For the second occasion, Friends Green Porsche offer for sale this beautifully kept and original example of the increasingly sought after manual, coupe, rear wheel driven, “early” 996, with some stand out features, such as the cable operated throttle and the optional limited slip differential. The bodywork is superb, with the un-mistakable 911 curvature perfectly straight and without any dents or dings. The Zenith Blue paint-work (colour code L3AX) is also in healthy condition, having been treated to our usual FGP day’s worth of detailing. The front bumper has a few stone chips and the rear bumper has a very minor mark, but this is being highly critical on the 25 year old 911. The alloy wheels are genuine Porsche “Turbo Twist” alloys, which we had refurbished (photos prior to refurb).

Inside the cockpit lays a Space Grey leather interior, which sits nicely alongside the Zenith Blue exterior, providing an aesthetically pleasing contrast. The leather has worn fantastically well and could pass for a car of half its age and mileage, with very little wear, even to the areas that wear most heavily such as drivers bolster and steering wheel etc. Every electrical function works as it should, with the air conditioning blowing ice cool, having benefitted from a new condenser, pipe seals and a re-gas upon our first sale of the car. There are three keys with the car; two remote fobs and one valet key. In regards to optional equipment, this example boasts silver backed dials, the additional speaker package, traction control, electric sunroof, and most notably, the rare limited slip differential. The optional extra codes read as follows: X71, 220, 222, 224, 236, 413, 490, 650, 659, 939, 982, 09991.

Mechanically, this 911 is in wonderful order, having been cherished by its previous owner, returning to us for regular maintenance when required. The engine is silky smooth, doesn’t leak, smoke, or make any untoward noises, and crucially, has had its IMS bearing upgraded for the “EPS” unit. A relatively new “switchable” stainless steel sports exhaust system is fitted, which allows for a louder, more “sporty” sounding engine note at the switch of a button. The six speed manual gearbox goes through its gears beautifully, assisted by  light clutch pedal. The brakes on the car are strong, with the front discs and pads renewed with us 8,000 miles ago. In relation to the car’s handling, this example is an involving drive with an analogue and direct feel, largely due to being an early model, which means it has the cable operated throttle, and also because it was specified from the factory with the uncommon limited slip differential option. We have fitted a number of new suspension components over the last two years and new Michelin Pilot Sport tyres are fitted to all four corners, providing excellent grip and traction.

This 996 has a superb service record, with 22 service intervals evidenced. Present is the maintenance booklet, a folder filled to the brim with paper work for works completed and historic MOT certificates etc, and the original owners wallet containing the original manuals.

The service intervals are as follows:

03/11/1999 – 10,814 miles, 23/01/2001 – 22,755 miles, 01/07/2002 – 31,815 miles, 01/07/2003 – 37,323 miles, 29,07/2004 – 41,561 miles, 26/04/2005 – 45,167 miles, 20/04/2006 – 49,228 miles, 19/07/2007 – 53,484 miles, 17/09/2008 – 54,982 miles, 01/09/2009 – 56,023 miles, 15/09/2010 – 63,693 miles, 15/09/2010 – 63,693 miles, 13/09/2011 – 71,604 miles, 21/09/2012 – 75,374 miles, 30/09/2013 – 76,915 miles, 29/09/2014 – 78,585 miles, 17/08/ 2015 – 78,940 miles, 05/10/2016 – 80,598 miles, 27/05/2017 – 80,967 miles, 21/04/2020 – 91,164 miles, 26/02/2021 – 92,133 miles, 18/05/2022 – 93,155 miles, 25/04/2023 – 93,155 miles.

Works completed with us in the last two years includes: Renew oil filler tube, renew turn signal relay, renew air box pipe, remove and respray rear wiper arm, change gear oil, renew oil pressure sender, renew starter motor and alternator/starter motor “Y” cable, renew battery, renew driver’s window regulator, renew cigarette lighter, refurbish 4x alloy wheels, renew front brake discs and pads, renew 2x front suspension top mounts, top bearings, bump stops and dust bellows, renew 2x rear suspension lower control arms, renew rear under-body tray, renew 6x coil packs, carry out four-wheel alignment.

Other works completed to the car in recent times includes: Renewal of bonnet struts, renewal of exhaust back boxes for sports stainless steel units with “switchable” function, renewal of rear spoiler bellows, renewal of air conditioning condenser, renewal of 2x coolant radiators, upgrade of IMS bearing for “EPS” cylindrical unit, renewal of rear brake discs and pads.