I'm looking at a 2005 911 (997), and when I test drove it, I noticed the gauges were difficult to read. The numbers (particularly on the speedometer) looked gray/silver and almost ... faded. (almost like they were printed on an old dot-matrix printer).

I've attached an image below.

My question is: Are these cheap aftermarket gauge faces? or is this a factory item that is just ... disappointing? How big of a deal is it, and should I be concerned?

 

Seen that before over here.
http://rennlist.com/forums/997-forum...ng-gauges.html
Looks like it's happened to a few people. Also sounds like you can do a gauge face swap later if everything else checks out on the car, but I'd factor that into your pricing.

 

For any gauge refacing, try North Hollywood Speedo. I heard they are pretty good.

No affiliations... Just read enough about them.

 

There's a brightness adjuster **** between the bottom of the two left gauges, you can see it in the picture you posted.

 

I just use the digital display for the speedo and focus on the analog tach.

 

I had the same issue with my 08TT. I ordered the replacement face from FVD and swapped it myself. It really was pretty easy when you follow the instructions.