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There is no other single 911 model year that is so unique within its own generation, as MY1999.
And then, even within MY1999, there is the "early-build" '99 variant in amber lenses, that is even less numerous (only 3,649 known examples worldwide), and even more unique!
Here is the unified list of what we've gathered on these beauties over the past 24 years;
I. General MY1999 Uniquenesses overall:
1. Dual-row original IMSB, that is eminently more durable than the later single-row design introduced mid-2000 production. First half of MY2K production cars use the 1999 dual-row as well. Anecdotal evidence suggests less than 1% failure rate for these original 1999 dual-row IMSB units. I personally drove a former MY1999 to 160K miles with original IMSB without issue (sold the car AFAIK still going strong)
2. Legacy 911 cable throttle (C2 only, not C4). Like all previous 911's before 996, you decide how much gas the motor gets with your right foot. With later >MY2K "eGas" the ECU decides this for you.
3. Manual actuation front and rear trunk latches. If the battery dies it can be instantly accessed for charging by simple lever pull. MK2K shares this feature, but with later >MY2001 cars the trunk's operation is electrified through the ECU, making dead battery access astronomically difficult (if not virtually impossible) through a latched trunk.
4. No "nannies" (TC/PSM/PASM etc...). TC (Traction Control), which was a sort of prehistoric precursor to PSM (Porsche Stability Management), was actually only optional in MY1999. So I personally sought out only 1999's without TC; this isn't possible on the >MK2K and later PSM cars. And of course it's all become a downhill slide into auto-driving electronica from there 997> (PASM, etc...). Thus a true "no nanny" 1999 996 (TC delete) is not only an astronomically rare find, it is the only actual 100% "analog" driving water-cooled 911 in existence, except for full blown GT and racing variants that weren't sold in the U.S. until MKII 2002>.
NOTE: A few owners on Rennlist over the years have claimed their MKII C2 as being optioned with no-PSM, however all MY2000 and later 911's had the eGas computer controlled throttle body; as do all the GT's.
Therefore the Traction-Control-Delete MY1999 is the only 100% "analog" water-cooled 911 ever made! (IE cable throttle + hydraulic steering + NO driver's assistance technology)
5. "Buffalo Hyde" dash and "Granite" interior materials. Some consider these unique, if not quirky, 1999 interior materials superior in look, feel, and durability to the later "Pleather" & "soft touch" rubberized surfaces fitted MY2K> and later. Indeed complaints about 996 "plastic-y" interior materials regard the later MY2K> versions; which is quite ironic as the M2K> standard "Pleather" dash material is apparently identical to the previous 964/993. See "early 1999" list below for additional <09/98 clarification.
6. Optional LSD (limited slip differential). This optional feature available only MY1999 can be important to drivers who track their cars. Unfortunately LSD was always paired with TC, so the "holy grail" of LSD and no-TC is only possible on the 1999 GT3 that was never delivered to North America. A "no nanny" 1999 (see #4 above) is the closest one can get to this "grail" 996 in the United States.
7. Legacy 993 headliner material; uses original 911 lightweight vinyl instead of the much thicker and heavier Alcantara MY2K> & later, that required more finicky and noisome metal supports. Lends another “solid” vintage touch to the MY1999 interior that 911 purists love.
8. No OBC (on board computer) as standard. For the "purist" sect the early 1999's that did not choose the OBC option (#659) came both without the computer display in the dash, and missing the fourth steering control stalk for OBC operation. Some enjoy the increased left leg room. OBC functions are nonetheless present in all 996 ECU, and can be enabled on the early 1999 by fitting a functioning switch into a dash or console button blank slot for this purpose. Regardless the lack of OBC control stalk and simpler gauges readout lends yet another "vintage" aura to the early 1999 interior for purists.
