2004 PORSCHE 911 (997) CARRERA S

This tastefully specified Porsche 911 Carrera S is a well-presented example of the brand’s desirable 997-generation sports car. The 3.8-litre flat-six engine sends its 350bhp might to the rear wheels via Porsche’s Tiptronic semi-automatic transmission. The odometer reads 86,000 miles.

This 911 was first registered on November 2, 2004 and it has passed through the hands of several owners over the intervening 16 years. The current custodian has kept the car for a year.

The car’s grey paintwork is in good condition, with a small blemish noted on the sunroof and the edge of the front wheel arch. Otherwise, though, everything looks to be in fine fettle, with tight shutlines and clean brightwork. The ‘lobster-claw’ alloy wheels appear to be in reasonable condition for the age, with just a few small scrapes and scratches commensurate with an 86,000-mile car.

Inside, this 911 is in excellent order, with no known damage or faults. The black leather upholstery is believed to be original, and has survived very well, with just a few creases on the driver’s seat bolster. The switchgear appears to be original and works well, while the car is equipped with Porsche’s original infotainment screen and climate control.

The car was last serviced on July 22, 2020, at 86,007 miles. The maintenance, carried out by specialist garage CavendishPorscha, near Nottingham, included fitting a new bonnet/boot release motor, new brakes and new air conditioning condensers, as well as carrying out a major service. The car also required new ignition coils and welding work to the exhaust silencers, alongside some other maintenance. In total, Porsche specialist CavendishPorscha carried out more than £3,000 worth of work. This work followed previous minor services at Norwich-based Autowerke on 79,573 miles and Lincolnshire-based Renspeed at around 77,334 miles.

Despite this work, the seller notes a small fault with a dashboard light that can flicker briefly if the car is left standing for a while. However, the seller says the light quickly extinguishes and only flickers if the car is started after a week or so of inactivity.

The most recent MOT test was on July 22, 2020, at 86,007 miles, which resulted in a clean pass. The car is shod in Pirelli P Zero tyres which each have at least 4mm of tread remaining.

This 997 comes with a number of service stamps, although the owner does not have invoices for every piece of work carried out. Nevertheless, some invoices and MOT certificates are provided, including an invoice from CavendishPorscha for work carried out this summer.

This 911 is a beautifully specified and well-maintained example that’s ready and raring to go. The 3.8-litre engine M97 engine is generally slightly less susceptible to IMS issues than the M96 fitted to earlier 996-era 911s, as well as being bigger and more powerful. With that motor in the engine bay and bags of maintenance under its belt, this is a smart, stylish GT car that’s sure to put a smile on the face of its next owner.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.