Carrera S or 4s? PDK or manual?

Rodney Naghar · Mar 5, 2010

ORIGINAL: gemini_2821

Guys, I can't thank you all enough for the forthright and honest replies, and the time and trouble to post your replies. I agree with most of you and leaning heavily toward the C2 for the sake of sporting purity. Many of your replies have strengthened this. The question of manual vs PDK is really about tradition vs technology to me. I reminisce the perfect feeling of flawless (manual) gearchanges, and maxraeger, you have a point there, very much noted. But who can deny the march of technology? Anybody remember black vinyl discs? I do, but today my dad's old Linn Sondek sits in the store rusting away while my Doobie Brothers LPs gather mold in another corner of the house. Sad, isn't it..?

Thanks again to all!

Linn Sondek rusting away? What a waste of a legendary record player! I'll buy it (seriously)! I think you'll find a well setup Sondek will sound much better than most CD players and vinyl is making a big comeback!

So what were you saying about manual vs PDK?

dereksharpuk · Mar 5, 2010

ORIGINAL: gemini_2821

. I agree with most of you and leaning heavily toward the C2 for the sake of sporting purity. Many of your replies have strengthened this. The question of manual vs PDK is really about tradition vs technology to me. I reminisce the perfect feeling of flawless (manual) gearchanges, and maxraeger, you have a point there, very much noted. But who can deny the march of technology?

Personally I would not buy a C2 PDK as quite a few had brake squealling issues. A C2S has not only a bigger engine, but the much better brakes. Moreover, they are easier to sell. All that said, I would buy a C2 PDK if red brakes were an option. However, I am delighted with all apects of my C2S PDK, except the depreciation, but that makes it so much more of a bargain when 6 months old.

Dsmiler · Mar 5, 2010

ORIGINAL: Rodney Naghar

ORIGINAL: gemini_2821

Guys, I can't thank you all enough for the forthright and honest replies, and the time and trouble to post your replies. I agree with most of you and leaning heavily toward the C2 for the sake of sporting purity. Many of your replies have strengthened this. The question of manual vs PDK is really about tradition vs technology to me. I reminisce the perfect feeling of flawless (manual) gearchanges, and maxraeger, you have a point there, very much noted. But who can deny the march of technology? Anybody remember black vinyl discs? I do, but today my dad's old Linn Sondek sits in the store rusting away while my Doobie Brothers LPs gather mold in another corner of the house. Sad, isn't it..?

Thanks again to all!

Click to expand...

Linn Sondek rusting away? What a waste of a legendary record player! I'll buy it (seriously)! I think you'll find a well setup Sondek will sound much better than most CD players and vinyl is making a big comeback!

So what were you saying about manual vs PDK?

Rodney,

You're really just an old hippy at heart.

C2S PDK all the way for me.

okellyt · Mar 5, 2010

DS I am afraid I am with Rodney when it comes to vinyl. I have a 10 year old top end turntable and it knocks the socks off much more expensive modern CD players in terms of realism and sound quality. Its why they invented SACD (24 bit 144.1 khz, as that is the standard of the digital format required to approximately replicate a good quality vinyl record player).

No surprise I love the short shift manual. However I am not a full technophobe, I also like the PDK and would choose one of those too . I am afraid the standard gear box's day is done, go one extreme or the other Short Shift or PDK.

Note Derek's comments so I'd go for a C2S with short shift or C2S PDK. If you prefer 4wd, my recommendation still stands but the 4wd does isolate you somewhat form the driving involvement - it is undeniably quicker through corners and in bad weather you just get extra under steer.

okellyt · Mar 5, 2010

ORIGINAL: Lancerlot

ORIGINAL: okellyt

Clive

the opinion is he needs to drive them first, then have a discussion.

Click to expand...

No intention to be patronising, old chum. It was a completely tongue in cheek remark as I hoped the smilee would confirm.

I had an accountant once who when I asked what I should do said, "Well on the one hand.... then on the other hand.... but of course it's your choice and it's really up to you ." and I thought, "Well in that case I can save his fee." and sacked him! []

There's no doubt when spending that amount of money, most people will want to explore all the alternatives.

