So, I bought a 996.2 C2...

Hey all! I've been silently absorbing all the great information on this forum since around last summer - I took the plunge and bought a 911 after many years of dreaming of one. I've previously owned an E36 and E46 M3s (both epic cars in their own right) but the ownership journey so far on my 996 has hit different. I am ready to emerge and share some pics and my first experiences - would love to hear your feedback and input. Every drive feels like an occasion and the amount of feedback and connectivity I feel (or maybe its in my head) is unmatched. I've really enjoyed taking the car through the Surrey Hills (nearby) on some spirited driving. The spec: 2003 996.2 Carrera, manual, non-sunroof in seal grey, with metropole blue interior. I really wanted seal grey and there was only one other example on the market last year that had a beautiful boxster red interior. That particular example was quite far away and about 25k miles more. The car benefits from the bose speakers and PSE (although the valve is seized so need to see to that). I also have stopped counting how much I've put into the car in my relatively short ownership! ...Upon purchasing, I asked my local specialist to conduct a borescope and major service. The previous owner was not an "enthusiast" (which is fine) but it had a good service history and had the IMS job done and a stack of receipts, including being owned for nearly 10 years by a motorsport garage. I negotiated as much as I could, knowing that there were several bits that needed sprucing. Perhaps I am a little OCD, so after enjoying the car only for 6-8 weeks last year before the summer ended, I've spent the last few months getting it ready for this year and upcoming road trips I am planning. So far here is what I've done (some mechanical, some cosmetic, some essential maintenance) thanks to lots of great reading and suggestions from this forum: New discs and pads all-round (opted OE Brembo) Full service + brake fluid change Titanium bleed nipple upgrade + brake lines repaired and regreased coolant header tank + fuel cap replaced Headlight fully refurbed (ROC headlight - sourced from the forum) ...which gave the biggest refresh in looks! Full detail and ceramic coating Porsche classic plate holder + personalised plate RSS Engine Mounts (I have really enjoyed the more mechanical sound and sharper throttle response) new struts for the rear and frunk refurbed alloys + new tyres all-round Overall, the car looks and feels brilliant. The "big" job that I now need to think about coming to terms with is the suspension which is pretty much all original parts from what I can see (car is currently on 62k miles). There is a little bit of knocking and front-end wobble under speed. I can only imagine what a full suspension refresh would feel like on the car. Suggestions are welcomed, but as this is a weekend-only/B-road fun car, I was thinking to get the car lowered, install the spyder performance full suspension refresh kit and pair it with B8s all-round. From what I've read and researched, I think this would give the sweet spot of what I'm after. Quite frankly, I just really enjoy looking at the thing too. I absolutely love the 993 and 964 but there is definitely something special to me about the 996 - it was the model I grew up admiring and I am definitely a fan of all the recent media attention the 996 is getting I'm pretty sure it has a weak battery which is driving me crazy (or then very bad parasitic drain from something) so its usually on the CTEK during the week. Fortunately the car is garaged during the week but as soon as the sun is out I'm usually taking her around. I attended the Fairmile meetup last month and also Southside Hustle this weekend gone...was debating whether to go to Regents Park this sunday - any excuse for a drive and outing I guess. Next step: thinking about the suspension refresh and booking my first road trip somewhere in Europe! I've learnt so much from this forum and it's been a great ownership journey so far. I've pretty much worked through every snag that was highlighted and now I feel too attached to ever think of anything else!

The car looks great and it sounds like you've tackled all the jobs that crop up a lot. I may see at Regents Park, I'm not 100% sure I'm going but it's normally a good turnout. I also attend The 'Hustle', it's normally very interesting. I live in NE London so the journey to Fairmile, and the return from Wimbledon, can be unpleasant due to SWOT. Enjoy the car! Edited to add, have you considered a visit to Centre Gravity? They're decent folk and can guide on what "needs" replacing instead simply replacing all components. I think they may have developed a PASM style kit themselves for the 996?

Thanks! I might give them a call to discuss, they're just so far away (I am in SW London) and I'm trying to balance cost of this suspension refresh versus the utility and output I am after. Your point is valid though, no need to replace parts that are perfectly ok. I even took a look at the Werk96 package but then the costs start to become silly again...and even further than CG lol.

