PeterC4

As Monty Python would say, now for something completely different. In the shopping process, I wound up with a 2003 with 17K miles! So, the Boxster will be traded in Saturday in Chicago. Thanks for all your assistance.

Congrats. I made a change from a 1st generation 996 to a 2nd gen - 2004 C4S. There are noticable differences in the 2nd gen cars.

What I'm seeing between my car and my friend's car...both 99 c2...is that his transmission seems to be consistently faster...no missed shift...it shifts exactly when it's supposed to etc. Although I still have a manual tranny mindset....I am seeing that the tips do seem to maximize on the technological improvements that make them so consistent....and faster. Now I'm sure that a GT3 or cup car guy is going to jump all over me....but for the non-pros (myself included)....I'd almost swear that the tips are faster. I have never been able to match his 0-60 4.7sec times.

Well the more I drive this car, the more I think that a tip is faster too - for non-pros of course. I had my C4 6spd for 3 years and day to day, you had to pay close attention to get it just right, and there was more than once when I didn't. The tips change quickly when in manual mode and man, can you ever use the gears effectively through the corners.

Can you put the top up on a cab if the wind screen is attached?

I had a 2000 C4 for 3 years purchased it with 54,000 kms and sold it at 88,000 kms. The car was a Porsche Certified used car and was in very good shape. During the warranty period they changed the RMS at about 65,000 kms and then it was perfect. The new seal reportedly is much better. I now have a 2004 C4S with only 22,000 kms and it is a great car. For sure, the cars after 2001 are different in a couple of ways, the engines are slightly bigger and structurally the cars are more ridgid and you do notice the difference. If the car you're buying has been taken care of, chances are RMS has been replaced. Personally, I don't think an RMS failure means catastrophic engine failure. Know the seller and learn about the car and you'll feel good about your purchase.

correct me if I'm wrong... but aren't the specs on the newer pcars show the tips faster than the manuals all around...

The Turbo is faster in a tip don't know about the others, but real world driving, I think the tip is all-around quicker. The transmission is fast shifting and the steering wheel buttons are well positioned.

Coming from a 2000 C4 with a 6spd to a 2004 C4S tip, I was a little skeptical. The car I bought recently was in excellent condition and I wanted my wife to be able to drive the car, so I bought it with a tiptronic. It has absolutely surprised me as to how fun and quick this is to drive. I have driven a manual for 3 years and I can tell you, the tip is fantastic to drive. What it might give up at launch, it makes up for as you get going because downshifting an upshifting is so fast and effortless. Any other tip drivers out there? What has your experience been?

Congradulations on the car. I too recently purchased a C4S Cab, 2004. Its an excellent lookng car.

I have a 2000 C4 that is an exceptional day-to-day car. My insipiration for writing this is that I tend to see a lot of posts about members trying to solve a problem. Mine just doesn't have any problems. I maintain it regularly and it drives very well, with exceptional acceleration and road feel - I can't bring myself to sell it. I'm at the stage where many Powners would sell it given it has 85k kms (or about 53k miles). I purchased this car as a Porsche certified car almost three years ago. I've replaced the tires, had an alignment and undertake regular oil changes. Everything else was under warranty. Any other drivers with similar experiences?

2000 C4 Coupe 6spd - Not driven in the winter, about 85.000kms.

Purchased Certified Pre-Owned in 2004 about 55,000 KMS - outstanding condition.

Extensive work was done to the car prior to delivery with all paperwork present.

New Clutch, RMS, Battery, All Brakes, Front Windshield, Tires, Window Lifts, Rear Shock all new at purchase.

After purchasing it, Front Control Arms replaced under warranty as was an out-of-round tire and the RMS again.

Since then no problems, tires have been replaced due to wear and a puncture, rear control arms and battery.

Drives exceptionally well. No problems.

I have a 2000 911 C4 and while it was in for repairs I drove a Boxter for a week. It was not an S, but it didn't really impact my view. I found the Boxter quite cramped, small, and impractical. Of course they're all impractical but the 911 definitely has some more "oooph" , a little more room for basic stuff, and its a blast to drive. I think if you look carefully you should be able to get a 1999-2001 Carrera for a competitive price....good luck. Like you, I debated between getting a Boxter or a 911, I'm glad I got the 911.

Had to get a new battery myself. For the Canadian's who cannot get the Duralast Battery, the Interstate Mega-Tron Plus, made by Johnson Controls looks just like the Duralast including the red cap on the positive terminal - and its available in the Toronto Area. CCA of 700, with a reserve capacity of 120 mins and it fits. 85 month pro-rated warranty. I had my mechanic install so it wasn't that cheap at $150, but it has better specs than anything you will find at Canadian Tire.

I've noticed a lot of manufacturers have vastly improved their engines and performance numbers. The BMW 335 for instance, is a very quick and nimble car.

I wouldn't disccount the C4 as merely a feature that helps in the snow. I find the C4 very planted and sure-footed. Its a different feeling from the C2 and in rainy weather its a noticable feature. I don't think the modest extra weight has any noticable difference in performance for most drivers.

Hi,

It looks like the rubber spoiler has two expansion rivets to

the engine hood. You would have to drill out the rivets out to

remove the rubber boot. Is it your goal to replace the

rubber boot?

