cobalt

OK, I have been trying to make heads or tails out of Porsches VIN # system and found something that has peaked my curiosity. I have reviewed Adrians wonderful book on the subject and find it spelled out quite clearly. Cut and dry as it appears on paper by reviewing the codes on my car and numerous codes I have looked into from other MY94 turbos I was in the market for, I am not so sure.

Those of you with US MY 94 turbos, can you check to see if you have code 718. My car does and according to Adrian, it is Porsches (Adrian, I am going off memory so correct me if I am wrong) way of using 1993 production parts in 1994 autos. It appears my engine has a P code vs an R code making it a 93 leftover yet my serial number is 189 out of 466 and my Body is an R body vs a P. ie a MY 94 body with a 93 MY engine.

Now I have info from cars with serial numbers up to 266 showing the same code 718 and P number engines. Thats more than half the 94 MY run of turbos with 93 engines. I was wondering if you US owners could check and let me know if you observe the same thing and what serial number. Just wondering how far does this go up the VIn chain.

Thanks

Adrian

Dear Anthony,
Yes M718 is the authorisation to turn a 1993 model into a 1994 model. I would be interrested to know myself how many M718s were imported.
Just so you do not feel left out, many 1994 models exported to the USA were M718s as were the first 993s.
The first M718s were the initial RSA deliveries to the USA. They were 1993 bodies with 1992 engines. However the bodies were actually built in model year 1992 not 1993.
I was not aware until my discussion with yourself that the Turbo 3.6 had been M718ed.
Ciao,
Adrian
964C4

mark lintott

Out of curiosity checked in my records and my 1994 Turbo LOOK from the USA also has a 718 option code on it and also a P code for the engine. Seems right as apparently the 94 TL used up excess turbo shells and running gear in the 'States prior to introduction of the 993. Can't find the build dates right now although I know it was in '93 - in fact the first service in California is dated as 27th August 1993 (!) Always seems strange like a strange system where you can drive around in a car before its officially been made.....

Like Anthony I'd be interested to know how far this reaches.

Also incidentally I was looking for a minor oil drip last w/e and noticed the rear trailinig arms are numbered starting 965..... Is this related to the use of run out bodyshells etc or were all of them by this stage on 965 part nos. or have TL's always used turbo parts such as this?

Thanks

Mark Lintott

94 964 TL coupe Taiwan

cobalt

It looks like another one for Adrian,

However it makes sense to me that the TL model would use the same or similar trailing arms as the turbo. Otherwise the stock Carrera TA's would need spacers and much deeper offset wheels to accomodate the wider track. Then again this is only my opinion. I will look it up when I get home tonight if Adrian doesn't answer first.


I don't know about the TL's but it apears that the entire 93 MY run of US version 3.6 turbos may have been M718ed and all Vin numbers up to 288 have been converted to 1994 MY cars. However this has not been 100% confirmed. I have only seen up to #264 with M718 option code.

Teejae

For the record, my car is not a M718 and my VIN ends in 298 so we know it stopped before then.

cobalt

Thanks Teejae.

So we know 264 is M718 coded and 298 is not so this should lead us to a stopping point of 288. But we may never know for sure.

Adrian

Dear Mark,
The TLs have many 965 parts even the ones from 1992 and 1993. Again I have no idea how many of the C4 TLs are M718. This is why I always tried to get the options labels.
Ciao,
Adrian
964C4