A very well cared for example of the 3.6L 996 iteration of the evergreen 911
Maintained and cared for regardless of cost in its current ownership
This includes the recent replacement of the IMS bearing
Lots of interesting and provenance providing paperwork is present
Fresh MOT with no advisories
The Appeal
The 996 was Porsches first ground up renewal of the iconic 911 since the launch of the car back in the early 60’s. It came at a time when Porsche was struggling and had, thankfully, realised that a new direction was needed. The design of the 996 was shared with the new Boxster with a number of parts and components crossing over. The big news, of course, was that the 996 was the firm’s first water cooled 911 and a bold step, moving away from the company’s air-cooled heritage.
This fine example is from the post 2002 3.6L 996 production and includes the confidence inspiring all wheel drive system. The car is complete with removable factory hardtop and immaculate five-spoke alloy wheels. The 996 has been serviced regularly and diligently and has recently had a Porsche Apple play PCM unit fitted at a cost of over £2,000. The car is ready to drive away ahead of the, hopefully, top-down worthy weather of the imminent summer.
The History and Paperwork
This example was first registered in March 2003
Subsequently this car was used and enjoyed by five previous owners
The current owner acquired the car in July 2022 to become the sixth
This equates to an average tenure of a little over 3 years per owner
The car comes with a good level of paperwork
This includes the all-important service book
This documents 13 service stamps right up to 73,100 miles
There are also regular brake fluid changes and condition reports documented
The majority of these are with Porsche dealers together with independent specialists
The current V5 is on-hand in the name of the owner
Fresh MOT with no advisories
Previous MOTs are reported to be present but not photographed
Numerous invoices are present detailing the diligent maintenance undertaken
Two original keys are included with new batteries
The Interior
The familiar interior is trimmed in soft black leather throughout
The condition is excellent throughout with Carrera script kick plates in evidence
The recently fitted Porsche PCD head unit helps give the cabin a more modern feel
The cosy interior of the 996 managed to both significantly improve on that of its predecessor whilst retaining the marque’s familiar DNA. Our car is trimmed in soft, black leather with just the right amount of “used and enjoyed” patina.
The high-backed “tombstone” seats are arranged into horizontal padded panels and look to be in a fine condition with no obvious imperfections. The seats are electrically adjustable, and three-stage heated. They fold forward to give access to the rear seats. These are in an equally fine condition but are best suited to only the smallest of humans. Perhaps better used folded forward to provide, useful, additional luggage space.
Carpets and door cards are in a very good original condition. The former are protected by Porsche branded carpet mats and the latter are finished in a combination of carpet and black leather. The dashboard looks in fine fettle and is familiar Porsche fare. The instrument binnacle is furnished with distinctive, white-faced dials. These are dominated by the usual big, centrally placed tachometer which is redlined at a shade over 7,000 rpm. The big, screened Porsche PCM head unit features Apple CarPlay and is a recent addition at a cost of well over £2,000.
The usefully deep front luggage compartment is fully lined in hard-wearing dark grey carpet. The original Porsche CD changer is also housed in here. A space-saver spare wheel is located under the floor and the jack, tool set and warning triangle are also present here.
The Exterior
Finished in the ever-popular Arctic Silver livery this 996 looks amazing
The factory hard-top gives it a distinctive look when fitted
The original “Turbo Twist” five spoke alloys suit the car extremely well
Much like the interior Porsche designer Pinky Lai, overseen by design chief Harm Lagaay, managed to pull off the seemingly impossible with the exterior design. The 996 was an all-new car with very few shared components with its predecessor and yet it is so clearly a 911.
Our car presents in bright and lustrous Arctic Silver paintwork which appears to be in great shape for a twenty-year-old car. The odd stone chip is reported but the paint and bodywork is otherwise described as “unmarked.” Wing mirror backs and other vulnerable areas, such as front spoiler and sill extensions, appear to be untroubled by imperfections.
The 18-inch Porsche “Turbo Twist” alloy wheels are especially good with no dings or kerb rash in evidence. There is a nice metallic silver finish to the wheels. Just some of the Porsche shield centre caps could be replaced to make them better still. The wheels are shod with quality Pirelli Zero tyres all round. The open spoke design of the wheels allows sight of the Porsche emblazoned callipers and cross-drilled brake discs.
Cabin glass and light lenses all appear original and pristine. The factory hard top is in as equally fine condition as the rest of the body work. The black fabric hood looks to be in an unmarked condition and benefits from the heated, glass rear window. This combination gives you options to account for all prevailing weather conditions.
The Mechanics
This 996 is the favoured 6-spped manual version with the Getrag G96 gearbox
Being a post 2002 model, our car features the bigger 3.6L power unit
The all-important IMS bearing has been recently replaced for full peace of mind
The move to a water-cooled engine was not taken lightly by Porsche with the advent of the 996. After all the air-cooled units had been at the centre of their mechanical ethos since the launch of the company. With worldwide emissions requirements finally forcing their hand, the Stuttgart company never looked back.
Our car features the mechanical sweet-spot combination of larger 3.6L boxer engine, six-speed Getrag manual gearbox and traction optimising all wheel drive. Quite the package! During his tenure, the current owner has been very diligent in terms of maintenance, both routine and preventative.
Recent works undertaken include a brake overhaul with some new discs, pads and pipes. The IMS bearing, clutch and seal were replaced at 69,328 miles at a cost of over £2,000. A full air conditioning service was undertaken in August 2022. A full service was undertaken by Porsche specialists at 73,100 miles.
Bearing all this in mind the owner reports that the 996 runs beautifully and starts immediately. He has driven the car to the South of France in 2022 as well as to the Swiss Alps and back up the French / German border. He reports that the car performed faultlessly throughout the journey.
Both engine-bay and underside presentation look reassuringly positive, further pointing to a well-cared for and well-maintained example.
Summary
It is hard to believe that the 996 iteration of the iconic 911 is now well over 20 years old. Those of a certain age will remember the surprise generated by the car’s move to water cooled engines and it was the 996 that proved that this was clearly the right move at the right time. It is fair to say that the 996 wears its years very well and is becoming increasingly prized and sought after.
This example is an excellent representative of the breed and has clearly been well loved and sympathetically used. In fact, it is hard to find any negatives to report, such is this car’s quality. Both interior and exterior present so well and the car has been thoughtfully and generously maintained. Now reluctantly available in time for the lucky new owner to make some lasting, summer driving memories behind the wheel of this lovely 996.
Notice to bidders
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