Collin Chapin

As I get closer and closer to buying my 911 I'm somewhat torn between the 4 or 4S. On one hand either one will be amazing but on the other hand I do plan on keeping this car a long time.

If I bought a 4 is it possible for me to just pay to have certain things added/changed to essentially make it an S? Or are there certain elements that are only available if you start with the S model?

Maybe a dumb question but I had to ask.

Thanks in advance !

evoq007

PASM is most likely the most important aspect of the S package. The ride is quite a bit smoother on the road when you want it to be and firms up with the touch of a button.

The extra HP and torque is nice as well!

evoq007

Typically S models hold their value better as well.

Collin Chapin

PASM is something that can or cannot be added to a non S model?

Buddhamonk

Put an s badge on the decklid

evoq007

The PASM is an option on NON-S and standard to S. I think it would be quite expensive to retrofit.

Hatzenbach

before you dig any deeper.
main differences:
* bigger engine
* Bigger (red) brake calipers
* white instrument face gauges
* PASM
* quad exhaust tips


retrofitting all this will be very expensive.
If you're already on teh edge you will not be happy with a base model and later regret it
So, buy an "S" and be happy from teh get-go

englebert

It is expensive to retrofit and, come resale, it will still not have the badge on the back so i struggle to see you will get VFM from starting with a Carrera 4 if you just spend your ownership wishing you had the S spec.

tomc66

The best method would be to sell the 4 and buy a 4S.

Mumbles

Different engines from a 4 to 4s

fgv1it

I just had a chance to drive two 911's back-to-back this past weekend, a 997.2S and a base 991.Even though my comparison wasn't "apples to apples", it was sufficient to show that, in addition to the mechanical changes that have already been mentioned, the driving "feel" of the two engines is very different: the S has a lot more torque down low in the rev range. I could tell very easily just by pulling away at normal speed from a stop. So, test drive the two cars and see how you like the softer, gentler driving experience of the base model. You may like it or you may not, but it will be quite obvious. I think that converting a car from a base model to an S after the fact is not going to be feasible in a practical way.

A790

Colin, don't make the mistake of buying a 4 when you really want a 4S. The extra cash now (not much, mind you) to get into a 4S will probably save you money down the road

Collin Chapin

Thank you everyone!!

4S it is. I appreciate all the opinions, you have no idea how much easier it makes these decisions!

dalancroft

Go for the S if your budget allows, and if it doesn't maybe save for another year or whatever. You will NOT regret it. When I drive my wife's '11 997.2 S Cab I hit the sport button on smooth twisties and freeways. Then it is a real sports car, and all I can then say is, "Wow. Just ... wow."

alexb76

+1 and probably the cheapest.

The only things that might be easy to do is finding a set of used "S" calipers and upgrading the brakes to "S" version.