One of the world’s most recognisable car shapes, the 911 may have gone through many changes, and still is, but the 997 Carrera 4S is considered to be one of the best. 

The bloodline of earlier Porsches is still prevalent but it is now coupled with an all-wheel-drive system that can tame that twitchy rear end and the ever lusty 3.8 flat 6 engine. 

This one has benefitted from a full professional engine build with coated pistons and liners and has had the all-important intermediate shaft bearings replaced too. 

Big invoices and enviable service history make this a confident buy.

This car has had the very best of treatment by the current owner. 

There has been no expense spared in ensuring that the mechanicals are properly cared for. Shortly after purchase, the owner had the bores checked for scoring as this can be a common issue. 

On finding that the bores were indeed starting to suffer, the engine was given a complete overhaul with new ‘Nikasil’ coated liners and ‘Xylan’ coated pistons. The intermediate shaft bearings were also done. 

A full list of components used can be seen in the photographs of the large invoice. 

The car also possesses all the previous MOT certificates and a stamped Service book.

The cockpit of the 997 is a wonderful place to be and this one is not showing its age at all. 

The electrically operated leather seats are free from tears and burns with little in the way of bolster wear. The dash is in good condition with only the fewest of marks and the original factory stereo is still in position. 

All the instruments remain bright and clear and the LCDs are fully illuminated. The owner does assure us that all the switchgear functions as it should. The carpets are also in good condition. 

The factory-optioned power sunroof works effectively and opens and closes neatly.

The delightful grey metallic paint has a lovely shine and changes hue as the light changes. 

There has been no need for any accident repairs but the front bumper has been repainted to eliminate some stone chips. The rear light clusters have been updated to some later versions for improved aesthetics as have the clear front repeaters in the wings. 

The paint is in generally good condition with only a couple of bird-dropping scars on the rear part of the roof and engine cover. Hopefully, some specialised flatting and buffing could eradicate these? 

To help protect the car there is a genuine Porsche car cover included which stows neatly in the luggage compartment.

The 3.8 flat 6 engine is almost as iconic as the car itself and it can provide years of service and many miles of entertainment. 

However, the engine is not completely bomb-proof and the bores can suffer scoring. This is a relatively common issue but not universal. This car had indeed begun to show the early signs of scoring so the engine was fully rebuilt with preventative measures being taken with cooling and oil delivery. 

The bores have been electro-plated with Nikasil and the pistons have a PTFE Xylan coating applied which works in conjunction to lower the risk of future scoring. 

The total cost of the engine build and coatings was an eye-watering £11500. As previously mentioned, no expense was spared and as they say, “if you’re going to do it, do it right”.

The Porsche 997 is a favourite steed of many enthusiasts as it possesses all the iconic design cues of the original 911 but with more power more stability and better refinement. 

The car is not without its issues and thankfully there is a huge support network of specialised companies that can deal with the 997’s needs. 

And this particular 997 has had the benefit of having an owner that understands those needs and has spent a not-insignificant amount on ensuring this car is one of the healthiest 997s around. 

Having all this time and effort bestowed upon it now means that the next owner will inherit a trustworthy machine and is likely to attract a lot of attention, all we can say is, “form an orderly queue”!