Hey Everyone,

I've been reading this board for a few months and have finally decided to order a 2003 C4s. Due to waiting time and my situation, I won't take delivery until April. Although April is far off, I would like to ask a few questions about what I've ordered.

Here's what I've ordered so far:

Basalt Black/Black interior
Sport Seats
All Stitching in Red
Crests in headrest
Sport Exhaust
Carbon Fiber Shifter/Handbrake
Bose
Xenons

I plan to call my dealer next week and add:
1. Park Asssist system
2. Rear wiper
3. 6 disc changer

I'm personally not a fan of the turbo wheels although I love their huge foot print. Do you know if there any other wheels you can order directly from the Factory? My dealer is checking into whether this is possible since it's not specified in the options catalog. I happen to like the look of the Carrera 18s or the Sport Design rims, but I don't believe they're as wide. Additionally, I would like to add a fixed wing/spoiler to the back. I understand Techart has released its wing for the c4s, but I have yet to see it in person. Is it possible to add the turbo fixed wing/spoiler? Are there any other wings/spoilers available?

I appreciate any and all advice. Am I missing anything important? Is there anything else I should consider?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

With all that black in the interior I'd put some alum trim somewhere to break it up...unless you want a "stealth" car. Instead of red deviated stitching put silver. Get the silver hood crest and silver/black center caps rather than the gold crest. Black/silver/alum would look great imho. Bag the embossed crests in the seats and get the silver crest on the steering wheel. Speaking of wheels you should get the Sport Design rather than standard. Will look cool w/dark color and silver center caps.

If you like gold then forget the last 3 sentences!

I'm assuming you get 18's and 225/285 as standard.

Now for the aftermarket....wired V1 and Traffic Pro should do it.

Oh, and ash tray delete and maybe AS console

Had enough?

 

Doesn't the Bose come with the 6 CD changer?
Consider the lumbar supports for drivers seat.
Also personally the rear wiper does not look good, throws off the sexy curve of the car. Plus the rear window doesn't get very messed up. I don't have it, don't want it.

 

Don, thanks for the advice. Your C4 looks great.

I saw a Black/Back C4 w/ red deviating stitching at Herb Chambers about 3 months ago and fell in love with the look. The red stitching will definitely have to stay. I do agree, however, that I may have too much black. Is there a a small aluminum kit that would accentuate the interior? I don't want too much going on inside the car as it will detract from the car's naturally stunning good looks.

Has anyone installed XM radio?

Oh, I'll have to check into the 6 disc changer. I know everything is unpackaged for '03, and that led me to believe the 6 disc changer was also separate. Can you add lumbar support to the sport seats?

 

I think they have a "small" alum pkg, but I understand everything is unbundled for 03. Maybe just the center console in a different color is sufficient. Also think you can get seat backs painted body color as well. Someone on the list should have the complete 03 options list by now.

 

RJ, you mentioned Herb Chambers...do you live in the Boston area?

 

[quote]Originally posted by Don Watson:
<strong>RJ, you mentioned Herb Chambers...do you live in the Boston area?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yes, actually I do live in Boston for school. However, I ordered my car from The Collection in Miami, Florida.

 

Hi Rjv, About hte option Park assist..are you sure about that one? I think is unnecesary and those spots over the rear bumpers are not so nice..!
just my 0.2 cents.
Have you think about the full carbon package? on black interior is great!
And maybe the sunroof
Other wise great config for your C4S.
Good luck.

 

[quote]Originally posted by bilstein 996C4:
<strong>Hi Rjv, About hte option Park assist..are you sure about that one? I think is unnecesary and those spots over the rear bumpers are not so nice..!
just my 0.2 cents.
Have you think about the full carbon package? on black interior is great!
And maybe the sunroof
Other wise great config for your C4S.
Good luck.</strong><hr></blockquote>


I agree. If I'm not mistaken, the sunroof is included already.

 

Ummm......last thing I want to do is change your mind..but I learned the hard way...If spending 100K plus, which you will....just get the TT. I personally took large loss on upgrading my loaded '00 carrera when upgrading to TT.


Alot more options are standard, plus perfromance makes totally different car than C4s. Worried bout residual? TT is limited edition, last year there making it till 2006. Soo....just consider. By no means am I discounting the beautiful C4S.

Regards
<img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

I'd pass on the rear wiper, unless you're going to drive it in heavy snow. It's useless for rain, which doesn't stick to the glass if you're moving. The aerodynamics will keep it clean back there. Light snow will be quickly melted by the rear defroster. It's just one more thing to break or rattle, adds weight and cost.

 

Hi HRS1,
I think C4S's are also limited production. Porsche even makes less C4S's than TT's. However, I do agree that putting too much options may not be a good investment. The resale value will more base on base MSRP than option loaded MSRP.

 

[quote]Originally posted by Mav:
<strong>Hi HRS1,
I think C4S's are also limited production. Porsche even makes less C4S's than TT's. However, I do agree that putting too much options may not be a good investment. The resale value will more base on base MSRP than option loaded MSRP.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I hear what everyone is saying. With the options that I already have, the price is approximately $86,000 according to my dealer. If I add the fixed wing and the different rims, I will be roughly around 90k, which is still 25k cheaper than a base TT.

 

Love the deviating RG stiching on black. Suggest that you consider aluminum guage faces, which are part of the design package(or at least where for 02's). Also, guards red belts, arctic silver rear center console, small aluminum package, soft look leather, auto dimming rear view mirror/rain sensing wipers. Would not get the rear wiper for reasons mentioned in above posts, nor would I get the park assist because it breaks the clean line of the rear bumper. You cannot make a mistake with your Porsche. Yes, the options lose value in the aftermarket, but personalizing a Porsche is more important, IMO.

 

Here are my suggestions:

1. Rear Wiper-IMHO, I would never put this on any Porsche for a number of reasons: (a) unless you live where it snows and plan on driving in such snow, rain is not that big of a problem on the rear glass (rain runs off at speed); (b) the wiper does not come with a washer; (c) the rear wiper is a dangerous item in this sense--never, never lift it off the glass for cleaning and leave it resting in the up position because if it gets accidentally bumped or just falls it will put a nasty, nasty scratch in your paint just to the side of the rear window (case in point--I had my 996TT in the body shop for some work on the front end, and guess what--the body shop guys ended up scratching my paint in the manner I just described, so now I have new paint on the back of my car just because of that darn wiper); (d) spoils the look of the car--not really ugly but you can see it.

2. With a black interior, consider the aluminum face guage option--I have it on my Seal Grey/Black Turbo and it provides needed contrast to an all black interior. I wish those guages where standard equipment, as they are on the Boxster S.

3. Why the parking assist option? Unless you parallel park frequently, you're taking an option that will leave "buttons" on your rear bumper that don't look very good. While the 01's were clearly the worst looking--very large and noticeable--the 02's weren't that much better.