1998 C2 project

ftored · 9 Jan 2022

Hello, Somewhen in late September i sold my low mileage arctic silver C4S with Flamenco red interior as I was not using it that much as I had a son in April 2020. 2 months later I could not really stop regretting it, but as the car market here in Cyprus is a bit dry (and after brexit cannot really import any car older than 5 years old or younger than 25) + VAT and tax, had no option than to get one from here. So I got the cheapest 911 I could find (eventhough I believe it is a great car compared to the rest 996s available).

So here I am now with a really early 996 with 90k miles, which needs a never ending list of work done to it,
As options It only has sports seats and LSD from factory.

Seems that previous owner changed the front amber lights to Litronics (noticed after I got it that it was not halogen), deleted rear wiper, added a debatable K-sports suspension, added a gt3 bumper but the facelifted one (I think it is from clubsport in UK) some fiberglass aero sideskirts and some facelift Carrera II wheels (I believe these are the lightest wheels offered on 996s)

Bad things:
90k miles (here in Cyprus we consider anything over 60-70k KMs to be high mileage!)
K-SPort suspension
Needs suspension refresh
Tired interior (also Savannah beige which is my least favorite)
Fiberglass front bumper and sideskirts
Some paint blemishes.
Some oil on the lower part of the oil Sump.
CDR-21 cd skipping with any bump.
Lots of rattles from interior.
Missing rear License plate lights
For a reason rear parking sensors are installed but the bumper does not have holes for them (I guess at a point there was some accident requiring a new bumper and it was the only one that could be found, or PO decided he prefers the clean look and filled the holes)

Anyway as this has no point without pictures, here it is:

ftored · 9 Jan 2022

The car has a dual row IMS bearing if I am correct and at first I thought I should replace it, but as time passes I believe it shopuld be left alone and just check the oil for debris and follow an oil changing routine yearly - 5k miles.

I would honestly like to change interior colour fully, or at least the carpet (as my prvious C4S had the deviating carpet colour and was subtle). Surely the steering wheel needs a refurbishment as it is too used and also the seats would need retrim as they look really used and colour differs in places. Best senario would be to find a complete interior in any colour except asavannah and replace it !

little fella · 9 Jan 2022

ftored said:
The car has a dual row IMS bearing if I am correct and at first I thought I should replace it, but as time passes I believe it shopuld be left alone and just check the oil for debris and follow an oil changing routine yearly - 5k miles.

I would honestly like to change interior colour fully, or at least the carpet (as my prvious C4S had the deviating carpet colour and was subtle). Surely the steering wheel needs a refurbishment as it is too used and also the seats would need retrim as they look really used and colour differs in places. Best senario would be to find a complete interior in any colour except asavannah and replace it !

Must admit i don't like savannah either but I've seen someone change the steering wheel for a black one then put in black recaro seats and change the gear shift/handbrake to black.
This gave a good contrast to the savannah.

tob_today · 9 Jan 2022

Welcome back

You might find fitting a black 996 3-spoke sports steering wheel makes a big difference. It did to mine which came with a grey 4-spoke. Balances the cabin colour and strangely much better to hold despite being similar diameter. Plenty on ebay.

tob_today · 9 Jan 2022

little fella said:
Must admit i don't like savannah either but I've seen someone change the steering wheel for a black one then put in black recaro seats and change the gear shift/handbrake to black.
This gave a good contrast to the savannah.

Snap

ftored · 9 Jan 2022

Well I came to love the 4 spoke wheel! It feels so retro, and makes me feel I am driving an even older car than what it is. I was looking for 3 spoke wheels in the beginning, but changed my mind after i drove a bit more the car. Maybe I will find a black 3 spoke one.

Eventhough I had one in my watching list on ebay, with a savannah beige insert (maybe it was custom?), it was sold by the time I had the car in my hands.
Well I toyed with the idea of retrimming the seats in black leather when the time comes, but am afraid it will look off. Now if the carpetting was black as well maybe it would help in being more coherent.

