PORSCHE 911 (997) CARRERA 4S, 2007

Having enjoyed just one owner from new, this Carrera 4S was supplied new through Porsche Centre Mayfair, Berkeley Square, London W1, and first registered on 25th January 2007.

Specified in the special order paintwork of ‘GT Silver Metallic / U2’ and trimmed in Black Full Leather.

When the gentleman who bought this car new sold his advertising agency in London in 2010, he moved to Guernsey, taking his 911 with him.

While living in London, the car was maintained by Porsche Centre West London (formerly AFN). Subsequently in Guernsey, maintenance was carried out exclusively by the island’s foremost Porsche specialist. Throughout the car’s life, servicing has taken place every two years, irrespective of the lack of significant mileage between some services.

The same is true of the often neglected brake fluid changes, this, again, being changed every two years.

Then, in 2016, despite all the detailed over-servicing, the Achilles Heel of the 997 series struck and scoring of the bore of one cylinder was detected. It is generally accepted that this condition can afflict any car, regardless of how well maintained it may have been and regardless of the mileage. In my own view, it is not a question of ‘if’ bore scoring will happen, but ‘when’. And with so-called Gen 2 cars now succumbing to a similar problem, any 997 which has not had the issue addressed thoroughly has the Sword of Damacles hanging over its head, along with a £12,000 bill. Good sense would dictate that one buys a car which has had this work carried out, and carried out properly. There are a number of so-called Porsche specialists offering cheap or partial fixes, but the only company that I have ever found who deals with the issue comprehensively is Hartech Engineering in Bolton. It is inevitable that the 997 market will become increasingly polarised, between those that have and those that have not, had the issue addressed. This inherent problem is a great shame, as surely the 997 series of the 911 is one of the all-time great sports cars.

Thus it was, in 2017, at 49,000 miles, that this car had its original engine fully rebuilt by Hartech Engineering, encompassing all six cylinders, with absolutely no corners cut. The original and beautifully maintained engine was rebuilt utterly regardless of expense in such a way that there will be no repeat of the classic 997 problem. The mileage stands today at c.63,000 miles.

Supplied now complete with all original books, driver’s pack, as well as a lever arch file of invoices dating back to the original purchase invoice from 2007 (this invoice totalling £82,150.23, including the plethora of optional extras), as well as duplicate original keys and immobiliser fobs.

Also present is an original, Porsche supplied, Certificate of Authenticity.

Make no mistake, examples of this calibre and, crucially, single owner provenance, increasingly rarely come to the open market.

Ordered new with Tiptronic Gearbox and perhaps the most desirable 997 option, the switchable sport suspension, the car also features PSM, Porsche’s Stability Management system, Porsche Vehicle Tracking System, Self Dimming Mirrors, Electric Tilting & Sliding Sunroof, Top Tinted Windscreen, Rear Window Wiper, Chrome Plated Stainless Steel Tail Pipes etc.

The car is also reassuringly fitted with Porsche’s VTS tracking system.

BODYWORK & PAINTWORK

The bodywork and the paintwork are Factory original, so perfect panel fit and not a ripple in sight. This car has never sustained any damage. The special order metallic GT Silver paintwork is essentially flawless.

The trademark stone guards forward of the rear wheels have just been replaced, with genuine Porsche parts, as the originals were starting to show signs of age related discolouration.

The underside and inside the wheel arches are spotlessly clean.

WHEELS & TYRES

Fitted with the original 19” alloy wheels, which remain in perfect unkerbed original condition and are fitted with the optional enamel centre crests. The wheels are as clean on the inside as they are on the outside.

They are shod with an almost new set of correct specification Bridgestone tyres.

INTERIOR

Trimmed in the optional Extended Full Black leather, with the whole interior exhibiting minimal wear and still possessing the aroma of a new Porsche.

Internal options include:

Door Finishers in Leather.

Rear Section of Centre Console in Leather.

Fully Electrically Adjustable Driver and Passenger Seats.

Seat Heating.

Seat Memory.

Air conditioning / Climate control.

Multi-function computer.

Multiple airbags.