Xmas Pressie for the 4S - WWYD?

So, got around £1,500 to spend on M666 whilst she's in winter hibernation - what would you do out of the following shortlist, bearing in mind (no pun intended [ ]) it's a long term keeper :- - front apron respray (but it'll just need doing again in a couple of years) - Kline sports exhaust (but the existing standard exhaust has got plenty of life in it yet) - Autofarm IMS bearing upgrade (but it might be a good one and so not necessary) Can't decide which one to do - interested in other enthusiasts opinions. Cheers, Mike

IMS bearing upgrades cost c£500 Apron only respray should be c£200 If the exhausts are around £800 then do all three! Do them in the above order as the IMS upgrade is an excellent insurance upgrade

Sports exhaust all day long! Best money I ever spent on a car. The IMS upgrade has a limit life - then what?

Fun over sensible= exhaust. :-D

I'd do the IMS upgrade. Look at doing the exhaust later on.

I did the Autofarm ims bearing replacement which was a difficult decision buried felt the guardian warned but didn't prevent done on your personality as a medic I want things to work and am risk averse this is what I did in order Professional detailing New sat nav BT tv great or journeys Ims Autofarm New hood with heated glass Just waiting to collect winter tyres Then it's back to my motorcycles

Also did 1.5 bypass best thing just or sound

Thanks for all your thoughtful replies. My accountant (aka SWMBO) thinks we should do all three. Result! She has miraculously found some money (spirited away beyond my reach!?)[ ]. Happy days. Here's to a fun season of events for the festive period, and into the new. Happy Christmas chaps! Mike

Just be aware there £500 notes if your fitting it yourself!. In which case that apron price is £25. ???

Spend the cash on the bride. It'll pay you back many times over the years. Paul.

!!! thats the fitted price at Northways from memory?

£500 fitted would be nice. Cant be the LN bearing then because that costs around that with shipping + Taxes (and I wouldn't have anything else eg what testing etc) Afraid your looking at more like 2k. Edited for poor spelling (again) [ ]

Autofarm charge £1500 fitted for the LN Bearing. Had a quote of £1200 fitted from Porschetek Leeds, again the LN kit. Being a Yorkshireman of course Porschetek will be getting the business. Mike.

£1500+VAT is £1800, so Richard wasn't far off the mark. I believe Northway use a steel bearing, so it isn't really comparing apples with apples. Hartech also use a steel bearing, but unless their policy has changed, they won't do it without removing and stripping the engine. As Rod says, the LN bearing has a life, and according to their web site should be treated as a maintenance item, so make sure you document the change for yourself and future owners.

I really don't see the point of the LN bearing replacement. On the one hand your engine could blow up - probability let's say 5%. Pretty unlikely. Instead of taking this gamble you are guaranteeing an outlay of £1,800 now and who knows how much in the future (will they even still make the LN bearing when it needs to be replaced, will LN still be solvent etc). Why not just get a warranty which covers so many other things as well for nearly 2 years instead (OPC or otherwise) or an IMS guardian. If I was in the market and saw a car had an LN bearing installed it would actually put me off buying it. I might have to replace it at a cost of who knows how much (at least between 10-20% of the price of most 996s at current market prices) and who knows if it'll exist. A guaranteed time bomb of much higher probability than an engine detonation.

Yep, and if its a Tip its a bit more and who would do all that work and not do the Clutch too.

It's a good debate, chaps. Rodney - food for thought mate, good to hear that side of the argument. Sir Richard of Hamilton - always an honour to have your input on a thread, thanks. So, looks like paintwork tidy up and exhaust are a definite. More thought needed on the bearing replacement/insurance/early warning system. Thanks again. Mike

Zorst and paintwork would be my priority too. If you decide to go for an IMS Guardian, I can arrange a special forum buy.

I went for the IMS Guardian. Very happy with it. Roy

Cheers Roy, seriously considering the Guardian now (Richard - might be in touch soon!). Mike

Just a quick update. Stage 1 now complete, IMS Guardian fitted (thanks again Richard!). Stage 2 (Kline exhaust) this weekend, snow permitting!. Stage 3 (paintwork) being done w/c 18 Feb. Then, bring on the start of the season so we can have some fun [ ]

Boo hoo, snow stops play [ ] Have had to postpone exhaust fitting for a week or maybe two. Ho hum. Mike

Morning Mike, which exhaust did you go for and what was the damage fitted, I've been looking for my C4S for a few weeks

Hi Chris. We decided on a Kline system with 200 cell sports cats. To be fitted this weekend. Will post on results then. Supplied by Topgear Bridport. £1600 Inc vat, fitting and remap. If you call, ask for Steve. There was a hefty discount when I mentioned PCGB. Saw system at Chateau Impney. Quality was best of all exhausts on display. Lovely weld quality too. Mike

Many thanks Mike, sounds good! Will keep a watch out for your results next week. Very good choice as well, they will sound awesome I'm sure Chris

Waiting expectantly. Kline system currently being fitted.......

Oops! Will have to report back next week.

