Freddie44's 997 GT3.1 club sport - 1st yr write up - Page 2 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

First year with the 2007 911 997 GT3.1 Club Sport |http://thumbsnap.com/bXfYasNs[/url] Running costs Aug 2013 – Aug 2014 Major/6 year service MOT/tax/insurance SRF brake fluid Front discs and pads Rear pads (rear discs in garage) Start mileage – 36,005 miles End mileage – 40,443 miles As car lovers we obsess, we dream and we pray that our fantasy purchases meet the ludicrously high expectations we’ve set. To say this car has blown me away over the past year wouldn’t be over-egging it: I’m more impressed than I thought possible. Its slippers are already firmly under the coffee table, and I’m definitely happy I made the decision to change from a 997 C2S a year ago. |http://thumbsnap.com/9DlRpj9O[/url] I really did love that car; my first 911, it was brilliant and I was seriously worried about losing it. However, the GT3 turned out to be everything I’d hoped it would be and exactly what I wanted from a car. I don’t think the GT3 is for everyone though – it’s certainly not just a lowered Carerra with a body kit – and I’d urge anyone thinking of buying one to do a thorough test drive. They may wear similar clothes, but they’re chalk and cheese to drive. |http://thumbsnap.com/uTD5D0Tk[/url] The Gen 1 997 GT3’s ability to blend usability with serious race car performance is perhaps the greatest trick for me. It does take a little patience, mainly due to the club sport spec, though. Every time I open the aluminium door I gently roll myself in; not because I’m fat but because of potential hip bruising from the beautifully snug but unforgiving carbon bucket seats. I’m already grinning though, if also a little apprehensive. Just walking up the tree-lined street to where she rests I’ve noticed my heart beating faster in anticipation. I start to feel alert, like a shot of Italy’s finest has found its target. The most exciting thing for me isn’t even the feel-some steering, the invincible brakes or the ever-challenging manual box – it’s the engine. The famous Mezger is the jewel in the crown and even the ‘bag of nails’ sound you get at low revs is something I’ve grown to love. It’s not that forced, synthetic t tter sound you get in some modern performance cars – it sounds like it’s from an earlier era - and also allows you to hear other parts of the car busily working away. Once the engine spins through 4k revs and beyond all hell breaks loose and one of the most spine-tingling sounds to ever emit from a motor vehicle rebounds off objects within a 50ft firing line. Accelerating through the Hindshead tunnel makes me smile like a Cheshire cat and we’ve still got the x-pipe to fit. I’ve met some great people in the first year. On my first Silverstone trackday I won’t ever forget Nick(NX120) draining hot oil from under the car sans axle stands after a little over fill prior to the day. Meeting up with Maxie, Stuart, Jon, Roro and Sundeep from the 911UK forum is always fun and most recently at Goodwood the Three Wise Monkey’s organised a great day in aid of the Chestnut Tree House charity. After now enjoying trackdays at Brands Hatch, Silverstone GP and Bedford Autodrome the Goodwood and Castle Comb tracks are my particular favourites. I must like the small and fast ones best. |http://thumbsnap.com/cUNAMVyY[/url] In this year I’ve only been pulled by Mr. Plod once and he wasn’t too bad, slapping me on the wrist, even chatting about trackdays and telling me to go clean my fly-swot for a windscreen. I was on the way to get it washed officer, promise! Would I like a Ferrari 575M in Tour de France blue with tan leather seats? Yes. Would I like a 964 RS in midnight blue? Yes. But in no way could I entertain the thought of selling this car for one. It’s the most purposeful, all absorbing machine I’ve ever owned and a true keeper. And, it’s pretty sad to admit, I can’t wait to own a wooden garage one day soon to house her in. Year 2’s plans include fitting the x-pipe so my neighbours really dislike me, making my own mesh grills to protect the radiators and perhaps trying a cup splitter, although I hear this is even lower than the standard one, so maybe not. Chris at Centre Gravity is booked in at Christmas for a spot of his wizardry so that should be a learning experience. The handling feels good and the more I've driven the car the better it gets but having him cast his eye over it can only be a good thing, plus it adds to that personal ownership feeling. Other than this list, which may or may not get done, I plan on maintaining it and just getting out and enjoying it. No garage queens allowed here or worries about future values. I didn't buy it as an investment or for the next person to enjoy, that’s for sure. |http://thumbsnap.com/Sb7RDqLd[/url] A European adventure with friends taking in the Route Napoleon and the Pyrenees is definitely on the cards with the Spa and the Nurburgring tracks still to do. I've got an almighty grin just thinking about all that. What a great year in such a special car.

