996 C4S Noobie here...

Hello folks, A refugee from the 993 section, having recently sold my 993 Targa and bought a 996; The car is a 2002 C4S manual, Lapis blue with, I think, graphite grey hide although it looks a little darker than normal. The trim code is CZ if anyone has an interior trim code list. So far, I am delighted with the car! It will be used for daily commuting and fun, racking up about 15-20k miles per year. I even look forward to my commute now... that it does nearly 30mpg (despite some spirited driving on the b roads close to home) on the commute is the icing on the cake. Its a largely standard car with Bose, sports seats and embossed crests. I have ordered some retrofit HIDs, and the car is going in tomorrow to Northways to have a PSE fitted, as having driven a few with and without it, the PSE should be considered an essential accessory. I have also ordered a carbon fibre gearshift from Carnewal, which, all in all, will get the car just as I want it.

Sounds great and a 993er turning to "the dark side" too! [ ] Any pics to post up?

Welcome Robert!! Sounds nice, and yes - CZ = Graphite Grey Full Leather​ ​ BTW, you'll find a useful HID retrofit in the Technical section.​

Thats a relief having guessed and ordered the gearknob earlier! I will check out the HID upgrade thread- BTW the 996 Technical section here is most impressive. I suspect however I will hand the kit over to my local specialist as my DIY efforts are generally not known for their success! I got the kit from hids4u, they recommended their "ultimate kit" which looks good.

Hi, An excellent choice of 911 [ ]. I have no doubt you will enjoy her for many a year. I am in the process of getting some HID for my beast but getting some grief over warranty issues. I put them on and I am under the impression the warranty is not honoured. This is my sat nav dilemma. Have you got this covered with an OPC??? Regards Alan.

IMO this is rather important. If an owner adds, for example, HIDs then why should the OPC warranty be in jeopardy? After all, an OPC will not fit better lights to a 996 - I asked and was told that they did not do this. Is this something for PCGB to take up with PGB on behalf of the membership?

Hi Julian, The warranty booklet states in the significant exclusions or limitations section: 'The following are the significant exclusions or limitations of this policy: . Genuine Porsche parts or those of matching quality have not been fitted to the vehicle' From that, I would assume that fitting non-Litronic lights could be deemed as falling under the above category. HIDs are not approved, nor do they have the washing system that comes with Litronic, nor the self-levelling system. (which also brings up MOT issues) Having said that, I've never heard of the warranty being invalidated by the fitment of HIDs (I have HIDs fitted myself and have had a lot of warranty work done to my car since) Nor have I heard of any Porsche failing it's MOT having had HIDs retrofitted. Sat Nav (PCM) is specifically not covered under the warranty, so the fitment of an aftermarket one shouldn't matter, unless they claim that it has had a detrimental effect on something that did go wrong and you were trying to claim on.

I am a qualified lawyer and can easily see how Porsche could use those terms to refuse to honour their warranty - why should they decide what is "of matching quality"? And who should make that decision? Surely our Club should be able to seek clarification - and perhaps ask why an OPC cannot fit better lighting as an after-sales addition, rather like the PSE. We shall see what we shall see [with or without better lights] [:-].

Julian, Litronics are available as an aftermarket option. A quick search on Google for Litronics for your car: http://www.automotion.com/productpage.aspx?pid=102878&name=Genuine+Porsche%C2%AE+Litronic+Headlights&vehicle=28680

Rodney Now, why have 2 OPCs stated that they do not deal with this and woud not be willing to fit them? And just look at the US prices!! That comes off my list of things for my car - at least until I earn a lot more money...[X(]

Doesn't surprise me Julian, they probably don't know what cars they sell half the time![:-] An HID upgrade would cost you a few hundred (HIDS4U.com for example). Litronics are a rip-off!

The official Litronic set up includes washers (and all the associated tubes, pumps presumably) and also the auto-levelling system, as well as the Xenon bits (bulbs, starters and ballasts) The aftermarket HID kits are just the xenon bits, so there is some justification there in the different prices.

Robert I understand teh price differential, but why should the fitting of after market HIDs affect the warranty - especially if teh fitting is by an 'approved' independent Porsche outlet. If Porsche do not fit better lights, and at night in this weather lighting and visibility are very important, surely PGB should accept such modification. If the argument is that the lights are not fitted to Porsche standards, then perhaps they should consider licensing a few companies to deal with such fitting. After all, if an OPC will not fit it, how can anyone ever add anything to a car, perhasp to enhance safety issues, and keep within the warranty - and if you look at the warranty booklet you will see just how easy it is for PGB to refuse to deal with or cover warrany issues. Let's take an extreme example. If I fit HIDs and the RMS fails, in theory the warranty will not cover the RMS failure due to non-Porsche approved parts having been added to the car. Of course, no sane insurer would try that on but ...

I presume it is an issue of known quality- Porsche parts are one thing, but who knows what sort of HIDs you might end up with, which could do all sorts to the electrics. Agreed though, there needs to be common sense applied to warranty claims on failures and non-related accessories that have been fitted. Perhaps PGB as you say should offer a retrofit kit. But there seems to be some confusion over the legality of HIDs- manufacturers seem to be obliged to fit self-levellers and washers, but retrofit ones don't need to? Not really clear. HIDS4u said they were legal.

Hi, I have only yesterday discussed the fitment of the AVIC system to my 2003 C4S with a very reputable audio installer. The chap told me that my Porsche warranty was invalid if I went through with the process. He stated ironically that the technicians actually get work given to them from the Porche OPC ie PCM2 retrofit etc so they know their onions. However he was clearly standing by the fact that if I go the AVIC route my warranty is no longer worth the paper it is written on. However it could be installed on an 03 MOSTbus vehical. Clearly a market area here for Porsche to look at. Surely they are aware of the second hand residuals and buyers wanting the best for their vehicals. Cannot understand why litronic are not standard now and also the wiring looms ought to be in place for a simple plug and play process. Regarding SAT NAV then their ought to be a competitive retrofit and certainly no warranty issues if one does go after market. I will be speaking to my OPC in the next few days. It may be a case for PCGB to pursue. Regards Alan.