Cheap interior???

I've searched this topic on the 993 and 997 forums and the 996 gets a bad rap for having a cheap interior. Frankly, I don't get it. I'm in the market for a 2002 - 2005 C4S and I actually like the look of the interior. Maybe its because I own a 993 and my expectations for interiors aren't high, but I keep reading complaints about cheap ***** and leather. What's up? What do you guys think about the interiors of your cars?

I think the supple leather in my car is fine. I do not like the dash or the console so much. I don't really like the dials and the way the dial unit sits atop the dash. However, it isn't that big a deal either.

the C4S comes with the full leather package, this is an upgrade on any other model. Without this optional upgrade the interior does look pretty cheap as does any car with a vinyl dash.

2000 996:: My only complaint is NO glovebox!!

I have full leather in my 2003, which the C4S has. The aroma is great. That is probably the only thing which is great about the interior. I have to agree that the interior is pretty poor, but on a practical level it works acceptably, except for the sound system, of course, which is awful in every way a sound system can be awful, from miniscule buttons to dreadful sound. I consider the interior better than a 993. Too bad the exterior couldn't be as worthy as the 993 (the high water mark thus far for 911's in my opinion). But really, who cares? It drives beautifully. What else matters?

I hear this complaint going around, but personally I like the interior ... although I don't have the full leather option, which would have been kinda nice. You can mod the interior to your own liking if you want a little more bling ... SSK for sure, with Porsche c/f shifter. Will a p-car interior (997 included) match a Lexus (had the RX300) or an MB ... probably not, but that's not what a p-car is about ... my $.02

Don't believe all what you read. I have owned a lot of Porsches and to be honest the 996 I have now has the most impressive interior of all of them so far. Every Porsche I have owned had some tacky plastic/flimsy interior features that did not impress me. I actually like the buttons in my 996 and I wouldn't call them cheap. Cheap *****, own a 964 or 993 and watch the aircon and heating control unit ***** self destruct along with other plastic trim bits that fall off or break with age. Play dodge the driver's side sun visor that flops down in front of your eyes when you go over a bump. Watch the water fill up the inside of some of the earlier models when it rains. They all had their quirks and faults. The leather used in the 996 comes from exactly the same place as was used for the 911SC Cabriolet in 1983 through the 964, 993, and I am sure still used on the 997, Swabian cows!!!! Porsche did a very nice article on the 996 leather some years ago in their company magazine. The very best bit about my 996 interior is that nothing rattles. The worst bit is the plastic parts do scuff, but easily cleaned. The mirror cover in the sunvisors is a bit flimsy that I would agree with, but cheap to replace if you manage to hook the cover with the seat headrest. The 996 has received a bad rap from the day it was released onto the market from primarily non 996 owners. You cannot stop the Myths and Legends. The 964 went through exactly the same BS when it was released. I am a great believer that if you have nothing good to say, say nothing, but you know that some people just have to say something and often speaking ill of something or somebody makes them feel good. My advice is to look for yourself, try things out and make your own decisions. Ciao, Adrian.

The interior was greatly improved in the 2002+ cars. As mentioned the C4S comes with the full leather interior. Just to clarify you mentioned 2002-2005, the 2005 is a 997, and the 997 does not come with the full leather standard any longer. I like the 996 and 997 interior both equally. BTW, gorgeous 993 in your avatar.

I've only sat in full leather interiors, but frankly I like it/them quite a bit.

Um this is not quite correct. The last 996 Widebody Cabriolets rolled off the production line in February 2005 as 2005 models. I don't know if any made it to the the USA, but they were 2005 models. Ciao, Adrian.

Not in the US... the 2004 C4S Cabriolet was the last 996 C4S in the US.

Riad, Can you point out some of the interior improvements in '02? The only change I've noticed is the matte finish buttons, and a crappy location for the digital speedo. I think they are all great. Patrick

The fit and finish on my 03 C4S is great. Some of the ergonomics (switch locations mostly) not so great and probably addressed in the 997. The full leather does make a big difference and I do prefer it to the plastic dash my CLK500 had. I must admit that I wasn't too impressed with the interior quality when I first saw the 1999 996 at a dealer, but the difference with mine is night and day IMHO.

I have probably the worst 996 interior. Mine is a 99, so I got the full vinyl treatment with the grey spotted trim. However I really have grown to like it. Its a sports car interior not a luxury car. I can see how people complained especially for the price new in 99. I've been in some of the full leather cars and they are very nice, they feel much more expensive to me, but I still like the base insides. Somehow the austere interior makes sense in a 911 (996).

I have a '99 Cab With full leather and the large leather package in Space Grey, also several Exclusive Options ( X ) that are leather related. I've got Sports Seats with the backs and Rear Console painted Arctic Silver to match the body, Silver gauge faces and Carbon Fiber Brake and shifter. Virtually everything else including the steering column, under dash, seat *****, visors, A/C louvers, are all leather. The dash ***** are shiny black that go very well with it. I think my interior is super impressive and always have lots of complements on it. It is subtile but when you study it, it becomes apparent that it is very deluxe. Still has that unmiskakable "new leather smell".

Thanks all for your comments. When the right black on graphite C4S tip comes along, I'll be joining the 996 group.

As you mentioned they changed the buttons from shinny to a mat finish. The added glovebox is a biggie and the instrument cluster is different. There's also more functionality with the on board computer but I can't remember exactly what now (can't believe my C4S is 2 and 1/2 years old already)... cosmetically the shifter **** is much nicer. My 2001 C4 had the full leather so that was the same, but the C4S has the full leather standard which was so nice. Why Porsche stopped doing that in the 997 is anyone's guess? Don't even get me started on the 997 C4S not having the trademark rear reflector, ugh. Of course I'm only speaking of cosmetics the 997 C4S is a better C4S - it's what I love about Porsche, they really don't get sentimental about their models they just keep making them better and better. Here's the gallery of my cars and there are two pics of my interior: RIAD PORSCHE

My 2001 was black with graphite, nice color combo, although the graphite was much harder to keep clean than the black interior I have now... just something to consider.

Thanks for the link to your cars. My 993 C2S is silver over black. The aesthetics of black over silver (graphite, I mean) is too much for me to resist.

I think there more difference between a '99 interior and an '01, than between an '01 and '02, glovebox aside.

Frankly, some of the controls feel cheaper than in my old S2000. For example, the turn signal stalk has that it's-gonna-crack GM feel to it. The rotary dial for the lights isn't much better. The Honda switches all function smoothly and solidly. Can't say the same for the Porsche switches. Of course, these are pretty minor complaints. The overall feel of the interior is very good, IMO.

They also took out the 1/4 panel louvers (or is that "lovers" for all you hot C4S owners) on the 997 C4S , which looked fantastic on the 996 IMHO.

Ron go to Carnewals web site and check the upgades you can do to the interior. for $5k you can have steering wheels, full leather consoles etc etc the full revamp! as others have said - the 996 allows for very unique personalization. http://www.carnewal-europe.com/main.htm

Yup we LOVE those louvres!

My 2000 C2 has the Savannah Beige interior and any time I get anything near the painted plastic parts they scrape or chip (even a fingernail). There's no touch-up paint for it either! None from Porsche, none from Bumperplugs, no where! There's no color code either. As much as I like the car, this is a little on the cheap side (actually a lot on the cheap side). --Dale

True dat. There's a detailer around here who I've used for years with my other cars. They do awesome work, and he says that he's done lots of interior touchups on P-cars with this problem. If it's like his other work, it will do wonders for my new/old 2000 C2. I'll post when I can get the car in and see the results.