996 c2 - 3.4 or 3.6 experiences?
Discussion
Looking for info from those of you with a 996C2.
Is there a significant difference in driving ability between the 3.4 (say a y2000 model) and the 3.6?
EVO seem to rate the 3.4 as a more exciting drive, but the 3.6 has more power. Can anyone who'd driven both shed any light on their experiences?
P.S. Thom told me in Folembray that I'd come back to oggling Porsches sooner or later, and he was right. (will buy you a
at Folembray in April Thom!)
Edited to sense make
>>> Edited by mr_tony on Monday 9th December 14:32
Is there a significant difference in driving ability between the 3.4 (say a y2000 model) and the 3.6?
EVO seem to rate the 3.4 as a more exciting drive, but the 3.6 has more power. Can anyone who'd driven both shed any light on their experiences?
P.S. Thom told me in Folembray that I'd come back to oggling Porsches sooner or later, and he was right. (will buy you a
at Folembray in April Thom!) Edited to sense make
>>> Edited by mr_tony on Monday 9th December 14:32
I currently have an 02 C2 with the 3.6 litre.The immediate difference to me with this is the improved torque over the 3.4 engine.
I used to drive one of my mates C2 3.4,he would drive my 3.2 Clubsport..I was never over impressed with the 3.4 until I sat with my mate driving my 8 valver,he was always trying to stir it up at 4500rpm,my old car was already there where as the 996 3.4 had to be worked hard to get great results.Once I aprreciated this it got a lot better.
Another friend who i swap cars with had a 3.4 C4 for 3 years and is now 1 year into his 3.6,he is much more in favour of the new lump.
evo talk about the involvement,but I think they make the point the 3.6 is effortlessly quicker,I beleive this to be the torque mentioned above.The 3.6 does sound better across the rev range than the 3.4 particularly with the sports exhaust.
having said that,the 3.6 are above £50k and you can get an older 3.4 for £35k...I think the 3.4 is a good choice for this money.
I used to drive one of my mates C2 3.4,he would drive my 3.2 Clubsport..I was never over impressed with the 3.4 until I sat with my mate driving my 8 valver,he was always trying to stir it up at 4500rpm,my old car was already there where as the 996 3.4 had to be worked hard to get great results.Once I aprreciated this it got a lot better.
Another friend who i swap cars with had a 3.4 C4 for 3 years and is now 1 year into his 3.6,he is much more in favour of the new lump.
evo talk about the involvement,but I think they make the point the 3.6 is effortlessly quicker,I beleive this to be the torque mentioned above.The 3.6 does sound better across the rev range than the 3.4 particularly with the sports exhaust.
having said that,the 3.6 are above £50k and you can get an older 3.4 for £35k...I think the 3.4 is a good choice for this money.
Interesting, was wondering whether to wait for 3.6's to drop in price or go for a 3.4 cos you only live once. Better go drive a 3.4 , also planing to drive an AMG c32, just cos I'd like to see how much of an improvement it is over the c36 I run at the moment. Will also look at LHD993TT's but not convinced that it's really the ideal everyday car..
here are some very nice 993's out there, and I love the look, but I just can't get on with the interior (don't shoot me guys). I prefer the 'new' interior very much over the old 'scattered dials' approach, and I like the fact that it's quicker and lighter than the 993....
So far I've seen a few, sat in a few, next stage is to drive one, and coincidently I'm working next door to a dealer at the moment, so I'll post my impressions later in the week
Lining up a test drive in a c32 as well, it's not seriously competing for my affections, but I am intrigued to see how it goes...
So far I've seen a few, sat in a few, next stage is to drive one, and coincidently I'm working next door to a dealer at the moment, so I'll post my impressions later in the week
Lining up a test drive in a c32 as well, it's not seriously competing for my affections, but I am intrigued to see how it goes... I personally think that the differences have been slightly exaggerated by Evo magazine.
The 996 always had a tendency to slight understeer on the way into a corner, which could then be neutralised. Unfortunately my own experience of 3.4 vs 3.6 is not on a like for like basis (different suspensions, different wheel sizes). I sharpened up the handling and dialled out the understeer in my 3.6 with the fitting of lower springs and a front strut brace - not at all expensive and should be a standard fit on all 996s in my opinion. Feels more lively and "snappy" like the air-cooled 911s now.
As for the power difference, it exists but again I think it's negligible - the difference is in the usability rather than the raw figures. That said, you wouldn't be short-changed by the 3.4. 3.6 sounds much fruitier though - the standard exhaust is almost like a quieter sports exhaust option on the earlier 3.4.
>> Edited by Harris_I on Tuesday 10th December 08:11
The 996 always had a tendency to slight understeer on the way into a corner, which could then be neutralised. Unfortunately my own experience of 3.4 vs 3.6 is not on a like for like basis (different suspensions, different wheel sizes). I sharpened up the handling and dialled out the understeer in my 3.6 with the fitting of lower springs and a front strut brace - not at all expensive and should be a standard fit on all 996s in my opinion. Feels more lively and "snappy" like the air-cooled 911s now.
As for the power difference, it exists but again I think it's negligible - the difference is in the usability rather than the raw figures. That said, you wouldn't be short-changed by the 3.4. 3.6 sounds much fruitier though - the standard exhaust is almost like a quieter sports exhaust option on the earlier 3.4.
>> Edited by Harris_I on Tuesday 10th December 08:11
my experience with an early 996c2 is good, its a daily driver and the 300bhp and better turning circle + more driver comfort work for me. secondhand prices are reasonable, you could pay more for a late 993 's'. Drive it- you should find the steering a lot sharper than the merc plus less roll...
was going to try and sort out a merc test drive today, but decided not to seeing as my dealer had just fleeced me for 321 quid for a new front foglight(lens) and oiling the windscreen wipers.... Ba**tards!
Finding a merc dealer with a c32 demonstrator probably wont be easy either! Tehy did have one in Mayfair, but not really the ideal test location
Finding a merc dealer with a c32 demonstrator probably wont be easy either! Tehy did have one in Mayfair, but not really the ideal test location
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff