997 C4 and C4S

[Guest]

I thought the C4S was slower than the standard because of the extra weight? It always seemed to me along with all the other extras a bit of power would have been nice ...

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Weight, and the greater CDa (bigger cross-sectional area presented to the front) means there is a bigger area to push through the air.

 

[Guest]

Re C4S - Didn't Jeremy Clarkson say "It's just made to look like a Turbo. And would you like to see my fake Rolex...."

Spizz

 

[Rotorhead]

Clarkson's criticsm of the 911 is that people talk about it as if it is just one car but there are infact several variants and countless permutations.

 

[Michael Downing]

The C4 will only really take bags for you and the wife for the weekend. So you need to get a babysitter and leave the kids behind.

Whether this is a good or a bad thing, I leave to you...

 

[Guest]

But am I the only person who thinks that you probably only need the extra security of knowing you have extra traction because you feel 'less connected' to the road outside?

To illustrate what I mean, I used to commute on a sports bike, and would pass the same motorcycles most days. However, on damp or cold days, they often passed me. Whereas I could tell that the road was more slippery, because the bike was more vague and less responsive to my inputs, the guy on a 300 kilo BMW sailed past, totally oblivious to how near the limits he really was. Either that, or it was Carl Fogarty on his way to work!

It is the sublime steering feel that makes the 911 unique (among other things, obviously), and the C2 is nearly as good as the pre-power-steering cars in this respect. The C4 just feels wooden, by comparison. Still, the C4 steering is still a million miles better than any front engined car!! Tried an M3?

Does the extra track and tyre-width on a C4S put back some of the steering sensitivity? Should I be saving my pennies?

 

[Guest]

Interesting perspective.

Perhaps I am not discerning enough to be able to tell the difference - but round a bend the C4 feels every bit as sensitive to me as a C2. Where I notice the additional security is in a straight line on a wet , greasy or icy road.

Spizz

 

[timhum2002]

Having owned a C2 and C4 I must agree with the last comment. I have found its very difficult to differentiate between the two in regular driving with good weather conditions. I'm not into track days,(if you think you're a racer go racing not posing) so don't know how they compare. Where I have also found the huge difference is in poor weather conditions. My C4 is not used a my principal car although I used it during last winters snow and ice to discover how it performed. Simply it was brillant. Of course you still can't take any ridiculous liberties but driving sensibly I've never felt so secure and unstressed. My conclusion is that there is a time and place for all models,

Tim

 

[Michael Downing]

Mid Jan this year we moved into a new house.

Late Jan there was a small blizzard that dropped 3-4 inches of snow in a few hours. After spending 3 hours getting home (normally 45-50 mins) I rolled gratefully onto the new driveway in the day-to-day car (then a BMW 5).

Next morning, after several attempts I miserably failed to get the 5 off again. The new driveway has a steep section, about 4 feet long and 30 degrees or so. Every time the rear wheels met it, the 5 started to go sideways until they were level again. Nothing would get that car off.

Went back inside, phoned in to say I wouldn't be at work that day & to cancel the meeting.

They phone back, the meeting is too important and too urgent, and don't I have a 4 wheel drive thing in the garage?

Tried again with the 5. Nothing doing.

C4S drove off (slowly) in one go without any complaints.

OK, it's not why Porsche fit the thing with 4WD, but it impressed me!

 

[Guest]

Occurred to me - perhaps mine is more responsive as 30mm lowered suspension and spacers. I just love the feel - which seems a perfect compromise - secure but edgy enough.

Spizz

 

[alex.powell]

One of the main reasons I ordered a C4s is because I live in an area where the "Gritter Man" does not go, and i'm glad to hear that snowy drives are doable -

p.s. The trick with BM's and snow is to put two large bags of sand in the boot - Works a treat, and actually is a ritual for me every year. The first time I see a gritter, out come the bags... In fact i'm very nearly at the point where I do what the Swiss do, and put winter tyres on for half the year!!!!

 

[Michael Downing]

ORIGINAL: alex.powell

The trick with BM's and snow is to put two large bags of sand in the boot - Works a treat, and actually is a ritual for me every year. The first time I see a gritter, out come the bags... In fact i'm very nearly at the point where I do what the Swiss do, and put winter tyres on for half the year!!!!

We'd been in the house for a week at that stage, and sat there watching as all our new neighbours opened their garage, took out a nice big bag of sand, spread it liberally on their drive, and set off.

24 hours later, there was a nice big bag of sand sitting in our garage as well! Watch, and learn, as they say!

And she started demanding an X5, but that's a different story....

 

[Rotorhead]

If you live somewhere that suffers severe winters and you intend to use your 911 (whatever variant, C2 or C4) the key requirement is 'winter' tyres.

In Europe, drivers routinely change their wheels/tyres between winter and summer and every year Christophorus carries an article on the subject with the various approved tyre options.

Even big 'off-roaders' struggle, when the snow and ice come, if they are on normal road tyres.

 

[alex.powell]

I'm not sure an X5 would be any better!!

 

[Guest]

My OPC says that a number of customers have ordered both - a 997S for now and a 997 C4S for when it comes out.

Spizz