jimmy3530

Hi everyone:

I had a rear tire blowout on my way in to work today (steel plates in road....grrrr) and since I use my car as a daily driver (2000 C4 996)I need to get it fixed fast. Here is my situation:

I have Pirelli PZero's N3's all around which are all worn and due for a change. I would like to swap ALL them out for either:

Option1: Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 N3 ($$$$)

Option 2: Michelin Pilot SuperSport (cheaper, better rating at Tirerack)

Option 3: Michelin Pilot Sport All Season Plus

So, two questions:

1. How important is that N3 designation? The TSB for approved summer tires seems to make me think that I can't run any rubber other than N2, N3, N4 etc.

2. Anyone like all season tires. I live in the Washington DC area and we get little snow here....a set of dedicated snows seems like overkill.

Thanks for your help!!!!

Thank you so much for all this information. I'm thinking that maybe I should just stick to a 996 wheel combo and forget about spacers, bolts, and mods.

Excuse my ignorance, but what are the mk2 and mk1? Exactly how will the rear wheels not fit? Too wide or is it an offset problem.

Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone:

I'm interested in a new sets of wheels for winter for my 2000 C4 996 which currently has the stock 18" chrome turbo twists on it. I am pretty sure the sizes are:

Front: 225/40/18 7.5J x 18 50 mm offset

Rear: 265/35/18 10J x 18 65mm offset

I see a set for sale from a 2008 997 and they are:

Front: 235/40/18 8J x 18 ET 57

Rear: 295/35/18 11J x 18 ET 51

Can anyone confirm or deny that they would fit my car. I love the Carrera III five spoke design and would like to upgrade from my turbo twists.

Thanks

Thanks for all the pics. I'm getting ready to do the same and was wondering if someone has a list of all the clamps/bolts that maybe should be replaced before installing the Fister exhaust. Also, where to buy is key. All of my bolts seem to be quite rusty and i would rather replace all of them during the job.

One more thing: do people generally send in their mufflers to get modified/ coated (takes a while) or just go with an exchange?

Thanks so much.

+1 on the board setup and beer. Just changed my oil this weekend using this setup. One question: i did not have a new aluminum washer so i reused the old one. No leaks yet. Anyone know where we can buy these in bulk?

Would love to get the design key but it says its only for keys that ALREADY have the trunk lid button. Mine only has one button. Am I missing something?

Really? My keys only have one button for the door locks. I have a 2000 C4. Can I go to the dealer and request a new set of keys with these extra buttons? Expensive?

Does anyone have any reservations about running 295's on the rear. From the Tirerack website i see that they are a closer diameter to the fronts than the 265's are. I understand that is especially important for the C4's. Thanks!

Thanks for all the information. Given the uncertainty, I am thinking of staying with my 18's and going from the Turbo Twists to a Carrera II style (I recently gave one of my chrome rears a serious case of curb rash). Swede-man, can I get you to provide some details on your springs and shocks. Also, any problems with running 295's on the back?

Jimmy

Hi everyone:

I've read a few threads indicating that Porsche (and Loren) does not recommend 19 inch wheels on a 996. I just saw a 2002 (I believe) 996 with 19's and I thought it looked pretty sweet. I've attached a pic for all to see.

Any idea what those wheels are called? Are they OEM?

The tire sizes were: 245/35/19 on the fronts and 275/30/19 on the rears. Pirelli Pzero Rosso all around.

I've got a 2000 996 C4 and would like the look? Is this a bad idea?

Take a look.

Loren:

Do you have a part number for this microswitch?

Great topic and maybe i'm hijacking a bit...but I'm in the need for 4 new tires (2000 C4 6spd) and want to replace my Pirelli's as they at the end of their useful life. I'm looking at Tirerack and there are several options with the major manufacturers at below $1000 for the four. Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone, BF Goodrich and Continental are what I am considering (all season or summer).

I'm partial to the Pirelli's but they have a pretty low rating at Tirerack. Michelin seems like the best choice. I hated the Continentals on my BMW but people seem to like them on the 911. No experience with the others.

Thoughts?

Hi Maurice:

Just to be clear, I need that device to prevent resetting the radio code, windows, etc.

