Porsche 996 Carrera 4

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About this Collectable

As much Porsche 911 as possible per euro? Well, that's the 996 generation. This manual 996 Carrera 4 has run just over a tonne, naturally comes with the service history and has had preventive major maintenance in January this year for over 12,000 euros (!), which of course included replacement of the IMS bearing. 

The 996 series, introduced in 1997, is finally starting to get the recognition it deserves. At the time, it was denigrated by the purists, 'because it's a water cooker'. In the meantime, 25 years have passed and there turns out to be nothing wrong with being water-cooled. Moreover, in this generation of 911, all the switches are finally located where you expect them to be, you have a perfectly working air conditioning system and you can wring out this relatively modern 911 thanks to sufficient horsepower, a body that is not too big and the necessary safety systems. Try that with a 993 or G-model that is twice as expensive. It is not for nothing that many a motoring journalist privately drives a 996 (including Wouter, a silver grey 996 Carrera 2). 

The relatively low entry price of a 996 does carry a risk. If a 911 is bought by someone who saves on maintenance, then you end up buying a very expensive 911. Because in terms of maintenance (costs), it is still a Porsche. 

This particular 996 had a major maintenance earlier this year, during which the infamous IMS bearing was also replaced. The owner was planning to keep this 996 (his first Porsche) and sent the car to GP Elite Engineering (you might have heard of them, the technical team behind GP Elite, multiple champion in various Porsche Cup races), with the assignment to 'make it technically perfect'. 

Considering the invoice of over €12,000, this has been accomplished quite well. So why sell it now? The owner has bought a Taycan (in which his growing kids fit better) and realises that in practice he no longer drives this weekend car. And sitting in the garage doesn't make the Porsche any better, so the 996 may go to a new enthusiast. 

NB: to make this 996 even more attractive, the owner also offers 2 x F1 tickets for the Dutch Grand Prix together with this 996. These are 2 weekend (Friday to Sunday) Arena Gold tickets, including hospitality. These VIP tickets have been sold out for quite some time (just like all the other tickets for that matter), but normally they cost € 1,050 each. 

Our opinion

We can be brief about this. A well maintained 996, with accompanying invoices, manual transmission and a recent (major) service.

Silver suits a 996 perfectly, we (Wouter - 996 Carrera 2, Joris a 996 4S) chose this colour as well. And although we are not so worried about the infamous IMS bearing mentioned on Porsche forums, it is a good thing that all possible ailments a 996 might have are preventively resolved in this car. 

Just let it warm up nicely, perform an annual service and you can easily drive another ton. Don't listen to the opinions, a 996 is a true 911 and is becoming more and more appreciated. Literally, because the prices for decent ones are also rising. And with virtually no depreciation and daily usability, this is the ideal Youngtimer. This one also has four-wheel drive, so in winter you can continue driving and take a couple of carriers on the roof for a winter trip.

Completely treated by the wizards of Porsche Supercup team GP Elite. Not only did they make the car technically 100%, but they also worked on the suspension tuning and the alignment/balancing. They even dare to say that it is now one of the best driving 996 Carrera 4's. 

And by the way, this might be the last chance to get (excellent) tickets for the F1 at Zandvoort. Nice to see a Porsche is included ;)

Equipment

This Porsche is factory equipped with:

• 139 Seat heating, left seat
• 197 More powerful battery
• 273 Exterior mirrors, electrically adjustable and heated
• 274 Illuminated make-up mirror
• 288 Headlamp cleaning system
• 335 Automatic 3-point seatbelts, rear
• 339 Four-wheel drive
• 340 Seat heating, right-hand side
• 413 Turbo-look wheel 18"
• 436 3-spoke airbag steering wheel
• 441 Radio preparation
• 465 Rear fog lamp, left
• 476 Porsche Stability Management (PSM)
• 480 6-speed manual transmission
• 490 Harmann analogue sound package
• 534 Anti-theft system
• 573 Air conditioning
• 601 Litronic headlight
• 650 Electric sunroof
• 651 Electric door window mechanism
• 657 Power steering
• 659 Trip computer
• 662 Info-/navigation system
• 685 Split rear seats
• 692 Porsche CD changer
• 939 Rear seats, cracked leather
• 982 Front seat upholstery, crack leather/leather
• X97 Aluminium/leather gearshift knob
• X98 Hand brake lever alu/leather
• XJB Rear centre console in arctic silver

Modification

None, this car is still in original condition.

Remarks

This Porsche is still in very good condition and was technically fully serviced by GP Elite at the beginning of this year. Of course, the Porsche has traces of use appropriate to its age, visible on the pictures. In addition: 

• Bottom of front bumper/spoiler scuffed (centre)
• Light stone chips on the nose

Service history

The main points of the recent maintenance history are:

• 28-02-2022 - 102,019km - major service included (see invoice in photo carousel for details):
  • Preventive IMS bearing replacement
  • Gaskets, oil, brake fluid
  • Brake discs & pads
  • Complete rebalance, alignment and adjustment of chassis  
  • New tyres
  • Glass coating & detailing
• 10-10-2018 - 97.029km - service according to schedule - Porsche Gelderland
• 15-08-2017 - 94.664km - service according to schedule - Porsche Gelderland

Included with sale

• Two keys
• Original booklets
• Car cover
• Trickle charger
• 2 x F1 weekend tickets F1 Dutch Grand Prix Zandvoort 2022 - Arena Gold including hospitality - worth € 2,100.-

About the seller

The owner bought this 996 in 2016 from modern classic specialist Premium Classics, with just 91,000km on the odometer. It was his first Porsche and with it he finally made his childhood dream come true. During the lockdown, he decided to have his 911 fully prepared for the next 10 years by means of a major overhaul, but lack of space & time (and a Taycan) made him decide to sell the 911. 

'Simple, it's in perfect condition now, it doesn't get any better, so let's write off the (substantial) service in one go so someone else can enjoy it. With all the time, money and energy put into it, this is one of the best 996s on the market' - says the owner. So now, 5 years and less than 10,000 km later, he is going to say goodbye to his first Porsche.  

Summary

Seller - On request
Seller type - Private
Location - Netherlands
Chassis number - WP0ZZZ99ZXS607789
Registration number - JL-719-L
First registration - January 1st, 1999
Mileage - 103.200
Demonstrable - Yes, confirmed by invoices
Warranty - No
VAT/Margin car - Margin
Bodywork - Coupé
Engine - Atmospheric 3.4 six-cylinder boxer - 300hp
Drive - Four wheels
Transmission - Manual 6 speed
Exterior - Arctic Silver Metallic (92T)
Interior - Black
Upholstery - Leather
Smoking car - No
Owners - Two
Owned since - 2016
Tyres - Michelin Pilot Sport 2 N3, 265/35 ZR18 - new

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