Porsche 996 Carrera 4 2003
I have my own Porsche 996 Carrera 4 Tiptronic for sale. First registered in December 2003, its finished in Lapis Blue Metallic with Savannah Beige leather seats and trim. Spec includes electric sunroof, central locking, electric mirrors, Porsche Stability Management, original PCM Bose stereo with CD changer, trip computer and telephone. It also has the optional extra Porsche logos embossed into the headrests. The 18” genuine Porsche GT3 alloys are fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres.
Its covered 131000 miles with a full service history and with 15 stamps in the service book along with a collection of receipts. I have owned the car for the last six years and have spent a fortune on maintaining it correctly.
If you are looking for a good 996, you will soon realise that prices are all over the place and its tempting to try and buy one as cheaply as possible. However the purchase price is only part of the equation that results in a Porsche being good to own. For older Porsches like this, condition is everything - not miles or age. If you buy on condition, you can’t go far wrong. With most cheap 996s, its very easy to have to quickly spend thousands of pounds fixing daft faults and making sure the car drives and performs as it should. I know as I have spent a fortune ensuring this one is right, which hopefully means you don’t have to.
For example, in August 2021, it had the infamous IMS bearing replaced with a new EPS Eternal Solution bearing along with replacement rear crank oil seal. At the same time the gearbox mount and both engine mounts were replaced as were all rear brake pipes. Lots of other work was done at the same time replacing engine/gearbox nuts, bolts and fitting etc. At the same time, the front suspension was rebuilt using new Bilstein shock absorbers, new anti roll bars links, new top mounts, new bump stop helper springs. All work was carried out by D&G Porsche specialists in Newcastle to the tune of around £4000.
Other odd things replaced include new rear brake discs and pads (just a few weeks ago), new ignition barrel, new crank angle sensor, new exhaust flexy joints, new Osram Nightbreaker headlight bulbs, new inner door handle pins, oil pressure sender switch, new bonnet struts, new ABS speed sensor, a new battery earlier this year as well as the usual service stuff and new tyres.
I also had a full transmission service carried out which included new gearbox oil and filter and a new transmission sump pan (another £500 or so). Within the last few weeks, I have had the notorious power steering pipes replaced (yet another £650).
This lot is in addition to the usual servicing which was carried out as follows:
121597 miles June 2019
123734 July 2021
125469 Sept 2022
128900` Aug 2023
I’ll be servicing it again within the next couple of weeks. Current mileage is 130653 but will increase slightly as I use the car, which is mainly used for weekends and for pleasure only – I have a battered Audi TT for daily use. The Porsche is always garaged.
Bodywork is in excellent condition with no dents or rust though it has the odd very minor light scratch or stone chip. Paintwork is good and when polished, looks pretty fantastic. Underneath its also in good solid condition. I regularly treat the underside’s most vulnerable points with Dynax which has helped keep rust away.
Inside, the leathers seats are in good order with the usual aged-related creases but no splits or other damage. Carpets are also in good condition and have genuine Porsche over-mats fitted. Everything works as it should except the air-conditioning which isn’t cold. There are a few marks on the transmission tunnel trim. It has a lovely matching Savannah alcantara head lining which is nice and clean and the sunroof works properly too.
One thing you may notice is that I have fitted paddles on either side of the steering wheel which can be used to change gear when the auto box is in ‘Manual’ mode. I can’t emphasise enough what a huge difference this has made to the driving enjoyment of the car. Its way more responsive and means you can hold it in the right gear at all times. It needs to be tried to appreciate how good it is but its one of the best improvements I have carried out on the car. It still works perfectly in conventional ‘Automatic’ mode too: the gearbox on these later 996s is so much better than the earlier ones.
Out on the road, its lovely to drive. Its fast and smooth and performance is strong. I have a few Porsche owning friends who reckon this is one of the nicest ones they have driven. It holds its temperature perfectly in all conditions and oil pressure is good. Handling and ride quality are good and its ability to cover the ground at daft speeds is limited only by the skill and ability of the driver. The gearbox and brakes are all as they should be and work perfectly. It has a Dansk exhaust which is a touch louder than standard and sounds just gorgeous.
Its not perfect of course. One occasional fault is that it sometimes won’t start when ‘PARK’ is selected; this problem started after the engine and gearbox were removed in order to change the IMS bearing. The specialist who carried out the job reckon the selector cable is fractionally out of adjustment and needs a tweak. It hasn’t annoyed me enough to want to undertake the hassle of taking it back to them and to be fair, it only does this sometimes in which case, you stick it in Neutral and it starts perfectly. There are two very small areas where the lacquer has lifted off (see photos).
The original number plate to go back on the car is LR52LRO – I’ll be removing my cherished plate. I have the original owners handbook pack along with two keys. I also have a smart leather folder containing every invoice, old MOT etc for the car. The V5 shows it has had 6 owners and technically this is correct BUT there is a story here: I was persuaded to sell the car to a friend late last year. I instantly regretted this and bought the car back after just a couple of weeks. I think he used the car just once or twice. It was a daft episode and unfortunately resulted in two more owners on the V5, my friend who bought the car and then me again. I’m happy to share the whole story to anyone seriously interested in the car but there’s nothing untoward there.
