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My 997 Carrera S progress..

MarkGolf

Well-known member
Joined
13 Nov 2012
Messages
930
After 3 months of ownership, I thought I would start a progress thread. I like to do these as they always work out as a good diary to look back on.

I decided I wanted a 997 around the time of January 2013 and it was to replace my BMW E46 M3 which, at the time, I had owned for just over 7 years. The problem was, I only wanted to get rid of the M3 because I fancied a change. I had bought it when I was 22 and it was my first "serious car", I spent some money on some select upgrades through my time with it in order to fine tune what was already a perfect car to make it a better car.

Anyway, 14 months or so later, having viewed many 997's and after a very reluctant sale of the M3 after 8 years of ownership, I found the 997 for me. The M3 went to a good friend of mine and I still get to drive it so it's worked out well!

Anyway, I found my 997 after many months of keeping an eye on the various Porsche specialist sites, learning what to look for and what was what.. I was always set on a grey one but after seeing the Arctic Silver in the flesh, I was taken, a great colour for my OCD habits.

The car I found was at 911Box which isn't too far from where I live, luckily. I popped down and met James, ex supercar detailing. He took me around the car and left me and my girlfriend to pretty much examine the car at will. After having a look, I asked for a test drive and off I went, had a good 20 minute drive and decided that I would have a think, mainly as I had another car which just happened to pop up that morning which I had arranged a test drive on. That was a BMW E46 M3 CSL.. In the end. I decided against the CSL as I wanted a change from a BMW.

The CSL I test drove, loved it, been in a few before that friends of mine owned, I can't fault it but just fancied a change from a BMW.. I think I may regret not going for it.

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I even tested a FULLY spec'd GT86, fun but no guts!
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So, I left it for 5 days or so, umming and ahhing about the 997 against the CSL, I loved the spec, everything was right, all paperwork, all the right options, great maintenance record with new starter loom (common weak point), new IMS and RMS seals by Porsche, the guys there couldn't do enough for me, 911box were really nice guys. So with all of that, after months of looking and not finding one this good, I called Geoff at 911box and said I want to come back and see the car and buy it, he was more than happy. I went back, drove the car again and this time, no girlfriend in the passenger seat, I really went for it and was convinced, the mid range torque, induction noise and brakes felt great, came back and put a deposit down and agreed some work to be performed and I'd collect the next sat.. Front bumper repaint along with number plate holes removed, 1 wheel refurb, new centre caps and sills repainted were all agreed at a fair price.

Geoff, Pat and James at 911box were great, really nice guys and glad to get the car from them.

So, I've got a few cars which serve different purposes but the more interesting ones are my Mk3 Golf which is my first car and had a porsche 997 spent on it in the 12 years I have had it, winning every concours and general award that I went in for, I'm happy with it..

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An MX5, for cheap (not so cheap now!) thrills, a great no gadget drivers car, I bought this car as a bit of fun but I think I have a bigger grin on my face drifting and driving this than I do anything else.. Bought it as a complete dog but spent some time getting it up to standard.

Saved from scrap
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And my late E46 M3, a truly amazing car and I can see myself getting back into one very soon, on the road, I think it is more fun than the 997 and just does everything you could ask of it.

Porsche brakes, alcantara bits, Meister coilover, replacement rear floor, polybushed, etc etc, it was M3 perfection if I do say so myself.

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I'm going on a bit so I'll get to the 997 story.

A few from first viewing the car, it wasn't in gleaming condition, the car has been left in a honest state when I first saw it, I liked this as it hadn't had any of the possible "dealer" clean ups which can hide marks and oil leaks etc..

The car had been driven by a woman for the past 7 years, 2 kid seats in the back and clearly used as a general use car out in the country somewhere. Everything had been done by the book, full Porsche history, N rated tyres all round, 27k miles..

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Bought the car, picked up some road tax at a local post office, went to drive away but the battery had died within the 5 minutes it has been parked up!! My dad was local and had jumpers so he came and rescued me, tested the battery and it was dead.

Thankfully, 911box replaced the battery with a brand new one but this slightly dampened the new car experience that day!

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Orange indicator bulbs swapped with chrome coated versions

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No more horrid orange glow

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Bay clean up and BMC on the first full day of ownership

It was filthy, as if it had never been wiped!

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I also went on to fit a customer Samco intake hose and blocked the Helmholtz res with a random rubber cap I had in a spares box.

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Had a visitor

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3M Stone guarded the vulnerable sills edges

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Night time drive on the local "test track"..

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LED front sidelights (Left side comparison)
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Headlights out to fit my Osram CBI HID bulbs (Well worth upgrading to these!)
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The big underside clean!!
27k/9 years of country road grime

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Rusty clip had stained the sill which made that appear as though it was rusty..

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A poor effort on porsches behalf, a metal clip attached to the body, rust was appearing on mine so after some treatment, I decided to use some stoneguard to protect against the metal clip rubbing the body.

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Scrubbed using various products

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Wheels all stripped, cleaned and protected with Gtechniq

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Fronts got it too
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Mud from just 1 side of the car!!
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Underside doesn't escape..
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All under trays removed and cleaned.. These are worth removing, I must have removed a gardens worth of stones and mud!
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First wash prior to a machine polish and deswirl session.

