New 997 C4S... advice needed

New 997 C4S... advice needed

Author
Discussion

jamesy

Original Poster:

48 posts

285 months

Monday 26th September 2005
quotequote all
I have just sold my 360 in the hunt for a 3rd seat due to a new arrival in the family. Having considered a 996tt, I decided to opt for the 997 c4s and wait for the 997 turbo.

This is my first porsche experience and would like any advice people can offer as spec and essential options, especially for resale, as I hope to switch to the turbo when it is released.

So far I have gone for:

basalt black with black leather,
sports seats (heated with embossed headrests),
park assist,
sat nav and phone modules,
bose upgrade and cd changer

I considered a sunfroof, but could not think of ever using it...do you think it is an essential option?

The auto dimming mirror kit sounded useful, but not essential.

The other two potentials are paying up for the PCCB, not sure if I will get the car on the track or not, any views on whether its worth having and if it will hold any value on reseale.

The other is the Chrono package plus? Can anyone rate this and explain the benefits. I am not fully sure of its functions, hearing alot of conflictiong views.

Apologies for the long post... any advice really appreciated...I have a couple of weeks left to amend the spec.

Cheers
Steve

Adam B

27,276 posts

255 months

Monday 26th September 2005
quotequote all
my advice as follows

you have gone for a good colour for resale and have all the desirable options - nav, phone and BOSE

PCCB definitely not worth it and neither is sunroof (though I would like my 997 to have one) or litle things like dimming mirrors/rain sensor

sports chrono has a sports button which a) increases throttle response b) reins in PSM a bit. the clock measures lap times and you can save/plot them on the screen if you have nav module

waste of time IMHO if you are not going to track, throttle response = put your foot down more and PSM can be turned off

also I like heated seats and would scrap park assist for sports or multifunction steering wheel

>> Edited by Adam B on Monday 26th September 10:21

jamesy

Original Poster:

48 posts

285 months

Monday 26th September 2005
quotequote all
Thanks Adam...much appreciated. Actually forgot to mention that I had ordered the multi function sports steering wheel.

Like the sound of the Chrono pack for track days, but not sure I'll get too many in. Do you think people will expect it on the S? At £500 I might swap park assist for it.

rob05

1,194 posts

229 months

Monday 26th September 2005
quotequote all
I have to agree the sports chrono a waste of time for road use,i had it on my 987,never used it and for me looks a bit silly.The PASM comes standard on your car,nothing short of fantastic.Bose is a nice touch,sports seats, phone,nav, the rest is really there to make you spend more in my opinion.The S has such a good standard spec anyway,of course its all personal preference in the end.Ps very nice car,good choice.

>> Edited by rob05 on Monday 26th September 12:51

>> Edited by rob05 on Tuesday 27th September 07:27

Adam B

27,276 posts

255 months

Monday 26th September 2005
quotequote all
ultimately more people will value chrono than park assist

but you are now really getting into grey areas where you should be speccing for you not resale

so decide which is more useful for you - if you have other people are going to drive and can't park for toffee then maybe PA is a good idea - at least it is less noticeable on a black car

dealmaker

2,215 posts

255 months

Monday 26th September 2005
quotequote all
SPORTS EXHAUST !!!!

young_pup

55 posts

229 months

Monday 26th September 2005
quotequote all
jamesy said:
I have just sold my 360 in the hunt for a 3rd seat due to a new arrival in the family. Having considered a 996tt, I decided to opt for the 997 c4s and wait for the 997 turbo.

This is my first porsche experience and would like any advice people can offer as spec and essential options, especially for resale, as I hope to switch to the turbo when it is released.

So far I have gone for:

basalt black with black leather,
sports seats (heated with embossed headrests),
park assist,
sat nav and phone modules,
bose upgrade and cd changer

I considered a sunfroof, but could not think of ever using it...do you think it is an essential option?

The auto dimming mirror kit sounded useful, but not essential.

The other two potentials are paying up for the PCCB, not sure if I will get the car on the track or not, any views on whether its worth having and if it will hold any value on reseale.

The other is the Chrono package plus? Can anyone rate this and explain the benefits. I am not fully sure of its functions, hearing alot of conflictiong views.

Apologies for the long post... any advice really appreciated...I have a couple of weeks left to amend the spec.

Cheers
Steve


Jammy fooker.

jamesy

Original Poster:

48 posts

285 months

Monday 26th September 2005
quotequote all
Dealmaker, you beat me to it. Decided to add the sports exhaust system and probably link it into the chronos pack as the thought of track days become more appealing.

Rob, thanks for the thumbs up... can not wait to see a 4s in the flesh in a couple of weeks...love the look of yours in black.

