1998 Porsche 993 Carrera 4S

‘R90 OOR’ is a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S from 1998. Finished in Guards Red and fitted with a manual gearbox and a black leather interior, it was supplied to its only previous owner direct from the factory complete with the optional sports seats, sliding sunroof, and Porsche CDR-21 CD player.

With 121 pages of documentation online, we think this Porsche might just have the perfect service history, but we’ll go into that in more detail later. In the meantime, can we draw your attention to the stunning bodywork, cossetted interior, and the fact it’s been in the seller’s hands for the past two-and-a-bit decades.

And he’s used it properly, aiming to drive every high Alpine pass, which is possibly the perfect role for a Carrera 4S. Using his place in France as a base, he spent many happy summers tracking down as-yet-undriven roads, wending his way south as far as the Italian lakes on occasion.

Finished in Porsche paint code G1/84A, or Guards Red as it’s better known, Porsche’s renowned quality control is on full display here, not least because this example comes from the end of the production run, by which time Porsche had clearly got its eye in.

This experience makes itself felt by way of shutlines that might have been drawn in with a Sharpie and a very steady hand: and while this one might be a familiar shape and colour, its condition is astonishingly good, especially when you factor in the mileage because this is no show pony trailered from event to event. Oh no, with just under 86,000 miles on the odometer, this is a well-driven example that benefits from well above average curation.

The seller tells us that it’s had “no accidents” but that he had it resprayed about 10 years ago “as by then it had faded a bit and accumulated a lot of stonechips and scuffs, but it is otherwise completely original.” Most of the panelwork was repainted again five years ago, also because of fading and an accumulation of stonechips.

Apart from panels that align perfectly and are free of dents, dinks, and other damage, the Guards Red paintwork shines beautifully – and while red is notorious for fading, this one if still bright and vivid a decade later. The boot cover has faded very slightly although it is only noticeable under artificial light.

It’s a fetching combination that’s sure to draw a lot of attention, not least because of those lovely 18-inch alloy wheels. Finished in silver and free of significant scrapes and other kerbing marks, their open design allows passersby to appreciate the huge, ventilated disc brakes and bright red calipers that lie behind them.

The tyres are matching Michelin Pilot Sport N3, and these were fitted in October 2022. A whopping 285/30ZR18 on the rear axle and a slightly more modest 225/40ZR18 on the front, they were measured as having a minimum tread depth of 5.5mm during the last service in November 2024, so have plenty of life left in them yet.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly.

As for the rest, the rear spoiler rises and falls as it should, the badges are bright and undamaged, the lamp lenses are free of cracks and sun-fading, and the sunroof not only slides fore and aft as it should but also seals tightly against inclement weather.

There are also stickers in the window for membership of the Porsche Club GB and the 993 Register, which bodes well.

Which means the only job's to possibly undertake are the marks on the nearside front wing, the lower edge of the driver’s door, and the cosmetic scraping on the underside of the front valance.

If the exterior is eye catching, then the interior is wonderfully discreet. Finished in black leather, those all-important sports seats were re-Connolised in 2019 and still show only gentle creasing to their surfaces.

The rear seats and the rest of the cabin have survived just as well and the fact it has the odd mark here and there – and we do mean ‘the odd mark’ – just means that your kids will be able to enjoy it free of the fear they might inadvertently scuff something. The squab to the passenger seat has come loose and needs refixing.

The car has an original Porsche CDR-21 headunit fitted, matching its build specification. This is a unit which was sourced brand new on eBay two years ago when the original headunit failed, as originals are now no longer available from the factory. It plays through a comprehensive selection of factory-fitted speakers.

The frunk contains what seems to be an unused space-saver spare wheel and tool kit in addition to the tyre compressor. Lifting everything out also shows only clean, solid metalwork underneath.

As for faults, the seller tells us that the only issue is the air-conditioning system can be a “bit temperamental”. It works, but “sometimes has a mind of its own!”

We mentioned the 911’s “perfect” service record earlier and thought we ought to clarify what counts as perfect to us. To use that term, we’d expect to see a service every year no matter how few miles have been driven since the last.

We’d also expect to see regular brake fluid renewal, and the whole lot to have been carried out by either a main agent or an independent marque specialist.

If there are also stamps for regular airbag inspections and the Porsche Long-Life Guarantee then we’d feel justified in calling it perfect.

