Factory accessories/upgrades questions?

I'm hoping to get a 996 in the very very near future (still trying to figure out how to sell my car and find/buy a 996 all in one fluid motion) and just curious if I'm overlooking any factory upgrades that I should want and maybe don't know about. From what I can think of off the top of my head: Lidtronics - Basically HIDs, right? Full leather Heated Seats (it's cold in CT, and I want a vert so itll go nicely) Upgraded sound system - is there a big difference over stock? Windstop - Is this automatic on all verts? Does it help much? PSM - basically a beefed up traction control, right? Are there different seat or wheel options? Aero kit - would be nice, but very tough to find on verts. The factory aero is basically just the rear fin and the sideskirts, correct? The gt3 body kit (with front bumper) is completely different,r ight? Am I missing anything major? I just want to set myself a baseline for options I need. I'm looking for an 02-04 ideally no more than the low $30k range. Lower is better, but I'll spend a bit more for a better car

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Litronics....Yes Full Leather...Yes Heated Seats...Depends on climate where you will be. But I like them Upgraded System....No, it still blows but not as bad as the base system. Windstop.....Yes, but not really included will all. It does help though when going topless. PSM.....Never had that option (CAB, GT3, RS America) so I can't comment but I prefer to control the car Wheels....you can do after the fact. Aero....you can do after the fact. I have it on my CAB (front and sides but no rear).

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Cool thanks. Are you saying the psm is only available on the cab, gt3 and rs? I thought a lot of members on here have 911 coupes w psm.

No, I am saying I have those cars and none of them have psm. The CAB was offered it as an option but declined. The GT3 and RSA did not have ANY options like TC or PSM.

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ooh okay that makes more sense. thanks! i guess i'd sacrifice psm for a gt3 or rsa if i had to

You should definitely fit the B&M short shifter - best mod for the 996 for the money

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Was short shift a factory option or just aftermarket? I'll def end up w a short shift, but I'm just trying to think if Im missing anything from the factory that would be desirable

I like PSM... its a great insurance to have, plus you can always turn it off. More than just traction control, but looks at yaw, steering input, speed on 4 corners, abs, egas....etc I thing to look out for is PSE (sports exhaust), with the option to go from stock sound to sports sound. Forget about the sound system, they all suck. Put in aftermarket if you're a hi-fi guy. Def go with full leather... if you are an interior guy. Look out for sports seats, they are essentially US GT3 seats. Wheels, are easily had in the used market for much cheaper than new.

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Great info. I didnt realize there was a factory sport exhaust. What are the seat options? One car I just found online says "heated/power/memory/lumbar seats" .. is that for a non-sport version? Any pics to show the differences?

I thought sport seats do not have a heated option.

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Both - it's the same shifter labelled Porsche for factory fit, or B&M for aftermarket - both are made by B&M.

sports seats: not sure about heated...

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Ah gotcha! Red - thanks for the pic! They do look more my style than the heated options Ive seen, which must be the non-sport ones. I have done without heated seats before (first car didnt have and my current car the driver site only works when it wants to) but really like the idea of them. I think I'll have to try sitting in both and see which I like more. Unfortunately the local porsche dealers dont have many 996s, and they're the best place I can think of to find multiple cars to compare options like this

Sport seats are usually NOT heated, and sometimes not even powered. But I love mine!

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I'm indifferent about power seats. With a manual I actually find them more annoying bc its harder to get it back in position when someone decides to move it.

Depending on what level driver and what your looking to do with the car PSM can be a nuisance. Yes they can be turned off but if you pass a certain slip angle, they re-engage (when you engage the brakes) fix you and disengage. Not great for Autocross as they tend to want to fix you before you would want them to step in (trail braking to induce rotation). I suspect that on the track they would be more helpful as they would give you an added level of safeguards but, it all depends on your experience level and what you intend for the car. Also, with E gas, you can't left foot brake so that can be a little annoying too because braking shuts off the throttle. Personally, I too prefer to control the car and not have it second guess you.

