Brief Model Overview

The Porsche 996 was the first Porsche 911 variant since the Porsche flagship range took hold over the Porsche 356 to make any particularly major design changes to the original blueprint.

The plan for the 996 had begun to be plotted by Pinky Lai in 1992 with the intention to take the Porsche 911 range comfortably into the next Millennium.

Stunting an adjusted body, new interior and a never seen before water-cooled engine, you’d be forgiven for thinking the 996 had all the elements to nib the approval of the early noughties.

Up until this point, there had been almost no changes to these core handling features within the 911 variants throughout the years – it’s no surprise, then, that when these pre-1997 issues were fixed by the introduction of the 996, it was broadly welcomed.

 

 

There are many reasons as to why the 996 was rather unsuccessful in the 7 main years Porsche retained it in production; not least because several of the new features the Porsche 996 introduced were extremely unpopular.

Among the manifold factors, however, one of the biggest criticisms Porsche received with the production of the 996 was its sharing of parts and production with the Porsche Boxster.

The Porsche 996 has, following the years of its release, been rediscovered by many Porsche fanatics and is now even referred to as a ‘hidden gem’ of a model, something that few would have foreseen during its production years.

Even its original base model boasts pretty impressive specs, and these were only improved further with the introduction of its second generation – the 996 even substantially technically outperforms its far more popular 911 sibling, the Porsche 993, on paper.

 

 

Although it does have its faults, thanks to the unpopularity it saw during its time in production, the Porsche 996 has quickly become the most affordable Porsche 911 on the market and now enjoys vast success.

You can read the full history of the Porsche 996 here.

 

Porsche 996 FAQ

Will the Porsche 911 996 go up in value?

The Porsche 996 is amongst the most affordable Porsches – and simultaneously 911s – on the market right now, but don’t let that deceive you in terms of it being a good potential asset.

The value of older Porsches has been steadily growing over the past few years, rising in conjunction with the release of more and more new-generation Porsche models.

As time has gone on, the 996 – which first became available to consumers just about 25 years ago – has slowly made its way into the category of retro Porsches, which is typically a lucrative label for any Porsche model as the market has seen with both the 964 and 993.

Despite its obvious flaws, many people would agree that it was effectively ‘over-hated’ at the time of launch, and as more and more Porsche fanatics are beginning to appreciate the generation for what it is, there’s a good chance that the price of 996s will continue to rise.

Don’t take our word for it, however, hargety.co.uk also forecasts that the value of 996 models will “continue to rise steadily.”

 

What are the PS and specs of the Porsche 996 Carrera?

A first-generation Porsche 996 Carrera had an output of 300 PS at 6,800 RPM, alongside a 3.4L dry-sump – it also did 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds and had a 170 mph top speed.

A first-generation Porsche 996 Carrera 4 also had an output of 300 PS at 6,800 RPM, alongside a 3.4L dry-sump – it also did 0-62mph in a briefly slower 5.5 seconds and also had a 170 mph top speed.

A second-generation Porsche 996 Carrera had an output of 320 PS at 6,800 RPM, alongside a 3.6L dry-sump – it also did 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds and had a 178 mph top speed.

A second-generation Porsche 996 Carrera 4S also had an output of 320 PS at 6,800 RPM, alongside a 3.6L dry-sump – it also did 0-62mph in 5.0 seconds and had a 174 mph top speed.

A second-generation Porsche 996 Carrera Cabriolet had an output of 320 PS at 6,800 RPM, alongside a 3.6L dry-sump – it also did 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds and had a 176 mph top speed.

A second-generation Porsche 996 Carrera 4 Cabriolet also had an output of 320 PS at 6,800 RPM, alongside a 3.6L dry-sump – it did 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds and had a 175 mph top speed.

A second-generation Porsche 996 Carrera 4S Cabriolet also had an output of 320 PS at 6,800 RPM, alongside a 3.6L dry-sump – it did 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds and had a 172 mph top speed.

While the differences between same-generation models are small, the speed and power distinctions between first and second-generation models may sway some towards 996s from the later production era.

 

Is a Porsche 996 reliable?

