997 Carrera vs Carrera S
997 Carrera vs Carrera S
Author
Discussion

Nattyboy888

Original Poster:

260 posts

187 months

Friday 16th November 2012
quotequote all
Evening guys.

Right..I've done my homework, and read all about the motors eating themselves, but on the basis that if you made all your decision based on what you read on the tinterweb we'd all be driving about in bore-o-boxes, so the Alpina D3 Biturbo is (reluctantly) for sale and I'm very much looking forwward to my first Porsche experience !

My dilemna is this and I would appreciate any thoughts.

I really want a CS2 with PSE and Bose (everything else is a bonus), but I've seen a lovely car that is my perfect colour (speed yellow) but it's in basic carerra spec. I saw a basic carerra at the OPC last weekend whe test driving an S, and immediatley went into snob mode thinking its got to be an S..but the one I've seen has got got some lovely bits (turbo wheels, newer running lights, yellow belts, S quad exhausts) - not to mention low mileage.

My question is..would I miss the extra 30+hp ? Is there anything else that fundamentally differs them (I know the S has red calipers but not sure if brake performance is different. Maybe the 3.6 motor has it's own character (revs harder ?). Perhaps in a lower state of tune there is less chance of bore scoring, IMS/RMS issues.

I love forums like this (I've benefitted massivley from Alpina, VW and Ducati forums in the past) because of the great advice on tap so I really would appreciate any advice/feedback !

Cheers
Nat


Smirnoffmark

1,798 posts

256 months

Friday 16th November 2012
quotequote all
Hi Nat,

Im sure you'll love whatever you end up with however must admit when I had an s for a weekend I really liked it however when I recently test drove (is that a word?) a non s (dealer had advertised it as an s however it wasn't....) I was pretty disappointed, no real oomph.

With regards to the options - they are quickly forgotten on the outside however the engine never is. Unless you like sitting in the garden, beer in hand and just marvelling at it's beauty instead of driving it.

My 2 cents. Will expect to be flamed..

LordHaveMurci

12,338 posts

199 months

Friday 16th November 2012
quotequote all
I test drove a Carrera, wonderful car but it did feel like it needed a little more oomph to be honest.

csmith319

372 posts

193 months

Friday 16th November 2012
quotequote all
Both great cars - if looking at a Non-S I'd have PASM high up my want list as well, sitting a bit lower it makes a big difference.

Actually prefer the single exhaust tips on the non-S - my PSE tips look daft with different sizes.

OggyDJ

533 posts

172 months

Friday 16th November 2012
quotequote all
Hi Nat,

If you really want a C2S with PSE and Bose, I'd wait until the right car comes along (sure are plenty in the PH classifieds ??).

Only prob with buying the C2 is you might still have itch for an S and then your going to suffer depreciation on the C2. So best to just bide your time and buy the car you really want first time around IMO.

I owned a 54 plate 997 C2S for a couple of years....really loved it and had no issues at all (and contrary to popular belief on the Internet, it didn't even blow up once ;-)

Enjoy the search and then enjoy the car !

Helicopter123

8,831 posts

186 months

Saturday 17th November 2012
quotequote all
Are you after a 997.1 or a 997.2?

I've a 997.2 C2 with the 345 bhp engine - the 997.1 C2S has 355 bhp so not much in it.

It's a lovely car and plenty quick enough to be thrilling in my hands.

In time I might look at an S or a GTS but for now the 345bhp is more than enough for me!

Send me a PM if you need any more info (It's not for sale so no sale pitch here!).

Dark Star

149 posts

220 months

Saturday 17th November 2012
quotequote all
The 'S' is wide bodied, more bhp, has wider wheels/tyres, 4 exhaust tips (2 x 2).
For me it looks better in 'S' form but both are great cars.


Great Pretender

26,140 posts

244 months

Saturday 17th November 2012
quotequote all
Nattyboy888 said:
Evening guys.

Right..I've done my homework, and read all about the motors eating themselves, but on the basis that if you made all your decision based on what you read on the tinterweb we'd all be driving about in bore-o-boxes, so the Alpina D3 Biturbo is (reluctantly) for sale and I'm very much looking forwward to my first Porsche experience !

My dilemna is this and I would appreciate any thoughts.

I really want a CS2 with PSE and Bose (everything else is a bonus), but I've seen a lovely car that is my perfect colour (speed yellow) but it's in basic carerra spec. I saw a basic carerra at the OPC last weekend whe test driving an S, and immediatley went into snob mode thinking its got to be an S..but the one I've seen has got got some lovely bits (turbo wheels, newer running lights, yellow belts, S quad exhausts) - not to mention low mileage.

My question is..would I miss the extra 30+hp ? Is there anything else that fundamentally differs them (I know the S has red calipers but not sure if brake performance is different. Maybe the 3.6 motor has it's own character (revs harder ?). Perhaps in a lower state of tune there is less chance of bore scoring, IMS/RMS issues.

I love forums like this (I've benefitted massivley from Alpina, VW and Ducati forums in the past) because of the great advice on tap so I really would appreciate any advice/feedback !

Cheers
Nat
The S comes with inherently better sec as standard and IME is usefully faster than the 320bhp Carrera. If I were shopping again, I wouldn't consider anything but an S.

nsm3

2,831 posts

226 months

Saturday 17th November 2012
quotequote all
Dark Star said:
The 'S' is wide bodied....
Only if it is a 4S.

Nattyboy888

Original Poster:

260 posts

187 months

Saturday 17th November 2012
quotequote all
Thanks guys - it's 997.1 but with some nice bits (including the all important quad pipes !) what do you think ?

http://www.r-rcarsltd.co.uk/vehicle.aspx?id=AETV25...

