Feeling funky / frustrated? Want to take a "shot" at my ...

potential C4S order? After a considerable amount of help from the forum I have finally made what should be my final order. It should be a February build (once the dealer and I close the deal; verbal at this point) with a March delivery. So take a look and offer any suggestions / advice / etc. that you feel like sharing. E9 � Midnight Blue Metallic , CZ � Graphite Grey , M6F � Metropol Blue Floor Mat, 680 -- Bose Sound Pkg., 692 � CD Changer , P74 � Xenon Headlamp Pkg., XLF � Sport Exhaust System, 342 � Heated Front Seats, Y05 � Carbon Fiber Brake/Shifter $, 982 � Supple Leather , Z34 � Deviating Carpet Color (Metropol Blue), 446 � Wheel Caps w/Colored Crest. Thanks in advance. Russ

For night and driving in rain I went with the auto dimming mirror and rain sensor. Once you have the rain sensor I don't think you will go back.

WDog, I love my self-dimming mirrors in my Audi S4 but was NOT particularily wild about the rain sensor as I read some concerns about reliability. How long have you (or others) had it and why do you love it so much? Thanks. Russ

Hmmm. Heated front seats in Cincy, OH. I live in the Cleveland area, and my dealer dissuaded me from ordering the heated seats. He asked me if I will be driving the car in the dead of winter, and I said "Are you nuts?". His comeback, "Then you're nuts to order the heated seats". Freebie from the dealer. The CD tray in the center console is useless, and looks as well as feels cheap. Dealer can replace it with a more useful bin prior to delivery, saving you time and a few bucks.

Sounds like a great car is coming to you in spring. But, dont get too carry away with options if you dont plan on keeping the car for a long period of time. These lovely options will be worth next to zero for a trade in. But, man sounds fantastic.

Palting, I was referring to the Remote 6 CD disc changer which is in the trunk. Are you referring to something else (I assume)?? Russ

[quote]Originally posted by russbert: <strong>potential C4S order? After a considerable amount of help from the forum I have finally made what should be my final order. It should be a February build (once the dealer and I close the deal; verbal at this point) with a March delivery. So take a look and offer any suggestions / advice / etc. that you feel like sharing. E9 � Midnight Blue Metallic , CZ � Graphite Grey , M6F � Metropol Blue Floor Mat, 680 -- Bose Sound Pkg., 692 � CD Changer , P74 � Xenon Headlamp Pkg., XLF � Sport Exhaust System, 342 � Heated Front Seats, Y05 � Carbon Fiber Brake/Shifter $, 982 � Supple Leather , Z34 � Deviating Carpet Color (Metropol Blue), 446 � Wheel Caps w/Colored Crest. Thanks in advance. Russ</strong><hr></blockquote> Russ, Congratulations on the your 03 purchase. Car looks like a dream build. If you are comfortable, could you break down the options by cost. I know there was some "bundling/unbundling" of options in this MY, and I'm curious to know how it is currently structured. Regards.

Congratulations on your order. It is a great feeling. There are not many midnight blue 996's around yet. I saw one (an 02 TT with black interior) done as a special order recently. It convinced me to go for the same colour combo. My dealer advised that the standard leather wears better than the supple, but I think supple leather looks good in grey. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

overall it seems that you have it spec'd quite nicely. the only thing I would consider is the stereo - porsche stereo, even the top-of-the-line, are crap...well, crap compared to aftermarket systems. you may want to consider getting a basic stereo and then replacing with a high end aftermarket - would probaly cost you the same. if you ever sell it you can swap it out. also, you can get the CD changer cheaper aftermarket - I bought the becker unit for my 993 and it cost about 55% of what Porsche wanted for the factory (same unit, different cosmetics)

I feel you should add the driver's lumbar to your order. Also to me the rain sensing wipers did not work well. They'd go from too fast to too slow. I just used delay. And the self dimming mirrors were worse! Didn't dim much if any. Best "dimming" was from my ~20% tinting.

Russbert, In the center console is a CD storage tray that pops out. Not the 6 disc CD changer. The one I'm talking about is right underneath the radio, is made of thin plastic, feels like you can break it in two just by breathing on it when it's open. Totally useless for me. Easy enough to remove and replace with a padded storage bin, which is also OEM. I'll take a pic and post it when I get home.