Which is exactly what this car has. It’s a stellar record and well worth browsing all 121 pages – but if you’re short for time, here’s a summary of the routine services:

• 18.05.2000 and 5,816 miles – service by AFN Porsche
• 23.07.2002 and 7,340 miles – service by AFN Porsche
• 28.07.2003 and 14,186 miles – service by Riverdale Porsche
• 07.06.2004 and 19,832 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex
• 27.06.2005 and 29,645 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex
• 26.06.2006 and 36,584 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex
• 25.06.2007 and 44,206 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex including fresh brake fluid
• 30.06.2008 and 51,866 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex
• 29.06.2009 and 53,372 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex including fresh brake fluid
• 05.07.2010 and 53,755 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex plus new rear brake discs and pads
• 04.07.2011 and 54,762 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex including fresh brake fluid
• 17.07.2012 and 57,498 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex
• 04.06.2013 and 59,207 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex including fresh brake fluid
• 04.06.2014 and 60,929 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex
• 01.06.2015 and 62,542 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex including fresh brake fluid and more at a cost of almost £5,000
• 20.07.2016 and 66,424 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex including fresh oil in the gearbox and front differential
• 20.06.2017 and 69,166 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex including fresh brake fluid
• 12.06.2018 and 70,467 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex including a new battery and alternator plus an offside front suspension droplink
• 11.04.2019 and 73,250 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex including fresh brake fluid and new front brake discs and pads
• 05.10.2020 and 76,965 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex
• 16.11.2021 and 79,094 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex
• 30.09.2022 and 81,521 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex including fresh brake fluid
• 29.11.2023 and 83,954 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex including fresh brake fluid
• 26.11.2024 and 84,643 miles – service by Porsche Centre Mid-Sussex including fresh gearbox and front differential oil plus new sparkplugs at a cost of more than £3,200

Given the car’s role in the seller’s life, it’s no surprise he chose to service it so diligently, telling us, "Mid-Sussex Porsche aren’t cheap, but they like the car and they’re worth it!”

His investment has paid off though because he says it “pulls like a train with linear power delivery” and is full of praise for its handling, saying it has been “bulletproof” on the road, even when being driven with enthusiasm along the Alpine passes he adores.

The last service in November identified uneven suspension, which was reset and recalibrated and has resolved that issue. It also had damaged front bumpstops but this was seen as best left until a suspension overhaul was needed. It also identified a slight oil weep but said this was normal for this engine type and didn’t need to be rectified.

As you’d expect of such a well fettled working machine, the engine bay is decently clean without being overly so. There is scope to improve it if you intend to show it off but if your plans only involve enjoying driving it then you can relax without having to worry there’s anything for you to do other than keep up the servicing regime.

The underside is also very good. Certainly, no MoT tester has ever had cause to mention structural corrosion – but then that won’t have come as a surprise by now, will it?

That said, there is some light surface rust along the lower edge of the rear valence and some scuffs along the lower edge at the front, and given how good the rest of the car is we can see the new owner will want to get at least the rust sorted out sooner rather than later.

The 911’s MoT certificate, which is valid until November 2025, was issued, like so many before, with no advisories. In fact, the only advisory it’s ever had was for low tread on the rear tyres.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear bar the marker for being an import. and it comes with two keys, a Certificate of Authenticity from Porsche, a service manual, the Porsche wallet and book pack, and that very well-stamped service history booklet.

There are also a lot of expired MoT certificates, invoices and bills, detailed reports from the services, and some wonderful period photos of it next to a matching jet airplane.

The seller tells us: “It was ordered by an expat Hong Kong businessman to be built to UK-spec for use by him in his annual holidays in the UK. I have its Certificate of Authenticity which shows in being built in February 1998. The original Porsche delivery paperwork shows it was not collected from the factory until April 1998, after all 993 production had ceased.

“He used it for a couple of European tours, and kept in UK storage when not in use. I bought it when it was three years old with 7,000 miles on the clock and have had it ever since. It is 100% standard with no modifications at all. No accidents, and I have a massive file containing its entire history from new.”

If this were a sub-10,000k example we’d be suggesting you cocoon it as a hedge against inflation. Sure, you’d get to admire it from a distance but admiring one of Porsche’s greatest ever sportscars through a plastic bubble isn’t the best way to live your life, is it?

The fact the odometer on this one reads 85,000 miles means this is a car you can actually enjoy free of guilt – and that it’s got what might be the most impressive service history of 2024 means you’ll be able to do so reliably.

But why should you splash out between £80,000 and £90,000 on a car that’s more than a quarter of a century old?

Because it is a quarter of a century old, which means it’s still largely analogue, so it’ll do what you tell it, exactly when you tell it to – and if you prefer the safety net a modern 911 provides, then this ain’t the car for you.

However, if you want a car that’s going to work with you rather than against you, one whose fuel delivery is unfettered from the need to impress EU bureaucrats, whose chassis is set up to be faithful rather than nannying, then it most definitely is.

If you carry on servicing it like this then we suspect you’ll be contacting us in 25 years to ask us to write the next advert for it. Who knows what it’ll be worth by then but it’s sure to be considerably more than the brand-new 911 you’ve got your eye on will be…

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.