When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I've been lurking around this site for some time and recently joined officially upon the acquisition of the aforementioned. I've wanted a 911 since I was twelve (it only took me 30 years!) and I feel like a 12 year-old with a new bike! Not my first Porsche, but my first 911 and first Porsche in 20 years as I've owned nothing but BMW cars over the last two decades. Just wanted to say hi, formally introduce myself -- Hi, I'm Joey and I'm a junky for anything with a motor -- and thank you for the wealth of info I've already found here.
While I typically only buy cars from meticulous owners with a full service history, I got a really good vibe from an ex jet aircraft mechanic selling his C4s in a rural Missouri. The car did have some records and the PO gave me a rundown of everything he'd done under his ownership. Also provided me with the service history from Porsche dealers over the years. Not comprehensive, but a good baseline to know what i was getting. Beyond that, the car is well optioned from the factory (full leather, upgraded alluminum trim pkg, PSE, PASM, SS exhaust) and previous owners spent gobs of money installing one of the most insane audio systems I've ever seen in a car (I'm an audio guy and work in the music industry here in Nash, it's probably a $10k stereo including the super high end install), a K-40 Calibre system and a set of Carrera classics.
A PPI revealed only the need for a new set of coils, rear brake pads and a brake fluid flush. I did the coils last weekend and found a small coolant leak that the PPI tech missed. Just a few wear items as i get this girl back to 100%.
As you can see, I have no problems taking cars apart, I went a bit overboard doing the coils, but the extra disassembly made the job very easy....
And all back together and clean....
The interior got a full cleaning and detail with the full leather interior getting the comprehensive Lexol treatment. I plan to claybar and seal the exterior in the coming weeks.
Thanks all, I've been a very active member in the BMW community and hope to contribute similarly in the Pcar world. L
Originally Posted by Dr_Strangelove
With your credentials, I've got to see a pic of this stereo!
Congrats on the purchase. A lot of us were lifelong dreamers like you, so we know the feeling! For me, over time, it amplified. Enjoy the drives!
Honestly sir, i have to back up a bit.... ok, maybe it's not the most insane, but it's better than most you see. I'll take some photos in the coming days and post up, but so far I've been able to locate 2 LARGE Zapco DSP amps ($3k), two 8" Treo subs ($1400) in a custom enclosure in the rear parcel shelf and a dated but serviceable Clarion DD head unit w/ Nav, back up cam, etc. etc. Which is great, as the 8" is my diameter of choice for LFE in 12volt audio, particularly coupes with a sloped rear window. Not sure what the rest of the drivers are, but I'm certain they are not the original drivers behind the Bose grills. The amp rack is nicely done in the boot w/ a backlit false floor featuring the Carrera logo. Not something I would have done, but it makes me feel like I'm college again... and hey, ain't that the point?
With your credentials, I've got to see a pic of this stereo!
Sorry Dr., every weekend i say i'm gonna take some awesome pix of the install and it just doesn't happen. So here are some really crappy pix taken from inside my dark garage....
I'm not so sure about the giant plexiglass Porsche logo on top of the DVD drive, but it's super glued on, so it'll take a bit of thinking to resolve that. Otherwise, the false floor w/ backlit venting is pretty nifty...
A couple of massive Zapco amplifiers stacked vertically in a rack that looks sturdy enough to withstand a 70mph head on collision...
The subwoofer enclosure w/ a far more appropriately sized crest...
Which houses two Treo subwoofers...
Not pictured is the Clarion double din that controls all this, it's a bit outdated and needs to be updated. And Hertz speakers replace all oem Bose speakers throughout. Honestly, I had not heard of most of these brands until purchasing the car, but was pleasantly surprised at the quality throughout. Still using my PC to program it all, it's quite a process.
More importantly, I've really sunk my teeth into making this car one that i only have to worry about on a daily basis and not hourly, lol. Here's a quick rundown of what I've done....
09/05/17 97923mi
-Coil Packs 6 (99760210402KT1KT)
-Serpentine belt
9/20/17 98253mi
-Coolant expansion tank 1 (99610615704)
-Coolant expansion cap 1 (99610644704)
-Engine deck lid struts 2 (99651255104)
01/07/18 99353mi Upgraded all interior/exterior lights with the exception of the High/Low Beam headlights to LED bulbs.
And while i was at it, i decided to wire up a second rear fog light -- nothing would make a cop in Nash happier than to pull over a Porsche for having a tail light out. And trust me, explaining to him why he's wrong would not help, lol....
One of the findings from the PPI was the need for a new clutch -- it didn't feel horrible, but upon inspection once removed it was indeed. Flywheel was no longer useable as a result, even a resurface was a non-option. So this one was a biggie and I paid someone else to do it...
I'm just a tick over $7k since purchase and haven't really pinched pennies in the process. Just figured this was good info for anyone shopping for a used 996. Do bare in mind, none of this stuff w/ the exception of the coolant tank, brake fluid and clutch was absolutely needed, but all of it is necessary at some point and I'd rather do these things on my time in my garage vs my mechanic's after a tow based on parts failure.
I do plan to update this thread w/ some pix, but keep procrastinating in general, so this is at least a first step in the right direction.
Oh, and just to let you know how much in love I've fallen for the 996, I've made my beloved e30 sleep outside in the rain all week to make room in the garage for my C4s to have a friend over. A buddy of mine has had his speed yellow Targa sitting idle all winter as he lost his alternator during a track session we went to last fall. So i changed it out at his house and brought it home for, um, observation.....
Very nice C4S! I have an '04 Arctic Silver... similar specs as yours. I just picked it up in September and my preempted maintenance is very similar to yours - I went with the LN IMS Solution so I do not have ever have to worry about that part again! I do not want to get stranded on the road! Enjoy and I am very interested to see what head unit you replace the clarion with. I am leaning towards an Alpine unit but there's a Sony unit out that is very simple and clean. Cheers!
09-12-2017, 03:49 PM
New to me 03 C4s
