Test Drove W212 E350 Today
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Joined: Sep 2008
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
Is that yours? Man that thing is HOT. 
Like Gaazmon said, they indeed hold their value major on the Used market. 996's can be found for a lot cheaper actually.
Yeah if I were you I'd definitely keep it, the 997's are great, but I think it says a lot when the main reason they look better than the 996's is because they made little modifications here and there to harken back to the 993.
If you're considering a 997, I'd say wait around until the 998 Pics start surfacing, I think they're gonna look pretty sweet (hopefully).
Like Gaazmon said, they indeed hold their value major on the Used market. 996's can be found for a lot cheaper actually.
Yeah if I were you I'd definitely keep it, the 997's are great, but I think it says a lot when the main reason they look better than the 996's is because they made little modifications here and there to harken back to the 993.
If you're considering a 997, I'd say wait around until the 998 Pics start surfacing, I think they're gonna look pretty sweet (hopefully).
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.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
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.
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.
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
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.
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.
Anyway, your point being?
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
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.
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.
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
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.
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.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
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.
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.
I should buy it off of him.
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
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.
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
. 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).
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
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).
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).
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.
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
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.
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.
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.
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From: Toronto, ON, Canada
MY2001 C320
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Northern Virginia
05 CLK500; 07 Volvo XC90
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.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Toronto, ON, Canada
MY2001 C320
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
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.
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.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,085
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From: Los Angeles
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
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 
