C4S vs M5
 

hoping someone who has driven both the new c4s and the m5 can help me out. have the opportunity to get a spring build on either vehicle. besides the obvious backseat difference, how do they drive comparatively. because of the limited availability, will not likely get the chance to drive either car before making a decision. any help would be greatly appreciated. use of car will not be an everyday driver. occasionally used to pick up kids from school (ages 8 and under).

I had a similar deliberation when considering my C4 (not s) v. the M5 (which I looked at very seriously). Ultimately, I determined that while the M5 is arguably the best sports sedan on the planet (certainly one of the very best) with more horspower than the c4 - it is ultimately a "sedan" and just does not deliver the same "package" as the c4 (and its not much to look at either). I use my c4 as an every day driver, but have other cars for use with the family - if I didn't, I would have purchased the M5.

Actually an M5 was my first choice before I ordered and received my '02 996 Cabrio. The reason that I chose the 996 over the M5 was based on the BMW dealer and me coming to an impass on price. Having owned a '99 540i Sport 6spd. and a '96 993 C4, ( Actually, when I traded my 993, I replaced it w/ the 540) I can say that there is no comparison in room, the Bimmer wins. As to drivability, I test drove an M5 for a full weekend, they are not too disimilar, the Porsche being the winner in feel and dynamics. The Bimmer has balls though, but I have to say that w/ the 996's lighter weight, they are about equal in acceleration. Handling goes again to the 996. The 996 is my daily driver, but I also own other vehicles that I can drive if I need more space or if the weather gets nasty. Since you have other vehicles at your disposition then I say go for the 996. There is nothing that compares with that connected-to-the-road-feel that only a Porsche brings.

just wanted to thank you guys for the help in choosing vehicles M5 vs C4s. went to dealer today to order C4s guards red/ savannah beige. Thanks again for the advice.

Good choice. Enjoy it and good luck.

Great choice in color Gurads red and the beige interior will be nice. Maybe another thing to think about though is with beige unless your really great in detailing it starts to look old after awhile especially the carpets. With kids its even worse. I have a 7 yr old and even with my black interior she still finds a way of dirtying the car like gum : (. I definitely think you made the right choice because if you have other cars with space you can use then a sportscar(which you can have kids sitting also-no 2 seaters for me) is the way to go and the C4S is the one. Regards. Mike

Kind of related: this past Sunday I drove a 996 C2 (no C4S in stock) and a new M3 back to back.

The M3 had quicker accleration, higher redline, very tossable, steering a bit too light and uncommunicative.

The 996 C2 had a bit more of an edge in regard a feel of a lower center of gravity, more communicative handling, and definitely sexier looking. Exhaust not was different than the M3 and I preferred it.

I took my wife and older 10 yo son. They both were in the back of each car. While they were much more comfortable in the M3, the both would prefer I get a 996 of some iteration.