993 C4S, the ultimate classic Porsche? Specialist dealer 911virgin takes one for a spin.

A video from 911Virgin the Porsche specialists in Uxbridge West London covering the 993 C4S coupe from 1996. We discuss the car, how it fits into the Porsche model line up, what technical changes were made to the previous 964 and so on. We also take the car out on the road and see what it's like to drive.
At the time of filming this car was available for sale at www.911virgin.com

[@fbrowne8594]

I own a black 993 C4S for 10 years and I still learned a lot of new facts from this video, very insightful and much appreciated.

[@911virgin8]

Glad it was useful !

[@jimmymiller85]

Well done Henry, what a great review of such a beautiful car. I have owned mine for the last twenty years and still nothing compares!!

[@911virgin8]

Glad you enjoyed it. A very good looking car indeed.

[@bigcat3367]

I have a 1996 993 C4S in Midnight blue with dark blue dash, etc. and cashmere seats. Near as I can tell pretty close to the same as this car. So nice to spend some time watching a nice guy driving my favorite car ever and making educated comments. Thanks for a great video, you described the car beautifully.

[@911virgin8]

The cheque is in the post.... :-) Thanks for taking the time to comment and enjoy your car.

[@strongbowism]

Fantastic looking 911. 993, my favourite 911 model.

[@911virgin8]

They are indeed a great car.

[@detonator2112]

993 is SERIOUSLY beautiful car. The most beautiful car Porsche has ever produced and among the top-10 most beautiful cars ever made, imho.

[@911virgin8]

They certainly achieved classic status early in life.

[@jealva]

I bought my 1998 993 C2S in 1997 and still own it today, 70,000 miles later. Every Porschephile should own one at some time in their lives. The car feels hand crafted around you and it wonderfully analog. I take it out and drive it whenever I want to just enjoy the driving experience, whether I have a place to go or not. It’s phenomenal and someday, I hope to pass it down to my children (but not for a long time, I hope).

[@911virgin8]

Glad to hear. They are certainly a very well put together car, dare I say the product of engineers rather than accountants....

[@IanPayne]

We need a video on the yellow 993 rs in the background!

[@911virgin8]

I didn't think anyone would be interested in that old thing..... Leave it with me :-)

[@oibal60]

That, sir, was a superb review. I've a 1996 993 C2 iris blue metallic, 60,000 miles. I also take part in 'full concours' and I have to say, whoever detailed that car deserves a medal.

[@911virgin8]

Thanks. It was a car we had prepared for sale.

[@michaelschneider-]

+1 .. Hooray for the 993 series. . Cheers, an original 1998 Carrera C2S owner. . Ordered fully spec'd on par with the up range TT model equipment. ..

[@911virgin8]

Nice, a late one :-)

[@paulrobinson272]

Hi Henry, Enjoyed the video. The only thing you didn't cover was that the 993 just sounds so bloody good - so much better than the later water cooled iterations of 911

[@911virgin8]

I'll be honest and say we probably take that rumble for granted as we hear it so often as cars are moved round the yard. Very nice when you hear them pushing on in anger. I do chuckle to myself making these videos. It's a hard job but someone's got to do it.....

[@truebetold65]

Agree 👍🇺🇸

[@nolanohana]

Great technical content, hard to find this amount of detail on older Porsches!

[@911virgin8]

Glad you enjoyed watching. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[@edinburghwatchcompany247]

Wow..what a fantastic video. Great camerawork and Henry is a natural presenter that clearly has phenomenal knowledge and passion for all things Porsche. Must take a look on the website.

[@911virgin8]

Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated.

[@davidmarshall6616]

1st time iv'e heard a car dealer use the words "crap car" & "dead bodies" in quick succession. Nice one Henry! PS.......Beautiful car!

[@911virgin8]

Hey, what can I say? Now you see why they don't let me loose on real customers. Company sales prevention officer.....

[@kristianfjeldgaard1]

Dear Henry. Thanks for a great review. Your comments are spot on. I almost regret having recently traded my 993 Carrera 4S for a 993 Turbo.

[@911virgin8]

The 993 Turbo is a great car though. If you don't want it any more you know where we are...... :-)

[@ferrellmontgomery4703]

I've watched several of your videos. I truly enjoy them. Tremendous quality and really a very nice channel. Top drawer !!

[@911virgin8]

Hi there, thanks so much for the kind words, greatly appreciated. The channel is something of a work in progress which will no doubt spread out into wider Porsche related topics.