Ekona

1,684 posts

232 months

Saturday 17th November 2012
quotequote all
Aftermarket front and rear LED lights too, if I'm not mistaken. Tbh, that's a pretty good price if you don't mind it not being the S. I'd consider it, I think.

Steve Baker

134 posts

241 months

Saturday 17th November 2012
quotequote all
Nattyboy888 said:
Thanks guys - it's 997.1 but with some nice bits (including the all important quad pipes !) what do you think ?

http://www.r-rcarsltd.co.uk/vehicle.aspx?id=AETV25...
Looks good in Yellow, don't see many yellow 997C2. The Carrera brakes are smaller than the S and that includes the master cylinder. The Turbo Wheels fitted have a wide body off set on a narrow body and are slightly proud at the rear but Ok if you like that. Not a lover of the after market LED lights . As already said PASM on the Carrera improves the stance. The rear parking sensors may not be oem, check the option codes. I don't think the sensors on my Carrera stand proud of the bumper but difficult to be sure in the photo's.
I have a 3.6 C2 and love the sweet revving engine. I don't find the 325 hp lacking in any way still plenty for modern motoring unless you want to do track days etc. Hope you find the right car, there are plenty out there and if your budget would stretch aim for a series 2.

Nattyboy888

Original Poster:

260 posts

187 months

Saturday 17th November 2012
quotequote all
Yes the lights really set it off dont they ? Wasn't sure if they were OEM partake aftermarket ?

STiG911

1,210 posts

197 months

Saturday 17th November 2012
quotequote all
Hi.
The thing for me are the 'additions'
First, I've never been a fan of the mk1 Turbo alloys, they just don't look right to me - on any 997 - but that's me.
Those aftermarket parking sensors are nasty, and the led lights in the front aren't much better.
For the money and miles, there are better cars out there and for similar or better money - you need to dismiss the ideal car in your head as you many overlook one or more minus points' because you're too taken in by it being the perfect colour, or because it's got Bose, sunroof but no PSE; its nigh-on impossible to get 'your' car unless you've actually ordered it new from the factory.

STiG911

1,210 posts

197 months

Saturday 17th November 2012
quotequote all
Nattyboy888 said:
Yes the lights really set it off dont they ? Wasn't sure if they were OEM partake aftermarket ?
All are aftermarket additions. Which would make me wonder about the alloys - genuine Porsche or copies?

FeelingLucky

1,186 posts

194 months

Saturday 17th November 2012
quotequote all
Agree on the wheels, I've never been a fan of Turbo alloys, even on a Turbo.
I quite like the LEDs though (rear ones anyway).

I'd hold out for an S, otherwise you'll always be wondering about "what might have been", you'll miss the PASM and power and brakes and wheels (S wheels are the best looking 997 wheels) at some stage.

OggyDJ

533 posts

172 months

Sunday 18th November 2012
quotequote all
C2 will be great but you started out by saying you wanted a C2S with Bose & PSE so why not search around a bit and see what's available in your budget first ??

E.g. http://www.911virgin.com/porscheforsale/606/997C2S...

(Seems to match your criteria apart from PSE)

In the end , it's entirely up to you, my only recommendation would be to make sure you drive both before taking the plunge. You can only really judge a car by how it drives.

Anyway, best of luck with the purchase.

tyeo86

292 posts

182 months

Sunday 18th November 2012
quotequote all
Nattyboy888 said:
Evening guys.

Right..I've done my homework, and read all about the motors eating themselves, but on the basis that if you made all your decision based on what you read on the tinterweb we'd all be driving about in bore-o-boxes, so the Alpina D3 Biturbo is (reluctantly) for sale and I'm very much looking forwward to my first Porsche experience !

My dilemna is this and I would appreciate any thoughts.

I really want a CS2 with PSE and Bose (everything else is a bonus), but I've seen a lovely car that is my perfect colour (speed yellow) but it's in basic carerra spec. I saw a basic carerra at the OPC last weekend whe test driving an S, and immediatley went into snob mode thinking its got to be an S..but the one I've seen has got got some lovely bits (turbo wheels, newer running lights, yellow belts, S quad exhausts) - not to mention low mileage.

My question is..would I miss the extra 30+hp ? Is there anything else that fundamentally differs them (I know the S has red calipers but not sure if brake performance is different. Maybe the 3.6 motor has it's own character (revs harder ?). Perhaps in a lower state of tune there is less chance of bore scoring, IMS/RMS issues.

I love forums like this (I've benefitted massivley from Alpina, VW and Ducati forums in the past) because of the great advice on tap so I really would appreciate any advice/feedback !

Cheers
Nat
Have u considered a 996 c4s. They have the same bhp as the 997 carrera and you can get a low mileage high spec One for early twentys.I'd rather have that any day rather than a leggy 997 also the pse is much better

FeelingLucky

1,186 posts

194 months

Sunday 18th November 2012
quotequote all
tyeo86 said:
Have u considered a 996 c4s. They have the same bhp as the 997 carrera and you can get a low mileage high spec One for early twentys.I'd rather have that any day rather than a leggy 997 also the pse is much better
996 C4S 320PS
997 C2 345PS

The 996 also has the extra weight of the 4wd, you WILL feel the difference.

tyeo86

292 posts

182 months

Sunday 18th November 2012
quotequote all
FeelingLucky said:
996 C4S 320PS
997 C2 345PS

The 996 also has the extra weight of the 4wd, you WILL feel the difference.
Gen2?