Is it being fitted up north mike?

Hi Chris Yes it is. Fitting at Topgear Stockport. Great blokes. Only problem is the system don't fit. Kline seem to have set up for wrong exhaust. Think I've ended up with hybrid 996/7 system. Had to leave M666LMJ with them until remanufactured system arrives. V.disappointed. Mike

Oh no! The joys of modifications! When are you going back? This weekend?

Hi Chris. We certainly are picking her up at the weekend. New exhaust will be with Topgear Bridport today. Their fitter is going up to Stockport with it tomorrow. Hopefully fingers crossed...... Mike

Hope its the right one hehe! Don't suppose your picking up saturday at some point are you?? May nip over and see the results if you don't mind??!! Give me a chance to warm up my C4 as well!

Pm me your number. I'll let you know the time when I go for it. Mike

OK. Here goes. Big gasp. When 'they' tried to remap the ECU. 'They' ended up frying it! M666 is currently poorly sick at the hospital known as Porsche centre Wilmslow. Topgear Bridport have taken control. A new ECU. Will be fitted. We still want the exhaust so M666 is to be trailered to Bridport to ensure no further mishaps occur. Get well soon M666LMJ. We miss you.[ ] Mike & Lisa

Morning Mike. If it wasnt for bad luck, you wouldn't have any at all!! Gutted to hear about the ECU. Still would like to come down when she is sorted. The only small consolation is the weather was poor this weekend and mine didn't move from under its winter cover! Hopefully all sorted soon for you Mike

Hi Chris. Yes it was indeed bad luck. Another effect of all this causal is that we have had to postpone the respray. Another disappointment! That is now happening 2nd week of March. It never rains.......... Mike

Sacre Bleu Michael [ ] ( a bit of French for your Sept trip!). And I thought your middle name was 'lucky'. Hope all goes a lot better soon. Can't wait to hear the outcome. Paul.

Hi Paul. I will have to rescind the word 'fried.' It is more of a coding issue. Topgear Bridport are confident they can rectify the situation. In all fairness we have to let them try. We are in their hands. They have been nothing but sincere and professional in their dealings with us. So the car is going on a south coast sojourn tomorrow. Happy convalescence M666. Mike

I can breathe again [ ]. Mind you, I've just priced some small trim parts and had to sit down, when I heard the results. Good thing they don't show their blemishes in the dark! Fingers crossed for you and awaiting news as ever. Paul.

Well. M666 is ready!!! Lisa and I are catching the train tomorrow to go to Topgear Bridport to pick her up. Topgear are happy with the fitting and remap. I have received a video clip, and have to say it sounds awesome. Can't wait. Will report again after the long drive back tomorrow. Mike

Yipee! Can't wait to hear how you got on. The long trip back (in the sun!) will give you a good understanding of how you will stand up to the September trip to France/Italy! Paul. p.s. Special thanks from George Osborne for keeping the Yorkshire economy going[ ]

Right. The beast is back! M666 is transformed. Hi flow filter. Full KLINE sports exhaust and remap. IMS Guardian fitted. Just the front end respray to go. We collected her from Bridport Topgear this lunch time. And had a 290m journey home to try her out. And Wow! Pickup is instant. Sound is refined at cruising speeds. But with an angry induction roar in predator mode. A really angry yowl! Can't wait to find some tunnels! Delighted. We had some ups and downs but got there in the end. Mike

Great news Mike! Hopefully see you out and about! Are you planning on going ot any events???

Hi Chris. Lisa and I are very active club members. Our next trip to your neck of the woods will be Porsches on the Prom. Deffo see you there. Mike

Well done Mike. Glad to hear that you got there eventually, and are happy with the results.

Look forward to it Mike and you can show me the Mods, Chris

Thanks for that Richard. Phew! What a palarver. Chris. You won't' have to see M666 coming. You'll hear her long before you'll see her. Mike

Here we go again! We gave M666 a bath last weekend. While washing the wheels we noticed scuff marks on our previously pristine wheels. This was caused by the ratchet straps when the car was trailered to Bridport. Luckily we are getting the front end respray done next week. Just hope Topgear are honorable enough to cover the additional £60 per corner for repainting and lacquering. Mike

Got M666LMJ back from paint shop yesterday. We are delighted with the finish. Seddon Atkins highly recommended. Dyno result at TM Sports are great. 355bhp and 396ft/lb. Brilliant. Well done to Topgear Bridport. We got there eventually. I am happy to recommend them also. [link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOKyN8tpqHI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOKyN8tpqHI[/link] Mike[ ]

Here's a link to the piccies of the finished winter spending spree. Our £1500 budget somehow grew to £2800. Oh the joys of Porsche ownership. Now for a good coat of Swissvax Zuffenhausen! Mike [link=http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.622710897744530.1073741831.284101011605522&type=1]http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.622710897744530.1073741831.284101011605522&type=1[/link]

Link to M666 on the dyno at TM Sport Knaresborough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOKyN8tpqHI&feature=youtube_gdata_player