[@DavidAlanStanley]

Thanks Henry; decent review and I agree with your comments regarding this not being an out and out racer. You sold me my 993 C4 twenty years ago and, unfortunately for you, I've never really felt like I needed to change it for a newer one. I love them.

[@911virgin8]

One day.... :-)

[@roberthoward7671]

The hollow wheel spokes were friction-welded. The hub and spoke were spun inside the rim to weld them. Porsche had a video of the process at the time.

[@911virgin8]

Ah, I've always wondered how they did it. A bit like the ship in a bottle !

[@sparkes999]

A really nice review and i agree with many of the points you make being a C4S owner myself.

[@911virgin8]

Glad you enjoyed the video and keep driving the car. Great to see them out on the road.

[@DavidBrown-ko5kg]

A great conversation on all levels - way to go!

[@911virgin8]

Thank you, very kind.

[@ryanpatterson9526]

That color combo is stunning!

[@911virgin8]

Thank you. A classic combo from the era

[@aaronmayer7643]

What a fantastic and informative video, Henry. What a beaut 😍. Currently own a 2019 Porsche but thinking of a transition to the 993 next. I will definitely come to you guys to see what you can do for me 👍

[@911virgin8]

Thanks for the kind words and look forward to hearing from you when the time is right :-)

[@paultruckle4456]

I enjoyed the video and the series to date. As a minor point be nice to mention it was penned by Tony Hatter - an Englishman

[@911virgin8]

And he still had time to for Spandau Ballet. Oh no, that was Tony Hadley. We do have a talent for designing decent cars in the UK. British design flair combined with Germanic engineering. A world beating combination.

[@Carrera-gp9od]

Beautiful car , lovely colour too

[@911virgin8]

Not too scruffy is it.

[@peterday2732]

Really enjoying your insights, which have added to my appreciation of a G50 3.2 Targa and 993 C2 that I own.

[@911virgin8]

Thanks for the compliment.

[@stephenauty2402]

I love that interior..no nonsense just everything you need

[@MWS1960]

I currently have a 2014 naturally aspirated 991.1, but I absolutely love the 993...I might need to buy a second Porsche 👍

[@911virgin8]

The 991 is a great daily drive, no harm in popping a 993 in the garage for weekend trips out....

[@davidthomas1424]

Well done Henry, what a great review of such a beautiful car.. Oh. Seems someone else has said this already ;) Thank you.

[@911virgin8]

Thanks for the kind words :-)

[@ghowells5433]

Stunning car, would love a 993 Cab for cruising around

[@911virgin8]

As a weekend toy convertible 911s do have a certain appeal. We sell quite a few of them although as they get older you tend to find the cabriolets deteriorate quicker than coupes so hard to find nice ones.

[@ghowells5433]

@@911virgin8 actually prefer the look of the targas

[@911virgin8]

@@ghowells5433 I still remember seeing the first 993 Targa back in the day when launched in the UK - I think we sold the launch car several years later. A radical change form the 964 and back.

[@ghowells5433]

@@911virgin8 don’t think you can beat the look of the rollover hoop targa, never sure the big sunroof version was a real targa to be honest.

[@911virgin8]

@@ghowells5433 For me that rear quarter window and roof line on a 911 coupe is pure comfort food.

[@leeellis6738]

23:22 how good does that look. Amazing, best looking 911 shape hands down. Not the bloated car the 992 has become. Beautiful colour too

[@911virgin8]

The 993 has always been a good looking car to the point where it became a classic long before it's time.

[@mogsyman]

Another interesting and well presented video Henry - lovely subject as well!

[@911virgin8]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@713vinh]

Gorgeous car and an great insightful video.

[@911virgin8]

Thanks for the support, glad you enjoyed. The 993 is definitely a good looking car and a C4S only makes things better !

[@mikegregory8353]

Fabulous video. Tempting me to go from my 718 Cayman to a 993🤨Old school appeal

[@911virgin8]

I think its a very different proposition owning one as a toy and owning one as daily transport. There is a danger that going down the latter route accelerates the aging process.

[@K2shadowfax]

A very good 'real world' presentation of potential ownership; I think I just found my car! Cheers!

[@911virgin8]

Glad you enjoyed it & thanks for taking the time to comment

[@jimparsons61]

Denzel Washington has a beautiful black 993 Turbo that he has detaile regularly, and he claims it's one of his favorite cars to drive And he has quite a few other cars.

