ringmeister

I'm thinking about going with a C4 as a daily driver and I would like some feedback from owners who have driven both the 964 and 993 in snow and ice. Which car is better and which AWD system is better for bad weather?
I would be equipping the car with 4 snow tires for the winter months. FYI, my current winter car is a '88 BMW 325ix which is incredible in the snow.
Thanks for any insight you can give.
-Gary

John D.

Hey Gary.....

I figured I'd let some other folks reply (??? - which no one has??!! ) - before I gave my $0.000001 ....

Jen and I have both an '89 964 C4 and a '95 993 C4 - so here is my uneducated opinion.....

Both feel somewhat different in the snow, as they should - given the AWD systems are indeed - "different". Since I've driven 325iX in the snow - the 964 C4 will most closely "replicate" that feeling (presuming you have a tad of weight in the BMW's trunk ). As well, in the 964 C4, the lock differential settings are different - and can be re-assigned from the switch on the console. In that regard - the system is unique as designed for the 993.

That being said - the 993 C4 is extreamly "sure footed" - even in 4-6" of fresh snow - AND even on Bridgestone S02s. Personally - either is terrific, but if you are looking for a "lighter" feeling AWD system, as in your BMW, the 964 C4 may have an advantage for you...

OTOH - I wouldn't trade in my 993 C4 for one, either - as it just feels "solid" through the white stuff - and IT GOES!!!

TS

I've a '89 C4 and a '97 C4S.
This winter will be my first C4S winter so I've not snow experience with 993, but I've much expercience with 964 C4 in the snow.
The 964 C4 is excellent in the snow.
I'll tell you my opinion about my 993 C4S in a month.

I've read that the 964 is better due to the different AWD system, but I can't confirm.
With a 964 you have always 31% of the power on the front wheels, with a 993 only 5%.

Ciao
TS
993 C4S
964 C4

Pete in DC

I had an 89 and now have a 96 and agree with John. We had new snow in DC and I had mine out on pretty new Toyo T1S (non-snow)s and it was fine. With snows, either will tackle 6" of fresh snow (ice is the question few 'traditional' tires can solve) but watch your clearance. This ain't GWagen ride height! Ultimately, they're very close...and you save a few pennies with the 964.

ringmeister

Thanks guys. I cross-posted this topic to the 956 board and between the two boards I got some real useful insight and advice. Concensus is that the 964 is probably better in bad snow but that both cars should be more than sufficient for my needs.
-Gary

Greg D.

>both cars should be more than sufficient for my needs.


In which case you should get the pretty one ;-)

freedog009

I've never driven the 993 but my 964 C4 with Michelin Alpin PA3's pass a lot of SUV's going up steep hills and definitely off the line...it's the BEST snow car I've ever driven..(the tires are MAJOR factor and i give the Michelin's a HUGE thumbs up if you drive in mixed road conditions during Winter ..dry/wet/snow)..

Stealth 993

Well, I do know the 964 is more front biased vs the 993. However, my C4 has been flawless in snow, even with summer tires on it. Even on ice. The ABS is awesome, the ABD lets you get the power down (have to try to get it activated), the car is sure footed, plated, & feels safe.

That all being said, I would say out of the 2 the 964 is more of the 4WD car. But really you can not go wrong with either.

Personally, I would find a couple of each, go & drive them, then pick the one you like best! Both are awesome cars, & you can't make a bad choice.

Akerlie

7 year old thread . . .

berni29

Hi

I have no problem with reviving old threads....... I had a 964 C4 and when locking the diffs (not possible in a 993 C4 I think) the thing was like a tractor.

If I lived in an area that had regular badish snow I would go with the 964 C4 every time.

Berni

race911

So seven years later there's no snow with which cars need to traverse? Of course the 964 AWD system is "better." In that it's more hard core to get you unstuck. But going to-and-fro on where you'll likely be using the cars (or at least I do), I'm really impressed with what I've experienced with the 993's system. Skinny Michelin X-ice tires are certainly a plus, and a tire like that never was installed on my 964. Ultimately, ground clearance issues might screw you with either.

Makmov

I drove my 964 C4 in the snow for the first time recently. It' amazing. I do have good snows on it and light to moderate driving it didn't slip a step. If you thrashed it the tail got a little loose and then the front would pull it back into shape.

... 956... Isn't that a Groupe C Prototype car and holds the Nürburgring-Nordschleife record with late Stefan Bellof at the wheel @ 6:11:12 before its replacement by the "safer" 962, but we know it was an attempt by IMSA to knock the dominating Porsche out of the series, boy, they were surpised... car?

richardew

The key to driving in the winter is winter tires. A C2 with LSD will get you going through just about any snow that your car can clear. Once the snow is high enough that you are plowing it, you're through. 964 C4 vs 993 C4 is a coin flip. I know that with the 993 you start out with 5%/95% front/rear. This will go to20%/80% with acceleration, 40/60 under braking. Again, winter tires are the key, way more so than 964 vs 993.

race911

For us here in CA, it's more about getting through chain controls with an AWD car than how a RWD car will perform. I'll carry the ~125lbs of FWD ballast so I'm not chaining up 5 miles from the exit to the ski area.

Rinty

Ken:

So what kind of vehicle / equipment combination do the local authorities require to be chained up? eg: would a Subaru with all season tires have to be chained?