JonathanDLP · 10 Jan 2022

Lovely cars - good luck with the C2 project.

I actually like Savannah because it brightens the interior but Porsche's tendency to do the entire interior in one colour results in it being a bit much.

To give you an idea of how a Savannah interior can be toned down here is a photo of the interior of my C4S. It came out of the factory this way.

I agree with others that changing the steering wheel would be a good start and then perhaps move onto carpets, centre tunnel cover, dash top ...

tob_today · 10 Jan 2022

JonathanDLP said:
Lovely cars - good luck with the C2 project.

I actually like Savannah because it brightens the interior but Porsche's tendency to do the entire interior in one colour results in it being a bit much.

To give you an idea of how a Savannah interior can be toned down here is a photo of the interior of my C4S. It came out of the factory this way.

I agree with others that changing the steering wheel would be a good start and then perhaps move onto carpets, centre tunnel cover, dash top ...

That looks really great Jonathan, love the contrast and breaking up the colours :thumb:

jond58 · 10 Jan 2022

Savannah rocks!! You just need to break it up a bit with some black then embrace it!!!

msaif996 · 10 Jan 2022

Sounds exactly like my story. My first 911 was a mint 996 C4S back in 2005, had a baby then sold it. Instant regret but needs must. Moved abroad and bought what was available, a 996.2 Carrara White 6MT with the savannah interior. That was 14 years ago and I've still got it. I toned down the interior like the photos. Spent double what I paid for it over the years getting it exactly how I want it and it's now immaculate and I would never part with it as it's part of the family now.
Enjoy your new 911. I'll try to post some photos when I get it back from its major service.

ftored · 13 Jan 2022

JonathanDLP said:
Lovely cars - good luck with the C2 project.

I actually like Savannah because it brightens the interior but Porsche's tendency to do the entire interior in one colour results in it being a bit much.

To give you an idea of how a Savannah interior can be toned down here is a photo of the interior of my C4S. It came out of the factory this way.

I agree with others that changing the steering wheel would be a good start and then perhaps move onto carpets, centre tunnel cover, dash top ...

This is the first time I see a 2tone dashboard on a 996. I have seen that on newer cars, my Cayenne is black dash top and beige lower part like yours. Would love that!

But as everyone mentioned it is not that bad if you break it down a bit. As i would have a retrim done for the seats, i am wondering if going for black would offer this subtle break down, or it will make it look out of place.

Also is it possible to install an alcantara headliner from a 996.2 on an early car? I have read that alcantara headliner is heavier and might have different fixings?

little fella · 14 Jan 2022

jond58 said:
Savannah rocks!! You just need to break it up a bit with some black then embrace it!!!

jond58 what seats are they? I'm toying with changing the seats in my car.

Paynewright · 14 Jan 2022

When I started looking for a 996 I had a list of requirements - non sunroof and black interior being 'must haves'

I ended up getting a car with a sunroof and grey interior. I've found I really like both - in the summer the sunroof open at the trailing edge really helps airflow through the car and I find the grey interior a nice place to be - personally a total black interior can feel a bit oppressive.

I've never been a fan of savannah interiors but I have to say with a black top dash, steering wheel and binnacle with painted centre console I think it looks fabulous.

msaif996 · 15 Jan 2022

Just picking up the car from a major service. Custom dials from Reap (guards red centre and white each side), sports seats off of eBay re-skinned and colour coded (XSU foam fitted to driver's seat), new black steering wheel and gear gaiter (short shifter), blacked out centre console, red seat belts and some other trim bits.

msaif996 · 15 Jan 2022

M030 Suspension, 5mm spacers, side skirts were part of a package when the car was new but I removed the fixed spoiler and fitted the retractable version. New wheels, brakes painted guards red, switchable sports exhaust (PSE) etc...

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