Fleetman''s 996.1 C4 Aero kit update

My user name is reference to my occupation, I look after fleet of 2000 vehicles, cars , vans and trucks. As result I don't get too much time to spend with my own toys. However one of the benefits of working within the fleet industry and the premium sector of the Industry for nearly 40 years is I get to, and have driven most things that's are worth driving aside from the most exotic super/ hyper cars, that said over the years I've managed a few enthusiastic drives on the road and track, the most memorable but not limited to Aston Martins ( including classic DB5 and 6's and the original 550 BHP Vantage demo from early 90's reg AM V8 ) wild 80's Countach and a few modern Lambos,M1 (yes original M1) and all normally aspirated M Powered cars since , plus the £100k M4 CS, All Audi RS models and. R8 up to circa 2008, all the AMGs including SLS, all the super charged Jag's , Maserati's, Bentleys plus a few modern Porsche's. I pretty much get offered a new demo every week drive or try. It is a tough job for a Petrol Head! Now I know I'm preaching to the converted, but the 996 does give the perfect compromise between the old school analog drive and sometimes soulless modern sports cars. Would like a new 911? of course, but the best and most rewarding drives I have ever had have been in the classic German cars. My techno violet E36 M3 Evo had to go make room for the 966, I do miss the bullet proof engine ( sleep easy ) and the best M3 colour,but the 996 trumps it in all other areas. Especially the noise and when the throttle is utilised to optimise the weight transfer/balance and traction out of the bends. I haven't too much time drive the car since my introduction in the Newbie forum, but every time I drive it, it puts a smile on my face and despite getting offered a new car to drive when every I want, the 996 with the Aero Kit is the go to choice for me now. For those haven't seen the pictures of my C4 Aero kit in the Newbie forum , I make no apologies for posting a few again as they show how good the 996 looks especially with factory Aero Kit and know the 996 community appreciates a good a good picture. Any way here's what I have done so far...... Seats out, clean carpet, seat runners and the control units under passenger seat, it wasn't dirty by any stretch but those dusty bits around seat runners and hard reach places always bug me. Wheel arch liners removed, jet wash under arches and clean liners. Brake discs and callipers cleaned and hubs painted. Had an annoying creak from end end at low speed caused O/S Coffin arm ball joint. Replace both Front Coffin Arms and tuning fork arms, easy job, all came part no problem. Front cross braces were in a poor state, wire brush on the angle grinder cleaned them up a treat. Couple coats of primer and and top coat of black Hammerite spray. I've got BMW E30 project that needs some parts shot blasting and powered coating so will get the all done properly as batch. Cleaned up few other bits while it was a part. All quite and rides much better now Under tray cleaned, mounting clips cleaned and painted. Had a bit of clean of the engine bay, not that you can see much! When compared to the M3. Dropped the head lights and fittings out to clean and lubricate as necessary . It didn't look too bad, but worth doing. Cleaned inside front wings and polish under head lamp mountings. Oil and filter change @66002 miles. Oil filter cut open and each folded section checked for metal contamination, all good no evidence of IMS debris or anything else. The Mobil 1 had done less 2000 miles so was pretty clean. Replaced with Mobile 3000 5/40w. I'm not a big fan of 0 viscosity in older engines. Happy once the last drip of the old the Mobile 1 was in drainer and replaced with the 5/40. Air filter replaced ......then Coronavirus lock down comes combined with a few days leave. Spark plugs, tubes and seals replaced. A couple of the coils were showing the usual age and heat related cracks, so new set of Beru coils are ordered, just waiting for DHL delivery from car parts for less. Wouldn't usually use them but most other outlet's closed and not really classed as essential, I'll just have to wait for courier. Although I know this can all be replaced without removing bumper and exhausts but as we all have plenty of time, decided to go all in and take everything off. Whilst the Danks silencers were off and waiting for coils it's the perfect opportunity to give them a bit of a clean and polish! The Paint work is excellent aside couple of small stone chips on the bonnet. Although the bonnet didn't look too bad but in direct sunlight it wasn't as bright as it should be. After couple runs over with DA polisher and Meguires ultimate compound and polish in each direction followed by Ultimate wax looks better now. New tyres and wheel refurbishment coming soon when the lock down is over! Is there any recommendations in the Midlands for Companies that have done the two piece GT3 wheel? I know lot that say they can do it, but saying and doing to the required standard and my expectation are two different things. I'll try not leave it too long before the next update. Dave

Good stuff :thumb:

Good work. Are the wheel arch liners easy to remove?

