This post takes a look at some of the options that were available for the non-GT/non-turbo 997.1 models. Exterior colors, interior colors, wheels, interior trim, and leather options are covered in separate posts. You could choose between coupé, convertible, and targa. Four-wheel drive was optional on the coupé and convertible and mandatory on the targa.
S or no S
The main distinction is between the 3.6l 325hp models and the 3.8l 355hp S models. These differ quite a bit in options. The S always came 19″ wheels, Xenon headlights, the sports steering wheel, PASM suspension, and larger brakes. All of these, except for the larger brakes, could be had as options for the 3.6l model. The S also had two dual instead of single tail pipes.
Exterior options
- Xenon headlights – standard on the S
- Rear parking sensors
- Aero kit Cup – front bumper with spoiler and fixed rear wing, only available for the coupé
- Rear wiper – not on the convertible
- Tinted windscreen top
- Automatically dimming mirrors and rain sensor
- Sunroof – coupé only
Engine, transmission, supension
- Power kit, the famed X51 package – S only, 381hp.
- Tiptronic – the Mercedes-sourced automatic transmission. The 997.2 introduced the PDK double-clutch transmission.
- PCCB – ceramic brakes, can be recognized by yellow brake calipers. Very expensive to replace.
- PASM – electronically controlled dampers, lowered by 10mm. Standard on the S.
- Sports suspension – 20mm lower, comes with mechanical LSD. Coupé only and very rare due to the existence of PASM.
- Sport Chrono – consists of a stopwatch on the dashboard, a sports mode, and some other gizmos. Some consider this a must-have for Tiptronic cars as sports mode improves shifting.
- Chrome-plated tail pipes.
- Sports exhaust – dual tailpipes and button-activated valves.
- Short shift kit.
Interior
- HomeLink garage door opener – no idea whether this is still useful in the 2020s.
- Cruise control – an easy retrofit.
- Seats: Options were fully electric seats, sports seats, and adaptive sports seats.
- Seat backs painted in exterior color – sports seats only. Default is the vulcan grey that is used elsewhere in the interior as well.
- Heated seats
- Belts in grey, red, or yellow
- Center console painted in exterior color. Default is soft-touch paint in the interior color.
- Footrest
- Floor mats
- Steering wheel: the default was the wheel with triangular airbag, standard on the S and an option for the other models was the sports steering wheel with round airbag. The multi-function steering wheel with buttons for controlling various things was only available with the triangular airbag.
Multimedia
All 997.1s came equipped with PCM 2.1, consisting of the screen and buttons, radio, CD player, 9 speakers, and onboard computer. Optional functionality wasn’t unlocked only in software like in modern cars, but actually required additional hardware modules.
- Navigation – navigation computer and DVD drive in the frunk.
- Extended navigation – with logging and backtracing function, for those who go off-road with their 911. 😉
- Electronic logbook – I wonder whether the download functionality would still work these days, especially considering that it used infrared.
- Telephone module – located under the right seat, required its own SIM card. Could be combined with a headset.
- CD changer – located in the frunk.
- BOSE audio system with 13 speakers.
What to look for?
The downside of buying a used car is that one cannot simply go to the dealer and tick the boxes for all the options that one wants. The upside is that some options that were quite expensive will now only command a small premium in the used market. I would personally choose a car in the right exterior and interior color above one in a color that I don’t like but has great options as, with the exception of manual vs. automatic transmission, there is in my opinion no option that is a major bonus or detriment to what this car is. Many things can also be retrofitted. Nevertheless, here’s my opinion on some of the options:
- Sunroof: Very common, but I have no use for it on a car with A/C. Adds weight where you don’t want it, so go looking for a car without it for a track build.
- PCCB: Very rare on non-GT cars, extremely expensive to replace. I would skip a PCCB car in most cases.
- PASM: Sounds good in theory but this is a 20 year old system that is reportedly very harsh in sports mode. I would always prefer a good aftermarket suspension. There’s something called a DSC controller that makes it possible to tune PASM, but they appear to be difficult to get these days.
- Sport Chrono: There were times when this was considered essential, but it actually adds very little on manual transmission cars. Some people consider the clock downright ugly and call it the wart.
- Sports exhaust: Nice if you want more exhaust sound, but plenty of aftermarket solutions are available.
- Steering wheel: The triangular wheel is generally considered not very attractive. It is however possible to retrofit other wheels, with the Macan wheel being a popular alternative.
- Leather package: Not mentioned here as it’s described elsewhere in detail, but the package with leather dashboard top etc. is very nice and would be difficult and expensive to retrofit.
- Seats: The standard seats don’t offer much support, but the sports seats might be a tight fit for some people. The standard sports seats don’t allow for adjustment of the seat angle. The adaptive sports seats offer much more in terms of adjustment, but are heavy.
- PCM options: These are all pretty much useless these days. I’d go with the Mr12Volt Bluetooth module for audio streaming and hands-free calling, or with PCCM+ or an aftermarket headunit if you need CarPlay/Android Auto or really don’t want to use your phone for navigation.
For reference, my car (a 3.6l manual trans Carrera Coupé) has Xenon, heated sports seats, the windscreen tint, Carrera S (lobster fork) wheels, leather package, and the navigation, phone, and CD changer PCM options. If I had the choice I would have gone for the adaptive sports seats and leather on the center console, door opener surrounds, and seat backs for a more scratch-resistant interior. I would prefer the sports steering wheel, but I like the Macan steering wheel even more. I’ve retrofitted Cruise Control and a Bluetooth module.