I was going to hook up my trickle charger to the lighter socket but I don't know if the center is + or -

Maybe buying the 9v battery device is easier.

Will be swapping out my battery for a new size 48 (probably a DieHard from Sears or a Bosch from PepBoys - apparently they are all the same) and I just wanted to know if I should be concerned with electrical problems (i.e., alarm not working, etc.) once the new battery is in. I don't care if I loose my radio presets but I'd hate to screwup anything else.

Thanks again everyone.

Thanks for all of the useful information here. I did a quick of my battery and it shows 12.3 volts when the car is not on. With the car on, its only 13.1 volts. I think i'll replace the battery first and then look into the regulator.

One more thing, i don't see any batteries for sale at Costco, at least not in Maryland.

Thanks

Hi everyone

Lately my 2000 C4 has what seems to me, trouble starting. It just seems like the engine coughs to life after you stick the key in and turn it. It's not trouble starting like you need to crank it for a few seconds. It just seems to be that it should come to life faster and with more conviction.

I'm thinking I need to replace the plugs and will do that soon. It has 58,000 miles and so they are due for a change. After reading a bit here, I'm starting to think that maybe I need a new battery. It's probably 5 years old by now (its aftermarket). I see a post up above that the battery gauge in the car should read about 14 at idle. I'm at 12 - 12.5 at best. On starting, it drops to 10V or so.

So, I have 2 questions:

1. What is the preferred battery for this car. I'd rather not get a Porsche $$$ replacement battery

2. Do I need to take it to a shop for the load testing. Can't I just buy an ammeter and do it at home?

Thanks

Please give us your thoughts once you get back. Personally i think it would be loads of fun, but that kind of fun doesnt come cheap.

Turns out that the PSM and ABS lights coming on when i turned on the headlights was because i also installed LED bulbs for the brake lights in the rear. I did the swap after changing the front brakes. Back to using regular bulbs for the time being. I still have an LED for the reverse lights installed.

So now, no lights on the dash BUT my cruise control still does not work and while i dont it often, it used to work. Reading some past posts, seems like it could be the indicator bulb on the dash. I dont have a tester so is there any other way of troubleshooting it? Also, there is no dedicated fuse right? I'm going to try and exchange the LED reverse bulbs but i dont think they are related.

Glad to find out i didnt muck up the speed sensor when changing the brakes. Thanks for all the advice though.

I'll have to pull both front wheel off again and check the connections. I'll report back. Hopefully I'll find something wrong.

I'll check the "plug" end of the speed sensor to see if it is loose but can anyone tell me if changing the brakes can lead to damaging the speed sensor?

The pad wear sensor does plug into a socket with another sensor (assuming its the speed sensor) but the socket has a clip to prevent the sensor plugs from getting loose. I checked both front wheels and the connection is good.

Could I have plugged in the sensor in reverse?

NEW INFO - my cruise control does not work either. Discovered that on my way to work this morning. Seems to me its all the same problem.

Hi again everyone...

So I finished my front brakes (2000 C4) and I must say, easy as cake. The DIY is fantastic and the whole procedure is very straightforward. Just a few basic tools and some parts from Pelican. The whole job took less than a couple of hours.

BUT.....now I have a small problem. :huh:

I did the front driver's side brakes on one day. Drove it afterwards and no problems. On day 2, I did the passenger brakes. Pulling out of the garage, I turned on my lights and I noticed both the "PSM Off" and "ABS" lights came on. Car runs fine otherwise.

Today I verified that once I start the car and get moving, no dash lights. Only after I turn on the parking/head lights do the 2 lights come on. I did this a number of times and the 2 dash lights ONLY come on once I turn my headlight switch on.

I was careful to put the wear sensor's in correctly and connect them properly. Can't think of anything else. Any ideas????

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help...

Hi Everyone:

Just wondering if anyone has been to the Porsche Camp4 Winter Driving Camp last year in Quebec. They are running the same camp this year again in February. Looks like a lot of fun.

http://www.porsche.com/canada-pde/en/winterdriving/

I too would like to replace my chrome turbo twists 18" wheels with the 5 spoke design (called Carrera II's I believe). I seem to recall that they were available on the 996 though. I know that there are a few 5 spoke designs though and maybe I am talking about a different design.