220S

Thanks. I do like the 993 body style the best. Also the build is exceptional; the doors have an amazing sound when you shut them. It's the first thing passengers will mention. It also is a true dry sump engine with the oil tank up front. And being air cooled, it still has that unique Porsche sound.

I put on some 996TT hollow spoke wheels and a euro turbo front bumper with euro corner lights. Also some suspension mods (including Bilstein PSS-10s) and it's on a set of PS2s right now. It runs exceptionally well and I have the handling exactly dialed in where I like it. It's a lot of fun, it never gets boring. I also do DE events with the PCA to keep my driving skills up.

Gaazmon, that granite grey color is really nice, I must admit.

Quadcammer

I'm a huge believer in 993s, but they have issues just like anything else.

primary being the weaknuts valve guides, that can give up the ghost as early as 30k miles.

Steering rack leaks, susceptible door check straps, kinematic clutch lever, leaking chain cover/lower valve cover, etc etc.

220S

I did mention they have issues. I only mentioned one in particular. And the issues with 996s and early 997s are even lengthier. As are MB's issues. In addition the 993s are going on 12-13 years in age now. This is my 2nd 993 (owned 964s before that)

Anyway, your point being?

gaazmon

Let's not forget about the 99 - 00 where the 3.4L engine would completely fail due to a flawed design.

Ya, 996s can be found cheap. I think it's cause they weren't really accepted in the 911 community that well. The 997 looks closer to a 993 than a 996.

I can imagine the electronic issues with the early 997s. It was really the first time Porsche packed so much electronics into the 911.

220S, ya I noticed the 996TT rims. I like those, very clean. Nice job with the euro bumper.

Btw, the Flint Grey is very nice too IMO, especially with the pano roof. I don't know what it is, but the MB grays are really nice, especially that new andorite gray on new W221 and W216, I see so many of those around here, I love that color.

220S

I think that for a sports car with this kind of build, the issues are not at all to the point of discounting ownership all together. I did mention the carbon build up but I personally know of samples that have 80k+ on them without a top end job. The guides are like the old BMW guides, they do wear since they are softer. And if the issue comes up, then yeah, you can choose to do a top end and you've resolved it. Lower valve cover leaks are no biggie; I just did mine. It's only a PITA because of the space limitation in the engine bay.

I knew my partner well before going into the marriage. With a really good mechanic who knows air cooled inside and out, and a bit of wrenching on your own, the cars are worth holding on to. Sure, parts are expensive (ever owned a Ferrari ?) and some of the work is difficult because of the way everything is packed into a small space and over engineered.

RMS issues are also a big problem with 996/997s. And wrenching them yourself is not as easy, imho.

Anyway, the key to a successful 993 relationship is proper maintenance. And I think we all own cars for other reasons besides just reliability. Otherwise we wouldn't be driving a MB

Gaazmon, thanks. ps, I like your grey better. It's a bit warmer. Flint grey is more blue-green. There weren't many flint greys E63s left; all were black or white.

K-A

Nice. My older brother has had an '87 930 (or it's a 935, can't remember) Slant Nose Turbo for a long time, I've always been in love with that car. He got it re-painted (same Factory White) some 10+ years ago, and got an upgraded interior (I think 993 style, with the center-console hump and everything). It's a stunning car. Now, after all that work he put into it, it sits outside (for years upon years now) in the Palisades, collecting dirt, salt, etc. etc. I don't even know the last time he started it.

I should buy it off of him.

MBNUT1

We all must be kindred spirits here. I walked out of my office and fawned over somebodies Maroon 993. It had racing seats. I called my buddy who has a 997 over to take a look at it. He and I are supposed to take a road trip out west in his 997 this year.

gaazmon

Having a good mechanic is very important. I trust my mechanic a lot, maybe it's cause he's my uncle . But besides that, the guy is really smart. He's been doing this for almost maybe 20 years now.

If we owned nice cars just for reliability, we would've bought Lexus and we wouldn't be here right now

220S, ya I love the granite. In the sun, it looks like gray mixed in with green and a hint of blue (I don't know, it's pretty confusing). At night it's more blueish. I most likely wouldn't buy a black car again. White is always nice.

I've been seeing a maroon 933 targa lately in my community. Not a fan of the color though (I've never liked maroon or burgundy on any cars).

220S

Your granite looks more warm green in the pic. I haven't seen one on person up close. Flint grey is also metallic and shows green-blue in the sun. But it doesn't look as warm as yours (in the pic).....

That maroon color is called Arena Red. But it shows swirls easy if it's isn't washed correctly. The real bright red is Guards Red. Mine is Polar Silver which is a no-brainer for keeping it clean looking.

gaazmon

Ya, the granite gray is also metallic. Depending on lighting, it looks different.

Ya, the polar silver is nice. I like the guards red on the 993. There is a guy on this forum with a 2004 E55 silver and a 933 in guards red, it's very nice.

QQQ

It is standard on both E350 and E550 - in Canada.

thegeneraltso

What I think should be standard is the paint color. Why do I have to shell out another $1000 for metallic paint!? Pure profit IMO.

That is CHEAP B*STARDS!

Back on topic. I notice that the W212 don't have amber rear blinkers! What is up with that? I am sure oversea versions still have rear amber blinkers.

QQQ

Metallic paint also standard in Canada.

gaazmon

I think the metallic paint was no charge on the W211 V8s, but not anymore on W212. Someone correct me if I am wrong, as I am not 100% sure.

konigstiger

Metallic paint standard on MBUSA 500/550, cost option on 320/350

QQQ

I saw W212 today and the E550 has folding mirrors. No E350 today so don't know.

petee1997

Folding mirrors standard on E350 in Canada.

gaazmon

I think we don't get power folding mirrors on E in US. Lol, again, the damn C class gets power folding mirrors (option on 300, standard on 350). Go figure