Looks like a mid to late November delivery...so spec needs to be in sooner than I thought.

simon@63

148 posts

257 months

Monday 26th September 2005
quotequote all
jamesy said:


The other is the Chrono package plus? Can anyone rate this and explain the benefits. I am not fully sure of its functions, hearing alot of conflictiong views.


There is a school of thought that says if a car has been specced with Chrono its more likely to have been tracked and will therefore be slightly less valuable come upgrade time.

Not sure I believe it, but thought I would mention it.

Standard exhaust sounds pretty good too.




DanH

12,287 posts

261 months

Monday 26th September 2005
quotequote all

Why bother with the 4wd version? Just curious as most reviews seem to think its entirely unnecessary, and presumably its slower and heavier than the 2wd one.

dealmaker

2,215 posts

255 months

Monday 26th September 2005
quotequote all
DanH said:

Why bother with the 4wd version? Just curious as most reviews seem to think its entirely unnecessary, and presumably its slower and heavier than the 2wd one.


Yeah but most reviewers don't need to live with one day in, day out, in all kinds of weather. Sometimes the 4wd is really a bonus.

And isn't the 997 the first 911 iteration where the 4 is quicker round a track than the 2 ?? So again, some muttering rotters opinion ...or...Walter Rorhl's ??

I'll have a 997 4S for everyday use please and keep the 997 GT3 for the days when I'm really in the mood!!

rob05

1,194 posts

229 months

Tuesday 27th September 2005
quotequote all
Steve if you dont mind me asking,how much did you sell your 360 for?I noticed on your review you listed the value of it at 95k,My friend just paid 79k for a 03 plate with 5thsmls,i think he really did get a good deal

jamesy

Original Poster:

48 posts

285 months

Tuesday 27th September 2005
quotequote all
Rob, I sold the 360 back to the dealer at £ 75k (now updated my profile). Think I got a great price as they had a buyer in the wings, but sounds like your friend got a deal, not many 03 plates under 80k. If I didn't need the extra seat I would never have sold mine...depreciation was harsh given the 430 ;aunch.

As for the 4S over the 2S, agree with dealmaker on the everyday living, but also got a cancelled Nov build slot so I could get into a new 4S quicker than a new 2S. Also only a 4K premium for the 4wd and I think it will hold its value better in the short term given its only released end of Oct.

rob05

1,194 posts

229 months

Tuesday 27th September 2005
quotequote all
I tend to be in DanH's camp on this one as far as driving experience goes.the C2 will feel quicker than the C4S its lighter and has the same engine,and i'd like to know what the weather conditions were that day walter rorhl took it round the track?Sounds more porsche self justification than anything else.For me steve the only dissapointment you might find is the steering at first,it really will have a dead feel next to your 360.In giving the 997 better high speed traction at the front wheels the car has lost alot of its feel through the steering,and the 4wd models always tend to have less feel than the 2wd anyway.But give it time because it is a real improvement once you get used to it.I do agree for re-sale the C4S is the better buy,but lets be honest,they are both great cars,as for myself,the C2 will always be my choice.

jjr1

3,023 posts

261 months

Tuesday 27th September 2005
quotequote all
[redacted]

rob05

1,194 posts

229 months

Tuesday 27th September 2005
quotequote all
Yes i agree with you jjr1,but i think steve is buying more with the head than the heart and thats no bad thing,also the C4S will look the part from the rear end more so than the C2.Im going to have a drive of one and see if my opinion can be changed

jamesy

Original Poster:

48 posts

285 months

Tuesday 27th September 2005
quotequote all
jjr1 one of the reasons for the C4S is just the November delivery...Definatley buying with head as well, as the plan is to trade this in vs a 997 turbo when they are released.

However, I love the rear of the C4S from the promotional photos...can not wait to see it in the flesh, debated about black and seal grey, black won over in the end.

If I could have got a new C2S for the same delivery, deep down I still think I would have gone for the C4S. Just personal preference, as Rob said, both are great cars.

jjr1

3,023 posts

261 months

Tuesday 27th September 2005
quotequote all
Is that Basalt or normal Black? I have the basalt and find it very hard to keep clean. I would probably go for the seal grey next time just because of this.

rob05

1,194 posts

229 months

Tuesday 27th September 2005
quotequote all
I don't find that,most people told me it would be hard.As long its got a good polish on i've found it to be no problem,also it really does hide stone chips better than any other colour.Balsalt black though would'nt have the flat black it just marks very easly and is a basta.d to clean

jamesy

Original Poster:

48 posts

285 months

Tuesday 27th September 2005
quotequote all
Its Basalt black... 2nd choice is Seal Grey, but there are 2 996 C4S in my road! Did consider slate grey, but could not justify the extra cash