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That's what seat memory is for. (also an option)

Ok now I have a question. I see that The B&M short shifter was considered "the best 996 mod for the money" ; my question is would one get this instead of the Porshce Factory Short Shifter tha Suncoast sells: http://e-partssales.com/Merchant2/me...e=996EXHAUST36 I was thinking of getting one. Any comments??? Thanks

After getting my dreamcar 996 GT3 last fall, here is what I would long for... FULL leather . The base trim is inappropriately cheap especially in a 996. As for the shifter ... people have very good things to say about fitting the 997 shift console to the 996 (direct bolt in). David

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Thanks for the input. I was away all weekend so I just checked back on the thread. Understandable. I have never tracked or autox'd my car in the past. It's always something I think would be fun, but never actually did. It will be my DD as well, so that has always held me back some too. Haha good point Is the full leather option obvious from pictures and is there something specific to look for? I notice some ads never make mention of it, so I was wondering if there was a way to know w/o trying to get the owner to find the option codes (mainly to know before even contacting the owner).

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I just got home (this past Saturday) from picking up my 2000 C2 Cab. Regarding options, you need to decide what is important TO YOU, and how long you are willing to wait, and how much you are willing to spend. My specific comments: Lidtronics - Basically HIDs, right? Right. This is important if you do a lot of night driving. The lights are great. It seems lots of these cars have this option. Full leather Full leather is a rare option. I don't think it's important. All cars have leather seats, wheel, and other trim. Does it matter to you if the center stack is trimmed in leather? It doesn't to me. Also, if the leather isn't treated properly it tends to shrink and pull away from corners. That looks like crap. Heated Seats (it's cold in CT, and I want a vert so itll go nicely) It seems about 1/2 the cars have this option. If I were going to buy a new car I would order this. But, if you find a car that is good and doesn't have this, is it enough for you to not buy the car? It wasn't for me. Also regarding seats there were various power options. Sports seats are kind of rare in cabriolets, and they can be tough to get in / out of. Upgraded sound system - is there a big difference over stock? I don't know. To me, the sound system isn't that important. Half the time I just want to hear the engine. Windstop - Is this automatic on all verts? Does it help much? No, it's not automatic. And you can't use it if you put people in the back seat. I know the back seat isn't really designed for people, but my younger kids (8 and 11) love riding back there. It should be easy enough to find one if the car you find doesn't have it. PSM - basically a beefed up traction control, right? Right. Unless you race the car I don't know why someone would not want this. It seems to be a common option. Are there different seat or wheel options? Yes lots. Most cars came with 18", but there are many different styles. Aero kit - would be nice, but very tough to find on verts. The factory aero is My car came with the side skirts. I'm ambivalent about them. This would probably be real expensive to add later, so if it's important to you, better find a car that has it. Am I missing anything major? Exhaust. There were a few options. My car has the stainless. It looks and sounds great. 02-04 ideally no more than the low $30k range. Lower is better, but I'll spend a bit more for a better car You didn't state what color you like. Black is very common (I don't like black) followed by all the various silver / gray cars. The rest of the colors are more rare. I really wanted yellow. Since there aren't that many out there I could not be too picky. If you like Silver, you could buy this one for $25,750: http://tinyurl.com/auyqvw There are also some suspension options. IMHO, I would not want a stiffer suspension for a DD. My car has H&R sport springs that lowered the car and made it a little stiffer. When I'm on rough roads I regret that. Be real careful if you find a car that has been stiffened. Since you are buying used, you need to be realistic about finding a car that has EVERYTHING you want, and is the right price, and in good condition. Good luck, Barry