[@nigelprice7953]

Henry, very nice video. The 993 is my favourite 911 generation and Midnight Blue is a lovely colour. A video on the yellow 993 RS would be great (hint, hint!!)

[@911virgin8]

How strange that two people would want to see that old thing..... I'll see what we can do.....

[@stopmyforeclosure101]

Fantastic Video, so to the point Sir, really enjoyed it.

[@911virgin8]

Glad to hear and thanks for taking the time to comment, much appreciated.

[@JCosh]

Nice vid! I bought a very nice silver, low miles 1997 993 C2S from Henry back in 2003 (I think). My first Porsche, loved it! Do I regret selling it, yes! Bought a 996 straight after, which I regret selling even more. About to sell a GT4, I’ll almost certainly selling that as well.

[@911virgin8]

We might be featuring the GT4 in a future video. Stay tuned....

[@jonathankenny4443]

Had one black on black. Was a minter. One of the best cars I ever had.

[@HawkMillFarm]

Hands up 🙋‍♂️I only got halfway through before having to look at what it would cost me. Cracking car.

[@911virgin8]

They say you can't put a price on happiness. We try.

[@moran68]

Excellent video 👍 your knowledge is outstanding 👍!

[@911virgin8]

I'm not sure about that. Most of it is somewhere lurking in a dark corner, just a case of digging it out.

[@allanlai_]

Beautiful car, love the wide hip. On the road and not pushing the car anywhere close to the limit, would one be able to tell the difference between C2S and C4S?

[@911virgin8]

There is a difference in drive between the C2 and C4 however when owned as a classic car for Sunday coffee runs it is less of an issue. Also there is a lot of variance between individual cars depending on condition and what jobs people have done in terms of upgrade tweaks.

[@lgk-cars5760]

Great video 👏

[@911virgin8]

Thanks for the kind words

[@seang2822]

The split grill was standard on C2S not an option.. might have been an option on the C4S..

[@911virgin8]

I always thought it was the other way round but you could well be right. It was a long time ago... :-)

[@seang2822]

@@911virgin8 if you look online you will see c2s have split grills and 4s has standard grills

[@rufhaus]

Henry, you are a great presenter

[@911virgin8]

Very kind of you to say. Thanks ! The cheque is in the post...... :-)

[@rufhaus]

@@911virgin8 🤣🤣👍🏻

[@brandonshafer-zatko5541]

Please do a video on the 997!

[@911virgin8]

We sell a lot of 997s so they will definitely feature in various guises. Just a question of finding the time and something else popping in front of the queue.

[@timelesskeeper]

Your da man, outstanding! Thanks

[@911virgin8]

Not sure about that :-) but thanks for the support. Look after yourself.

[@Robert-un3cf]

I hope one day I'll have a chance to own a 993

[@911virgin8]

They are definitely a good choice. The reality and the pipe dream are on the same page in the book.

[@arthurfleck1554]

It is a real GT (Grand Turismo)! Love IT!

[@911virgin8]

I'm not sure the 993 is a GT car although precisely was constitutes a Grand Tourer I couldn't tell you.

[@jimparsons61]

I had a1996 C4s This was a beautiful car I loved it looks like it I loved the way it handled it was white It did everything well and everywhere I went people would look at it in The problem with the car is the interior is too small for a person who is 6' 5" So eventuaboy I came to the factual realization that it's too small for me and I wasn't comfortable with it as I was with my 71 which didn't have a center console or anything between the passengers and driver seats on the floor And so I had more space in the old car believe it or not then the new one sold it and

[@henryf9175]

You do sometimes find that earlier cars can be smaller inside. Worth mentioning that it may be possible to move the seat back a bit on the mountings between the seat runner and the bodyshell. From memory the 993, 964 and 3.2 (G-series) cars have 2 mounting options. You have to drive with your legs apart either way.

[@s.m.2868]

17:58 Is that a 968 in the background? I would love to see a video on that!

[@911virgin8]

If I get the time before it goes on my list.

[@franklinisacson4813]

The leather dash/doors/center console were an option on the c4s. I wonder if this car has original paint, looks too good..

[@911virgin8]

No, I wouldn't expect it to have original paint, the roof might be but when they were 18 months old the main dealers would routinely paint the front end for stone chips prior to selling on. Paint for stone chips and minor scuffs is no issue provided carried out to a suitable high standard. Replacement panels / accident damage is a different matter.