What a sweet looking Aero! (yes, I'm heavily biased )

love a good work in progress thread, cheers! The car looks awesome, the Aero kit works well on the 996 cheers Nick

Brilliant update, love the details! Painting the undertray clips is exactly the sort of thing I would do! I sold my C4 aero last year but still check in here because it's a great community (and one day I'll be back). I love the fact that you put your exhaust on foam mats for the photo. It always amazes me the number of people photographing wheels/body panels for sale and they've stuck them on the concrete. If it wasn't scratched/chipped before, it will be now! Good work, look forward to the next update.

Great work and beautiful looking 996.1 aero.. again biased I know what you mean about the balance between classic and modern. Definitely a sweet spot in terms of drive. We should start a 996.1 aero owners thread .. There's a few of us of late .... Congrats again and look forward to getting use of these cars when we can again

I loved my E36 M3 Evo: Such a great looking car. I'm surprised you prefer the sound of the 996 over that of the M3. The Porsche is more special in lots of ways but for the the noise of the S50B32 was one of the highlights, especially with a (probably power-sapping, but awesome sounding!) cone filter on it. A good number of my non-petrolhead friends would comment on how nice it sounded!

Loving those arty shots;-) wish I had those skills with a camera Sure I've seen those somewhere before (possibly the intro forum) or it might have been on one of the BMW forums As I'm an ex owner of an e36 (although not an m3) and now an aero 996 too ;-) Wheel wise im planning a refurb too through chris at excel As he certainly knows what hes doing with these wheels :thumb:

Good lord, your standard of prep is next level! An inspiration...

Try JP Alloys in Cannock, a bit pricy though, but they do a good job.

Thanks all for reading and the comments. Graham, Wheel arch liners are easy to remove, all my fittings came out no problem. I would wait until the temperature increases a bit, the liners are more flexible and easier to get in and out the warmer it is. Also worth having some rust treatment and primer on stand by, I had on one small patch of surface light rust at liner / inner wing contact point, (size of 10p ). I suspect this could be worse on some other cars. Lee The photo's were taken by a good friend and keen amateur photographer, he has the best cameras, lenses and lighting pictures and skill.Have only been on the Newbie forum, aside from the side profile which is also on Flicker. Shalmaneser My Evo had standard intake and exhaust, always 84bd at 5000 rpm. Intake noise was great but it really needed an enthusiastic drive to get the best noise. 996 noise and sense of occasion is there throughout the range. I think its just sum of parts that makes better than the M3, still love the M3 though wish I could of kept it, but with 3 other BMWs one had to go. Also managed to more than double the original purchase price, more than covered the maintenance cost during my 6 years of ownership. Looking forward to getting my E30 2.7 stroker back on the road and track later this year. Adam Yes, a dedicated Aero thread would be a good idea, and possibly a meet at Caffeine and Machine or another venue later in the year when the current crisis is over. Griffter Here is another for you, slight surface rust on central exhaust bracket, rub down treat, prime , paint and lacquer. Don't know how long it will last but looks good now. Coils fitted today but haven't started it yet, waiting for the essential run to Sainsbury! The police pulling cars over around here to check where they are going! Dave

Thanks Dave. A good suggestion re the warmer weather. I was planning to do a couple of jobs on the car over the weekend but couldn't face doing the jobs without a long test drive afterwards!

Sounds good to me - I'd be up for that Had loads booked up this year in the way of meets but most cancelled or postponed which I do understand.. All the best .. Adam :thumb:

Great looking car, Love the E36 Evo as well. I had one for a year or so, drove very nicely after I had rebuilt all of the suspension and gear linkage. MC