Arrwin

Does the 4-wheel drive systems cost more to maintain or repair over the rear-wheel ones over the long run? I'm thinking since there is more involved with the 4-wheel drivetrain, that is an additional mechanism that requires maintenance and repair if something fails.

True?

ca993twin

Theoretically, it would make sense... you've got the viscous coupling, the front differential, and two axles with cv joints. Practically, however, the AWD mechanism seems to be pretty foolproof, with an occassional failure of the viscous coupling due to some abuse (like wrong tire sizes or using a 2wd dyno). If you're shopping for a car, I would not let this factor enter the equation. They DO however, handle a little differently, and a wise shopper will try both versions before deciding what suits his/her driving needs.

laurence '97 C4S

Going on 8 years of ownership, 4wd has not cost me a cent. Though nor as anything on the car (other than routine maintenance).

Solitude

Between the 2 the cost of buying is minimual $3000-$6000 on the 96-98s. compare to when it is new. The c4s offers much more in terms with suspention,braking,road handing ect. I vote for c4s if you can find a nice one...

DC from Cape Cod

As another perspective, the difference on the road between the black caliper brakes and the Big Reds is zero. The Big Reds will resist fading to a greater degree and are preferable for the track.

If you choose to upgrade the suspension you will find that the PSS-9 is much better than the factory M030 Sport Suspension.

I prefer the feel of the RWD car....but completely understand how others prefer the AWD. As other(s) have mentioned, drive both before buying and don't let the cost issue put you off the C4S if that is what you prefer.

Arrwin

As usual, thanks for all the info guys!

I always thought the standard options between the C2S and C4S were the same and the only difference was the all wheel vs. the rear? What options did 4S come standard with and the 2S did not? From what I gather, the suspension, brakes, what else? Their bodies are identical are they not? Ooh....i just got very confused.

DC from Cape Cod

C4S came with M030 Sport Suspension standard as well as standard Big Reds.

98993c2s

How can one visually determine if a C2S has M030?

DC from Cape Cod

It will be listed on the option sticker under the hood (M030).

Steve 96C4S

I'm totally biased, but I preferred the slight edge in safety factor of the C4S for bad, slippery weather.

The big reds look cool too! The red color really sets off a silver car.


They're both awesome, but for just street, I like having the peace of mind of the C4S for when it rains and the roads are slick. After having spun out once terribly bad in rainy weather with my ole 88 911, I really wanted 4 wheel drive!

Good luck.
Steve

User 4621

I've seen the C2S vs. C4S question come up so many times I thought I'd type up a "definitive" reply so future searching will be easier. Warning, long post. Please correct and add as needed.


The C4S came with the same suspension as the C2S. Some of the early Porsche marketing implied that the C4S had the TT's suspension but that is inaccurate. This is not a big deal in any case since the suspension on all of these cars is wearing out due to age and mileage and should be replaced with better aftermarket alternatives anyway.

So to summarize the differences between the US market C2S and C4S:

C4S was sold 96-98, C2S 97-98.

1998 C4S MSRP was $73,000, C2S was $63,750.

C2S EPA Mileage: 17 City, 25 Hwy, C4S EPA Mileage: 16 City, 23 Hwy

Same body, but C2S has a slightly different looking (split and body colored) spoiler cover. The widebody shared by the TT, C4S and C2S is only 1.1" wider than the "narrowbody." Both S cars feature the TT's front bumper.

The C2S came with a few slightly different interior trim pieces, including a Carrera S logo on the tachometer, and metallic trim on the parking brake haddle and door sills. Some parts of the C2S dashboard and door panels have "textured leather" inserts, the C4S retains the standard finish vinyl.

C4S has the TT's AWD system. C2S had the standard Carrera drivetrain.

C4S came with ABD and a LSD, C2S did not.

C4S came with TT brakes (Big Reds), C2S had standard Carrera brakes.

C4S came with 18" "turbo-look" solid spoke wheels with P225/40ZR18 Front & P285/30ZR18 Rear Tires. C2S came with standard Carrera's 17" wheels with 205/50ZR17 Front & 255/40ZR17 Rear Tires. The C2S standard size wheels were mounted with spacers to help fill in the wider rear wheel wells.

The AWD system of the C4S and TT required that some braking components be moved around in the trunk area, although the overall trunk volume is effectively the same.

The TT/C4S gear linkage is slightly different than the Carrera/C2S due to the front driveshaft.

There are several published weights, but commonly the C4S is listed as 110 lbs. heavier than the C2S. It is unclear how the extra weight is distributed among the AWD system, larger brakes, larger wheels, LSD, and ABD.


OK, subjective stuff:

IMO the cars feel very similar in dry weather. The AWD system is basically transparent and does not really alter the RWD feel of the car. It is nothing like an Audi, for example.

Where you will feel the difference is corner exit at the track, where the RWD car will do the classic 911 drift while the AWD cars will engage power to the fronts and pull the car out of a drift sooner once the rears start spinning. Dry track times are basically identical, with a slight edge to rwd on faster tracks (lighter weight) and a slight edge to AWD cars on tight tracks (faster corner exit speeds). I believe that most 911 purists will prefer the rwd feel as it's closer to the "classic" 911 feel.

Of course, the old timers will say anything made after '89 feels like a FWD bus compared to a REAL 911, the pre-74 guys think the whole lot of us drive Buicks, and so on.

Some people prefer the steering "feel" of the rwd car, although personally I haven't been able to detect a difference, other than perhaps the C4S feels a bit less "boosted" than the C2S I drove. Some period magazine reviewers wrote they preferred the AWD steering feel, so in any case it's a minor difference and a matter of opinion.

There are also differences between the C2S, C2, C4, targa and cabrio, with the narrow-body C2 the "purest" of all.

All stock 993's have significant understeer, but the AWD cars understeer more as stock. Any 993 can be adjusted to any kind of bias you want with some suspension work. My C4S oversteers like '73, just ask anyone who was behind me at the last BAR drive.

The AWD cars obviously feel better in wet, dusty, sandy, leaf strewn or other low traction conditions. However the RWD car stability in those conditions is also amazing.

In conclusion there isn't a 993 made that isn't a wonderful car with it's own advantages. They ALL feel like 911's and handle better than nearly any car ever made. Pick one and start driving.

OldGuy

Pete could you elaborate??

max911

since we are on the topic of 4S-2S differences:

asking 4S owners--

compared to the 2S,do your cars have:

-the pebble grain textured leather on the door panels and dash trim insert??

-the titanium (purplish silver) trim rings on the guages, shifter **** and brake handle; and door sill?

-the Carrera S (4S?) script on the tachometer face?

I looked at a couple of 4S cars in Canada before I bought my 2S, but cannot remember these details.

TIA,

max

User 4621

(edit) It looks similar but is not leather.
No
No, as stated above.

max911

thanks Peter