My ocean blue 1999 996.1 C2

[tob_today]

As I posted an ownership thread for my 993, I thought it only fair to post one for its younger 996 brother.

This was a bit of an unusual purchase, and not originally planned unlike my 993 (which had always been my dream car).

I am very lucky to have 3 cars, with my wife having her own (also for general family duties). Each of my cars fulfils a different purpose, and each is special (to me) in its own right. My imported Mazda Eunos VR-Ltd is a fantastic lightweight go-kart for nipping around town. Great fun, and super simple. My 993 is the ultimate pampered classic. Nothing more needs to be said here. Then my fantastic E93 M3 LE500. A truly great GT car with jekyll & hyde personality. I loved every minute of driving it for the last 5 years.

But the 911 bug hit home with my long-searched-for 993 now safely arrived back in June. I wanted more 911, and also minimal tech & weight. I work with technology every day, but for my cars I prefer simple low-tech fun. Just car & driver. Really I'm just a 90's guy & I love cars from this era.

So with an unusually spontaneous quick phone call in Sept the M3 was snapped up and I sadly watched it leave my driveway. But not for long as I had it's replacement lined up: an extremely well looked after 1999 996.1 C2 in my favourite dark blue metallic / grey combo (it just looks so right for this era) with Carrera BBS 5-spokes, M030 & LSD. And maybe unusually, I've always had a soft spot for the .1 headlights.

This car has very few previous owners, an invoice history folder going back to new, and the same owner for last 10 years who religiously took it to Precision Porsche for annual servicing and maintenance, regardless of cost. A man after my own heart.

So why a 996 when I already have a 993? And why both C2's? For me it's a perfect combo. The 993 for special days, the 996 for every day. Both fantastic cars in a pure as-designed sense. Both early C2's. Both narrow bodies. Both similarly spec'd. Both relatively lightweight. Just 5 years apart. Both blue (more by chance). I actually like the fact they are so similar, yet also so different. Last of the air, first of the water.

I also really like history with my cars, and I love the Porsche 996 story with Pinky Lai and team. Oh, and I also love an underdog story. The 996 is 'worth' only a quarter of a 993 - but I can tell you having both, this makes the 996 an absolute bargain.

I love both brothers, and their little upstart. Three 90's classics for this 90's loving guy.

So without further ado, let me introduce you to my 1999 996.1 C2 in ocean blue / space grey ...

 

[berni29]

Hi

Very nice indeed. I have a similarish combo in a Tip 993 and a 986.2 Tip Boxster.

Between my two the 993 is a far more planted car, but the 986 is great for use around town. Lighter and more pointy.

My brother and I are just starting to do the engine on a 996.2 Tip (love Tips!) we just bought, and it will be very interesting to see how that feels compared to the 993.

How does your 996 differ from the 993 in feel?

All the best

Berni

 

[Neilios]

Very smart and I am also a big fan of 90's cars.

 

[abe996]

That's lovely 8)

 

[2much]

That looks stunning and about 15 years younger than it is, well done!

 

[Mervo]

Very good choice. I love the sleek look of the 996's and I believe time will give them greater accolades.

 

[tob_today]

Thanks for all the comments.

How does your 996 differ from the 993 in feel?

Very good question, and I seem to be on mission to get them more closely matched. I love the way my 993 runs on it's M033 suspension, but the M030 on the 996 is not doing it for me personally. Makes it far too hard and uncomfortable for my driving roads. High on my list is finding something more akin to the 993's M033 which rides wonderfully, then it will be much better to compare. Don't know why there was no M033 option for the 996.

As always, I used Bob from Porsche Inspections for a full PPI before purchasing, and similar to my 993 he only found a handful of very minor items, it's in v.good condition and has been well looked after (although the 993 is totally different level).

In summary stating it is a "very well maintained example with outstanding service history".

Invoices show it's been maintained regardless of cost, it's been doing regular (but not excessive) mileage throughout it's life without gaps, and has been garaged for at least the last 10 years as confirmed in chat with the previous owner who has been very helpful. Another true enthusiast.

Key for me is it's a great base for some subtle improvements over time. More to come on this one.

 

[Mervo]

I gather that the M030 set up was an option on the C2. I am not sure if it is the same as the stock suspension on the 996TT and 4S, but some suggest this is the case (others don't). The 4S and TT both have the AWD aspect as well and that could change the experience. My TT suspension is firm but not harsh or noisy on our Australian roads and I would not change it. I did re-do the various bushings on the front end however.

 

[berni29]

Hi

When I got my 993 I spent a while trying to get it to feel like my previous 964 lol. Was pretty successful in the end!

I also cannot live with a harsh ride.

