CLK55 AMG to 996 C4S

[Lewy]

Well I’m back in a Porsche after 5 years in a CLK55 AMG. Before the Merc I had a 964, a car which you had to drive compared to the Merc that you just pointed in the right direction and it did the rest, especially in the wet with the ESP.
Have a 996 C4S now, really pleased to be back in a manual with superb handling and balance. The CLK had a great engine, a real brute, and the comfort and high spec was perfect for long journeys.
Initial impressions of the C4S where that the brakes were not as good, however the Merc had assisted braking which meant you often had no feel if braking sharply. With the C4S you have to push that pedal harder but gives you more feel without the brake assistance, and of course will stop you very quickly if pushed hard enough.
The grip on a damp road is amazing, a spirited drive on a B road I know well resulted in my passenger laughing nervously at how quick we could corner and exit.
Early days but after considering buying an M3 I feel I’ve made the right choice.

[RatBoy M3CSL]

..You will get used to the brakes, it takes a while, I find the ABS all the time now I'm used to them, so they are not lacking on power, just under servo'd compared to an M3 for example.

[lordlee]

Porsche brakes arent under-servoed its all the other cars that are over servoed. Audi's are the worst culprit - drive a Porsceh and then an Audi and you will can easily tell how bad the difference is (as will your passenger if you're not concentrating)

[F3RNANDO]

[vinnie83]

lordlee said:

Porsche brakes arent under-servoed its all the other cars that are over servoed. Audi's are the worst culprit - drive a Porsceh and then an Audi and you will can easily tell how bad the difference is (as will your passenger if you're not concentrating)

If anything like the first time I drove a VW golf, almost ended up through the windscreen!

[rlw]

You must have had a late CLK because the brakes on my '03 car are total st compated to any 911 I owned. Given that the specs are idential on my CLK and my old GT3 - 330 mm discs and front four piston calipers - I am staggered at how badly the Merc stops. Just lean on the brakes more on the 911 and you will get usd to them again.

I wish I could agree with you about driving the CLK in the wet too - mine is a bit scary to be honest, but maybe thats coming from a GT3...............

[vinnie83]

rlw said:

I wish I could agree with you about driving the CLK in the wet too - mine is a bit scary to be honest, but maybe thats coming from a GT3...............

My 2003 E55 AMG was terrible - the traction control on it was so basic - it literally just shut off the throttle after a bit of slide - not progressive at all!

[Lewy]

With my CLK in the wet i could floor it in a straight line while the traction control kicked in keeping everything in shape. Agreed it was often too eager to cut the power but was very good at keeping the car in a straight line.
As for the EPC, greasy roundabouts would have the brake dabbing on diferrent corners replacing any skillful driving required. Turn the EPC off and it was a diferrent matter, not enough grip through the tyres to manage all that torque.
Tried the PSM in the C4S on a roundabout and please how that works.
Read somewhere that stability management systems were going to be mandatory on new cars from 2014.

[Hungrymc]

I reckon the PSM on these 996 cars is fairly basic but its brilliantly set up, all of my previous BMWs and Mercedes have had a stability control that intervenes far to early, the porsche system lets you play far more but still catches most situations.

[Callughan]

Came from similar background about 6 years ago and did write up ages ago. You will wonder why didn't get into a Porsche sooner, totally different type of car, brakes are much better just feel different and need different approach, enjoy.

Edited by Callughan on Friday 11th January 20:10