Ok guys and GT2gal,

I'm getting ready to order a Turbo. The question remains, and I know some are against and some are for, should I pay the extra $18,000 and get the X50 option? I would think that for a little (or a lot) less money I could get a better deal on a few engine mods that would make equal or better power. Thanks for the help guys!

 

For 18k you could defiantly do some nice mods to it, great sounding exhaust and some engine mods for sure.

 

Not sure what the market is doing now - In February I was given an offer to drive away an 03 silver X50 away for $125K all in at Reeves in Tampa. Did the deed for considerably less on a stock 03TT in March instead. What are the X50s going for now? Has the market come back?

 

There are advantages and disadvantages. If you are going to mod the car afterwards, I recomend keeping it stock. However, if you dont want to mod, and, or just want to mod the ecu, then the X50 might be a good choice. Also, if you are going to buy the car, the value is going to drop quickly, and if you are going to lease it, the residual is less on an X50. Its mainly a personal decision, but i hope this helps.

 

Not worth 18K IMO!!!

 

The X50 option will add K24 turbos in lieu of K16's, supplementary transmission cooling larger intercoolers and slightly different software. This option will get you 450 warranteed hp for $18K.
Compare this with a modified base TT wherein you will spend approximately 1/2 to 3/4 of the X50 option price and obtain 600 non-warranteed hp.
Yeah, yeah, some will recite the famous court case wherein a manufacturer must prove a problem was caused by a non-factory part in order to decline warranty service. Are you really going to take Porsche to court to prove it?
So it boils down to cost vs, warranty coverage vs. horsepower. Only you can decide what will best suit your needs.

 

i tried a use TT with X50 last week & couldn't really feel the difference. however, the exhaust sound is "raw" compare to my stock TT.

i'd say if the car is Tip, i'd want the X50. but 6 speed, i'd not get it!

one question robert, i assume u're ordering TT cab because there is no more coupe??

 

I spoke to my dealer today and according to him they have an allocation for one more coupe. Reading posts on this board tells me otherwise. If they can't deliver on the coupe then I'll wait for a 997 Turbo

 

They accualy are making '04 coupes, 148 I beleve, to be exact. There is one, for sale, at this Porsche Dealer on PCH, I Think its called Newport Motors. The car is loaded, X50, PCCB, its about 160.

 

Porsche's legal team's deep pockets are probably far deeper than your's, so a fight over a warranty violation in court would probably be very expensive $$$$ and you would probably lose, IMHO. If I were buying a used TT with the warranty almost up, I would feel much more comfortable modding it up and turning it into a HP Monster. But with a brand new car, if something is wrong with the motor down the road, it would be sure nice to get it fixed for free. 450HP does'nt sound to shabby to me, besides, you can upgrade the header's and exhaust and squeeze out some more HP and Torque. If you have a problem, you can just put the original parts back in prior to bringing it in for service. I like warranties and If I had bought a new TT, I would have gone X50. So I definately agree with Ken's assessment...Good luck!!!!

 

I understand your line of thinking and respect your opinion. However, I see a couple problems. You can upgrade your exhaust, install DV's(which Porsche oem are flawed and fail often), install an airfilter. None of these items should void your warranty and as you said, all can be removed and brought back to stock. The DV's would not be an issue as I said the Porsche oem DV's fail often and they have had a problem with them. I know for a fact that Todd at Evo will reprogram your car back to stock if there is a problem. So basically you can pay $18k+ for $450hp then get a $3000-4000 exhaust. All in you are at $21,000.00 for 480hp. The alternative is to get the Evo stage 2 upgrade which is not off the hook. All you get in addition to the mods you already suggested are a reprogrammed ECU. An ECU that wll be changed back to stock should something unforseen happen. 505HP 510Lb/ft $6000-$7000(depending on which exhaust you choose. I do not see the disadvantage at all. Resale on the X50 is only $4-6k for the $18k option. I think you would be much better off spending $6000-$7000 and having more power at a fraction of the cost. In addtion, if you want more power, the stage 3 and 4 simply substitute the k16 turbos for the same k24 turbos used in the X50, along with updated programming. I can't see how Porsche could void a warranty for using the same K24 turbos they use, and as said, you can always have your car reprogrammed to stock if something happens. Just my thoughts. good luck with your decsion.

-lou

 

I believe the X50 has the K16's.

And although only 6 Hp difference, the X50 has 444 HP SAE or 450 HP DIN.

 

I would go non-X50 and do EVO Stage 1, install a BMC air filter yourself, and if the OEM diverter valves give you any problems then have the dealer install Baileys under waranty (that's what I did with the valves).

 

From what I have gathered, the X50 option is most noticeable after 100 mph. If you will be using the car at those speeds for the most part, then get it. But if you really want some eye-popping performance, I would save the 18K and go aftermarket for more power. Regardless of whether you get the X50 or not, you still can't go wrong with a 996TT!!! Enjoy!

 

The X50 uses K24 turbos. That's how it makes extra power. K24 turbos, reprogrammed ECU, and bigger intercoolers. $18k Porsche price gouging at its best.

-Lou