Which Porsche 996 to buy; the pre-facelift or the facelift? - FGP Prep Book EP13 (Part 1 of 2)

We prep two 996s ready for sale. Which is the better car, the pre-facelift model or the face-lift model? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

[@a1topdog]

That black car is beautiful, but I would say that as it's currently sitting in my garage 😁👍🏻 Thanks again Luke.

[@garyhellier1555]

Can you let me know what top gear back boxes you have on it? Are they the full-on loud sports version that they do or the mild sports? Sounds great. I've got an almost identical 996 and am looking at replacing my back boxes.

[@a1topdog]

@@garyhellier1555 they are the mild ones. A little bit boomy around 3k revs but either side of that ok. For the money you can't go wrong. I'd recommend them

[@garyhellier1555]

@@a1topdog Great. Think I'll get myself a pair of those.

[@paulfell1228]

Gary Hellier Top gear also do a switchable back box which has a Bluetooth remote to change. Had these installed on my 996 C4S 18 months ago. With valves open you will upset the neighbours as ridiculously loud but fun in tunnels (and boarding the car ferry to Le Mans with the other exotica :) ). Sound fab closed too and a big improvement over the original in terms of tone. I think topgear have videos on their website, but you should also find clips somewhere KZbin.

[@garyhellier1555]

​@@paulfell1228 That sounds interesting. Can you recall what you paid for them & install? and who did the install? I was thinking I would like to do it myself but those rusty nuts and bolts do worry me ;)

[@huwd2292]

Really enjoy your content, also love the 996. Keep up this great work.

[@anerd6875]

Love the look of the lowered car. From a design perspective I do prefer the gen. 1 cars. It’s a matter of taste but I really appreciate the way the shape of the gen. 1 headlights match the sleek flow of the car. It also gives the car a more classic feel (anyone remember this car being driven through a window in the gone in sixty seconds movie). Keep up the good work!

[@lastrasp]

Great vid. Love the explanation of the differences between Gen 1 and Gen 2.

[@ATAR1]

I wish I could buy a 911 from your shop!

[@SportsCarAdvisors]

very well done video!

[@jacknash5733]

Cheers Luke for doing a video as promised! Out of interest how was the original IMS? Glad aircon leak was simple fix. I am sure the new owner will love it.

[@timbermeister]

Great videos. I really like that you guys change even the smallest thing if you deem it necessary, and the thoroughness of your inspections. Incidentally, why do you think the facelift tiptronic cabriolets aren’t appreciating as much as the other variants?

[@ajvw]

I love my 1998 C2. I much prefer the early headlights

[@Comicart1981]

Are those tyres on the early c2 the right profile they look massive.. love your content and look like you have a great business

[@friendsgreenporsche5234]

Yes they’re the correct profile for the 17” rim. Thanks for the kind words.

[@jimmyc4s962]

Hi Luke, what's the name of the company that supplies the tyres from Germany please? (or are they for trade only?) Thanks!

[@modernworldiscrap]

996 GT3 mk1

[@512TXSDIY]

what car do you personally drive?

[@TJSTR]

I really like the detail in the videos - definitely not waffle. I think I prefer the headlights and would prefer the few extra creature comforts in the facelift. How are the 996 c2s without psm? I think I’d want that as a safety net (I know I could just be more careful).

[@sidewayssam]

TJSTR the 996 was designed to understeer and be stable, even in the wet with psm off you would be very hard pressed to lose it. I drive faster than most people,you have to really really push it to get it moving around. You can buy any of them with complete faith in their handling

[@friendsgreenporsche5234]

Thanks for the feedback. In my opinion, the difference between PSM / TC is only noticeable on very wet roads.

[@stevesas632]

Great video, very interesting. I'm currently looking for a 996 Turbo, but was put off a bit by a dealer who said the 996's had problems with Turbo heating issues compared with a 997. He said also IMS could be an issue, even though I said I thought Turbo's & GT3's didn't have this problem at all. So, he said he recently had to prepare a 996 Turbo for sale, which had corroded bolts due to heat, cooling pipes to be replaced etc.even though only 50k miles on car. Is this all true & 996's aren't as sorted as 997's? Thanks

[@friendsgreenporsche5234]

Hi Steve. The Mezger engine in the Turbo and GT3 cars don’t have the IMS “issue”. Most 996s and 997s will require some kind of corroded bits and pieces renewing underneath. They’re getting old and it comes with the territory!

[@DrTimWhatleyDDS]

I prefer the headlights of the Gen 1s.

[@GT380man]

I’m neutral now, but before watching many episodes of FGP Prep Book, I would have said I disliked the early 996 headlights! I think seeing the cars in motion & lots of video while the cars are stationary has revised my feelings towards the aesthetics.

[@dwarfyh32]

What bearing do you use for the IMS on the gen 2?

[@friendsgreenporsche5234]

We use the “EPS” cylindrical bearing on all models.

[@imgleb]

What’s the point of dropping these cars?

[@Audidude]

Great video, gives a good overall but in depth feel for it. I have the identical car, owned it now for 3 years, and absolutely love the drive. A great contrast to my Z4 M Coupe - same performance but such a different delivery! I had the standard suspension, and concur with your comments, as I lowered it on the same H&R blue springs for a 25mm drop, matching them with the Bilstein B8 Sport shocks - minimal ride comfort compromise, but MUCH sharper better tied down suspension, more accurate and quicker turn-in. When matched with 17mm spacers all around, gives it a fabulous integrated stance on the road, with the rims lining up perfectly with the bodywork. Also did IMS(LN single row), RMS, water pump and dual mass flywheel when I bought the with 64000kms on it. You can see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHS7qYOVirqXq9k