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I know what you mean about CG and the distance, when I visit I book the earliest slot and have some A road driving before joning the motorway.

What do you (and others) think about Spyder performance and the refresh kit? Would CG entertain fitting it do you think?

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You could get Spyder themselves to do the install and then visit CG or somewhere else nearer. I know decent Geo guy (Geo by Luke) who is very reasonably priced and based on the North Circ Road near Muswell Hill. He can’t test shocks like CG et al but if you’ve replaced the shocks then he’s more than capable of doing a Geo on a 911. I’ve just had him geo my 991.2 GTS.

Lovely purchase, it looks and sounds great! (fellow 996.2 seal grey owner)

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I usually take the car to GT-One who have done a great job - they do a good geo setup and looks like a full suspension refresh inclusive of parts, labour + geo is about £5k...

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Thanks! Seal Grey really pops in the sun, I've had random people come up to the car and ask specifically about it!

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That's not a bad deal provided you're happy with what they're installing and as it's close you can easily pop back. I once had an issue with a failed arm from CG and had to "pop" back.

Welcome to 996 ownership ! They are hugely underrated glad you’re enjoying it Suspension is a very subjective thing, sadly it’s not easy to experience the different offerings to help you decide what’s right for you. Plenty of info on here about it.

I've had a couple of the four Spyder coffin arm fail early (one under 10 k mile and one under 20k miles) and both on the front, even though the first was just over 2 years old so out of their warranty, they did give me an FOC replacement but it was still time to fit it and do a geometry check. Also if anything has a bush in it with rubber or metal, it is likely up to 23 years old now in terms of use or aging, so why would you not change the lot whilst taking it apart unless you have evidence of more recent changes. Return it to how Porsche meant it to be. Big cost, but big reward!

I had a good look around your car at last month's Fairmile so happy to stumble across this thread. I sometimes go to the Southside Hustle too but was away this month. Loved the really clean look of your car, seal grey, noin-sunroof and Carrera II wheels looks just right to my eye. I came into 996 Carrera ownership directly from an E46 M3 as well, mine was the CS varient which has the CSL steering rack that's said to greatly improve steering over a standard M3. All I can say is that I wouldn't go back. The steering feel of the base 996 is in a differnt league to that of the CS/CSL. There's a value imbalance there that I cannot get my head around but was happy to be the beneficiary of. I can completely relate to your comments on the sense of occasion and connectedness of the 996. Good to hear positive feedback on GT One as they're just up the road from me so could be of use in future.

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Some things are best said in person, but hold off on buying Spyder anything before talking to CG perhaps. You can check out OEMatch if you want to save money here and there. I am currently doing a suspension replacement (isn't a refresh when you replace everything) and I bought all the parts myself from various vendors. When complete I'll make a thread to include costs etc.

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thanks that's very interesting. Yeah, you are right I am after a replacement versus a refresh. I have read copious amounts on spyder and some say they're great value and others have said to avoid..!

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Great to see that you managed to take a look at mine! Were you in your guards red 996 at fairmile? I'll keep an eye out. Loved reading your thread and you have a great example that you've brought back to life. Yes the M3 ownership was fun but such different handling cars. Having done the engine mounts I found quite a bit of difference, but now the suspension is starting to irk me!

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I got an OE Match to replace my second failed Spyder item on the front. But as it has only done about 50 miles so far, nothing to report on longevity yet! I did it as an experiment, but as I've just bought a 981 due to the right spec coming up at the right price, I'll be getting rid of the older car soon so won't get to report back.

Yes I was at Fairmile in my 996. Hope to make it there next week too, work permitting. Keep us posted with what you decide on the suspension.

If you're replacing coffin arms and tuning forks front then you could upgrade to 997 parts. These use a bigger stiffer bush on the coffin arm. It's a Porsche upgrade rather than a modification if that makes sense. I don't want to waffle on too much if its of no interest to you but if it is let me know.

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Great, may see you there!

