Carerra or Carerra S

Guest · Nov 17, 2005

I would be amazed if this has not been discussed at length but a search of the archive revealed nothing. As a newcomer I am trying to understand how to decide between the C2 and the C2S. I understand all the specification/visual details and I am not interested in shaving of 0.2 off a second on the acceleration times.

So is there any other reason why I would spend the extra money on the S. I would actually prefer to minimise the cabin noise levels for daily use, so any comment on differences in engine/exhaust noise levels would be helpful.

Apoligies if this is well understood but I just cannot see a great deal of difference.

oliver · Nov 17, 2005

This has been covered before, although not to any clear conclusion.

Several leading motoring writers have said that the 997 is actually a nicer car to drive than the 997S. A number of reasons were given for this, including the 18" wheels. However, the 997 that appeared in one of the tests was fitted with PCCBs and this would have obviously contributed the benefits of lower unsprung weight to either model.

Personally, I would be tempted by the 997 but, depending on your preferred spec., the 997S can look better value.

pwebb · Nov 17, 2005

Hi
A year of ownership has not changed my view that the S is the better car. Not strictly comparing apples with apples, but my previous 996 felt considerably slower. The S has PASM as standard and for road use this is a great compromise. You also get the bigger 996 turbo brakes, which again are a great improvement, and another reason why the bigger wheels are fitted as standard. From a noise perspective, yes my car has tyre noise (on 19" rims) but so did the 996.
Is it worth the extra money? Probably not in the real world, but several of us justify it to ourselves in terms of residuals and ease of resale.
Peter

Geoff_Fields · Nov 17, 2005

Peter's comments are sound. Remember the price difference (if that's an important issue) is soon eroded if you start adding back the options like PASM and 19" wheels that are standard on the S. And you still will not have the 3.8 motor or "big red" brakes. Buy the S, you know it makes sense.

robert997 · Nov 17, 2005

I agree with all the above comments. The S I think has a louder/sportier exhaust note too, so if you want to minimise cabin-noise maybe the Carrera on 18's on Pirelli's is the one for you. As Geoff and Peter and Oliver have said, the S does add more kit, such as Aluminium trim in the interior, Bi-Xenon lights and washers, PASM, 19", silver-coloured dials, turbo-brakes etc which start to close the gap on price. In terms of performance, my own inexpert opinion based upon a 911 convoy to and from Le Mans is that the S has more at the top-end, and will get you further in each gear over the standard car...!

About 80% of the 997 Register have the S, I don't know if that reflects the enthusiastic nature of club members or the more general marketing mix. On either, navigation and phone modules will help re-sale in the future. You'd best get down to a dealer and ask to try both !

Grant · Nov 18, 2005

The 997 Carrera S is priced at £65,860 & aside from the uprated engine (mentioned earlier + 30 bhp & 30nm torque) it also has the following extra goodies as standard to help account for the £6790 extra over the standard Carrera- Four exhaust pipes ""
PASM (Porsche Active Suspension management) with a 10mm lowered chassis (a 20mm lowered set up with mechanically locking rear differential is a NCO, but doesn't feature PASM) - 19 inch wheels - Bi-xenon lights & cleaning system -New sport steering wheel - Aluminium dials & dashboard trim "" More powerful braking system with the larger discs from 996TT - More powerful coolant pump -Two extra fins on the uprated oil/water heater exchange ""Lightweight plastic air intake -Uprated self-adjusting clutch.

When you consider that Porsche charged £6,644.63p for the powerkit alone on the 996 (345bhp an extra 25 horses) the price premium for the S could even look like good value! Particularly when you add a few other S extras to your standard 997, e.g. PASM (launch prices were £1030) 19-inch wheels (£1018) Bi-Xenon lights (£705), which means you are paying around £3.7k for the other additions including the more powerful engine & brakes.
Having said this I think Porsche were a little sneaky launching the "standard" 997 with a slightly lower power to weight output than the 996 and then introducing the "S" for a premium, good way to get a chunky price increase over the outgoing 996!!!

My opinion for what it is worth, if you are going to pay extra for 19 inch wheels, Zenon & PASM on the standard car then the extra 4k for the engine etc seems worth it to me particularly when you should get some of this back any way come re-sale time

Guest · Nov 19, 2005

In Sweden the std.997 and 997s come with Pasm and Litronic lights as std.The list price difference is £6500.
I have been offered a Brand new 997 in atlas grey with 19" alloys ,Sport Chono,ht seats,cruise ( pasm and litronic as std.) Cost with a good discount, £51000.from a Porsche dealer.
Is this a good deal or not ? Yes it is LHD, but that is what I need, I drive in Europe over 80 % of the time.
This dealer needs to move stock hence the good deal ! The trouble is I could order a bog std 997s deal price £56000 is the S worth the difference now ! ?