Independent Porsche specialists often fall into one of two camps. Some concentrate on maintenance and restoration, others on performance and tuning. Porschemode sits somewhere in the middle, blending the engineering rigour of a workshop with the ambition of a race team. The result is a business that has grown rapidly over the past eight years, carving out a reputation for honesty, ingenuity and, above all, building cars that Porsche never quite dared to.

“I’ve been running the business for eight years now, taking it from strength to strength,” says Martin, founder of Porschemode. “We started in a much smaller unit – it was just me and one ramp. Over the years, we’ve evolved and adapted to the Porsche market.”

That evolution has been significant. From its modest beginnings, Porschemode now operates out of a facility that feels closer to a boutique main dealer than an independent. With four two-post ramps, a scissor alignment ramp, car stackers for project vehicles and eight dedicated sales bays, the infrastructure reflects a business that has ambitions beyond routine servicing.

“My goal was always to make Porschemode feel like a mini dealership,” Martin explains. “But where we differ is in how we approach the work. Every customer has their own goals, so we always tailor what we do to what they want from their car.”

Evolving With the Cars

Porschemode’s growth mirrors the maturing of the cars themselves. Models that were once new are now modern classics. The Boxster 986, the 996 and the early Caymans are no longer under warranty, and many examples are two decades old. Owners want to refresh, restore and, in many cases, upgrade.

“Customers come to us after visiting other garages, saying the car doesn’t feel quite right,” Martin says. “We give them an honest opinion and a clear plan forward. Even something as simple as a suspension refresh can transform a Porsche back to how it drove from the factory.”

This pragmatic approach is what sets Porschemode apart. Rather than simply chasing horsepower figures, Martin and his team understand the value of bringing a chassis back to life. Suspension arms, bushes, dampers – all make a huge difference. “Even a standard 911 can feel incredible again once you sort the basics,” he adds.

Fixing, Not Just Replacing

Martin’s team is made up of engineers, not parts-fitters. This is important.

“I’ve had technicians come from Porsche dealerships, but the mindset there is often just to swap parts,” Martin explains. “If something breaks, the dealer will replace it wholesale. Our background is engineering. We fix problems properly, rather than just bolting on something new.”

It’s a philosophy that resonates with owners of older Porsches. Cars like the 996 and 997 can often benefit from repair rather than full replacement, particularly when original parts are expensive or difficult to source. Porschemode combines mechanical sympathy with modern upgrades, creating solutions that keep cars on the road without compromising their character.

When a Cayman Became a GT4

Among the many builds Porschemode has undertaken, one stands out. James’s 987 Cayman S began life as a capable sports car, but one that always seemed to sit in the shadow of the 911. That changed after a trip to the Nürburgring and Spa.

“I was driving a 981 GT4 3.8 and James was in his Cayman,” Martin recalls. “The cars were similar in feel, but I was always pulling away from him on the straights. On the way back he just said, ‘I need more power.’”

The solution was a bold one: Porschemode transplanted a 997 3.8-litre engine into James’s Cayman S. “For half the cost of a GT4, we built the car Porsche didn’t – essentially a Cayman S GT4,” Martin says. “Maybe it’s the car Porsche would have built, but couldn’t, because it would have overshadowed the Carrera S at the time.”

The work went beyond an engine swap. James’s Cayman received an extensive list of upgrades, many sourced through Design911:

• Speedworks front lip, canards and side skirts

• Bilstein B16 suspension

• Lightweight flywheel and clutch

• Upgraded gearbox mounts

• 200-cell racing cats paired with a Milltek resonated exhaust

• GT3 throttle body

• MRN carbon intake

The result was transformative. Not only did the car deliver the power James craved, but it also had the poise and handling to match. “It sounds incredible and finally gives him the performance he was missing,” Martin says.

Why Porschemode Works

Part of Porschemode’s success lies in keeping control of the process. “The only thing we outsource is paintwork,” Martin explains. “Everything else is done in-house with strict quality control. Once you start outsourcing, quality can slip. We want to know exactly what goes into every car.”

This approach is supported by a strong relationship with Design911, one of the UK’s leading Porsche parts specialists. “I’ve been working with Design911 for around seven years,” Martin says. “Jason has always given me reliable service. The range is huge – whether it’s Bilstein shocks, upgraded components, or clutches and flywheels. Pretty much anything you need is available next day, which makes a huge difference for us.”

That availability allows Porschemode to test new solutions in-house. “We usually fit parts to our own cars first,” Martin explains. “If we wouldn’t use it ourselves, we wouldn’t fit it to a customer car.”

Engineering Answers for Enthusiasts

Porschemode’s customers range from track-day regulars to owners who simply want their car to feel as good as it did when new. The common thread is a desire for more than just standard servicing.

“If a customer says they want to do something, we usually already have a solution,” Martin says. “And if we don’t, we’ll go out, find one, and make it happen.”

It’s this engineering-first approach, combined with access to trusted suppliers like Design911, that has helped Porschemode earn its reputation. For some, it’s about refreshing a tired 996. For others, it’s about creating something Porsche never offered – a Cayman with GT4 performance, or a 911 tuned for the track.

Looking Ahead

The Porsche market shows no sign of slowing. With modern classics now reaching an age where major work is required, specialists like Porschemode are more important than ever. They offer solutions that balance originality with performance, respecting the brand while pushing its boundaries.

For Martin, the future is about continuing to grow while holding onto the ethos that made Porschemode successful. “We’re honest, we’re practical, and we’re engineers,” he says. “That’s why people come to us. We don’t just build cars – we build the cars people always thought Porsche should have made.”

For more on Porschemode, visit porschemode.com.
To explore performance upgrades, tuning parts and factory-quality replacements for your Porsche, head to design911.com.