doctorpcar

Thx for the feedback, my understanding was that under most circumstances you are only pulled 5% of the time. Are you able to tell after driving when and how much the car tends to send power up front? And to clarify you have the C4?

WAC

It seems to me that the "pulling" or front wheel drive is most noticeable in hard cornering like really pushing it on cloverleafs for example. During normal around town type driving I don't notice it at all. You've also got to consider whether the other options that come with the "S" package are important to you.

cello

T4 actually. Note, the 3.6 is my prejudice. I always go for the smaller displacement if power is (relatively) similar as i like to be higher in the rev band. Here in the land of the Police, I could not use the 3.8 that way without putting my DL in jeopardy every time out. It is very very hard to keep the 3.6 within the radar tolerance speed limit allowed (w/in 10 mph) at 3 to 5K rpms.

As for the operation of the awd system, go to the Porsche USA website and play the video explanation for the same (pick the C4, tech, engine & transmission, awd and watch the video). The awd system is always on: From 5 to 40% to the front, depending on need (but it is usually 35/65 F/R). That said, the main difference I felt was that once the line is set for the turn you feel the car "claw" its way thru (as opposed to being pushed solely). There is a very brief time when the car is settling in where there is sort of a vague feeling of neither push nor pull (equilibrium?) which some say is "numb" steering. It is so brief that it does not bother me (and i do not think it has anything to do with steering proper). To each their own.

doctorpcar

Sorry for leaving this out but the C4 was wearing 19" wheels. So that was not it, but good suggestion

Bob in NY

I owned a 2001 996 C4, then a 997 C2 and now the C4S. The AWD is transparent in most driving situations. I personally like the feel of the AWD on the highway with strong crosswinds, the c2 has a very light front end where the C4S is very stable. I also like the way the AWD handles the turns, while it does feel heavier than the C2, for my taste it's preferrable. The main reason I like the S over the standard Carrera is the PASM. I think the ride is much more acceptable on real world east coast roads, better riding over rough pavement and the ability to change to a stiffer suspension on demand.
The 3.8 feels similar to me in power but the torque curve on the S feels a bit better to me than the 3.6.
Everyone has their opinion, having owned a few of these cars I'm happy with the C4S and if I bought a new one tomorrow I would most likely buy the same set up. It's hard to appreciate the difference on a test drive, you have to spend quality time with the car in demanding situations to fully understand its capabilities. Either way, all these cars are excellent. Good luck in your choice.