Good read! Good to see you are using your car properly - kind of shamed me into booking a track day for next month!

proper car & proper bloke !

Great write up. That's what they feel like. Awesome. I see I'm there too in your garage pic. Was a nice day.

Good man! Great to see a GT3 being used as Zuffenhausen intended. I was also at the Goodwood track day in the morning. Will look out for you if you're there next year.

Good write up Freddie glad you enjoying it. Based on your experiences with the car do you expect to keep it? Any disappointments ?

Great write-up. Interesting that you enjoy Goodwood and Castle Combe the most compared to the bigger tracks. I thought it might be the opposite for such a car, although Goodwood was my favourite in a (much) slower old car. I might have to try mine at Goodwood. I am in my first months of ownership and I feel increasingly besotted with my GT3 (also a 997.1 but I would feel the much the same about any 996/997 GT3). I can't help but take it for a drive most weekends; the honeymoon period should end late autumn, or at least it needs to because otherwise I'll do maybe 7000 miles a year before track days and any trips across the channel. Edited by braddo on Saturday 23 August 22:11

Snap! - I also went from 997 c2s last year to 997.1 GT3. Echo your thoughts - awesomly capable car and I don't regret the upgrade - can't see myself selling for a long long time. Look forward to every weekend driving it! Thanks for the write up. Paul.

rossb said: Good read! Good to see you are using your car properly - kind of shamed me into booking a track day for next month! Pleased to hear!

Disappointments are few and far between. One slight niggle is the gear change. It needs firmly applying when quick shifting but I don't really see it as a negative.. actually I think I like it.. the fact I don't drive the car enough is probably my only true disappointment. I look forward to leaving London one day and having decent roads and space to just 'pop out' for some milk. At the moment I plan trips or trackdays for funtime but ad hoc 45 minute evening spurts will be great one day. I plan on keeping this car for ever - I don't see the need to spend an extra 20k on a Gen2 which might not even have this spec - and having made friends with an old owner of this car who has now bought the same one again I think we might be onto something here... I plan on adding something classic to my (dream) garage one day; such as an Alfa Romeo Spyder or the car I recently got married in, a Mercedes Pagoda. Anyway, it will be something 'wafty' - I already have the scalpel...

Good for you maybe get an Aircooled while you can to compliment the GT3 ....Incredible cars

Nice write up, thanks for posting. I've had mine since November last year, about the same spec as yours - an incredible car which I hope to keep it for a long time. Haven't had it on track yet & afraid haven't done as many miles as you, but every journey is just fantastic. Most cars seem to have had quite a few owners in their early years & now their owners seem to be viewing them as keepers. Planning a Euro trip, possibly petrol heads nirvana & a couple of track days for next year - can't wait !!