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Took some inspiration from the GTS and had some Carrera S door vinyls made.

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Yet to go on, 3rd Rad kit (Alos oil filter and new side chip guards)

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Marking out original position
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Coming off
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Gen2 key
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Tips off for a clean!
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Bumped into an older relative outside the local sainsbury's
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After a full clean

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Lowered the car on H&R springs and fitted DesignTek spacers

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These didn't escape being cleaned and sealed with Gtechniq

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Going to fit slightly wider ones on the rear..

In 2 minds about the rear lights, I always planned to do a Gen2 rear but I think the Gen2 rear is a bit "soft" so I'm going to get some Dectane rear LEDs, in the mean time I thought I would use some clear rear vinyl to change the look..

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Some night time pictures to finish this off for tonight..


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Still a few more bits to come.. Alcantara steering wheel, gear knob and handbrake. Painted seat back or possibly alcantara too, braided brake lines with ATE superblue fluid are all next.

Exactly 3 months into ownership, I can happily say I'm over the moon with it. I'm lucky enough to have some great roads local to me and I often go out for late night drives which is where the car comes into it's own... When I initially bought it, I was using the car to commute and just general town driving and I was bored, the car needs to be near the redline and going at pace to really see what it was built for, the springs have really sorted the bobbing/light front end and that was one of my biggest gripes.. The noise, the looks, the feel, totally in love. I love N/A engines and this is a great one, I do still miss the M3 as I find that to be more fun in town and at lower speeds, slightly more throw-able but the Porsche takes cornering speeds to a new level and is the faster car all round.

A silver 911 was always on the cards it seems..
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A great thread and lots of nice pics Mark. Well done. :thumb:

As someone who only modifies their cars with the occasional window vinyl, does no DIY work and who only cleans the bits I can reach without taking anything off all I can say is ..... :worship: .

I'm certain that the more you drive the car, the more and more you'll fall in love with it.
 
Like T8, I'm full of admiration for what you've done, all good stuff, including getting behind the protective covers under the car! Saw you're considering Dectane lights, I did that all round and have been very pleased, I think it's subtle but very effective update.

I've been through quite a few cars in my driving career and although I'm by no means an expert driver, I can tell my 911 has a depth of ability and sensory pleasures nothing else has come close too, you're affinity with your car is sure to get stronger the longer you have it.
 
Nice post - cheers and enjoy the fantastic C2S ! :thumb:
 
T8, definitely going to get myself some Dectane lights, I was holding off until I was happy with the car, so they will come shortly.

The springs have made it the car it should have been from the factory and really helped settle my mind about the car. I just need to have some more camber dialled in up front to try and reduce some under steer without adding too much instability at speed. I will also be replacing the P Zero tyres with Michelin PS all round.

Cheers
:bandit:
 
Excellent thread! You've really taken to 911 ownership.

~ Maxie :thumbs:
 
Lovely looking car mate :thumb: love the M3 too.. Had one about 4 yrs ago E46 M3 SMG..
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Yours was a rare colour, were you ever on M3 cutters?
 
A good read Mark and inspiring to say the least.
I should get my fingers dirty more often.

Regarding the understeer, have you considered a wider front tyre?


:worship:
 
looks stunning buddy and loved the Silverstone M3 very rare.

James
 
Thanks guys, I have always been one to delve in and see the under pinning's of my cars and get them back to as clean as can be, makes it much nicer to work on and maintain.

Maxie – You inspired me to crack straight on and do the 3rd rad and low temp thermostat, so thanks ;)

Syve – Lovely in the Carbon black, probably one of the best colour, I just couldn't live with it with my OCD habit! I am on Cutters, had a little progress thread for the M3 on there.

http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8519

I was told that the car was 1 of 6 with the black leather interior ordered via the Individual factory. I know about 2 years later BMW produced 54 cars in Silverstone blue with matching Silverstone blue leather. Truly brilliant cars and going for silly money now!

Pzero, I haven't given it too much thought to be honest. I thought I would try the geo first and then see. I upset the balance on my M3 when I went from 225 – 245 front tyres but now you've mentioned it, I'll look into it, thanks for the kind comments also ;) If I had a GT3, my girlfriend would have probably left me by now as that would command ALLLLLLLLL of my time, you're a lucky guy! Once she pays toward the mortgage, hopefully that will be next!

Will keep this updated, next jobs will probably be fitting the rad, thermostat and magnetic front plate.

Thanks again! 
 
Thanks, definetly enjoying it!

Exactly 3 months into ownership today :) :Dance-Tap:

Waiting on a quote back from Jack @ Royal Steeringwheels for my steering wheel to be trimmed in black alcantara with added thumb grips and grey stitching, along with handbrake and gear knob :)
 
Great Thread

Now you have done your springs you might want to search on here fro Centre Gravity, i read loads about them and thought it can't be a life changing as people made out.

Then i went for the day and realised just how well a set up car can handle, best mod by far that i have done, really worth a look. Great car, keep us all posted as to your progress :thumb:
 

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