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Barry thanks your post was really helpful! I have decided HIDs are a must. I upgraded my old bulbs to some crazy 55w HIDs and cannot believe how I drove w/o them. I don't think heated seats would be a total deciding factor if everything else was perfect, but it is probably the first unnecessary item I would pick in any car. Getting into and out of seats dont worry me too much, as I'm young enough to manage. This also knocks kids out of the equation. I originally liked the idea of the M3 from my old 944 bc of the extra space and full rear seats, but found I rarely use them. They're used more for occasional storage than people. I agree tho a windscreen is probably easy enough to find. Usually I like all colors except silver. I have found silver on 911's in general has really grown on me. The only color I really don't like is red, altho I do like the dark red/maroon color. Black, white and seal gray seem to be my favorites, but I really have a hard time disliking any of the colors. Interior I have always had dark (dk brown and now black), which is nice bc its easy to keep clean, but I think a vert may benefit from lighter as well so I think it would depend on the exterior. My past two were coupes. I'm not a huge fan usually of very dark exterior on a very light interior normally. That red is awesome tho! Red leather is my favorite, and I didnt realize it was even an option on the 996s. Seems rather rare. Is the c4 drastically different from the c2 performance or handling wise? I originally wanted a c4s, but when I decided on a cab I realized a c4s cab is out of my price range. 4wd would be nice for the winters. I never even looked at the basic c4's. Miles are a bit higher than I want but not horribly high. I was looking for around or under 50k. I have to go visit some friends in mass shortly, so maybe I'll take a look if this car is still there. Thats how I ended up with my current car haha. Just saw the suspension part - my car right now is on full coilovers and low. I love the look and handling on smooth surfaces, but it's really overkill for the street. I don't mind it riding a little rough, but I don't think I'd do this agressive of a suspension again. This car came with it, and if the new one did too i'd prob be fine with it, but I dont track the car so if I were installing it the price wouldnt be worth it compared to just some better springs. I understand its hard to find a perfect used car. I figure I'll look at a few, think over the options, and see which I could live without if/when it comes down to it. Is the stock suspension on the 996 good or could it use tightening up? I assume by 50k or so miles, it should have been replaced or is due for it pretty soon, correct? Same as the clutch? Do they last much more than 50-60k miles? And are they usually replaced w stock or aftermarket? edit: http://tinyurl.com/cej3nb this one actually hits most things I want. With some negotiating I think it could be done for under $30k .. says CPOd too but curious to hear about that

Hey, Is the stock suspension on the 996 good or could it use tightening up? I assume by 50k or so miles, it should have been replaced or is due for it pretty soon, correct? It's difficult to describe suspension stuff to someone else. It all depends on your roads, likes / dislikes, and use. I live on Long Island. Most of the roads are good, but some (especially around this time of year) are rutted, pot holed, and worn out. My 996 is for daily driving. I want a car that handles great, but doesn't beat me up too much. If I want a track car I have another vehicle for that (944 turbo). So for me, the stock 996 suspension is perfect. If you plan on tracking the car it would be too soft. If your roads are terrible, it would be too stiff. Drive one and you'll get the idea. Same as the clutch? Do they last much more than 50-60k miles? And are they usually replaced w stock or aftermarket? AFAIK, most people replace the clutch with stock parts. I don't know how long the last, that really depends on the PO. My car, which I bought with 70K, just had the clutch replaced before I bought it. Good luck, Barry

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Where about on LI? I'm from Rockville Centre. Went to school in CT tho and stayed up here since. Roads and everything are pretty much the same here. Only main difference is my town here hasn't learned the basics behind plowing yet. They somehow make it worse with each pass. Actually pretty impressive if you think about it. Werent there two suspension options from the factory? I just remember seeing M030 (i think i got that right) a lot. Is this different than what came on most 996s? Like you, my car will be the DD with occasional breaks in the summer for the bike. But it will have to accomplish daily activities and hopefully be reliable enough to not break all that often

So i checked back on autotrader today and the car I linked to two posts ago was raised $2.5k w/o mention. Pretty shady since I think it was already priced around the top end with room to negotiate down