All the best

Berni

 

[996mike]

Snap

 

[996mike]

Snap

Snap

Mine is a 1999 996.1 c2 in ocean blue metallic I have owned her for 5 years
With no plans to sell she is my perfect fun day car the sound the performance
And I also like the lights ( don't tell anyone)

 

[beresd]

Welcome...and a lovely looking Porsche stable!

 

[tob_today]

I gather that the M030 set up was an option on the C2. I am not sure if it is the same as the stock suspension on the 996TT and 4S, but some suggest this is the case (others don't). The 4S and TT both have the AWD aspect as well and that could change the experience. My TT suspension is firm but not harsh or noisy on our Australian roads and I would not change it. I did re-do the various bushings on the front end however.

Hi Mervo. Yes it was option, and retro fitted on this one by OPC. I expect M030 is quite different on C2 but I'm no suspension expert. There's a number of other factors that could affect things. I know there's nothing wrong with the suspension components and they are all in very good condition, so at least that's good start to work from

When I got my 993 I spent a while trying to get it to feel like my previous 964 lol. Was pretty successful in the end! I also cannot live with a harsh ride.

Hi Berni. General idea is have a very good quality base car for general use, a good platform for comparison and also play with some differences. I expect this will develop over time. Let's see!

Snap. Mine is a 1999 996.1 c2 in ocean blue metallic I have owned her for 5 years. With no plans to sell she is my perfect fun day car the sound the performance. And I also like the lights ( don't tell anyone)

Hi Mike - very nice looking car - great choice and nice to see a long term owner. On contrary, liking the lights is something to be proud about. Great to be different, and stand out with personal choice. I'm seriously thinking about going amber for full retro just because I like it

 

[tob_today]

As mentioned, I'm a bit of a nerd with my car histories, and I really like to know their backstories. Thought I'd share some more on this one as it's a bit special.

Registered in June 1999, with only 5 former owners. The previous owner for last 11 years. It's now on 95k miles. Previous owner averaged 3k per year, always warming the engine, only used it in good weather, never on salt roads, and always using Shell V Power. He even had a garage built especially built for it when he bought it, and shared the construction photos with me showing garage being built to size. A true enthusiast.

There's very early invoices from the original OPC all the way to now, complete with MoT documents going back to 2003.

It's never been tracked by previous owner, and he doubts the 4 owners did before him. Previous to him it was a senior council lady. Apparently it has never broken down, doesn't use oil, has been utterly reliable for last 11 years, and if it needed for anything, it was done immediately by Precision Porsche using genuine parts. Servicing was done religiously every year, with additional visits between as needed.

There are invoices totalling £26k during his ownership over these 11 years and 30k miles. Great history and really tells with this car. It's in fabulous condition.

He had M030 suspension fitted by OPC shortly after buying in 2010. The only non-Porsche parts are Dansk Sport exhaust, and double DIN JVC headunit. Although it now also has some after-market engine mounts fitted by the specialist dealer he sold car to, and who sold to me.

It also has fairly new Michelin Pilot Sports all round, all fitted at same time. Always a good sign of proper maintenance.

As per PPI: "The last owner has certainly excelled in looking after the car with all regular maintenance and additional upgrades being taken care of". PPI also showed: "very small number of over-revs recorded against the engine" and Bob was very impressed with rev data, showing the car has been driven very respectfully during its life.

The specialist dealer had the gearbox rebuilt to fix a bearing whine which is now sorted, confirmed clutch is very good condition having been recently replaced by Precision, and confirmed the IMS bearing had already been upgraded at sometime during its life. PPI confirmed there are no signs of any issues. It's a very healthy car. Car also benefits from 997 GT3 shifter fitted by Precision.

Service history shows it's been looked after by only 6 different OPC / well known indies in it's 21 year life. Mostly Precision for half its life over last decade. Very impressive for a car at this end of the market.

I love nothing more than sitting down going through all the history of my cars after I buy them, and properly documenting everything. Yes, I said I was a geek

 

[tob_today]

About time I did an update as lots has happened with the 996 since my last post in Nov.

As with all my cars, I drive around for a few weeks after buying, create a list of things that need doing, then drop off for thorough going over with a trusted specialist. I decided to stick with Precision as they've obviously looked after the car so well the last decade, and have an excellent reputation.

I didn't find anything major (as expected after PPI), however of course with any car this age (and my OCD nature) there's always going to be a list of bits and pieces. Even for a car as well looked after as this one.

After driving around a bit there are some areas I'm thinking of improving over time. First it's case of getting the car super solid as a great foundation, then play with bits over time & see where it leads.

I'm looking forward to the adventure with this one. And in case anyone's wondering, I'm fully expecting to sink a load of cash into a car that's never going to be recouped. It's not an investment, it's something I enjoy.

So I dropped off on 22 Oct with my list and instructions to thoroughly go over whole car to see whats-what...