New 996 Owner

Hi Guys, I have a 964 C4 that I was looking to upgrade to a 993 and went to a well known specialist at the weekend and looked at some 993's which were all very nice but nothing I liked at my price - was going up to £30k with some finance. Didnt feel that for twice the price of my 964 that there was twice the improvement. Granted much better in every way but wasnt sure it was worth 16k over mine. Just before I left I noticed a 996 for the same price (milage a bit high @ 80k) but a completely different car and felt it was worth the difference and bought it. Didnt feel as sharp/raw/purist as the 964 C4 on the test drive but I was still getting used to it. Lovely spec inc Tiptronic, leather, climate, PCM etc. Not getting the car for a couple of weeks as they are preparing it and curing an intermittant stalling issue. Anything I should be aware of or concerned about on this age/spec of car? Is there anything I should talk to the dealer about as they do their PDI? Many thanks for all the info/advice and looking forward to joing da club! Rob

Quiet isn't it??? Probably cos we are all waiting for you to tell us as no-one has done 80k in a 996 yet[:-]

[:-] Fair point...... I have had a few other high milage and fully serviced cars in the past (911, 944, 968 and Audi A6 2.8q) and they have all be pretty much OK, especially if they have been fully serviced AND maintained well. Should I be worried about this milage on a 996? I know it was a brand new engine to the Porsche range so they would be some potential teething problems but is there anything I should look out for? Thanks, Rob

Well my 996 has just done 132k now. All very long journeys (to and from Paris over a three year period by the second owner) and the engine uses no oil and runs as it should. That is not say that it is the original engine - the documentation doesn't say it has been changed so I assume it is still the same one. As far as expense it has only had new cams todate. this is not my first high mileage car - since i only do low mileage myself it has never worried me. You sometimes see Porsches with very high mileages (over 200k) and I often wonder if it was down to luck and the fact they probably accrued the miles from a very long journeys when the engine wears less than very short trips. I had an SC with only 90k on it and at rebuild the wear was far greater than I would expect to find in my engine. So my reply to you at 80k is that you probably have a far greater chance of a good engine that has managed to achieve those sorts of miles than a low underused example. Not forgetting of course that a car can do more engine hours in 40k than one that has travelled 100k and that perhaps that should be taken into account.

I would agree with Grant. My last 993 was high mileage for its age and I did a further 17K in a year without any problems. My current 996 has 72K miles on it and I intend to use every day. I think people get to hung up on mileage, the cars are there to be driven and not kept in a garage for a weekend drive (IMHO) Have fun and drive it ....... Mark

I do agree with Mark. In June 2003, I part exchanged my previous 996 (2001 Coupe Tiptronic) @ 45K miles. Yes, I use my car (2003 996 Cab). Where's the point to keep it in the garage? IMHO, wear is much worst when you use your car just for short trips. Even some parts last less when the car isn't used (ie: exhaust, climate control, ...). Cheers, Fab

Mine is a daily user. The car has covered nearly 60k and has had new rear main seal - clutch was replaced at the same time. New ball joints near and offsides. New discs are looming fast. Other minor bits and pieces... Apart from the rms all have been wear and tear and from a fairly hard driven car I think this is very reasonable. Think I had about 120k on the clock on my old 944S2. That was really starting to show signs and many heavy bills were looming (2nd Clutch, diff bearings, discs, starting to smoke a bit). I was also unlucky (or lucky) to have lost a cam tooth and had to replace 2 cams, chain tensioner etc. On the 944 S2 this is the main high(ish) mileage item that needs to be watched, but this experience has been gained over the years at the expense of quite a large number of catastrophic failures. The 996 is just reaching this area where if it has any high mileage foibles, then we are all about to find out about them. Let us all pray.

rob 1. who are you bying from? 2. what year is the car 3. we had an indentical stalling problem with our 996 at 85k miles, be interested to hear waht yours turned out to be.

Problems with older cars? Well, mine is fairly low mileage (43,000) but this '97 model has needed: (1) New rear main seal (got a new clutch at the same time). (2) New discs (probably on it's third set by now, they seem to corrode really easily). (3) New horns (failed a recent MOT on this). (4) New door membrane due to leak (my boxster also has this problem -- apparently if any work is done on the doors this should be replaced but to save the £30 + labour usually isn't). My OPC said all the above were fairly common age related problems. I've also had the alarm control box replaced in a new location due to corrosion problems. On the boxster (a '96 with 52,000) the mass airflow sensor needed changed (which is probably what your stalling problem is at the moment). Good luck with the car, but either get a warranty from them or put aside some cash would be my advice.

