C4S Help

Hey Everyone, I've been reading this board for a few months and have finally decided to order a 2003 C4s. Due to waiting time and my situation, I won't take delivery until April. Although April is far off, I would like to ask a few questions about what I've ordered. Here's what I've ordered so far: Basalt Black/Black interior Sport Seats All Stitching in Red Crests in headrest Sport Exhaust Carbon Fiber Shifter/Handbrake Bose Xenons I plan to call my dealer next week and add: 1. Park Asssist system 2. Rear wiper 3. 6 disc changer I'm personally not a fan of the turbo wheels although I love their huge foot print. Do you know if there any other wheels you can order directly from the Factory? My dealer is checking into whether this is possible since it's not specified in the options catalog. I happen to like the look of the Carrera 18s or the Sport Design rims, but I don't believe they're as wide. Additionally, I would like to add a fixed wing/spoiler to the back. I understand Techart has released its wing for the c4s, but I have yet to see it in person. Is it possible to add the turbo fixed wing/spoiler? Are there any other wings/spoilers available? I appreciate any and all advice. Am I missing anything important? Is there anything else I should consider? Thanks in advance for the help.

With all that black in the interior I'd put some alum trim somewhere to break it up...unless you want a "stealth" car. Instead of red deviated stitching put silver. Get the silver hood crest and silver/black center caps rather than the gold crest. Black/silver/alum would look great imho. Bag the embossed crests in the seats and get the silver crest on the steering wheel. Speaking of wheels you should get the Sport Design rather than standard. Will look cool w/dark color and silver center caps. If you like gold then forget the last 3 sentences! I'm assuming you get 18's and 225/285 as standard. Now for the aftermarket....wired V1 and Traffic Pro should do it. Oh, and ash tray delete and maybe AS console Had enough?

Doesn't the Bose come with the 6 CD changer? Consider the lumbar supports for drivers seat. Also personally the rear wiper does not look good, throws off the sexy curve of the car. Plus the rear window doesn't get very messed up. I don't have it, don't want it.

Don, thanks for the advice. Your C4 looks great. I saw a Black/Back C4 w/ red deviating stitching at Herb Chambers about 3 months ago and fell in love with the look. The red stitching will definitely have to stay. I do agree, however, that I may have too much black. Is there a a small aluminum kit that would accentuate the interior? I don't want too much going on inside the car as it will detract from the car's naturally stunning good looks. Has anyone installed XM radio? Oh, I'll have to check into the 6 disc changer. I know everything is unpackaged for '03, and that led me to believe the 6 disc changer was also separate. Can you add lumbar support to the sport seats?

I think they have a "small" alum pkg, but I understand everything is unbundled for 03. Maybe just the center console in a different color is sufficient. Also think you can get seat backs painted body color as well. Someone on the list should have the complete 03 options list by now.

RJ, you mentioned Herb Chambers...do you live in the Boston area?

[quote]Originally posted by Don Watson: <strong>RJ, you mentioned Herb Chambers...do you live in the Boston area?</strong><hr></blockquote> Yes, actually I do live in Boston for school. However, I ordered my car from The Collection in Miami, Florida.

Hi Rjv, About hte option Park assist..are you sure about that one? I think is unnecesary and those spots over the rear bumpers are not so nice..! just my 0.2 cents. Have you think about the full carbon package? on black interior is great! And maybe the sunroof Other wise great config for your C4S. Good luck.

[quote]Originally posted by bilstein 996C4: <strong>Hi Rjv, About hte option Park assist..are you sure about that one? I think is unnecesary and those spots over the rear bumpers are not so nice..! just my 0.2 cents. Have you think about the full carbon package? on black interior is great! And maybe the sunroof Other wise great config for your C4S. Good luck.</strong><hr></blockquote> I agree. If I'm not mistaken, the sunroof is included already.

Ummm......last thing I want to do is change your mind..but I learned the hard way...If spending 100K plus, which you will....just get the TT. I personally took large loss on upgrading my loaded '00 carrera when upgrading to TT. Alot more options are standard, plus perfromance makes totally different car than C4s. Worried bout residual? TT is limited edition, last year there making it till 2006. Soo....just consider. By no means am I discounting the beautiful C4S. Regards <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

I'd pass on the rear wiper, unless you're going to drive it in heavy snow. It's useless for rain, which doesn't stick to the glass if you're moving. The aerodynamics will keep it clean back there. Light snow will be quickly melted by the rear defroster. It's just one more thing to break or rattle, adds weight and cost.

Hi HRS1, I think C4S's are also limited production. Porsche even makes less C4S's than TT's. However, I do agree that putting too much options may not be a good investment. The resale value will more base on base MSRP than option loaded MSRP.

[quote]Originally posted by Mav: <strong>Hi HRS1, I think C4S's are also limited production. Porsche even makes less C4S's than TT's. However, I do agree that putting too much options may not be a good investment. The resale value will more base on base MSRP than option loaded MSRP.</strong><hr></blockquote> I hear what everyone is saying. With the options that I already have, the price is approximately $86,000 according to my dealer. If I add the fixed wing and the different rims, I will be roughly around 90k, which is still 25k cheaper than a base TT.