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Thanks, I am now opting to steer away from spyder and I am considering the B4 vs B8 (with eibach springs to lower). I know B4 is more similar to stock ride and as previous replies stated, I won't know my preference until its fitted! pricing up the individual parts on D911 versus the spyder pack and its only a few hundred quid dearer overall, so not too bad.

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I'm talking about the suspension arms for front of the car If you're replacing them you can use the upgraded parts from the 997

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Coffin arms and tuning forks will fit and you also need the longer bolt for the coffin arm to tuning fork connection.

Hey everyone so it’s me again! After 12 months of ownership and all the major usual maintenance points taken care of, i’m now faced with the prospect of the suspension refresh as well as requiring a new exhaust. The car has the PSE fitted. For suspension I’m thinking the following: - spyder refresh package - eibach springs to get it M030 - B8 all-round For the exhaust, what do most people suggest? Opting for a valves option like TopGear, but then not being wired to the PSE button and instead on their fob? It would seem a shame to loose the option of switching between open/closed if the car came with it, but then again as topgear doesn’t work out the box with the PSE button perhaps it’s a moot point. Any thoughts on the above? i know spyder have mixed reviews but when I price a full refresh using Meyle, I’m getting a quote of £7k which is just too steep for me! B8s + spyder parts is around £2k and then the associated labour I’m getting quoted another £2k approx.

I looked at a really nice 996 C2 for £30k. Spoke to a few indies and that quote is fair as most of the bolts underneath seized and need heat or to be drilled out. You need an expert or you can crack subframes. Spk to, 9e, Porsche Torque, MLR and Porschemode depending on where you are. Car I looked at had not had a spark plug service in 12 years. So major service with new coil packs, plugs and brake fluid change £2000 Then brakes have life in them but 12 years old hence brake discs with caliper refurb and new brake lines £2000 Suspension inc B8s £7000 Mileage 69,800 so on original clutch but youd do the RMS and IMS whilst in there £1500 Surface rust in chassis so ice blast and treat £1000 £13,500 inc vat spend if I wanted the car mechanically perfect. I could probably get a 10-20% discount on that via 9e or Porsche Torque if I twist arms.

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Mine has PSE on as standard but came with switchable spyder backboxes on it due to one of the originals failing. The flaps were linked up via the OE switch, I believe its quite simple to do.

Forgot PSE exhaust was well over £5000 fitted and I hear its the best exhaust. If you can have someone repair for now better.

I’m new to 996 ownership, I bought myself a 996.2 C2 last month. I’m not new to the platform though (at least the front half) having previously spent a fortune in money and time on a 986.1. Reading through some of the other comments, my experience with Spyder was not dissimilar. Both front coffin arm ball joints failed, Spyder were great in as much as they replaced them outside of the warranty, but given the original Porsche items performed for over 70,000 miles and 20 years, I was hoping for better so went for CTE. Wear was identified in some of my other arms last year, so I thought sod it and replaced everything else (for a second time) with either TRW or CTE. I suggest looking at D911 and Autodoc if you’re going to buy the parts yourself. TRW are the original equipment supplier. CTE seem to be a well regarded aftermarket alternative. If you’re expecting to sell the car within the next 12 months, then Spyder is probably good value. If you’re planning to keep it for a few years, I suspect it will be cheaper in the long run to go with a more robust alternative. With your dampers, how do you use the car? On my Boxster, I fitted Bilstein B8’s, with H&R M030 spec springs. I really enjoyed the car, it was excellent on track, but the B8’s (and probably B6’s too) were a bit firm for coarse road surfaces. For road use, on a budget, I’d probably go B4 or KONI Special Actives. If you have the enthusiasm and opportunity, you can do all of the suspension yourself, with the exception of the geo obviously. Paying retail labour rates for someone to struggle with sheared bolts soon adds up!

There is a company rebushing arms, someone on here used them but I can’t find the details

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photek on here posted 3rd march 2026 - a company in Germany (Partworks) offers the service and was pleased with the quality. The refurb is done by a company called Prelim, based in Slovenia. As i don't know how to copy and paste on here i have basically written his post word by word. If you can check him out, hopefully he can give more detail. Hope this helps