While there are horror stories plastered around Porsche forums all over the internet that supposedly speak to just how unreliable Porsche 996s are, that isn’t a necessarily fair verdict.

You see, while the Porsche 996 has a few large potential flaws such as its poorly designed IMS bearing, susceptibility to bore scoring and liable rear main oil seals, both of these issues can be now affordably fixed.

Once these problems are addressed and resolved, the Porsche 996 is, in reality, a surprisingly reliable daily driver (given that it has been kept in good condition and maintained).

Of course, it is worth noting that if problems do arise with your Porsche 996, you should take it to Porsche-specific garages and specialists.

 

What Porsche 996 years suffer from IMS bearing failure?

In short, all of the Porsche 996 model years have the potential to suffer from IMS-bearing failure.

Despite the IMS getting a revamp on the second iteration of the 996, it remained equally as poorly designed.

You can shop IMS-bearing upgrades here.

 

What is the difference between a Porsche 911 and Porsche 996?

There isn’t one, the Porsche 996 is a 911.

The Porsche 911 is a model range which featured the Porsche 996 Carrera as its flagship model between 1997 – 2004.

 

Why does the Porsche 996 have ‘fried-egg’ headlights?

It was influenced by both design and traffic regulation.

Due to freshly introduced safety regulations, seeing a combination of head and taillights was becoming increasingly common at the beginning of the 21st Century.

It is therefore understandable that Porsche made this shift, as not only was it a new feature that signified a 21st Century trend but it also allowed the 996 to easily meet safety guidelines.

You can read more lesser-known Porsche 996 facts here.

 

 

Is the Porsche 997 better than the Porsche 996?

Objectively, yes, however, both personal preference and affordability hold weight in this conversation too.

The Porsche 997 is credited for having fixed the issues, both aesthetically and internally, of the Porsche 996, and also has better specs, drivability and is more reliable.

However, the Porsche 997 is not only more expensive than the Porsche 996, but it is also not to the taste of everyone, which will have a big influence on your purchasing decision.

 

Popular Porsche 996 OE Match Parts

 

Exhaust Manifold to Catalytic Converter Nut

Exhaust Manifold to Catalytic Converter Nut. 

M8. EACH 

Fits:

Porsche 986 Boxster 1997-05

Porsche 987C Cayman 2005-08

Porsche 996 C2 / C4 / C4S 1997-05

Porsche 996 GT3 1999-05

You can shop it here.

 

 

Ignition coil pack

Ignition coil pack

6 Required per engine. Price is for each.

Fits:

Porsche Boxster 986 2.5L 1997-99

Porsche Boxster 986 2.7L 1999-02

Porsche Boxster S 986 3.2L 1999-02

Porsche 996 C2 3.4L 1997-08/01

Porsche 996 C4 3.4L 1997-08/01

You can shop it here.

 

 

 

Replacement Pipes For RHD Steering Rack

Replacement pipes for RHD steering rack (PAIR)

Fits: 

Porsche Boxster 986 1997-04

Porsche 996 1997-04

You can shop it here.

 

 

 

Supporting rear suspension top mount

Supporting rear suspension top mount.

Fits:

Porsche 996 C2 / C4 / C4S 1998-05

Porsche 996 Turbo / GT2 2001-05

Porsche 996 GT3 MKI

Shop it here.

 

 

Headlight switch

Headlight switch.

Fits:

Porsche 986 Boxster 1997-04

Porsche 996 Carrera 1998-05

Porsche 996 Turbo / GT3 MKI

Shop it here.

 

 

 

Water Radiator Hose Clamp

Water Radiator Hose Clamp 32-50 mm.

Fits: 

Porsche 986 Boxster 2.5L / 2.7L / S 3.2L 1997-04

Porsche 996 C2 / C4 / C4S 1998-05

Shop it here.

 

 

 

Series resistor

Series resistor for the front cooler fan.

Fits: 

Porsche 986 Boxster 1997-2004

Porsche 996 C2 / C4 / C4S 1998-05

Porsche 996 GT3 / GT3 RS 2000-05

Shop it here.

 

 

News