Kostas Vassiliadis

Dear wwest,

you said it yourself: what the porsche c4 has is a VC (viscous coupler) instead of a real third differential. the system is very much like the so-called "haldex" used in the small awd Audis (S3, TT). the REAL 4wd systems use three differentials (examples are all WRC cars, and the subarus/mitsubishi evos). the VC type awds are OK for general use but a pain in the *** for racing or track use. haven't you ever wondered why ALL recent racing porsches are C2s (GT3,GT2)?

regards

Kostas

SpeedFreak01

[quote]The C4 is not the best as far as handling is concerned. It may be OK for normal driving or not so experienced drivers because its foolproof, but if you try to drive really fast on a twisty road or during trackdays it is not as efficient as the c2.<hr></blockquote>

I respectfully disagree. In my own experience, the '99-01 C2's understeer more than the C4's which are almost neutral. This has been confirmed by others I have talked to who have had the same experience. I have seen auto journalists express the same finding. Also, I am confused when you say the C2 is more efficient. Everyone knows an AWD car will be more efficient when putting down it's power. I can corner faster and power out of turns considerably sooner than on the C2's I have driven.

[quote]the VC type awds are OK for general use but a pain in the *** for racing or track use.<hr></blockquote>

I would agree that the VC on these cars is not a race AWD system as the one on the likes of the Skyline GT-R, but to say that it's "a pain in the *** for racing or track use" is a little extreme. There are many who track/race there C4's, including a few on this board who have great results. Anyway, just wanted to clear up these points a little.

Best

GreggT

Ditto to SpeedFreak01's comments.

I started tracking viscous clutch C4s in 95 and in short order was turning respectable times against any C2.....Today I love the Turbo on the track .....and as for the twisties not agreeing with the C4?....just spent a week of great fun driving a C4cab around Virginia Alleghanies...the car is as neutral & repsonsive as anyone could want (IMHO).
Final comment on the snow.....we love to drive in it...here in Wisconsin we get it (almost as much as Minnesotans )....the C4s & Turbos are as sure footed as any SUV with proper fitment & rubber (and the fitment & rubber are at least half if not 2/3s of the equation).....GreggT

harris

Hi Kosta,

what tire size did you have at the rear (and front ) and what make of snow chains did you use?

harris - athens

996 Carrera 2 01

LuisGT3

Prabha,
I lived in Mn for 13 years before moving down here to FL. There is NO WAY a C2 can handle a Mn winter snow tires or not. The prices you have posted ($47k for a 99 and $59 for an 00) are waaaaaaaaaaaaay high. You may condsider doing what I did many times while living there. Find a car out of state. The way they salt the roads up there, you should consider a C4 change every 2 years.
Regards,
Luisjr.

LuisGT3

Here are some reasonably priced ones with Ok miles.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...en&cardist=934

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...en&cardist=957

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...en&cardist=892

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...en&cardist=847

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=&cardist=1505

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...s=&cardist=837

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...s=&cardist=919

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=&cardist=1384

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e=&cardist=700

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e=&cardist=700

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=&cardist=1061

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e=&cardist=982

Good luck with your search.

Ray S

The C2 (w/snow tires) is great in the snow! I have driven mine in over 12" and it has performed brilliantly for me.

Good luck with your choice!

dave w

this post is 4 years old...hence the higher prices posted.

I always laugh when people say the awd is better in poor traction environments but not as good when the track is dry. Racing is all about staying on the edge of adhesion. That edge might be lower in the wet than dry, but an edge is an edge and a car that is better at one edge will be better at the other. if you say the c4s is faster in the rain but the c2 is faster in the dry its only because you are not getting to the edge in the dry and you need to drive faster

dw

RJMDAD996

I drive my 996/03 in the snow without a problem (provided the height is not crazy) anything over 6-8" I will use the Rover - but 3-6" of snow the 996 with PSM handles GREAT ! with snow tires that is - I have yet to get stuck or have any close calls. I live on a mountain in northern NJ and we get snow bigtime. I think these cars are more capable than most think.

mostserene1

agree. against all advice, I drive my c2 in all conditions, including snow (6" or less) using all season 18" pirelli P zero M&S tires and have not had a problem with traction. No ice storms yet. I would defintitely recommend snow tires if you have room to store them (I don't).

Biggest worry is someone else sliding into you (which is not affected by YOUR tires) and salt/ice melting treatment getting on undercarriage. Anyway, if it snows over 6" in Wash D.C. area they close the government and most businesses, so there is good opportunity to hone your drifting skills on the empty streets.....