My 996 has been through new discs/Pads every year with the previous owner so it seems they get through them every pretty quickly. Also at five to six years old corrosion can make things less reliable. I notice the poor design of the area under the bonnet (front luggage lid) where the battery sits is prone to holding the water - this should be checked regulary. Also the RMS is another worrysome point for many 996's - i assume that if they get to 80k then the engine is probably ok. Oil leaks are another area - The cam covers often weep oil as do other parts - so at five + years you are going to see gaskets etc harden so that a little oil will be present. As far as high mileage goes on mine, I would expect wheel bearings to need some attention but otherwise I am hoping things should last a long time. Oh yes _ It has also had the Ariflow sensor as well (This again seems to need replacing at 5+ years) and yes - a good point put some money aside for repairs just in case. Somehow though when I drive the car i just forget how much it costs to run.

You can fiund some of them here John http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?autocom=options&code=carrera I think there's an automatic look up somewhere, I'm sure somebody will post. Welcome to 996 ownership - I'm still smiling every day after ~18 months[ ] e.g. M220 LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL 40 % M222 TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM M224 AUTOMATIC LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL

Hi John, I too have just purchsed a 996 and loving it. I have all of the codes on a Word document. E mail me and I'll send it to you. I was just the same when I stared at the VIN numbers, but the mystery soon unravels itself Steve

Isn't headlight washers 288? I've seen 408 listed as both 18" TECHNO WHEEL and 18" TURBO LOOK WHEEL I've no idea on 234 As for 850 and 882 I can't find any reference to codes in the 800's could these have been mis-read 600's as the sunroof is 650 or perhaps the other was 382 (manual right hand seat) Did you read them from the sticker under the luggage compartment lid or the sticker in the Guarantee & Maintenance booklet ? (can you cross check)

Thanks for all the help. Most of the codes identified. I have cross checked the numbers on the service record and under the hood and they look like 850 and 852 to me but it does have a sunroof so who knows, that maybe it 650? Definitley code 234 any ideas??? Anyway what a fantastic car, I can't believe the driving experience so much more engaging than my Boxster (which I did love) I fear the poor old 924S may end up un-used in the garage beside the 996. But I can't face selling the 924S after all these years together. regards John Stratford 924S 996

Try this: http://www.kindel.com/Porsche/options.asp

Gary Thanks but when I tried the link but it didn't work for me Just got "page cannot be displayed"? Any ideas? regards John

Ok sorted all option codes except 234 (radio??) which doesn't appear to be on any list? Any ideas regards John Stratford 996 924S

Unlikely, CD radios seems to be in the 686 to 699 range... I'm looking for 239 and 502 if anyone can help...

welcome colin enjoy your car

Hi Colin! Welcome to "the Dark Side".

Hi Colin - Carrera 4 is an excellent choice! Hope you enjoy your car.

Welcome Colin - I hope you enjoy the car. Great choice.

Colin, welcome to the club ! bought myself a 996 as well and chaps here been friendly enough to reply to my doubts, friendly bunch .)

Hi Colin, Lovely car, welcome aboard!

Greetings! I think you'll find the forum .. friendly and helpful and fun!

Hi Colin - nice to see you on this forum as well as R3 - and I see you have succeeded in posting a pic of your new car - something I havent been able to do in the 8 months I have had my 996 - can someone tell me in simple terms exactly how to do it ! Chris

You'll need a picture in jpg or gif format no larger than 145x145 pixels, and less than 20KB. Go to the My Profile link at the top of the page, and find the Avatar setting. Upload the picture by clicking the link, and then click the Apply, or OK button at the bottom of the page. The Avatar should then appear on all your posts - past, present and future. If you change the picture, it changes on all your posts. HTH.

