996 Carrera Parts & Accessories

The 996 marked the single biggest turning point in 911 history: the end of the air-cooled engine after more than three decades, replaced by an all-new water-cooled architecture designed to meet tightening emissions standards while opening the door to greater power and reliability down the road. Launched for the 1999 model year, it also introduced a completely redesigned body shell, one that controversially shared its "fried egg" headlight design with the entry-level Boxster.

Early 996.1 cars, built through 2001, use a 3.4-liter water-cooled flat-six making 296 hp and 258 lb-ft, a genuine departure from the outgoing 993's air-cooled unit despite modest gains on paper. A 6-speed manual is standard, with 5-speed Tiptronic S automatic available, and Porsche quotes 0 to 60 mph in around 5.2 seconds. The 2002 facelift, marking the 996.2 generation, grew displacement to 3.6 liters and lifted output to 320 hp and 273 lb-ft, while adding Porsche Stability Management as standard equipment on most models and giving the front end a cleaner look borrowed from the contemporary Turbo, replacing the original car's divisive headlight design.

The Carrera 4 has run alongside the rear-wheel-drive Carrera since 1999, adding all-wheel drive without a corresponding power increase, giving buyers the choice of layout without changing the performance equation. The Targa followed in 2002 alongside the 996.2 facelift, rather than a removable panel and the traditional Targa bar, it carried over the fully retractable sliding glass roof from the 993. All three body styles share the same 3.6-liter engine once the facelift arrived, and all are known for the M96 engine's intermediate shaft (IMS) bearing, a documented weak point worth understanding when sourcing parts and maintenance history for any 996-generation Carrera.

• Model year: 1999 to 2001 (996.1) and 2002 to 2004 (996.2)
• Engine: 3.4L naturally aspirated flat-six, 296 hp, 258 lb-ft (996.1); 3.6L naturally aspirated flat-six, 320 hp, 273 lb-ft (996.2)
• 0 to 60 mph: approximately 5.2 seconds (996.1), 5.0 seconds (996.2)
• Transmission: 6-speed manual standard, 5-speed Tiptronic S available
• Notable firsts: first water-cooled 911 engine, ending three decades of air-cooled production; first 911 Targa with a full retractable glass roof (introduced 2002)
• Available as: Carrera (coupe/cabriolet, RWD), Carrera 4 (coupe/cabriolet, AWD), Targa (AWD, glass roof, 2002 and later)