Freddie44 said: Disappointments are few and far between. One slight niggle is the gear change. It needs firmly applying when quick shifting but I don't really see it as a negative.. actually I think I like it.. the fact I don't drive the car enough is probably my only true disappointment. I look forward to leaving London one day and having decent roads and space to just 'pop out' for some milk. At the moment I plan trips or trackdays for funtime but ad hoc 45 minute evening spurts will be great one day. I plan on keeping this car for ever - I don't see the need to spend an extra 20k on a Gen2 which might not even have this spec - and having made friends with an old owner of this car who has now bought the same one again I think we might be onto something here... I plan on adding something classic to my (dream) garage one day; such as an Alfa Romeo Spyder or the car I recently got married in, a Mercedes Pagoda. Anyway, it will be something 'wafty' - I already have the scalpel...

fakko63 said: [/URL] Always nice to see a Newbie on the Forum - nice car as well .......garage could do with some work

GT3cs said: Always nice to see a Newbie on the Forum - nice car as well .......garage could do with some work Many tks car is the best I've bought and that's coming from a 6RS too. Yeah garage is work in progress though made a start today getting pictures up bad starting to clear it out after a year long building project. Problem is not a big enough garage so things need to be up on shelves but I'll get there. Decided the car needs a tidier place to live

VPD255M said: Nice write up, thanks for posting. I've had mine since November last year, about the same spec as yours - an incredible car which I hope to keep it for a long time. Haven't had it on track yet & afraid haven't done as many miles as you, but every journey is just fantastic. Most cars seem to have had quite a few owners in their early years & now their owners seem to be viewing them as keepers. Planning a Euro trip, possibly petrol heads nirvana & a couple of track days for next year - can't wait !! Totally agree on all fronts! I would definitely recommend a trackday. You can fully exploit these fantastic cars and it always comes home singing - it's really good for them! I'll have to look up this Petrol heads nirvana, sounds interesting.

Freddie44 said: Totally agree on all fronts! I would definitely recommend a trackday. You can fully exploit these fantastic cars and it always comes home singing - it's really good for them! I'll have to look up this Petrol heads nirvana, sounds interesting. Please do! http://www.petrolheadnirvana.com/ They are a great bunch of guys and the tours they organize are top-notch! Not only will you drive some of (if not most of) the best roads and passes in Europe, you will make some great friends too! Been on two tours with them and looking forward to my third (second in the GT3) with them in 11 days

In my 5th year of ownership, still think my GT3 is a truly great car and love driving it. I'm halfway through a Euro tour, you guys need to get your cars to the continent! [url]

V8KSN said: Please do! http://www.petrolheadnirvana.com/ They are a great bunch of guys and the tours they organize are top-notch! Not only will you drive some of (if not most of) the best roads and passes in Europe, you will make some great friends too! Been on two tours with them and looking forward to my third (second in the GT3) with them in 11 days Are you off on their Alpine South tour? Looks amazing!

S1MMA said: [url] Your car looks A* ! Are the wheels painted dark grey/graphite? Or maybe they're just dirty

Freddie44 said: V8KSN said: Please do! http://www.petrolheadnirvana.com/ They are a great bunch of guys and the tours they organize are top-notch! Not only will you drive some of (if not most of) the best roads and passes in Europe, you will make some great friends too! Been on two tours with them and looking forward to my third (second in the GT3) with them in 11 days Are you off on their Alpine South tour? Looks amazing! Yeah, get yourself booked on it, here's a pic of my car at the top of Mont Ventoux

V8KSN said: Yeah, get yourself booked on it, here's a pic of my car at the top of Mont Ventoux Superb

4000 miles in a year, not getting out enough. August 2012 to August 2014 for my RS; 13,350 to 27,850miles 2 services, 2 rear MPS2s , 1 set of MPSS, 2 splitters and a third on the way 2 geo set ups, full front Ventureshield, a couple of wheels re-done, some fresh paint on the front and wings Hayward & Scotts wonderful X pipe and , unfortunately , a new water hose and one or two more bits and pieces About £8000 in total plus lots and lots of Shell V Power = Lots and lots of magnificent motoring, worth every single penny.

Freddie44 said: S1MMA said: [url] Your car looks A* ! Are the wheels painted dark grey/graphite? Or maybe they're just dirty Are they satin platinum? My wheels are OEM silver & I'm considering getting them repainted - platinum looks great in photos, but haven't seen them in the flesh.