***FYI, pair an OBC-Delete with TC-Delete (see #4 above) and you have the "holy grail" of zero-nannies, analog modern 911's in the United States. Find one with #408 "Technology" wheels fitted (see #4 second list just below) and you're likely looking at an ultra-lightweight: "one-of-one"
II. Specific Early-Build '99 (Ambers) Uniquenesses: Subset of MY1999 with build date stickers from 11/97 - 08/98
NOTE: MY1999 was in production from end of 1997 well into 1999; almost three years and 30K total units produced across all versions (cabs, tips, C4, GT3, etc.). However "early build" '99 C2 units were only hand-built for nine months of alternating production on a single assembly line, and this was in sequence with outgoing 1998 993 cars; rendering only a fractional early-build '99 production total compared with MY1999 overall.
By VIN's this limited "early build" '99 C2 production has been determined to be 3,649 units total. Most early-build 996 pre-production was dedicated to the MY1998 ROW launch, and PCNA only imported a fraction of these early-builds as MY1999 to the U.S.
1. "Hand assembled" in sequence with the outgoing 993 production cars on their assembly line. Classic 911 engineering guru Jake Raby, and many others, have noted a tangibly increased "build quality" with these "early build" '99 cars. I personally find no quality deficiency in any 996 of any year, however I can attest the "early build" 99's do "feel" indestructible somehow, in a kind of ineffable way. The squeaks, creaks & rattles seemingly ubiquitous on classic 911's, and the subsequent water-cooled generations that followed, are strangely absent on these early-build '99 "tanks".
2. Amber-lenses head and tail lights. Affectionately known for their "fried eggs" moniker, these singularly unique (see note below) lighting units were fitted exclusively on the limited, "early build" '99 production run on the 993 assembly line. Anecdotally its believed Porsche fitted the special amber lighting to "commemorate" the brief, early-production run, as this "changing of the guard" was celebrated internally by Porsche far more than Marketing allowed the factory to share publicly. For example a much higher than usual percentage of these "early build" '99 cars were internal Porsche "Executive" orders (included under "Sonderwunsch", or "Special Wishes" option code #09991), and most of these likely remain "in the family" to this day. Even The Porsche Museum utilizes a disproportionately high number of "early-build" '99 amber lenses examples in both live installations on site, and all its social media/advertising involving the now "Porsche Classic" Type 996. IE, Americans may not be hoarding early-build 996's yet, but Porsche employees & insiders have been curating them for decades.
NOTE: It is a misbelief that the MKI 996 and Boxster share headlights; not true at all. Factory part numbers differ between the two Porsche models, and the 911 unit is twice the replacement cost of the Boxster's. The internal frame and wiring harness connector are similar enough, however, to allow Boxster headlights to be used as replacements in 996's (to save $$$); although both should be replaced together due to the stark aesthetic differences between the 996 & Boxster headlights when actually observed together.
Additionally because several have asked, it should be noted the unique 996 headlights used on the MKI Carrera, are identical to those fitted on the 996 GT1 Strassenversion, and MKI 996 GT3 models as well.
3. Color-thru "Granite" interior materials (nicknamed "Sparkle"). This original early 1999 "Granite" material was manufactured by the same company, and used in Rolls Royce's of the same generation. It's very distinctive, and unique. And very nearly indestructible. Later 1999 (>09/98) cars switched to a color-applied granite-like material which is somewhat less durable than the earlier color-thru material; but remains vastly more durable than the rubberized stuff that was used MY2000 and later.
4. Ultra Lightweight #408 BBS "Technology" wheels: An extremely light 993 narrow fitment Turbo wheel option #408 was commissioned by Porsche from BBS, and also made available to "early-build" MY1999. To date these #408's are the lightest 18" wheels ever offered by Porsche (YES, lighter by almost two pounds than the fabled MY02 "Carerra II Lightweights"), and the early-build 1999's lucky enough to have been so equipped actually weigh less than 2,900 lbs total; rendering these scant few MY1999 examples the lightest road-legal 911's ever built with 300HP+. And given the option was only available briefly during early-build MY1999 production, there were few enough configured this way for these variants to now be considered extremely rare; which is exceptional for any "modern" Porsche.