Love the deviating RG stiching on black. Suggest that you consider aluminum guage faces, which are part of the design package(or at least where for 02's). Also, guards red belts, arctic silver rear center console, small aluminum package, soft look leather, auto dimming rear view mirror/rain sensing wipers. Would not get the rear wiper for reasons mentioned in above posts, nor would I get the park assist because it breaks the clean line of the rear bumper. You cannot make a mistake with your Porsche. Yes, the options lose value in the aftermarket, but personalizing a Porsche is more important, IMO.

Here are my suggestions: 1. Rear Wiper-IMHO, I would never put this on any Porsche for a number of reasons: (a) unless you live where it snows and plan on driving in such snow, rain is not that big of a problem on the rear glass (rain runs off at speed); (b) the wiper does not come with a washer; (c) the rear wiper is a dangerous item in this sense--never, never lift it off the glass for cleaning and leave it resting in the up position because if it gets accidentally bumped or just falls it will put a nasty, nasty scratch in your paint just to the side of the rear window (case in point--I had my 996TT in the body shop for some work on the front end, and guess what--the body shop guys ended up scratching my paint in the manner I just described, so now I have new paint on the back of my car just because of that darn wiper); (d) spoils the look of the car--not really ugly but you can see it. 2. With a black interior, consider the aluminum face guage option--I have it on my Seal Grey/Black Turbo and it provides needed contrast to an all black interior. I wish those guages where standard equipment, as they are on the Boxster S. 3. Why the parking assist option? Unless you parallel park frequently, you're taking an option that will leave "buttons" on your rear bumper that don't look very good. While the 01's were clearly the worst looking--very large and noticeable--the 02's weren't that much better.

as for the wheels, I believe whatever the factory provides will be the same widths.

I agree with many of the above posts regarding lack of need for the rear wiper and park assist. I ordered the advanced design option which included all of the aluminum and leather trim pieces that would really accentuate your black interior. Mine is graphite gray with orient red exterior. I am only disappointed that I did not get the autodim mirror and rain sensor wipers. These are convenience items though and more important is getting the personal features you like. In addition to the above I got aluminum/leather gearshift/handbrake, supple leather, technic package (includes bose and litronic headlights-awesome!), power/lumbar seats, porsche crest wheel centers, and Porsche mats. Best of luck, you've picked a spectacular car!

Well RJ.....what's your FINAL decision. We're all ears! <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

[quote]Originally posted by Don Watson: <strong>Well RJ.....what's your FINAL decision. We're all ears! <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote> Good question. I'll be back in Miami next week to pick up the order confirmation/print out. I think I'll stick with the Black/Black with red stitching. I will scrap the rear wiper and park assist. I will look into the arctic silver console/aluminum accents. I definitely like the idea of aluminum accents. I have to confirm that I can get the right size tires from the factory. The C4S has 9" front and 11" rear tires, if I'm mistaken. Thanks, again, for the advice.

Great choices!! Cngratulations. Unless it has changed for 2003, I could not get fixed spoilers for my 2002 C4S from the factory. It would have to be aftermarket. Just make sure they are for the wide body. Wheels. The stock wheels on the C4S are 8x18 and 11X18, with 225X40 and 295X30 tires. If you change these, the PSM will need to be calibrated. Try and see if you can get the PZero Corsa tires!! They are awesome street legal track tires, but it appears nobody has been able to get them. I agree with everone else regarding the park assist. The dimpled look is something else. Black/black with full carbon fiber would be awesome!! Don't know if you think the price for the full treatment is worth it, though. Congratulations, and happy waiting!

New to rennlist... Well done! Just thought I share what I just ordered. I also dont get the park assist look. It looks realy bad. Heres what I'm waiting for. 03 996 C4S Atic silver/Blk interior Xenon lights Self Dim Mirror Bose Rear Wiper Heated Seats Supple Leather Alum/chrome pak Alum shifter / brake

New to rennlist... Well done! Just thought I share what I just ordered. I also dont get the park assist look. It looks realy bad. Heres what I'm waiting for. 03 996 C4S Atic silver/Blk interior Xenon lights Self Dim Mirror Bose Rear Wiper Heated Seats Supple Leather Alum/chrome pak Alum shifter / brake

RJ, thought I'd post a couple of pics w/silver console. Granted it's Metropol Blue, but I think you can see the effect. Also consider alum pedals..they help to offset the black as does the carbon fiber wheel, shift **** and brake handle. Anyway, good luck on your final decision when you get back. In addition to this pic there are several more on Page 20 of my website showing the contrast. Having a Cab makes these types of pics a little easier to take. <a href="http://www.986host.com/gallery/doncapecod?&Page=20" target="_blank">Don's Cab interior plus other pics</a>

Hi everybody, new here. Also looking at C4S and color stitching is definitely on my list. I haven't seen it in real person, does anyone has any pic? My other favorite is sport seats with painted seat back and may be painted console. Color belt might look a little cheesy.