Porsche 993 info needed

Nero328 is a Porsche expert!

DL

 

http://www.qv500.com/porsche993mr.htm
http://www.qv500.com/porsche993p1.htm
http://www.qv500.com/porsche993p2.htm
http://www.qv500.com/porsche993p3.htm
http://www.qv500.com/porsche993p4.htm
http://www.qv500.com/porsche993p5.htm
http://www.qv500.com/porsche993p6.htm

That should be enough info for ya .
FWIW, i had 3 993's , starting off with C2 coupe in '94 , the year of launch and finishing up with a '97 C4 Cab. The cars are refined, powerful, very well built and will soak up the miles with no grumbles. The usual proviso about proper, regular maintaince applies and a FSH is an absolute must. They cars are very robust if looked after properly and can take the punishment of being a daily driver.I found the C4 much less involving than 2WD cars BTW , and all my cars were manual as the TIPTRONIC option is basic in execution and little more than an auto.Porsche have addressed ths problem now and the 996 TIP is miles better than 993.

 

dont buy a water cooled one as they have lots of problems get the newest 993 he can find

 

www.rennlist.com

 

95 was the first year. Don't avoid it thought unless you can't get a newer one....just look for a 96+ because they made several enhancements. I sold them when they were new....great cars !!

 

The 993 was actually introduced in late '93 with a 272 bhp, 3.6 litre engine.By '96 power went up to 285 bhp with the Varioram 3.8 engine. I bought my '93 coupe in '94.

 

The varioram engine was still a 3.6. The RS engine was a 3.8 however.

If you're brother is interested in chipping, then he should get a pre varioram as the earlier on board computer(OBD1) was easier to chip for some reason or another.

Ours(a 94 C2) was totally reliable, was driven everyday and looked and sounded great.

 

I stand corrected, you are quite right

 

KDS was referring to the NA market. The 993 was introduced here in 1994 as a 95 model. We got the 272 bhp engine for one year and then got the boosted Varioram 3.6 in 1996 like everyone else.

Tell you brother to get an "S" bodied coupe (or Turbo), those cars are damn sexy!

 

Correct....

And unfortunate.....the sooner the better......IMHO.

 

All 993 model cars are amazing and virtually bullet proof. Most agree this was Porsche's greatest contemporary model. The most sought after 993 models are the '96-'98 C4S, (4WD), '97-'98 C2S and '96-'97 Twin Turbo and '97 Turbo (S). Buy the newest car you can.

 

Thanks U for the kind words and yes the 993 is "the best" of what Porsche has put on the street for the 911 IMO. The 996 variant lost it's "soul" with the water cooled engine and shared parts with the Boxster. The 997 on the other hand will be officially introduced in the NA market later this week and reflects back to the 993 in style and hopefully "soul". Feel free to PM me with any questions regarding the 993, I have owned quite a few and will be happy to chat with you about them. They're the best all around P-cars out there!

 

I have a 993 used now as a track only car. What others have related concerning model years and advice is correct. They are incredibly durable, entertaining cars and while not as "advanced" as the 996 are probably much more engaging, better built, and (IMO) much better looking. The last of the air cooled interceptors, so to speak.

In the US the 96, 97 and 98 received the Varioram and OBD II. If you want to chip get the 95. The 98 was, I think, produced only as an S model with the wider body of the Turbo. Some prefer that look, some don't. There is little real performance difference between the years. The 95 did suffer (IMO) from the "hoop" brake light that was eliminated from 96 on (except in convertibles).

I prefer the two to four wheel drive but to each their own.

Parts are relatively (certainly compared to Ferrari!) cheap and the cars are pretty easy to work on too. I love mine and will not give it up until something really special (read F355 or F360) comes along to replace it.

Be sure to check that the model you are looking at is due for or has had the wiring harness recall done (most 95 and some 96's). Porsche will do this for free if it has not been done. Also note early 95s will not accept 18 inch wheels without suspension mods. And 16 inch wheels (and most 17s) will not allow you to fit the "big red" brakes (which, still, easily outperform the hideously expensive 17K PCCB rotors on new Turbos and GT3s).