Great color combo. If I had ordered a cab then heated seats woulda been a must but for a hardtop I don't think it is necessary. I have a ML320 with heated seats and I never used it and my wife ordered that option. Only time I use it is if on a hot day I turn it on my passenger who's sleeping and wakes up from having hot pants : ). Stereo system is your call- Only listen to the radio or hardly at all because love hearing my car. Supple seats look great when new but will show age more. But again it's your car and if it's a must have options you listed then you'll be a happy camper. I never worry about resale- I drive it!!!!!!Mike

Sounds like a very well optioned car. I would axe the Carbon fiber package if $982 is what it is costing you. I would also opt for standard leather as it is supposedly easier to maintain and would tone down on the sound system (I love my stereo in my commuter car but hardly ever listen to tunes loudly in the P-car...rather listen to the sound of the engine!). I would keep the heated seats because we use them a lot whenever the temp drops below 50. Sports Exhaust is the one option I truly regret not getting. I think you will love it! In the end, of course, you can't go wrong with the car you have chosen. Keep us in the loop! <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

russbert If you are driving distances ... how about PCM with Sat/Nav? I used to be sceptical but wouldn't be without one now. Hope you don't have too many sleepless nights between now and March! <img src="graemlins/sleep.gif" border="0" alt="[sleep]" /> Good luck with the order.

[quote]Originally posted by russbert: <strong>Palting, I was referring to the Remote 6 CD disc changer which is in the trunk. Are you referring to something else (I assume)?? Russ</strong><hr></blockquote> Here you go. The top open bin, the one with the lighter sitting in it, replaced the CD storage tray that was in there. Much more usefull than the plastic CD tray, its an OEM part that costs about $35, should be a freebie from your dealer if you want it.

Oooops. Clicked the wrong button. Sorry <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

Vic, Here is a URL so you can go out and obtain MY2003 order / price guide. Extremely useful! Sorry it took so long to respond. <a href="http://suncoastporsche.com/guides/index.php" target="_blank">http://suncoastporsche.com/guides/index.php</a> Russ

OK...I want to thank everyone for their candid replies and suggestions. I found them extremely useful. It also resulted in a few changes. I will post specifics after I close the deal (hopefully) this weekend. <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" /> Russ

Palting, Your dealer is nuts! I have the heated seats. They are great at the track in October (windows down!). Dead of winter? Heck, they're great if the teperature is below 60 and/or you have the slightest back ache or just want to feel good!. And they are only a few hundred bucks. Get the heated seats! All my cars have them, and I'll never buy another car without them! [quote]Originally posted by Palting: <strong>Hmmm. Heated front seats in Cincy, OH. I live in the Cleveland area, and my dealer dissuaded me from ordering the heated seats. He asked me if I will be driving the car in the dead of winter, and I said "Are you nuts?". His comeback, "Then you're nuts to order the heated seats". Freebie from the dealer. The CD tray in the center console is useless, and looks as well as feels cheap. Dealer can replace it with a more useful bin prior to delivery, saving you time and a few bucks.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Double post. <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

[quote]Originally posted by Palting: <strong> Here you go. The top open bin, the one with the lighter sitting in it, replaced the CD storage tray that was in there. Much more usefull than the plastic CD tray, its an OEM part that costs about $35, should be a freebie from your dealer if you want it. &lt;image deleted&gt; </strong><hr></blockquote> Or another option... remove the foreward center console all together. I went with the GT3 console delete to get a bit more leg room. I got mine from Suncoast Porsche.

Great choices, I especially like the deviating carpet closer to the body color. I have been adding body color bits to my interior for a while. I would not do the supple leather myself, just a preference. Hit the dealer for a pretty significant discount on the carbon bits and any stereo upgrades, lots of margin there. The higher premium OE systems really do not sound all that great, especially relative to the cost. Do they still do one step above basic--i.e. a bigger amp and 10 speakers? I am with Sloth on the GT-3 console delete, had mine done recently on the same color car. The parts are only $100 or so, so live with the car a while and see what utility you get out of the stock unit first. Easy to do later.

Don't waste your money on the stereo upgrade. I've listened to it and it is not up to par for the money. Save your cash and put it into a nice aftermarket system.

OK..so if I ditch the Bose upgrade and CD changer what do you all recommend? Who do you get to install it? How easy is it to match up to the 911 C4S? I will do some looking around the city as well in the meantime. Thanks again for the suggestions.

I did my own install so I can't comment on who you can get to do it for you. I can recommend components though. I spent ~$2500.00 and the sound quality is awesome. Here is what I got: Alpine 7995 head unit Alpine 6 disc changer with mp3 support Alpine XM receiver JL 500/5 amp Focal Polykevlar 5 1/4 components Eclpise 4" coax for rear fill 2 8" JL subs in the rear deck It took me about 10 hours to do the complete install including building the box for the subs and the mounting for the components in the doors. I could not be happier with the overall sound quality and balance.

For stereo input, read up on this other thread: <a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=5&t=002505" target="_blank">http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=5&t=002505</a>