[@GlennsCarCollection]

My Polar Silver 993 Turbo has the exact same interior color combo

[@911virgin8]

We will do a 993 turbo at some point in the future.

[@sinazahedinejad7007]

lets see whats the milage of urs?, is it garage queen or its like mine, 137k miles and still going super strong

[@911virgin8]

@@sinazahedinejad7007 That one had done around 85,000 from memory.

[@TheHispasians]

Wonderfully informative video! I learned a lot and love mine more. Would you know how rare it is to acquire a 993 C4S with the factory installed aero kit?

[@911virgin8]

Thanks for the kind words. Most of the cars you see with bi-plane rear spoilers tend to be aftermarket items. You could get a factory fitted kit and it was available retro from Porsche main dealers, I remember pricing it up in my youth at Chariots of St Albans and it was a fortune - more than this country boy earned. The aero kits are something of a marmite item here in the UK some people love them, others are not so keen.

[@IrishManJT]

Fantastic.

[@911virgin8]

Thanks for the kind words :-)

[@kenhampshire9917]

Excellent video, Just one thing, it's not "solemness" it's solemnity.

[@911virgin8]

Not sure where in the video that was but English never was my strong subject at school. I work hard to counter Dyslexia so bow unreservedly to your superior knowledge on the subject.

[@leonardoluc6362]

Thanks for the great review. Please do a review of the 1997/98 993S same turbo body and my favored of all the air cooled 911 models, wheel rear drive, lighter and rarer. More and rarer drivers car than the 4S. BTW IS the last year of the air cooled Porsches and the 1998 is the year Ferdinand Porsche RIP. 2S has the 356 rear spil grill stunning, car is lighter and rarer than the 4S.

[@911virgin8]

I will try to do one if the opportunity arises and cover the differences between them.

[@Paul8342]

Was the 4’S’ not supplied with solid spoke wheels as standard unless hallow was optioned?

[@911virgin8]

Yes, it was an option. This particular particular car has the hollow spokes. Very clever technology.

[@albertpflugfelder8590]

My 993 Cabriolet 1996 was delivered with 17'' Cup wheels. The second owner then changed them with the so called 18'' Turbo Design wheel (which was not hallow) In my understanding only the 993 Turbo had the hallow Turbo Technology wheel

[@I.LikeCars]

Thank you for your really detailed review. The 993 is my favorite 911, and as you state really a nice car and sort of a neo-classic. The prices have gotten a bit prohibitive in my area to buy a coupe, but cabriolets seem to be somewhat affordable still. What is your take on those?

[@911virgin8]

There isn't a right or wrong when it comes to cabriolet / coupe / targa just a case of what ever floats your boat. Tiptronics tend to be cheaper than manual gearbox cars and the coupe is certainly an industry standard although possibly as a second car the cabriolet compliments your daily driver. Cabriolets tend to age faster than coupes as there is cloth rather than metal and the interior gets open to the elements more but ultimately at this age it's down to the individual car. For sure the 993's popularity means values are strong. There isn't really anything below £30k here in the UK and a really good car will command considerably more. Worth remembering that come resale they will still be popular so it's just a case of lending the car it's value rather than losing it as you would do with a new vehicle.

[@I.LikeCars]

​@@911virgin8 Thank you for the explanation, and it is a very valid point about lending the car it's value vs losing it. That is partially why I prefer a 993 over a 991, I expect the 991 to continue to depreciate a bit more, whereas the 993 is either going to hold steady or go up slightly. FWIW, I intend on driving this car, though it will share driving duties with 2 other cars. Based on your response, it seems I may have to pay a bit more for coupe. I'm located in San Francisco, and since I already own a roadster, it doesn't seem all that practical to have yet another softtop.

[@I.LikeCars]

@@911virgin8 I eventually bought my 993, a Targa model from 1997 in Arctic Silver. I agree with your sentiments on this video. Absolutely amazed I own one, and looking forward to joining the Porsche community in my area.

[@jrs997]

I'm looking for a 993 c4s in Arena Red or Iris Blue. Market is very high.

[@911virgin8]

Good cars command strong money. I would suggest broadening your colour choices to bring in as many cars as possible into your radar. Even then yo have your work cut out marrying condition and budget.

