Facelift .v. Preface lift - The Difference

I am close to joining those who own a 996. Only get once chance in life, it's now takeable (is that a word) and I don't want to go to the great car park in the sky regretting I never took that chance. The question today is what is the difference between face and pre face lift cars. Is it the lights, interior?. I see people asking if you can retro fit Litronic or Xenons to a pre face lift. Does that mean all facelifts have them or were they an option. (Option on a 65k car, don't you just love it) Any other advice would be great. Got a test drive booked Friday, trying to stay calm about it but its difficult - and I am 48 going on 12...!!!!

All the changes for the 2002 MY 3.6 litre facelift are right here, a total of 20 changes http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=15829 in the 996 FAQ section http://www.911uk.com/viewforum.php?f=33

Hi, The most obvious change is the head lights, note mine (face lift), preface lift lights do not have the sexy curve under light it is a staight line in effect. Personally like the 996 face lift lights over the 997 lights. Welcome and enjoy your test drives. Recommend many, I took 12 months before I bought having spent many an hour looking in private sales, indies etc. Eventually bought at an OPC spent a bit more but happy with the hospitality I have had. Let us know how you get on and also make sure you get a 111 point check done before commitment and a Porsche warranty is the best for more cover in my opinion. Regards Alan.

Me too. Some how the rounder lights just havent 'worked' yet for me. Bit like those open mouthed Audi grills. I know its historically 'right' but something not quite right about it aesthetically in my humble opinion. The facelifted look seems to flow better somehow, in keeping with the general flowing line of the car.

Styling is a very personal thing - I actually prefer the pre-facelift headlights myself (as long as they have clear indicator lenses :shock: ) I also prefer the pre-facelift (Mk1 GT3) aerokit: Hence my choice of car! Facelift cars do have an extra 20bhp and a glovebox though... :wink:

I like the pre-face lights as well and the design of the front PU. Did the extra 20bhp really make a difference in real terms on the facelift cars? It was only approx a 6% increase anyway.

As said above, its a style thing... I always preferred the pre-face lift until I owned a C4S! The 3.6 engine does have a few more BHP and torques, and feels a bit more muscly throughout. Not a lot in it TBH, but better fuel economy for what its worth! And don't forget the cupholders too :roll: The Litronics/Xenons are an option as you say, amazing on a £65k car), but as is a rear wiper, and the priviledge of having the Porsche Crest on the seat! You can fit aftermarket HID Xenon lights and ballasts (as I did), but retrofitting OE Litronics is v expensive.

Or you could get the best of both worlds. Find a 3.4L with the X51 pack bringing it up to same bhp and torque as the 3.6L... then get one of those clip on cup holders

but can you find two ?

I would have thought that the move from 3.4 to 3.6 was quite a significant change, not just the small power hike, but mainly the possbly more reliable engines less prone to cylinder warp and cracking?

Did Porsche design the 3.6 with the objective of resolving early engine problems? The 3.4 engine problems didn't appear until a couple of years later... Also, I'm still not convinced that this really was a problem? Was it just magnification of the isolated few stories that were publicised?

I don't think Porsche built the 3.6 to solve the alleged problems with the 3.4, I am sure that it was a natural evolution. In reality who knows, apart from Porsche, if there really is an issue with the 3.4. Having said that and read various copy on the issue, if it were my money, I would go for the 3.6 just to hedge my bets. You are right about the magnification effect though!

The 3.6 has a much better top end response and reach compared to the 3.4 and hence feels faster at higher speed, the 3.4 counters with subjectively better bottom end torque. I had a 3.6 c2 and now have a 3.4 c4 and prefere the 3.6 on the whole but the difference isnt massive.