Long time lurker here, but first time poster. Just wanted to share a few pics of my 5/98 build C2 with the rare 408 hollow spokes and no TCS or OBC. I specifically sought one in this spec years ago before the early 99s started becoming desirable. To me, it was always a mystery why these were not appreciated, it is technically "better" and faster than the 993 and the last gasp before eGas and computers took over, raising the weight and disconnecting the driver. I thought I was weird that I considered this car the holy grail of the entire 911 line, but now at least I know I'm probably not the only one!
Wow never heard anyone praise the 4-spoke wheel before. My 04/98 car has it in Savannah Beige, and I’ve always aspired to go 3-spoke (though finding one has proven close to impossible). Although I dislike the large radius and thin rim of this wheel, maybe I’ll look at it differently from now on. The leather is still in beautiful shape (180K kms).
That's a great summation of the check boxes the '99s offer. And precisely why some of us sought out early 99 cars. Thanks for compiling. Hopefully this will prevent these questions from popping up every few weeks/months
Oil flows into the sump under the Mezger too, if that makes you feel better. My own concern over the dry-to-integrated sump "bait and switch" was that Porsche cut manufacturing cost of the motor in half, but maintained the same retail price 993 -> 996. That smacks of fraud. And in fact Porsche's CEO was arrested and tried for corporate fraud in German high court. You should read the (over 12 years of) court transcripts. Very, very interesting!
Originally Posted by work_truck
its a real shame that all those datapoints are overshadowed by the oil flowing into the sump
Connolly leather will last forever if maintained. Literally ageless. The 4-spoke is a timeless 911 classic. I would never change it.
Originally Posted by Boff
Wow never heard anyone praise the 4-spoke wheel before. My 04/98 car has it in Savannah Beige, and I’ve always aspired to go 3-spoke (though finding one has proven close to impossible). Although I dislike the large radius and thin rim of this wheel, maybe I’ll look at it differently from now on. The leather is still in beautiful shape (180K kms).
BaT peanut gallery needs to start asking for engine serial number on the early 1999s. As some of us are finding, our serial numbers, though not AT-stamped, don't have a 1998 build designation, but instead a 1999, indicating a replacement very early in the lifetime of the car.
Yes this resulted from the early production warehouse fire that forced the factory to temporarily use engine blocks that were previously culled for failing x-ray integrity test. All these blocks failed in only a few thousand miles of service with the "engine block porosity" warranty issue; also nicknamed "coolant intermix". This is a non-issue at this point, as all such affected engines have already been replaced under original factory warranty. Unless of course one now finds an example with less than a few thousand miles; which is a remote possibility I suppose, and in which case your advice is quite relevant!
Originally Posted by aaronjb_ME
BaT peanut gallery needs to start asking for engine serial number on the early 1999s. As some of us are finding, our serial numbers, though not AT-stamped, don't have a 1998 build designation, but instead a 1999, indicating a replacement very early in the lifetime of the car.
Porsche manufactured the ruse that it was going bankrupt early-2000's to lure VAG into buyout negotiations that afforded exclusive access to private VAG sales and asset data. Then Porsche leveraged that "secret" information and its behemoth cash position in a failed hostile takeover attempt of VAG, that was later deemed "criminal corporate fraud" by German prosecutors.
This is where "The 996 saved Porsche from bankruptcy!" myth originated from.
Porsche was actually illegally trying to cash-purchase the largest vehicle manufacturing conglomerate on earth (VAG) at the precise moment it was claiming to be "bankrupt". Porsche actually "leaked" the falsified economic data to the press (the fraud), who ran with the false narrative like banshees because it fed directly into their rabid hatred of the newly released (and despisedly water cooled) 996. Suddenly the entire automotive press world had a feasible explanation for "Why The 996 Will Never Be Collectible".
Hogwash.
But of course once Weiderking was arrested for fraud not one media outlet ever bothered to publish retraction of all the lies
And the absurdly false narrative "the 996 saved Porsche from bankruptcy" lives on in the blithely ignorant collective automotive consciousness to this very day.
09-28-2021, 12:38 PM
What makes the 1999 so special anyway??
