Alarm question..

Just picked up a 98' 996 c2 with gt3 kit and a whole host of extras. Have to say that at some point in its life it must have had an owner who just loved gadgets as theres no end to velcro stickeys, phone magnets, nokia cradle plastic crap, nokia aerial etc etc and a clifford alarm with remote start that doesnt even work. Doesanyone know whe to find replacement trim parts like the leather panels on each side of the center console? Even the panel which covers the rear shelf, covering the wiper motor has been medded with...should there be right up to the rear window or should it be tucked under? I'd love to get the alarm out as i think its draining the battery. Can i get an original alarm put back in and would i have to go to an opc? does anyone know how much they might charge? Any knowledge is appreciated. Thanks. Peter

Those leather panels either side of the lower console are a whopping £260 each from an OPC, so I would try a breaker like Porsch-Apart to get a pair of decent second-hand ones. Same for the rear shelf, which is £200+. (The carpet should tuck under the trim). They won't have removed the original alarm unit - probably piggy-backed the Clifford unit to it. Look under the passenger seat for a black box with M534 or 535 written on it. Rather than taking it to an OPC, find a good local Porsche specialist, and you will save yourself a packet. Let us know your location, and I'm sure you will get some recommendations.

alarms Thanks alot Richard, would be great if the porsche one still lives under there somewhere...i bet opc will charge about 2 grand for a new alarm..lol..you'd cringe if you saw the gadgets in my car theres even a wire coming out of the tax disc holder which apparently is the antenna for the hands free kit!! The last owner said i must start her atleast every six days or the battery will be flat....not surprised with the amount of crap attached to it..lol Shame about the cost of trim parts...had to be expected i guess. I realized i missed a few words on the original post and its quite hard to explain but that rear shelf thing (long strip covered in leather) which covers the end of the rear shelf is off completely (will try and attach it) but the shelf carpet carries on from the shelf and is bent 90 degrees upward so it goes upto the window but has been folded under the wiper motor...its all very firm but does doesnt look like a porsche finish, even though that leathered strip is supposed to cover it...maybe all the clips are broke and they've tried to cover that section with the carpet? The only way you'd know was if the one on yours was off so i dont really expect anyone to know this..i only think its a bit dodgy as the loose panel seems to not have room to fit because of the carpet there. Anyways im in west london (ealing). Took her out yesterday and before i could go anywhere i smelt something strange (from outside..before you laugh) and saw white smoke. I got out and saw stains all over the ground! At first it looked like it was dripping from the exhaust, then i had a good look and saw that it was green and clearly leaking down from the coolant tank or maybe a split hose!! Not a good start but atleast it wasnt oil It looks like the place to take it too is jaz porsche in wembley...just hope the drive there doesnt kill it if coolants leaking out..thanks again

Sounds like a bit of a dog's breakfast in there. If you are using the key head button to lock the car, then the original alarm/immobiliser will still be there. I don't understand why someone would have fitted the Clifford system, because the Porsche alarm is Thatcham Catagory 1 approved. The rear wall clips on with 4 plastic clips on the back, and the carpet should go underneath it. You might also want to check that the trim parts are actually leather, not leatherette (vinyl). The leatherette side panels for the front lower console are about £40 each, so there's quite a difference. Jaz are a well respected outfit, and you won't go too far wrong with them. Not the cheapest, but they are good. HTH

Unfortunately im not using the key head...got this clifford four button one dressed in a cheap carbon fibre look case....dont understand it myself why they changed it to clifford...wanna get the porsche one back somehow..there is a black box under the passenger seat by the way..thanks for that =-) Will try and by somw clips to put the panel back on the rear shelf. Probably have to go to porsche for em. I will check to see if they're leather but i think you are right, they're probably vinyl. Thanks Richard

Just checked on the PET, and there are 5 clips (No 2 on the illustration), Part No 999.507.687.05 at 44p each, and 3 'cable clamps' (No 3 on the illustration), Part No 999.651.307.02 at 42p each. (Both +VAT). An OPC should have them.

Did you have a HPI/PPI done?

Re: alarms Hi peter, the coolant tanks cracking are a common problem on an older car. look for whiteish residue aorund the tank on the left side of the engine bay. you can top it up with some water to get you to a garage TB

I did a hpi check and was all ok...mind you the car has had a good 6 or 7 plate changes in its ten year life span and i did it on its last plate....when you do the check, they go by the vin number dont they? Am currently waiting for the log book to come back with its original 'S' registration, would it matter what plate i checked for the hpi report?

It's probably fine. The registrations are all tied in to the VIN and it's not unusual for a prestige car to have a few number plate changes. As someone else mentioned the question is why has got a non-original alarm? Hope it all turns out clear for you.

Why dont you try a garage more local to you that also specialises in Porsches & electrical work... I used No.5 Garage (google it) and Peter was fantastic. Sorted out my electrical problems when OPC Chiswick and another Indy couldnt. He can also do all/any mechanical work you need doing. Good luck.