I am currently thinking about purchasing a 997s (most likely V1).

I am coming from the BMW world and currently own a e46 m3. As I do not know as much about porches I wanted to get peoples opinion on what options are MUST haves in your opinion. Specifically, I would like to know what you would look for at a minimum or best options for cost vs benefit etc.

What i was thinking so far is i want manual 6speed / sport seats / lap timer / nav

Please help me expand on what else i may want to look for.

Thanks in advance.

 

Get the S it comes with PASM, xenon's, bigger brakes, more power.

Also the PCCB's are great brakes, but very expensive to replace ($10000+), IMO the Cast Iron rotors (red calipers) are just fine.

 

thanks - yea i am def going to get "S" at the minimum / probably c2s. It seems like the S is a much better deal esp in the pre owned market.

On the S do you automatically get the better (sport) steering wheel? How is the navi? Do i need to get any ipod etc after the fact? Any options to avoid?

 

My C4S didnt come with a Nav Module. I just use my handy Nuvi. I take it with me whenever I go to other cities; also while on vacation. It saves you $$$$.

 

Are you going to mod the car or keep it stock? Most things can be added aftermarket but I recommend the Sports Chrono Plus, Sports Seats, and Sports Wheel as must haves. The 'dash wart' as people call it here is just a gimmick, but the added throttle response is no joke. Of course you could just buy an after market tune, but it's nice to have dash button control on when it's on or off.

 

One more thing, I was disappointed at first that my car didn't have Nav and I looked into adding it: ~$2250 + labor

After seeing how Porsche does electronics I figure it's totally not worth it to me and would most likely leave me disappointed, so Garmin it is...plus that leaves me with $2250 to spend on goodies. So don't let Nav be a show stopper in a purchase.

 

I searched a long time to find a car equipped the way I wanted it. In a BMW if you get the Premium and the Sport packages you pretty much get everything you need. But I have always added to that the heated seats and other nice to haves. When I started looking at the Porsche 911 I realized it was going to be hard to find a car with the things I have become accustomed to having, like self dimming mirror, automatic headlights, these sort of things that Porsche likes to charge separately. Eventually I found a car that has the following (but I didn't get the S and I am really not sorry about that as I have no intention of tracking the car).

Xenons
Heated Seats
Sport Steering Wheel
Navigation
Power Seats
Bose Stereo
Remote 6 Disc CD (I didn't really want this but it is actually kind of handy)
Rear Wiper
Self Dimming Internal and External Mirrors

I miss the automatic headlights. They should be a law in all 50 states that you must have them. I also miss the bluetooth for my phone and I purchased but have not installed yet the NavTv Tooki for bluetooth. Just need to pull things apart and install it when I get some ime. Anyone knows of how to add automatic headlights, let me know!

 

The thicker steering wheel is an option and it looks the same as the sport wheel which is thinner. My first car had the thicker one, the second I though had it but didn't. I swapped the wheels before selling the first one.

I like the OEM Navi, it is not likely to get stolen and always there when you need it. I know that it is weak in a lot of ways, but still prefer the OEM integration over a unit that hangs on the windshield.

As for iPod, I have the Dension unit, it replaces the CD changer and basically the OEM thinks it is a CD changer. It displays the song info, and you can play songs by artist, playlist, or random.

 

short shifter and sport exhaust will be nice.

 

Full Leather - If you don't go with Navi I would use those dollars for full leather. Full leather interior to me is a must have for a car of this caliber - yet if you plan to track (windows down) I would skip it.

Adaptive Seats or Sport 'Bucket' Seats - these will hold you better if you like going fast in on those curvy roads, although I hear that if you're on the larger side they may become a nuisance poking you in the side and limiting shoulder rotation if your busy on the steering wheel. Also, comfort on the buckets may get tiresome on longer rides.

Some Personalization - Porsche offers a host of options to 'customize' your ride. While these can get quite expensive, there are a few that can add a nice personal touch. A few that come to mind are trim strip in exterior color, gear lever trim in exterior color, aluminum pedals (aftermarket), door finishers and door opener in exterior color - oh, did I mention you can get carried away with all this

I wish the deviating stitching wasn't so darn expensive. The cars I have seen optioned with it are quite nice. I believe the consensus on the colored seat belts is too pass - especially on lighter colors (yellow/silver) as they show the dirt and are impossible to keep/remain clean.

Hope that helps. Good Luck!

 

Dropping off the stock wheels is a sure way to turn heads, nice deep lip in the back with an aggressive paint scheme, will set you apart... nice ride. gl

 

full leather is probably one of the most important options. without it, the car has an unfinished look and parts of the console will look to have gaps that the leather fills. forget the chrono. it doesnt do anything for performance. just makes you think there is extra oomph by altering the gas padal telemetry.

short shifter is nice but can be added afterwards.

 

There are no 'must have' options on the Carrera S. The car is fine as is - any options are icing on the cake. Some options add weight and that is actually detrimental.

Options I like: full leather, manual sports seats, Sport Chrono.

Weight penalty options: motorized seats, Bose, NAV, CD changer.

 

Believe SSK is the best mod for the buck... no need to get OEM though... very easy to install yourself on a sunday afternoon

 

I came from an E46 M3 as well. The nav in the 997's is a lot better, mainly because I got a newer car.
Full leather is really nice, but wasn't a must have for me.
You can quickly find a car with sport chrono, nav, bose.
If you look for full leather, sport seats, aero kit, or the golden Porsche Sport Exhaust, those cars are much less common. I would say less than half the 997S's have those options. I advise you to check out cars with the options to decide if you "must have" them. I really wanted the seats, but even I find the seats very narrow and I'm only 5'11" 170. But I had to have them. Check out the other select options and start the hunt. Or simply get a car with the basics in the color you want and mod the rest!
I really wanted the PSE, but also thought I can add aftermarket later. Short shifter the same. You can't add the interior leather and the seats would cost you thousands.
Aero kits are a really premium and used cars will attract premium prices. They can be added aftermarket with OEM kits, but it's expensive. You need to decide if you want it.
Good luck. You won't regret the move, I haven't.