Buying a 996 and options questions

All, About to embark on purchasing a 996 - likely 2002 / 2003 given my current budget. Quite a newby to the world of porsche and looking for your guidance on a couple of bits: - General feeling on ruffled leather. Until I read about it and saw other cars with it my first impression was that it made the car look aged/high miler ... Anyone else think this ? Maybe harder to sell on ? - What options would be musts / good to have. Thinking of xenon headlights, alu pack and white dials as a starter. Worth holding out for Sound Upgrade and/or PSM ? Any others? Thinking of 'good/enjoyable to have' as well as helping to sell on. Thanks Mark

I have Xenons and PSM 1 etc but to be honest I was just after the best car within my budget but there's no feeling of comprimise. Issues that have miffed me are very minor really. The PSM is great with sat nav - i'd defo have that if i were you, but for the phone you need a seperate sim card which is a faff and a half to divert back and forth to your main number - if only it had bluetooth! Not sure that you'll have any better phone choices with a car only a year or so younger though

. have Xenons and PSM 1 I think you mean PCM 1 (ie. Porsche Comms Mgmt), not PSM (Porsche Stability Mgmt). Essentials for me are: Metallic paint PSM (ie. traction control) 18" wheels Sound pack (ie. speakers in the front doors) C16 designation (UK car) OPC used car warranty Nice to have: PCM II (the CD version from 2002/facelift onwards) PSE (no performance gain, but makes the sound a lot better) Park Assist For 35k miles and 2003, you'll be looking at about 35k from an Indy and about 40k from an OPC. About 30k private.

Where would it state about the C16 you refer to? I guess anything else implies an import ? Does the car only have front door speakers as part of the sound upgrade ? The car I'm looking at does but they didn't mention BOSE or a sound upgrade as an extra. Also has a lumley warranty. Fairly sure it doesn't have PSM Thanks for answers ? P.S. Any view on the ruffled leather making a car look 'less fresh?'

I wouldn't worry about the phone prep using a SIM. Since you can't get duplicate SIM cards you need to swap between hand held and the PCM which isnt's very convenient. Just get an 'old fashioned' car kit with cradle. This has the advantage of charging the handheld. The kit will mute the PCM via a rear connector.

> Where would it state about the C16 you refer to? I guess anything else implies an import ? Yes. It's on the first page of the service book. It's a sticker that lists all the options on the car...get a copy of these and you can use the decode list on this site. The country designation is the first code and will say C16 for UK. > Does the car only have front door speakers as part of the sound upgrade ? The car I'm looking at does but they didn't mention BOSE or a sound upgrade as an extra. You can have two hifi upgrades. One which has 5 speakers (I think) + Amp (and speakers in the door), the coupe has +1 speaker (ie. 6, I believe) than the targa and convertible though. The second is a Bose upgrade, and this is clearly marked on the stereo and the speaker grills. Bose is a good addition, but I wouldn't consider it a deal breaker, as there's after market options. Although the 2002 (facelift) cars have MOST fibre optics into the unit and you will need to speak to a reputable ICE company to get this sorted (as it is difficult to do a DIY job yourself). Lots of examples facelift cars that have had aftermarket radios installed, so it is possible. > P.S. Any view on the ruffled leather making a car look 'less fresh?' I agree, but you normally find that people don't treat the leather properly anyway...if you use Liptone or something similar, you will get it looking almost new (perhaps a little lived in though) and it will look a lot better than it does now....but I agree, I think the car ages better without it (and it's not that easy to change and is quite £, but is possible)

Thanks GD - you've been a great help. Mark.

The beauty of the 996 is that its relatively easy, albeit expensive, to upgrade and change. Whilst its better to find a car with everything you want, don't dismiss one which is practically perfect, but missing something. I've fitted Xenon lights (essential), a carbon gearknob, carbon handbrake, colour-coded centre console and carbon door entry plates, and most importantly, a switchable sports exhaust which is wonderful. I'm considering alu dials, but not sure as I think Mrs B may kill me if I spend any more on it! The only thing that can't be fitted is PSM- but all 4wd cars have it as standard. Ruffled leather can look a bit tired, but an hour or so spent with Gliptone leather cleaner and conditioner will get it looking much better. My preference is for normal leather as it looks more sporty.