Bought a new GT3 sight unseen (over the phone) from Beverly Hills earlier this week, flew down there this am and drove it back to SF this afternoon. Really a pleasure to deal with those guys, absolutely no unpleasant surprises or pressure to finance/lease thru them or get the $500 wax job, etc. I dealt with David Illya (310-481-8130) and would highly recommend him if you're in the market for a P-car.

My car is AS/Black full leather. I saw it on their website and it was pretty much what I was looking for. They told me over the phone that the MSRP was $112.8 and I got them to sell it to me for $107. I got a pleasant surprise today when I saw the window sticker...MSRP is actually $114.1, so I got an even better deal than I thought!

Going to Concorso Italiano in Monterey tomorrow, so the GT3 pics will have to wait until next week.

The car is awesome. I had high expectations and it's exceeding them already.

 

I'm jealous Holger... U asked me to help find one and YOU GOT YOURS FIRST!!!! Mine should be here this weekend or Monday... sigh.

 

Thanks for your help. Your advice was right on.

You should have driven it back home as the break-in period is a killer...1k miles at 4,200 rpm max.

Also, BH has 3 more GT3's if anyone is looking (including one that is identical to the one I bought).

 

Congrats!

 

Congrats...
What options you got on this beast?

 

Holger do post pics when you get a chance.

My camera is waiting for mine to come... gotta get those "pre-mod" pics taken! (Already have a couple of boxes from Gert sitting here...)

 

Options: full leather, xenons, cruise, power seats, "GT3" storage lid, painted rear center console, painted seat backs, alum dials, carbon/alum shifter & brake, mats

Ordered today: bumper plugs (someone said they now come with the cars, mine didn't include it), clear side markers

Already have & to be installed: Tequipment rollbar, GT3 seat & harness

To do down the road: B&M shifter, mufflers (or maybe even straight pipes...I'd like to hear someone elses first, although the stock sound is surprisingly good)

Maybe: carbon door sills

 

Holger B,
i sat in your car 2 weeks ago while my car was being PDIed. nice ride!

congrats.

 

Holger

Were you unsuccessful negoitating any deal in Northern Cal?

Great car.

 

The new car sounds VERY nice! I would guess a trip to Infineon or Thunder Hill is in your future to really enjoy it. If you want that B&M shifter, I have them for $230. List is $289. I also have the B&B or Remus available. Have fun in Monterey. Post some photos of those "other" prancing horses.

 

Congrats!

I bought my '04 Carrera from Beverly Hills last year. Just like you, did it all over the phone, flew down the next morning and drove it back.

The drive back to the bay area was long, because you should vary RPMs, engine load, gears, etc., not exceed 4,200 RPM (I understand there are many opinions on the break in period!), and I made several stops to let the car rest. I believe it took me 7 hours to go 370 miles, probably 2 - 3 hours longer than normal, but I didn't want to have it shipped. Good luck!

 

Holger,
btw, i posted OEM plug part no. on other forum for u. make sure u go after them

also, u might have a second thought on the B&M on ur car because GT3 already comes with 15% shorter throw than the regular 996. having the B&M (i suggest OEM) install will eventually shorter ur throw to 45%. we installed one in Tyson's GT2 & it's very very short. short doesn't mean it'll shift faster. u might look into this.

 

"Were you unsuccessful negoitating any deal in Northern Cal?"

Two issues in NorCal: 1) couldn't really find many cars with the colors/options I wanted and 2) the dealers up here don't want to cut much of a deal (maybe they're waiting for the GOOG millionaires to stroll in and pay MSRP?). I bought my previous car at Sonnen and would never make that mistake again (good place for service though). The other local dealers would only discount $1.5k-$2k, the exception being highly optioned cars that have been gathering dust in the showroom for 6+ months and I had no interest in those (full carbon, leather covered vent slats, etc).

I varied the rpm's on the way back between 3k to 4,200+ on 5 driving it home, plus I got stuck in stop & go construction traffic for an hour. It was 108 degrees in the stop & go traffic and I had my A/C on and the temp gauge needle never showed the car getting hot. Impressive. My old car would have been running hot and made me a little nervous.

Brandywine has the B&M for $200 (which is what I paid years ago at FA) and I've seen them new on eBay for $180. I also had B&B mufflers & headers on the old car, if I decide to go that way again I'll give you a call Dan.

 

I already ordered bumper plugs from Eric, cheap enough and quicker and easier than getting them from the dealer.

I've been thinking a lot about the B&M and if it'll be too short for the reason you mentioned. I'm going to keep it stock for awhile to let the syncros break in and then maybe do something. I don't like the feel of the cheap plastic stock shifter. The reduced throw is done at the tranny on the GT3, maybe that's possible to undo? If so, I'll go that route and install a B&M (which on my old car was by far the best mod for the money). I've got time to think about it, I'm in no hurry.

 

Holger, Just to give you a heads up, the GT3 comes with bumper plugs from Porsche, they are with the front plate bracket in the trunk.