Thanks Richard - I'll have a go - watch this space ! Chris

After 4 attempts I finally managed it (with the help of someone younger and more techie than myself !! ) Sorry to have pinched your post Colin ! Chris

[ ] No problem. It took me three or four times to get my picture to upload too! I've had the car now for 5 days and love it. My son (Matthew) and I went to see the Donington Collection today and, of course, took 'The Beastie'. It was superb. Did everything I asked of it and more. We drove through sun, snow and heavy rain and it was never anything less than a joy to drive. I'm more than pleasantly surprised at the difference in the 'driving experience' after the 964. Don't get me wrong - I loved the 964 and all it's foibles - but this car feels so much more fun... comfortable... and 'solid'. It will get regular usage that's for sure. One thing I will have to do tomorrow though is give it another wash (3rd this week!) - when we were on the M1 - we got behind a van whose engine had decided to let go... oil sprayed all over the road and other cars... Matthew was not a happy bunny - having washed it thoroughly yesterday! [ ] I'd like to say thanks to Peter Richardson ( www.rpr626.com ) for letting me know about this car and for all his advice in the run up to my purchase.

Welcome Colin, Enjoy the car, enjoy the forum...

Colin Glad you are enjoying your 996 great to hear some postive coments as i think the 996 gets a hard time, people often saying they are boring compared to the air cooled cars, having had a 996 C4 for over 3 years i can only say that it is a great driving experince and a brilliant car to own. Enjoy Phil

Glad you are enjoying the new toy. Great choice of colour - not that i'm biased [ ]

Thanks to everyone who has responded and made me feel so welcome. Perhaps someone can tell me if there are any 996 specific events? Would they be advertised here first or shall I just watch PP? As for PSE.... my son has already suggested that... even asked at the Porsche dealer the other day when we were there! Is it worth it? (The PSE I mean... not having kids!) [ ] Look forward to hearing...

Fom my point of view the PSE is definitely worth having, It was worth every penny. I had mine done at Redline Racing and it was a good £400 less than the OPC.Its the switchable version, although I don't switch it off. If you want to hear it then come to the next R3 meeting or the Aston evening, you can have a full demo of PSE on a 996!!

So worth it the sound is great, i followed a 996C4S on the motorway the other day when it pulled away the sound was so good. Places like the dartford tunnel become good fun as the sound is amazing.

Lovely car! Ours is a Sapphire Blue I think, well over 100k miles and still goes well.

Hi Mike A very warm welcome to the club and to 996 ownership, There's lots of useful info and help in 996 sub section of the forum. Your car looks very nice Enjoy the ride and If you have any issues or concerns don't hesitate to call or email. Kind regards Andy

Welcome, Mike. Looks good. Where are you based? Mark

Mark, I am near Watford Herts. Mike

They look like 997 turbo wheels and brakes

Hi Mike, I'm also new to the club and fairly new to 996 ownership. I too live nearby on Tolpits lane. It would be good to catch up and I'm quite keen on fixing/repairing the car so let me know if you need any help or a workshop etc. I was thinking about heading to the R21 Chiltern club night on Tuesday if you're keen too? Guy

Very nice Mike. They look like 997 Sport Design wheels. They suit the car, but are they 19". Nice shiny exhaust tips, by the way!

Richard, yes they are 19" wheels, 265 x 35 on rear and 235 x 35 on front. I am very pleased with the car but I have a couple of niggles. 1. It wont always start in Park, but starts in Neutral always, and when put in reverse an error message on the dash comes up "gear selector not engaged", so I presume there is a sensor/switch for the transmission lever. 2. The PCM unit radio and clock will not retain station presets or time when I set them. Any help would appreciated Thanks Mike

It sounds like the Multifunction switch, which on a 2003 996 is on the bottom of the selector lever. The switch unit is available as a separate part, and they are about £190. To change it, you have to remove the centre console and lever assembly. There is also a possibility that the selector cable is sticky, or some debris is restricting it, and not allowing the lever to reach to P position fully, so that might be worth investigating first. As for the PCM, it takes its time signal from the GPS satellites. It will override any manual setting when you switch it on. Is it reading satellites OK. I can't remember which screen it is on, but on one screen it shows the number of satellites being received. It needs to be seeing 4 satellites to get a position, and hence a local time. That doesn't explain the presets though. Maybe a diagnostic check with a Porsche tester might show whats up.

Richard, thanks for that I will have a look into both problems. Mike

Aren't we all have the date/time issue and no actual reliable fix/solution found yet that anyone has found? Apologies if this is different https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1039536