A lot of the screws on a Porsche require a torx drive and not

a allen wrench. Are you sure the allen wrench is backing

out the screws?

Paul

My goal is to realign the grate, not replace the boot. The allen wrench is working properly and is backing out the screws. But the instructions imply, once you back them out enough, you should be able to release the grate on top of the spoiler. No luck for me.

Uh... he posted in the 996 area.

PeterC4 -is this a 996 or 997?

Its a 2000 996 C4. I have a good handle on what to do and I have the 996 repair manual, but my question will be simple for someone who's done it. So here goes again. To remove the spoiler you put it in the "up position" then there are 4 plugs that are visible on the rim of the spoiler. You remove those plugs and you will see, through the holes, the clamping screw. The instructions say... a couple of turns and you should loosen, or release the plastic grate that forms part of the spoiler. I did that with an allen key, but it didn't release the grate. I loosened it by about 4 turns but no success....I'm worried if I keep going, I'll undo the screw, lose it in the rubber boot that extends up when the spoiler is raised and then I have to disassemble everything. Maybe that's what I have to do, but I'm wondering if someone has advice.

Well looks like no one has tried this. Loren, do you have any idea how the "grate" comes off the spoiler? It may be that you have to take the clamping screws all the way off...

I have a 2000 C4, with 84K Kms. Runs great. No problems.

I have instructions on how to remove the spoiler, but I'm stuck at the beginning of the process. With the spoiler in the up position, you remove 4 plugs on the rubber boot, then undo the clamping screw with an allen key. Has anyone done this? Instructions tell me to loosen the 4 clamping screws by about 2-3 turns...no luck for me. I only want to take the top grate off, clean it, align it a little better and then put it back. I'm concerned I'll keep turning and lose the clamping screw.

We have an '01 Boxster and an '05 Carrera (997). The Boxster is mine and the Carrera is my wife's, but whenever we take the Carrera, I'm the one who drives. The more I drive the Carrera, the more different the two cars feel. At first, the driving differences are much harder to notice (other than than the obvious physical characteristics like interior room, power, etc.) Also, the more I drive the Carrera, the more I prefer the Boxster. My wife won't even drive my car, and she likes the Carrera more because of the room, comfort, etc. Handling and steering on the two cars is quite different. Both are terrific. It boils down to a matter of personal preferences. There is no right or wrong answer; they're both Porsches.

My wife was originally looking at either a BMW 5- or 7-series when we bought the Carrera. She does not regret her choice of the Carrera whatsoever. She originally said we need a 4 door car for when we take more than the two of us. In the 18+ months since we've had the Carrera, we've only put about 1000 miles on her old Lexus GS300 (which we still have). One of these days we'll sell the Lexus and get a Cayenne.

Funny, my wife also would prefer the Carrera over the Boxter. Driving the Carrera 4 tonight in wet weather with leaves over the roads... the C4 was great. Can't imagine driving the Boxter.

I had the misfortune of being rear ended by another driver while fully stopped. My C4 fared quite well, but still needed a new bumper. While it was in the shop, I had a 2003 Boxter (tip) as a loaner. A nice enough car, but it is very difficult to get used to the Boxter after having driven my 2000 C4 for a couple of years. While many have complimented the Boxter on its handling attributes I didn't feel that it gave me anything like the driving experience of the Carrera. No doubt the increased horse power and a 6 sp in the Carrera has a big impact, but I felt quite cramped in the Boxter and there are some annoying blind spots with the top up. My wife shared my perspective after driving it. All in all it was quite subdued and I wasn't expecting that. It reinforced my decision to buy my wife the new BMW 328xi

For those in Toronto that need a good body shop, Pfaff Autoworks in Markham did a great job. Its nice when replaced body parts are repainted and they match the colour of the car.

In my experience this is usually the tires. Out of balance or out of round, by and large this is the cause. Get them balanced, or get new ones and you'll more than likely solve the problem.

Based on my invoice I had the lower control arms replaced. I've had all four done. I'm not sure the upper arms are necessary, but I don't know the technical details. Since they were replaced, not a creak.

Could be a loose sway bar or a strut going bad.

Thanks for the advice Loren :)

Just for my own understanding, will the groaning/ creaking sound from those two items be affected by the temperature? I did not have this problem from May- July when it was really hot out here. Thanks!

I've had this exact issue. Turned out to be a faulty control arm.

This is the second time the car has been in the shop for a total of 6 weeks and some of these items were never fixed the first time. None of the items are big jobs, I just want to get the annoying items fixed The car is a 2000 C4 6 speed

Now I have to take it back on Friday and sit down with the master tech

1. I wanted them to fix the suspension creaks when going over speed bumps and driveway.

They could not find the problem.

Is there a TSB? I didn't see one

2.

Thanks

Aaron

I have had this problem in my own 2000 C4. It was the control arms. I have had all 4 changed, creaking is gone. The creaking would be most pronounced when the temperature outside was very hot or cold. It is not an inexpensive fix. I had two of mine replaced under warranty after I purchased the car as a Porsche Certified Car. The rear two I had to pay for.

Well its been a couple of days now since I did my thing on the roof....ticking is gone.