Cosmetic differences between the 986 S and non S
 

Hello everyone,

I would like to know what are the cosmetic differences between the 986 S and non S.

I got curious about that because I bought a year ago a 1999, 5 speed manual non S, and friend who is a 987 RS60 owner made me notice that the previous owner had made some changes to make it look like the S: I have red brake calipers and the dual exhaust (and 987 wheels, and non orange rear lights). That's about it for the changes.

I won't do any changes to mine except maybe the non orange front lights, but what are the differences between the two cars (except for the engine)?

There are some differences in the standard suspension on an S , although a standard one could be ordered with opt m030 sport suspension.. The bigger engine also gets a 3rd radiator and opening in the middle of the front bumper, and bigger oil cooler and associated hoses underneath.
The interior has white face gauges and an S badge below the radio and on the door sills, and the trunk lid.
The brakes use bigger calipers and rotors and the rotors are drilled vs solid. Are yours painted red standard ones or completely changed to S type?

Thanks for all the information johnsjmc !

They are probably just painted as the discs are not drilled. As I can't see the Create Album in the Control Panel, you could see my car and the brakes at the following link (although it's hard to see):

http://i.imgur.com/xwWuDEO.jpg

This one may be a bit clearer (not by much)

http://imgur.com/uvhgVvL.jpg

Yours has the more valuable and rare sport seats. Check the option build tag on the bottom of the hood and see what other options you have.

I will check that when leaving work today. Thanks, I didn't know about that :)

look for option m030 on the tag The car is sitting low and either has sport suspension or someone has changed the springs.

Am I seeing things or has that car been lowered?

I couldn't see any tag where it was supposed to be :-/
I think the car has been lowered but I don't have any history about the car. The previous owner did not maintain it a bit... I know for sure he changed the wheels! Actually when I got it the front wheels were in the back...

If the tag is missing you might be able to obtain the original build specs from a dealer with your vin number. If aftermarket lowering springs they will likely be labelled on the springs H&R are typically painted red .Eibach are usually black. Factory springs will have coloured paint dabs on them which can give a clue to specs. If the car has the factory m030 sport suspension the euro (ROW) version is about 15 mm lower than a regular car and will also have thicker sway bars a rear bar for a standard car with sport suspension will be fat 19.7 mm diameter.

The options list is on a label under the front hood...

An S model will have an "M9621" engine type (3.2L) and "G8620" transmission type (if manual 6-speed).

The options codes can be looked up online to verify that the car has what it came from the factory with.

http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/...ctoryCodes.jpg

The S has titanium color trim strips in the rubber surround for the windscreen. Hardtop, too, if correctly sourced. The outer grilles in the front bumper are painted titanium as well.

Unfortunately mine does not have this information sticker. The car was repainted by the previous owner, and the only sticker under the front hood is the one with tire pressure, and nothing in the back.

That's the downside of buying one very very cheap: 3500$, but it didn't run well, it took me an extra 2000$ to have it fixed, and it was under 95000 Km (59000 Miles). Anyway I am still very happy with having this little toy as my main car :)

If you have the original service handbook, there is a duplicate sticker giving the car/engine/option details....

You can also get a printout of the factory configuration from a Porsche Dealer
They will need the VIN

I have requested that info through a website that will provide me the option codes from the VIN in a few days.

Copy this into a text editor and substitute your VIN. Then copy and paste into Google.

https://admin.porschedealer.com/reports/build_sheets/print.php?vin=WP0xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thanks for your reply.

I have a "vehicule not available" as a result. I will let you know the results when they come back from the service I ordered to have the option codes. I may try to go to a Porsche Dealer, but over here in Dubai they may not be interested in helping me with my little old car. I am not even sure when it was imported, I have a message in Arab under the trunk that looks original (it was covered when repainted), but the registration car says it was first registered in the country in 2009.

My VIN is WP0ZZZ98ZXS601594.

The dealers are very focused on fixing any and all Porsche's. You will receive good service if you bring in a Carrera GT or a 1980s SC. Porsche prides themselves a lot in keeping their old cars on the road so "little old cars" mean a lot to them.

I finally got my codes (nothing too fancy), in French only:

I029
I232
IX70 Baguettes de seuil en acier special avec inscription
IXMK Arceaux de securite couleur carrosserie
M009 986 cylindree 2,5 l -> mj 1999
M016 Equipment "standard"
M071 Version pays cee
M139 Chauffage de siege, siege gauche
M197 Batterie plus puissante
M211 Porte-plaque immatriculation version 3
M219 Differentiel
M222 Syteme antipatinage (ASR)
M224 Differentiel autobloquant automatique
M271 Retrovis. exter. pour cote d.conducteur -aspheriquereglable et chauffable electriquement
M273 Retroviseur exterieur, reglable et chauffable electriquement
M340 Chauffage de siege, siege droit
M375 Siege de sport, coque de dossier, gauche
M376 Siege de sport, coque de dossier, droit
M396 Roue en fonte, 17 pouce
M436 Volant airbag 3 branches
M439 Fermeture electrique-capote
M441 Prepare pour radio
M446 Enjoliveur concave avec ecussion de couleur
M465 Feu antibrouillard ar. gauche
M481 5e-vitesse boite a commande manuelle
M488 Inscriptions en langue allemande
M490 -Mj 01 systeme de son
Mj 02- systeme de son Harmann analogue
M499 Version pour RFA
M534 Dispositif antivol
M539 Reglage mecanique de hauteur du siege, gauche
M540 Reglage mecanique de hauteur du siege, droite
M549 Systeme-transport sur toit
M551 Pare-vent
M562 Airbag cote conducteur et cote passager
M563 Airbag lateral
M566 Phares antibrouillard blanc
M567 Pare-brise teint, partie superieur plus foncee
M573 Climatiseur
M580 Equipment "non fumeur"
M581 Console centrale av
M584 Ablagebox
M602 Feu de stop sureleve
M651 Leve-glace electrique
M657 Direction assistee
M981 Equipement en cuir sans garnitures de siege
M983 Garnitures de siege avant, cuir

Engine Code: M96.20
Transmissin Code: G86.00

I am French (Canadian) so let me know what you need translated. But a first read tells me you have heated seat (useful in Dubai?), locking differential, ABS, 5-speed (do you have?). I am not certain about M499.