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C4S or a Turbo

T

taxman

New member
Hi All

Is there much difference in up keep between a C4S and a Turbo please?, also, how important is it to get sat nav on one of these [i've heard there not fab to operate anyway], is it a must for future re sale?

Would love any info/tips etc folks have that have either one of these cars

Thanks
 
Not sure I want to help the Taxman, but here goes....! [:)]

I use a Porsche Specialist for servicing and repairs. Average service is £200, but I only do 2000 miles a year, so not much needs doing.

The most expensive thing I've had done is a new clutch - £2k. I think the Turbo clutches are probably more prone to wear than the C4S clutches.

I've replaced some radiators at the front (£400 a go) due the the stone chip problem you get through the front vents, but the C4S has exactly the same problem.

Re Sat Nav, I ripped mine out and replaced it with a DVD player. I never use the Sat Nav - my Porsche is basically a toy for sunny day driving, so a Sat Nav isn't necessary.

Cheers,

Neil.

 
Cheers Neil, as the price is not too different between the two, i take it you'd say " turbo " all the way then yeah over C4S?

just a question on your Turbo, are the brakes good on it, as i drove one recently for sale and the brakes were sort of good, but you needed a terminator right leg to get the best out of them...what's yours like?

Cheers
Andie
 
The biggest problem you have is once you have driven a Turbo, you reaaly dont want to go back to normally aspirated cars. Personally I also wonder why anyone wants to pay as much or more for a C4S than a turbo , which is a better car, with an basically an extra100bhp (which is upgradable) and has a lot lower risk on any engine issues.

Turbo's can be driven as daily cars, they are happy driving around town, in traffic jams, motorway cruising, or cross country blasts.

The problem with older turbos sat nav is the maps are usually out of date , for a grand or less you can install an up to date equivalent, likewise if it has'nt one get one installed.
 
I guess it's personal preference. I just love the way the turbos make your head hit the head rest!

My daily drives are BMWs and they bite really quick and hard. In my experience all Porsche brakes are progressive and need a good right foot, rather than the big servo BMWs. There's been quite a bit of discussion around brakes on here before. You'll need some upgrades to get you anywhere near BMW bite.

Cheers,

Neil.
 
Thanks Guys and i do understand about why anyone would want an non turbo over a turbo...they are pretty close doe wise
 
The best analogy when comparing between a C4S and turbo is the difference between a BMW 335i and M3. Best to get a drive in either and make up your mind.
 
Personal preference. I fell for a C4S because I liked the wide body without the holes in the side and loved the rear reflector (that the early 997s did not have!) which reminded me of earlier Porsches.

However, the Turbo is head and shoulders a better car to drive (and is notably faster) and I am sure that the cost of running them will be pretty similar (brakes, rads are the same) and the Turbos engine is notably more reliable generally (although I have never had any problems with my C4S engine).

Lastly, the Turbo is likely to hold on to its value (secondhand) better than a C4S.

This comes from a man with a C4S. So it shows that although a Turbo is probably better, you have to go with what you prefer and can live with. I did. I am sure you will love either!
 
As a new member and recent buyer of a 996 I can't really add anything to the Turbo versus C4S debate except to say they are both great cars and absolute bargains considering what you are getting for your money.

On the brakes side of things though, I did notice that when test driving cars from showrooms the brakes always felt a little wooden. I thought it was just the way Porsches are and wasn't that worried because they always stopped the car well. So when I eventually took the plunge and bought my Carrera 2 and gave it some use the brakes started to exhibit some feel and give good feedback. So it may be that the cars you've tried don't get much use.

I just ran mine yesterday after it had stood for nearly 2 weeks and it took a few miles for the brakes to show some feel again.

Anybody agree with this?
 
I think with brakes, is that you need a few days to get used to them and how they feel and respond and most importantly have confidence in them. The Turbo brakes are as described a bit "insensitive" to start until you are used to them
 
hello taxman
everyone who has drove my car comments on poor brakes but you just have to press them frimer than your modern bmw etc
after a few months ownership you end up with a massive right leg lol
 
Thanks all.
Been looking at a few C4S's today, and am looking I suppose at around £18-21k, and it seems about £25k ish for a turbo....decisions decisions.
Just trying to find a good turbo now to drive and finally make my mind up.
Just a question, I've seen a C4S today that's done give or take 48k, and had an annual minor service in the summer, I thought 48k was a major service???
 
Have you thought about a standard Carrera? ;-)

A C4S is carting a lot of extra weight about with no more power. A C4S Tip is effectively nearly 40bhp down on a C2 Manual as it's carrying nearly 200Kg more

Here's a table in a C4 vs C2 vs C4S post I knocked up ages ago.
996 Power to weight comparison
 

ORIGINAL: taxman
Just a question, I've seen a C4S today that's done give or take 48k, and had an annual minor service in the summer, I thought 48k was a major service???
Click to expand...
48k is a Major, but it usually gets out of synch after a few years. It may have had a Major at 36k, perhaps. When cars get to become weekend toys, rather than daily drivers, they tend to get over-serviced. More important is the sequence of minor-major-minor-major.....(every 12 months max) rather than absolute mileage. There is an Annual Inspection for low mileage cars, but indies tend to recommend a Minor in preference to an Annual.
 
My understanding was that although you carry a bit of extra weight with the C4 compared to the C2, the extra traction means performance is almost identical?

Obviously going to the C4s gives you a bit more extra weight, but personally I reckon for a lady to have an arse that fantastic I don't mind working a bit harder!!
;-)

Have to say I recently purchased a C4S after the same dilemma, but looking around really felt to get a turbo I would feel confident in I was going to need to spend close to the 25k mark, where for under 20k I found a C4s I am delighted with. I'm far from an expert tho!

Other factor for me was the thought that in 4/5 years I might get bored and want to go for something faster, if I bought the turbo now then what!!
 
Plenty of Tiptronoc Turbo's around £22/3k with circa 50000 miles on them so you can make an offer of a grand or two cheaper!
 
I have a Turbo and tried out most models before buying it over 4yrs ago. I found it head and shoulders above the others. Have you had a look on you-tube at Top Gears test on the 996 Turbo & 4S, its worth it just for the last few minutes when Clarkson compares models??
 
ORIGINAL: njrichardson

I guess it's personal preference. I just love the way the turbos make your head hit the head rest!
Click to expand...

:ROFLMAO:

That's how I buy cars.

As for the sat nav. I spent ages thinking it was rubbish as I could never find my destinations. Then I realised you have to use it differently to most sat nav units, the locations are stored under slightly different headings and suddenly I began to like it. City rather than village and sometimes road name then village.
 
Thanks all.

I'll check out the Top Gear thing now.

Anymore post's would be brill though if poss....keep them coming
 
I've owned both - Turbo all the way, it's a different proposition altogether, just put your foot down in both and you should be sold.

That's not to take anything away from the C4S - lovely car, just doesn't pull like a space ship.

I ripped out the Nav in mine and replaced with a Sony all singing/dancing unit, bluetooth phone, tomtom nav with live traffic, DVD player, USB audio and video etc

I still have the original nav unit, dvd drive and cd multichanger if you wish to retro fit, drop me a line
 
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