redridge

Can anyone tell me how they can tell if this is a real Turbo S.... please educate me.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false

wross996tt

look at the intercoolers...read the add it says 2003 w/X50...(FWIW,They did not make an S until 2005)

kezcapt

That is an X50 but does not have the ceramic brakes that the '05 "S" had as standard. The Brakes were about a $16K option and are a significant part of the package. I would make sure you are comparing correctly when assessing the value of your deal. (My "S" is an '05.)

redridge

thanks... brakes are red... so this S is a poser.

porscheralph

Yes it is a poser - no Turbo S in 2003. Only in model years 2004 and 2005. Not correct brakes as noted above. However to be fair the add does not say it is a Turbo S - only that it has the X-50 package. To put the price in perspective - I just purchased a 2005 Turbo S Cab with 26K miles for $64K. Good luck with you search.

jhbrennan

The ad doesn't say "Turbo S" but the script on the engine deck lid does.

raineycd

Best way to check is to look for the X50 code in the trunk as statman stated. They may have just added the "S" script for looks, but only way to tell is the X50 code and if you know difference in intercoolers, etc.

9Eleven

No, the S was only produced in '05.

porscheralph

Not to get in a flame war but according to Adrian Streather's book "Porsche 996, The Essential Companion" they were 5 produced in 2004 - two coupes and three cabs - but these may have been non US cars.

BobbyC

The "S" was designated as a 2005 MY. Mine was built in early Dec'04 and delivered to me just after Christmas '04. The PCCBs (Gen 2) were standard for the "S". IIRC, 180 coupes and 540 cabs were shipped stateside.

wross996tt

no flames...this is why you always designate Model Year, vs. just year. "S" is MY05

porscheralph

Not to put too fine a point on this discussion - but the 5 units that were manufactured in 04 carried the MY 04 in the VIN so "technically" they are MY 04's. Porsche does things like this from time to time because of the way they define their model year. Porsche begins their model year in August and ends in July. As an example my 05 TT-S cab was built in July 05 and was among the last 996 TT built. As an aside - all Turbo coupes built in MY 05 were "S" - only a handful of Turbo cabs in MY05 were not "S" (about 127). This info is taken directly from Adrian's book - a great resource by the way.

ltc

The placement of the rear badge(s) on that car look off....a bit too low and perhaps a bit crooked as well.

BMo

Wow, nothing like splitting hairs. I like it. I learned something.

9Eleven

I am not certain you are correct with those statistics, I will have to do some research myself. What was designated on the window sticker or the certificate of authenticity? In any case, none of those were delivered to North America, so it isn't relevant, you could not get an '04 (basically an '05) anyway. From the PCA Turbo Registry:

"In September 2004, the standard Turbo and associated X50 upgrade were dropped, Porsche introducing the Turbo S for the final year of production. These last-of-the-line derivatives came with the X50 upgrade as standard along with Porsche's Carbon Ceramic Brakes (previously an expensive option). Cabriolet's were also delivered with an aluminum hardtop. Production ended in mid 2005 to make way for the all-new 997 Turbo."