911 Turbo vs. C4S

[vxdave]

Hi All,

I am thinking about buying a 911. Today I had a test drive in a 996 C4S. To sum up, I thought it was a very nice car (great noise - had a sports exhaust fitted) but I was not 'blown away' by the acceleration.

I currently drive a VX220 Turbo to give you an idea of the acceleration I am used to.

For those of you with a 911 turbo - would you say it feels much faster than a C4S/VXT?

Is it possible to use a turbo as your only car? (15-20K miles a year)

I know its faster on paper but with the driving position of my VX, will I notice the difference in acceleration?

Also has anyone added a performance kit (X50?). Was it worth it?

Thanks for you help - it is much appreciated.

[996Turbo]

i ask you this- would people pay circa 20k over the price of a c4s if there wasnt much difference?! i hope not! i have a 450bhp 911 turbo and before this had a standard 420bhp one which was overwhelmingly quick anyway, and remarkably stable at speeds in excess of 170mph. The way it delivers so much power in such a smooth yet exciting way is really something. The 450bhp version is quicker again as you would expect, after a car like this, most will feel slow- with exception of the big hypercars (enzo's carrera gt's koenigsegg etc) and the remarkable thing is- you could (i dont) use a 911 turbo everyday, all day. as many testers say- the 911 turbo is the tool with which other supercars are measured.

[rich1231]

Vxdave,

i bought a C4s a 2 years ago and went to a turbo within 6 weeks. It is such a different beast and so much more fun. I have had various other cars since but the 996tt is the one that I have still.

You wont regret owning one

[JDH1]

I've had 996 turbo and vx220 turbo. The Porsche is in a different league acceleration-wise. And you can actually make proper jorneys in it. You've got a vxt so you know what I mean! Not as exciting though for a quick blast for fun.

[GetCarter]

I moved (as my *fun* car) from a Caterham R500 to a 911 turbo with the X50 pack - the two cars having almost identical acceleration to 100. Above that speed the Porsche hammers the Caterham and is VERY quick to 150. It doesn't feel as quick mind, as the chassis is so well sorted, the car is well insulated, it has a decent stereo and the engine whispers from some distant place far behind the rear speakers (it's greatest fault when you're blatting, but nice if you are 'tootling' to Tesco).

In the real world it's still probably the quickest car point to point as it doesn't seem to care what the weather or the road surface is like, and with the traction control on you'd have to drive like a complete klutz to wrap it round a tree. (I never turn it off on public roads as unlike previous traction control systems that are frankly crap (i.e. M3 which cripples spirited driving - so has to be switched off), the Porsche system hardly EVER cuts in, it allows a huge amount of hoonery, and if it does jump in - it probably saves your life.

It's a perfectly practical car for 20k miles per year provided you don't play golf. Basically it's a five Tesco bag motor (that can fit 2 small children or amputees in the back).

As for the X50 bit - forget the 30 extra BHP it's the hike to 457 lb ft torque (and the extended power band) that makes such a difference over the std turbo. It also adds the GT2 intercoolers and turbos.

All the stats for the X50 on my site: www.TorqueOfTheDevil.com


>> Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 30th May 14:02

[Grifftastic]

The 996TT is most definitely an every day car - did 25000 in 18 months and loved it. As for the VX, the porker is much, much quicker and there is a more solid sense of acceleration compared to the Vauxhall.

[cyrus1971]

The Turbo is absolutely worth the extra over a C4S – I have not regretted it once. As for the X50 I have no evidence driven opinion however BHP for £ it is a very poor deal. I think Porsche over complicated the “surgery” necessary to justify the price differential. 996TT is in a state of de-tune, the standard car can produce a lot more power very easily and very safely. Suggest a standard car then in a year or so take it for a re-tune ECU and filter (Porsche will never notice so warrantee safe) and save several £000 pounds over X50.

Comfort wise was my 996 Turbo (Tiptronic) is at good – but for a super car it is phenomenal. I used it as a daily hack on a 120 round trip from West London to Newbury for 2 months and it was very do-able. At a steady 80 mph on motorway I get just over 30 mpg but average 22 since it is a gar for pushing on in – and I do. I would recommend the lumbar option and sports seats add nothing in my opinion – but each to there own.

Recommend Tiptronic too incidentally – very underrated Mercedes box

[rico]

cyrus1971 said:

The Turbo is absolutely worth the extra over a C4S – I have not regretted it once. As for the X50 I have no evidence driven opinion however BHP for £ it is a very poor deal.

Read GetCarter's post again....

BHP/£ it isn't amazing... but the x50 pack increased the torque curve which is more important anyway...

[Witchfinder]

I've ridden in big V8 auto saloons that I know are quicker than my 1.8 turbo Octavia vRS, but which feel slower. I suspect the turbo kick is largely responsible for the feeling you're getting.

Once you've had that kick, it's hard to give it up. Don't be fooled by feeling alone!

>> Edited by Witchfinder on Sunday 30th May 22:58

[thierry henry]

(I never turn it off on public roads as unlike previous traction control systems that are frankly crap (i.e. M3 which cripples spirited driving - so has to be switched off), the Porsche system hardly EVER cuts in, it allows a huge amount of hoonery, and if it does jump in - it probably saves your life.

spot on! ive never driven a car so good! once tt always tt!

[911nutter]

i own a c4s. it's absolutely brilliant, but the turbo is better... end of story.