Let me guess? You had standard steering column trim and you felt great about it. But then you watched one of Nick Murray’s YouTube video and found out that you needed a leather steering column to be happy. It happened to me too! I tried to ignore the feelings at first but every time I hopped into my car there was this plastic part staring back at me. I finally bit the bullet, ordered the leather part and installed it.
My experience and the installation process are detailed in the video below. In summary: it took nearly three months to get this thing installed, despite the fact that the actual installation was fairly easy. For the most part I’m happy with the results and I agree with Nick that the leather on the steering column makes a nice visual difference. As with almost everything I buy for my car I can’t say “it was worth it” and sleep well at night.
I can’t say I’ve spent a ton of time worrying about things hitting my radiators. It was obvious when I periodically cleaned them that they were getting dinged now and then by debris. My local dealer had offered me a solution that resembled something that looking like chicken wire (at least that’s how I remember it). Pass. And then one day some people on a forum were talking about their ZunSport Grills and how happy they were with the product.
I had a peek and they looked good! Great price (a substantial discount is offered with a forum code) including free shipping. “Easy install” (no bumper removal). I went ahead and ordered a set from Zunsport and had them just three days later! The box was a little crushed, but everything was still in fairly good order.
Here’s my installation video:
Install: I actually found a couple parts fairly difficult to install. However, I was able to work my way through the issues with only minimal drama.
Fit: With the possible exception of the top right grill everything fit pretty well. The aforementioned grill doesn’t seem to hold in place well but I think it may have something to do with a clip that got bent during shipping (I’ll be able to sort it out). I have been for a couple of drives so far and they have remained in place just fine.
Look: I really like them. I think the grills enhance the front of the car. It adds a bit of additional black makes her (him? Still can’t figure this out) look a little meaner.
Functionality: I think the grills will do a pretty good job of deflecting a rock or road debris. I’ll have to pay attention to see how chipped up they get over time. Incidentally, that’s another reason I really like them- very simple to replace and / or remove for cleaning. Some have worried they will affect air flow the car. Time will tell.
Overall, based on my three days of owning them I would give them a thumbs up!
I noticed Suncoast had a gorgeous white Porsche pen but it was the “short version.” Thinking quickly, as I always do (cough), I searched the web for the long version… And what luck! There is was in all of it’s extra-length glory on eBay (I have really wanted a nice pen to keep in my car).
The pen comes in a nice nondescript box. The barrel of the pen is cararra white while the top and bottom are a brushed aluminum. The top of the cap is meat to pay tribute to the center lock wheels gracing the Turbo S models. Over all styling and the pen’s action are both exceptional.
The only draw back to this pen is that it actually doesn’tfit in the 991’s pen holder (located inside the glove box). That’s a head scratcher to me; why would you make a brand specific pen that doesn’t fit the corresponding car’s pen holder. So into the center console goes until I can figure out something better (and just so we’re all clear… I won’t figure out anything better). Anyone want a pen?
Sometimes I just put a part on my car because I want to put something on my car. There is a strong possibility this is one of those times. While I wouldn’t call these an impulse purchase, I bought them because I thought they’d be fun to put on and because they were fairly inexpensive.
While I do think they look better than the stock offering they do very little to alter the car’s aesthetic. There’s no chance anyone will ever call out “Nice side skirts!”
I was pretty excited when they released the Turbo S Exclusive Series. Realistically there was no way I was getting one (that didn’t stop me from being outraged that, once again, only people who bought a 918 were eligible). So I settled for the next best thing- a 1/18 scale die cast model from Spark Models:
This is normally more than I’d spend on a model, but I have a certain affinity for white Turbo S cars. The detail level and over all quality on this car is outstanding. I wish the doors opened, but, as in real life, I guess I’ll just have to be satisfied with peeking through the windows (the interior is also well executed). Production on this piece is limited to 1,911.
I will freely admit that I look for stuff to modify on my car. There is an ongoing forum thread about removing the warning labels on the sun visors. With just a little denatured alcohol and some patience you can have sticker free visors! I was absolutely planning to jump on board and then I had an idea: Suncoast sells OEM sun visors without warning labels (imported from countries where they’re not required). Even better, I could upgrade my vinyl visors to real leather (I have been on a quasi-quest of sorts to replace plastic parts on my car). It’s pretty easy to guess which direction I went…
Installation for the sun visors is about as simple as installs get. Obviously there’s not a huge difference between the vinyl and the leather sun visors but having the stickers gone is really nice.
Yes, it’s the part in our show where we install more carbon fiber. I have been contemplating another purchase from MACarbon for awhile now but it takes a bit of time to work up the courage. This time around I bought a carbon fiber chrono clock cover and inserts for the interior door handles.
Installation was pretty straight forward. The chrono trim clips gave me a little bit of trouble, but I eventually got it sorted out. The handle inserts were heavenly. Here’s a quick installation video:
Since I’m planning to keep this car until the 992 series are in their second year (probably 2020) I decided to splurge a bit on additions (I’ve got some leather parts coming in the next few weeks). I think these particular mods are pretty subtle but I am really enjoying them.
Another upgrade for the 991! This time I decided to add the GT3 carbon fiber mirror housings. Certainly not cheap (I ordered them from Suncoastparts) but compared to offerings by other companies like MACarbon or Techart they seemed like a steal.
Installation was fairly difficult because I couldn’t find any good assembly / disassembly documentation online. Eventually I figured it out and made this video below:
At first I wasn’t really digging the look of the carbon fiber. In retrospect I have no idea why since I think they look really sharp now (it’s been about a week since the install). Great upgrade. Not a DIY for everyone, but somehow I muddled through it.
The carbon fiber almost makes the mirrors look like little ears from the front. All business from the side.