I have had nagging desire to own another particular performance car and can’t do this unless I sell the Porsche. I’m not desperate to do so though and if I can’t find the right buyer at the right price, I’m happy to keep the 996 and to continue to enjoy it. I’m looking for offers around £16000 and the car will come with a new service and new MOT. I’m happy to answer any questions so please feel free to ask. I’m near Berwick upon Tweed in Northumberland and can collect any prospective buyer from the train station.
NOW SOLD
Its covered 131000 miles with a full service history and with 15 stamps in the service book along with a collection of receipts. I have owned the car for the last six years and have spent a fortune on maintaining it correctly.
If you are looking for a good 996, you will soon realise that prices are all over the place and its tempting to try and buy one as cheaply as possible. However the purchase price is only part of the equation that results in a Porsche being good to own. For older Porsches like this, condition is everything - not miles or age. If you buy on condition, you can’t go far wrong. With most cheap 996s, its very easy to have to quickly spend thousands of pounds fixing daft faults and making sure the car drives and performs as it should. I know as I have spent a fortune ensuring this one is right, which hopefully means you don’t have to.
For example, in August 2021, it had the infamous IMS bearing replaced with a new EPS Eternal Solution bearing along with replacement rear crank oil seal. At the same time the gearbox mount and both engine mounts were replaced as were all rear brake pipes. Lots of other work was done at the same time replacing engine/gearbox nuts, bolts and fitting etc. At the same time, the front suspension was rebuilt using new Bilstein shock absorbers, new anti roll bars links, new top mounts, new bump stop helper springs. All work was carried out by D&G Porsche specialists in Newcastle to the tune of around £4000.
Other odd things replaced include new rear brake discs and pads (just a few weeks ago), new ignition barrel, new crank angle sensor, new exhaust flexy joints, new Osram Nightbreaker headlight bulbs, new inner door handle pins, oil pressure sender switch, new bonnet struts, new ABS speed sensor, a new battery earlier this year as well as the usual service stuff and new tyres.
I also had a full transmission service carried out which included new gearbox oil and filter and a new transmission sump pan (another £500 or so). Within the last few weeks, I have had the notorious power steering pipes replaced (yet another £650).
This lot is in addition to the usual servicing which was carried out as follows:
121597 miles June 2019
123734 July 2021
125469 Sept 2022
128900` Aug 2023
I’ll be servicing it again within the next couple of weeks. Current mileage is 130653 but will increase slightly as I use the car, which is mainly used for weekends and for pleasure only – I have a battered Audi TT for daily use. The Porsche is always garaged.
Bodywork is in excellent condition with no dents or rust though it has the odd very minor light scratch or stone chip. Paintwork is good and when polished, looks pretty fantastic. Underneath its also in good solid condition. I regularly treat the underside’s most vulnerable points with Dynax which has helped keep rust away.
Inside, the leathers seats are in good order with the usual aged-related creases but no splits or other damage. Carpets are also in good condition and have genuine Porsche over-mats fitted. Everything works as it should except the air-conditioning which isn’t cold. There are a few marks on the transmission tunnel trim. It has a lovely matching Savannah alcantara head lining which is nice and clean and the sunroof works properly too.
One thing you may notice is that I have fitted paddles on either side of the steering wheel which can be used to change gear when the auto box is in ‘Manual’ mode. I can’t emphasise enough what a huge difference this has made to the driving enjoyment of the car. Its way more responsive and means you can hold it in the right gear at all times. It needs to be tried to appreciate how good it is but its one of the best improvements I have carried out on the car. It still works perfectly in conventional ‘Automatic’ mode too: the gearbox on these later 996s is so much better than the earlier ones.
Out on the road, its lovely to drive. Its fast and smooth and performance is strong. I have a few Porsche owning friends who reckon this is one of the nicest ones they have driven. It holds its temperature perfectly in all conditions and oil pressure is good. Handling and ride quality are good and its ability to cover the ground at daft speeds is limited only by the skill and ability of the driver. The gearbox and brakes are all as they should be and work perfectly. It has a Dansk exhaust which is a touch louder than standard and sounds just gorgeous.
Its not perfect of course. One occasional fault is that it sometimes won’t start when ‘PARK’ is selected; this problem started after the engine and gearbox were removed in order to change the IMS bearing. The specialist who carried out the job reckon the selector cable is fractionally out of adjustment and needs a tweak. It hasn’t annoyed me enough to want to undertake the hassle of taking it back to them and to be fair, it only does this sometimes in which case, you stick it in Neutral and it starts perfectly. There are two very small areas where the lacquer has lifted off (see photos).
The original number plate to go back on the car is LR52LRO – I’ll be removing my cherished plate. I have the original owners handbook pack along with two keys. I also have a smart leather folder containing every invoice, old MOT etc for the car. The V5 shows it has had 6 owners and technically this is correct BUT there is a story here: I was persuaded to sell the car to a friend late last year. I instantly regretted this and bought the car back after just a couple of weeks. I think he used the car just once or twice. It was a daft episode and unfortunately resulted in two more owners on the V5, my friend who bought the car and then me again. I’m happy to share the whole story to anyone seriously interested in the car but there’s nothing untoward there.
I have had nagging desire to own another particular performance car and can’t do this unless I sell the Porsche. I’m not desperate to do so though and if I can’t find the right buyer at the right price, I’m happy to keep the 996 and to continue to enjoy it. I’m looking for offers around £16000 and the car will come with a new service and new MOT. I’m happy to answer any questions so please feel free to ask. I’m near Berwick upon Tweed in Northumberland and can collect any prospective buyer from the train station.
NOW SOLD