The stock headlights are the weakest I've seen in years. You'll need to upgrade them with litronics if you plan on doing much night driving.

 

One can only hope! ;-)

 

Spend time on Rennlist. The 993 has had plenty of problems, but they are all forgotten due to the cult-like following this car has amassed. Some of the bigger 993 issues are:

1. Premature valve guide wear.
2. Rear window failures (1996).
3. Wiring harness failure (Porsche recall).
4. Carbon buildup.
5. Assorted electrical gremlins

Not show stoppers, but the idea that the 993 is miles beyond the 996 in build quality is just biased conjecture that has become accepted as fact because it is endlessly repeated on forums by the faithful.

If you ask me, if the 996 didnt have the Boxster nose, it would be a whole different ballgame today.

Proof of this is the 997 which is far more 996 than 993 and yet is already being lauded by the "purists" basically because it has the old style headlights and that ugly old style dashboard. It's still water cooled and it comes loaded with even MORE safety gadgetry and electronic wizardry than the 996. It's ONLY connection to the 993 is the headlights and dash.

At least some people just admit that what they cant deal with is the 996 sharing a nose with the downmarket Boxster and that it really doesnt have anything to do with the car itself.

 

1996 thru 1998 993 was the best. '95's had a few minor issues that were
corrected by '96. 1998;s were carrera"s" models that sported the turbo
body. 1999 saw the intro of the water cooled 996. I have to agree
with 911guy, things went down hill as far as build quality and looks.
But hey, the new 911, (2005) has hips again.

 

sorry about that, I meant "993GUY".

 

Ok, I have to disagree with you on a couple of things here. The 996 is a COMPLETELY different machine than the 993 and while it is considered a "more refined" 911 than the 993, it is far from the build quality and that came from the 993. If you were to visit som eof your local P-car dealers, you will find at least 2 crate 911 engines in their inventory. Before 99, this was unheard of. If you read reviews of even the latest C4S (a nice looking 996 IMO), you will find that while they "love the car" they can't understand why it needed a NEW ENGINE at 11K miles. Porsche perfected the air cooled engine and while they had to move to water cooled in order to stay viable, it ended a legacy with the 911. This is not bias conjecture (I see that you had a 1999 911), it is actual fact. You will also find that true Porschephiles still do not like the 996 and it is reflected in their resale value vs. the 993. We'll see what the 997 brings, but Porsche did look back to their success with the 993 in order to move forward with the 997. The differences go way beyond the front nose...oh and the "ugly" gauges that you refer to were on the model for close to 40 years with incredible success. It's a shame the the simple layout of the 993 and before it has to be changed in the 996.

BTW, as you can see I'm a pretty passionate P-car guy, so I mean to offense to anyone reading this. I have a lot of history with these cars and these thoughts are just my opinions of course... ;-)

 

Hi, I'm a newbie responding to an old thread my brother started to help me get some info on the 993. Thanks to all for the info and feedback, especially from a Ferrari site(!) and thanks TonyH for the links. I have not owned a 911 in years but I expect (hope) the "usual" stuff: chain tensioners, heater boxes, oil leaks...has been sorted with the 993(?) Although I am also a huge fan of Ferrari, this car sounds pretty attractive.
On a similar note you may know your friendly Porsche dealer unveiled the new 997 Aug 28. IMHO the front end looks more 993 and the rear 996, and the 3.6 is now punching out 325 and 355 hp (S model), and no slouch either: 4.8 (and 4.6 secs) to 60. Not sure I care for the white faced gauge design; they have that faddish neo-retro look that is so popular today (and may not be so hot tomorrow). No matter what, I'm sure they will sell plenty of these things.
As far as the 993, I'm not sure whether the new car will affect its resale value or not, but if possible I would be most interested to purchase one toward the bottom of the depreciation curve. Your thoughts?