Drinks on me next time OK!

Regards,

Clive

Clive, no offence was taken - the cartoon Obi Wan was a hint I was taking maters as jest.

I must say if memory serves last time I did buy the last drink, so it is your round[

]

Clewsey · Mar 5, 2010

For me personally, the C2S PDK is the way to go. It's got more than enough grip to go round.

I was always a "stick" man but was blown away by the all-round capability of the PDK box (and it's even better on track). I certainly haven't looked back.

BTW - whilst I love 911's and can really see the difference in the quality of the engineering, don't under-estimate the M3 (ok, so I'm biased as I have one). We've had ours a year now and it's a fantastic car, won't be getting bored of the engine any time soon. As it's manual also I get the best of both worlds [

] Funnily enough, the M3 is the more expensive car to run (petrol and tyres mainly).

You can be safe in the knowledge that either RWD/4WD variant will bring a big smile to your face!

Cheers,
Simon

andreas@carlton.myze · Mar 6, 2010

What do you want to do with your car? If you do not intend to do some trackdays, then the 4S may be better for peace of mind in mixed weather conditions. On a trackday or in dry weather I'd have the Carrera S every time. As for manual or PDK, I've never driven a PDK equipped car but the motoring press seem to dislike it unless it has the flappy paddle option now available on some models as the standard sreerin wheel buttons are counter intuitive.

dereksharpuk · Mar 6, 2010

ORIGINAL: andreas@carlton.myze

What do you want to do with your car? If you do not intend to do some trackdays, then the 4S may be better for peace of mind in mixed weather conditions. On a trackday or in dry weather I'd have the Carrera S every time. As for manual or PDK, I've never driven a PDK equipped car but the motoring press seem to dislike it unless it has the flappy paddle option now available on some models as the standard sreerin wheel buttons are counter intuitive.

Couple of points:

1. The C2S is lighter than a C4S, has more boot space, costs less and IMHO handles better (the C4S understeers).

2. Once you get used to the buttons, PDK is brilliant. I would never go back to a manual. That is also the view of the majority who have actually owned a PDK, not just merely driven it a few miles. That includes all the journos.

Wills · Mar 6, 2010

My choice would be a C2S with pse and short shift, The 4S does understeer and the steering has little feel compared to the C2S it's also heavier and therefore slower.

But the 4S is lovely looking with its big bum and perhaps you could say its worth buying for that alone.....

mex99 · Mar 6, 2010

Lots of opinion - all good. Welcome, and do prepare to be hooked.

I own a C2S PDK so clearly that is my recommendation. The 4WD in my opinion changes the classic handling too much but is non the less a fine car especially if (and I know we are all the best driver in the world) you have any concern about having 400 horses out back driving the rear wheels.

I have done 27K miles in mine and the pdk is fantastic, I have a very early car so I have the buttons which although exellent once used to them I would now spec the paddles and will probably do the tequipment upgrdae when I have a spare £1000 lying around not being spent on handbags by the wife!

Unfortunately this is only the first decision, colour and wheels very personal but you do need all the technology; Navi, bluetooth, ipod etc and critically sport chrono (sport mode is the only way to drive, except sport plus on the track) sport seats and the nice details; painted central console, aluminium splahes etc.

Lots of knowledge and opinion here so keep asking.

D

Wills · Mar 7, 2010

I would say sports chrono is a must on the PDK equipped cars, but not on the manuals as a slighty sharper throttle response is not worth the outlay IMHO.

Gary C · Mar 15, 2010

I would put how you intend to use the car as the starting point.

If its an all weather mile eater, then 4wd + PDK
Not based on a 911, but my two 4wd cars, particularly the one with active yaw control was so stable that you could use all 350hp even when it was chucking it down, with 4w drifts controlable. Long high speed cross country runs were easy, where in the previous 2wd 200hp car were scary.

If its a sunny day blast car, 2wd + manual
Ultimate speed is unimportant, how the car changes direction and your involvement in that process is the only real consideration ! (oh, I suppose how it looks too)