[Image-only or quote-only post; no author-written text.] http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r512/Porsche964c2/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps6401a174.jpg

Anyone else got a white cage in a 997 GT3?

Dblue said: 4000 miles in a year, not getting out enough. August 2012 to August 2014 for my RS; 13,350 to 27,850miles 2 services, 2 rear MPS2s , 1 set of MPSS, 2 splitters and a third on the way 2 geo set ups, full front Ventureshield, a couple of wheels re-done, some fresh paint on the front and wings Hayward & Scotts wonderful X pipe and , unfortunately , a new water hose and one or two more bits and pieces About £8000 in total plus lots and lots of Shell V Power = Lots and lots of magnificent motoring, worth every single penny. Great to hear. We only live once! Did you unplug the flapper valve thingy when you fitted the H&S x-pipe?

Freddie44 said: Your car looks A* ! Are the wheels painted dark grey/graphite? Or maybe they're just dirty Thanks! The wheels are painted in a metallic Porsche colour - Meteor Grey. I had a Cayman S in that colour and have liked it since.

Freddie44 said: Dblue said: 4000 miles in a year, not getting out enough. August 2012 to August 2014 for my RS; 13,350 to 27,850miles 2 services, 2 rear MPS2s , 1 set of MPSS, 2 splitters and a third on the way 2 geo set ups, full front Ventureshield, a couple of wheels re-done, some fresh paint on the front and wings Hayward & Scotts wonderful X pipe and , unfortunately , a new water hose and one or two more bits and pieces About £8000 in total plus lots and lots of Shell V Power = Lots and lots of magnificent motoring, worth every single penny. Great to hear. We only live once! Did you unplug the flapper valve thingy when you fitted the H&S x-pipe? No, I like the fact it can be quiet when I want it to be, plenty of opportunity to hear it howl

fakko63 said: Anyone else got a white cage in a 997 GT3? Only ever seen one before - on a car for sale at the Super Car Showrooms - but it had steel brakes, not yours.

Freddie44 said: Only ever seen one before - on a car for sale at the Super Car Showrooms - but it had steel brakes, not yours. Interesting tks

Great write-up. They're a cracking car no doubt. Had mine 2 yrs now, which is longer than I've ever kept any car. No intent to sell anytime soon despite moving to the other side of the world and not being able to take the car. Have you had the diff rebuilt? There's plenty of GT3 owners on here, but little mention of the chocolate diffs. At 27k miles, my LSD is virtually undetectable and definitely needs a rebuild; 'Cup' plates seemingly the favoured solution for durability and effectiveness. All is forgiven however... Funnily enough, I also had a a C2S before, which I loved. Did 20k miles back and forward through the Continent over 6 months. Epic car. The GT3 is an altogether different beast though. Wearing its winter wheels: Edited by GreatPretender on Wednesday 27th August 14:32

GreatPretender said: Great write-up. They're a cracking car no doubt. Had mine 2 yrs now, which is longer than I've ever kept any car. No intent to sell anytime soon despite moving to the other side of the world and not being able to take the car. Have you had the diff rebuilt? There's plenty of GT3 owners on here, but little mention of the chocolate diffs. At 27k miles, my LSD is virtually undetectable and definitely needs a rebuild; 'Cup' plates seemingly the favoured solution for durability and effectiveness. All is forgiven however... Funnily enough, I also had a a C2S before, which I loved. Did 20k miles back and forward through the Continent over 6 months. Epic car. The GT3 is an altogether different beast though. Wearing its winter wheels: Edited by GreatPretender on Wednesday 27th August 14:32 Funny isn't it how many Carrera S drivers move on to the GT cars. Great to hear you drive them as well. Do you manage to do that mileage in the GT3 or tend to fly to Europe instead? I love your picture - hope u don't mind but I've added it to the 911uk GT picture thread on the other site I think my diff is OK.. the car really wants to stall when I reverse which I hear is the sign of a healthy diff... When the time comes though I will also be going down the Cup car upgrade route - you may as well whilst your there!