[@sandyshine6690]

Hi I have a 1999 2.5 986 boxster 21k still on the original tyres it's mint condition and kept undercover since owned how much do you thing it's value is today😎thank you

[@911virgin8]

What an interesting car ! They do have a finite value and without wanting to sound like a politician dodging the question we would need to see it to put a number on the car. 5 or 10% of condition could make 50% difference to the value. The number on the speedo dictates the most you can ask, the car its self the value up to that point. If you ever want to sell it get in touch. Rather than offer a trade bid on the car we would suggest using our sales platform and ongoing customer support to do it on a sale or return / consignment basis ensuring the car achieves full retail price. With the Boxster now 25 years old - where did the time go, it would be an interesting car to slip into a collection as a modestly priced addition.

[@sandyshine6690]

@@911virgin8 thanks for replying I will post a video and photos on KZbin when I can I'll let you know when it's uploaded thanks again for your time 😎👍

[@dansmith5218]

What do you guys think to a auto gearbox ?

[@911virgin8]

The tiptronic gearbox of a 993 has obviously been superseded by the PDK in more modern cars but in the 1990's Tiptronic was quite advanced in the way it monitored your driving and changed gear accordingly. There isn't a wrong or a right, different people want different gearboxes.

[@zeusmojo9301]

@@911virgin8 The tiptronic is so much fun I find the PDK boring

[@911virgin8]

@@zeusmojo9301 I don't think I would claim the PDK box is bad, it's a very clever bit of kit and used properly can add to the driving experience. I'm playing with a PDK box 991 at the moment and having a great time. Video on it to follow at some point.

[@jamesthesilver]

I'm looking to start my Porsche journey soon with a. 3.2 Carrera. I'm not looking for concourse spec, just something that I can put a load of miles on and that is a solid car. Do you think I could achieve this for 40k?

[@911virgin8]

There are sadly far more bad cars than good out there. Just make sure you know what you're buying. It can be a very costly exercise sorting out problems. By the best car you can.

[@truebetold65]

The front of the 993 has almost the same front as the 550 Spyder.

[@911virgin8]

Headlights are certainly similar.

[@arthurfleck1554]

The 993 Carrera 4s is the poor mans 959!

[@911virgin8]

A lot of the underpinnings of the 4 wheel drive 993 were first seen on a 959 so I guess there is a link.... I'd say the 959 was a rich mans 911.

[@lennydeutsch8536]

….agree somewhat, in design; especially the headlights integrated into the body. The 993 is much more refined and the most significant statement made in this video, is when he said, “…it feels like it’s carved out of a block of granite”. So very accurate. (1997 C4 Cabrio ,98 K)

[@GlennsCarCollection]

My 993 Turbo has the same interior color combo

[@911virgin8]

Nice one :-)

[@ryanpatterson9526]

Thought you sold that car.

[@happygorilla8518]

Great car and I get it but no downside......?

[@911virgin8]

Everything in life has a downside if you look hard enough. I'm a pot half full kind of guy and try to look for the positive in life.

[@happygorilla8518]

@@911virgin8 that really is amazing for you but I meant the car, it's like there is not a single fault with it and it's perfect. Every new Porsche is flawless like the one before it, and before that and before that....

[@911virgin8]

@@happygorilla8518 Ah I see. 🙂

[@Minoltalphafan]

They went water cooled for emissions/horsepower reasons mostly.

[@terryurquhart2413]

Ha…great comment ….top speed , a gnats todger under 170 mph ……..! Classic Henry ! Beautiful C4s …….!

[@911virgin8]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂

[@enigmatwist6548]

Nice car, think I prefer the 4S without the whale tail. Looks sleeker and with less than 300 bhp I doubt it needs it.

[@911virgin8]

The 993 C4S didn't have a fixed rear spoiler. The 993 turbo had a fixed rear spoiler to house the massive inter-cooler set up.

[@harryw9598]

aint no whale tail. all 993 have a rear spoiler that pops up above 80km/h

[@enigmatwist6548]

@@harryw9598 turbo doesn’t have the pop up spoiler and I’ve seen plenty of 4s the with the same thing. However these are either an option at factory or possibly dealer fit.

[@siddharthrajagopalan8056]

@@enigmatwist6548yep aerokit

[@freddiewong9338]

993 Targa Tiptronic my choice

[@911virgin8]

From a collectors point of view probably not the first choice but ultimately you should buy what you want and enjoy using. Far too many people buy what they think other people want them to drive !!

[@ahmedshinko5142]

The 993 is a tiny car!!

[@michaelschneider-]

The 992 is huge Grand Tourer car