey but it looks really good in the flesh I just need to get seat heating fitted to them and get them fitted now... Another thing on the to do list... Thanks again and happy Easter! [Post edited to sort quoting out]

I did the same and swapped my comfort seats for hard backs and painted them body colour, I fitted aftermarket heated seat elements but I never actually wired them into the car but they are there ready to do when I get around to it.

I did wonder if we had conversed via email previously .. forum names and email names never match up so i'm never sure .. i also get more than a few emails regarding targa roof issues and often from non members here . You have a noise n/s/r and from the wiper area .. check that its not seized .. lubricate the " wheel " surface and the pivot .... make sure the control unit bracket is tight . There is a very nasty T25 at the back of this bracket .. a nightmare to get at but this might be loose . Also check the drain pipe routing in that area .. i often find banging my hand against panels in an area i suspect will produce the noise . Roof working at that speed and there's nothing wrong with it at all ! No books .. just a list on here will do

Great minds :thumb: Out of interest what heated element kit did you use (Waeco or something else?) and where did you mount the switches? I obviously can't ask you how well the heated seats work yet...! :dont know:

Yes, I can imagine you get quite a bit of 'fan mail' from Targa owners :grin: I was the guy who was asking you about replacing the C pillar fabric 'curtains' with the roof in situ, and then devised an effective (albeit long and fiddly) way of doing it... Not sure if I'd rather do that or fit a PCCM Plus again :what: Thanks for the squeak fix tips I get the impression it's the rubber sitting against the glass as I can adjust the noise when I adjust / clean / lube the rubber. However I will check those other areas. Wiper and the 'wheel" is are good but I will double check it and behind it. I know that T25 bolt (shudder) so hopefully I can find the cause before I have to go anywhere near it Didn't think of the drain pipes - that is in that area so could be the culprit. I've tried banging my hand against the screen but when you want a noise to happen... nothing! It's interesting that it seems to happen when my car 'sways' (moves left to right or vice-versa) and not up and down as it does over 'regular' bumps. I was thinking because of this lateral movement it might be the rubbers at each side of the tailgate... I need to get one of my kids in the back to narrow it down. If I can get them off their games consoles that is...! Good news re the rood If you change your mind about the book let me know!! Thanks again

If when cornering then the rubber block that's adjustable that side .. but it seems you have already sprayed that with gummi or perhaps look at the hatch seal and maybe the tailgate hinge .. that's a bit further up though . Not really anything else in that area other than the wiring connection and plastic bracket for it .. these don't make a noise though . Feel free to write a book on what i have said .. it's not copyrighted lol . i'm sure i can pad it out for you with full instructions on how to diy this job .

Targa What I lovley post. I have just got my Targa and wanted to introduce myself but feld a little overwhelmed. I promise I will put a proper work in , but feel somewhat humbled by the super into so wil need to do it propely! I love the idea of a squeeky roof expert. My love of Alpinas has allowed me to find so much info on their forum its fab. This is clearly also the case here!! I need to do some work on the car but wish to post something soon for advice. Here is a little pic for you all . Thanks Simon