Porsche option codes: how M-codes work and what classic codes mean
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This record covers
- What Porsche M-codes are
- Where to find a car’s option codes
- A list of common classic 911 and 930 codes
- Why the same code can mean different things
Short answerPorsche option codes, or M-codes, are the factory numbers for optional and market-specific equipment. The M stands for Mehrausstattung, German for additional equipment. They appear on the factory build record and, on later cars, on an option sticker in the service book and under the front lid. Codes such as M491 (Turbo Look), M505/M506 (slant nose) and M220 (limited-slip differential) identify factory specification, but some codes were reused with different meanings across generations.
- M stands for
- Mehrausstattungdocumented
- M491
- Turbo Lookdocumented
- M505 / M506
- Slant nose, US / rest of worlddocumented
- Pre-1987 special requests
- Often not codeddocumented
A Porsche’s option codes are the closest thing to its birth certificate you can read on the car itself. They are also easy to misread, because the same four characters can mean different things on different generations.
What are Porsche M-codes?
Porsche M-codes are factory codes for equipment beyond a model’s standard specification. The letter M comes from Mehrausstattung, German for additional equipment. A code is usually M followed by three digits. Porsche also uses codes for market versions, such as US-specification equipment, and later added X-codes for Exclusive department items.
Where do you find a Porsche’s option codes?
You find a Porsche’s option codes in three places:
- The option sticker in the front of the service and warranty booklet, listing the VIN, engine and gearbox types, paint and interior codes, and M-codes.
- A matching sticker on many cars in the front luggage compartment, often near the bonnet latch.
- The factory build record, supplied as a Porsche Production Specification, which is the authoritative list. See the Certificate of Authenticity guide and, for window stickers and paint codes, the guide to Porsche options by VIN.
Stickers get lost or copied, so the factory record wins when they disagree.
Common classic Porsche M-codes
| Code | Meaning | Typical models |
|---|---|---|
| M030 | Sport suspension | 911 |
| M220 | Limited-slip differential | Most models |
| M395 | Forged alloy wheels, 16 inch | Most models |
| M470 | Spoiler delete (with Turbo Look on 1980s 911s) | 911, 928 |
| M491 | Turbo Look | 911 Carrera 3.2 |
| M505 | Slant nose | 930 Turbo, US |
| M506 | Slant nose | 930 Turbo, rest of world |
| M637 | Sport group / Club Sport package | 911, 928, 944 |
| M650 | Sunroof | Most models |
This list comes from published code tables, which themselves note that equipment standard on a given model may not appear as an option. Always read codes against the car’s model and year.
Why can the same code mean different things?
The same code can mean different things because Porsche reassigned some numbers as models changed. M470 meant “without underseal” on the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7, but by the 1980s it meant spoiler delete on Turbo Look 911s. M030 always meant sport suspension, yet the parts behind it differed by model. A code is only meaningful with its model year attached.
What codes cannot tell you
Codes cannot tell you about work done outside the option list. Before 1987, slant-nose 930s built by Porsche’s Sonderwunsch department were billed as workshop orders, so many genuine early factory cars carry no slant-nose code at all. Details are in factory slant nose versus conversion. The Turbo Look option is covered on the Porsche M491 page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the option codes on my Porsche?
Look for the option sticker, printed with the VIN and M-codes, in the front of the service and warranty booklet and, on many cars, in the front luggage compartment. For a complete factory list, order a Porsche Production Specification.
Can I get Porsche option codes from the VIN?
Not from the number itself. The VIN does not encode options. Services that list options by VIN draw on factory build data, which Porsche supplies through the Production Specification.
What does M491 mean on a Porsche?
M491 is the Turbo Look option for the 1984–1989 911 Carrera 3.2: wide Turbo bodywork, wheels, suspension and brakes on a non-turbo car. It was called Supersport in the UK.
Are Porsche M-codes the same across all models?
Many are consistent, but not all. Some codes were reassigned between generations, so a code must be read against the car’s model and year.