i feel that the difference between the Base and S is more different than the prior 997.. and that Porsche isn't really doing a great job "Selling" the upgraded model.

.4L additional displacement yielding 50hp

6 piston front calipers (front+rear in Red)

Upgraded exhaust (quad tips are ACTUAL quad tips unlike the 997 chassis) two of the tips being routed directly from the center muffler and the other two routed from the side mufflers.

20" Wheels

-10mm Ride with PASM

PTV (porsche torque vectoring)


what other hidden changes are underneath the "S" model versus the base?

 

Is that difference "more different" in a good or bad way?
Are you having second thoughts after delivery?

 

how do you come to this interesting observation? Which I disagree with.

all the first deliveries were only "S" models.

 

I'm not having second thoughts on my delivery but considering the S's have been at dealers for 3 months I have been able to notice several items unmentioned anywhere online that are nice little upgrades on the "S" model, specifically the exhaust which is totally different approach than previous 911's.. the stock "S" exhaust is closer to PSE than what would normally pass for standard exhaust and is very impressive and un-noted.

i also REALLY like the front calipers on the "S" models and would obviously add them if it was an option, I had the same calipers on my 2011/2012 Cayenne and they are just magnificent, HUGE and stop really well.. the Base calipers are the same upgraded ones from the 997.2, not bad but not as big and beautiful as the 6 pots.

my observation is based on the fact when you go online or look in the "991" catalog, its very vauge about the exact differences besides the pictures of red brakes and the extra 50hp... the rest of the differences are not really noted unless you A: read very closely, or B: take some time to investigate.


the first deliveries were only "S" models for porsche to get the biggest bang for their buck, the "must have early adopters" were forced to shell out the extra 15k to have the vehicle first... similarly to how the people who "had to have" the 2011 redesigned cayenne were forced to order turbo's and had no other choice. i ordered my base back in november and it's just arriving to me tomorrow..... same with many others that chose to wait versus pay...

i just feel that in the catalog the differences between models needs to be more transparent, look in the back on the "standard///optional" page and you'll see what i mean, most stuff is not mentioned.. look in the cayenne booklet and you can instantly spot the differences in models as they are described more fully.



overall i feel in the past the "S" model was not much of a change, 325/355=30hp, then 345/385=40hp, now 350/400=50hp... this generation not just hp/pasm/red brakes but the much better GT calipers, PTV, key exhaust changes, etc.... if the price difference base and S was under 10k... I would have probably jumped to the "S" not for the bragging factor (would have debadged) but for the "free" options and upgrades.

 

I think the only other thing is PDCC which is an option, but only available on the S if someone wants it.

 

Harder one to find: I just read in the "Service Information - 2012 Technik Introduction" that I picked up from Suncoast that the front axle of the S is 6 mm wider than the Base.
In this line in comparison to the 997 (in brackets):
"Wider front axle of the 911 Carrera 1,532 mm (+46 mm); Wider front axle of the 911 Carrera S 1,538 mm (+52 mm)"

 

i forgot about PDCC, another great option

this might be due to the 3mm lower offset on the wheels?

 

Could be, but this wasn't specified anywhere. Meanwhile, nothing of the sort was mentioned about the rear axle which has me wondering...

 

Same basic differences as there were between the 997S and non-S; brakes were bigger before as well, not just painted red, and power has gone from a 10% increase to 15%. Not huge.

Just a note - bigger brakes are heavier, and in all the wrong places. Not necessarily an advantage, unless the smaller brakes cannot do the job. And of course, the bling factor.

Not "selling" the upgraded model? It is all that has been available so far, all that the press had to drive, and therefore all that has been photographed, published, and reported on. I doubt many scrutinize the minute details between each model.

 

In terms of brakes... IF the 991 BASE brakes are from 997.2 "S" brakes (are you sure?), that's actually a PLUS vs. 991 "S", because you could change your pads very easily on 997, while you can't on 991 "S" (not sure about base), so if you got that on the Base model, then that's a good thing.

I NEVER thought the "S" brakes on 997 was something that needed an upgrade to 6-piston, or to be bigger, so if you're getting them on your 991 base, that's more than you'd ever need.

Now, having said all that, I think the 991 Base model is quite different than "S", the pure fact of almost HALF A LITRE smaller engine makes it a different car, and in the performance category of the new Boxster, hence to me, the best new Porsche to buy is the new Boxster as it did indeed imroved significantly over 987, while 991 improvements are very questionable at this point.

 

FWIW the new Boxster, similar to the 991, is longer overall, has a longer wheelbase, wider front track, the Panamera-type center console, more rear deck lettering, and electromechanical steering......

 

I respectfully disagree, please drive them both back to back and you'll change your mind.

 

Mike,

I have to tell you.... you are wasting your breath (a.k.a. fingers) on him. Cleary he hasn't gotten it yet and I doubt he ever will.

 

Tim, I was just presenting the info without being confrontational or editorializing; I couldn't help myself. I know it was wrong.......

 

YES, but I said it has imrpoved MORE over the last generation, than Carrera has over last gen. From 0-60 of 5.0 seconds to 4.5 seconds (PDK sports plus on both)! That's 0.5 second faster, while 991 vs. 997.2 is identical.

Also, wheelbase changed only by 2", and length remained the same.

All above besides the point, my point was there's a bigger gap between "S" and "Base", as OP suggested, than 997...

997.1 Base - S HP Difference: 30 HP
997.2 Base - S HP Difference: 40 HP
991 Base - S HP Difference: 50 HP!

Now, PLEASE do not flame me, when I am VERY FACTUAL. THERE IS A BIGGER GAP! If you have any feedback as difference between "S" and "Base", I am sure OP loves your input.