996 C4S options...

All, I'm exploring the possible purchase of a 996 C4S. I do however have some questions. I did some reading on the forums, and have also read this buyer's guide: https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...ing-guide.html First, what I'm going to use the car for. This car will NOT be a DD. It will be a weekend fun car, but really a track car. I currently have an E36M3 that basically is driven to/from the track and rarely driven at all. I'm just not as young as I use to be. The suspension kills me. So having said that, what options are there, and which options are available? (I looked at the link w/ the options decoder, but there isn't a master list of options.) What are the "must have" options for a track/fun car? I'm looking for a car with an LSD, but based on the buyer's guide, it doesn't sound like many cars have LSDs. What about the different power packages? I'm probably looking at '02 or '03s, the '02s are still drive by cable and the '03s are drive by wire. Any pros/cons of either year? As for RMS, is this considered a 'wear' item or once you update it, you're good to go? In terms of mods, I "plan" to keep this stock, but we'll see how long that lasts. I will say on my E36 though, that I have only done suspension mods to it, so I'm slowly cutting down on mods. I'm sure I'll have more questions later on. Thanks!

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The C4S has the sport suspension and it is quite firm (a lot more than a stock M3) so if you have a bad back or you're too old ; ) you might not like it...the 2002 -2005 C4S was basically a 996 turbo but without the turbo engine. It uses the same engine as all the Carreras of the era ...same chassis, suspension, brakes, full leather interior and AWD. No LSD option. This is an AWD with 5% permanent to the front moving to 40% on demand through the viscous coupler. PSM is standard. Engine is a 3.6 with 320 hp. Optional X-51 powerkit added 25 hp and cost $14,000 CAD. They are all drive by wire. Only 1999's were cable throttles and no C4S model back then anyway. You're thinking of MOST which is from 2003+ and is the fibre optic network in the car (Radio, amp, PCM). RMS is a nuissance, but once it's been fixed (properly) with the latest seal it's not an issue anymore. Mine was fixed 3.5 years ago and hasn't leaked since. no pros and cons. All C4S model years are more and more desirable....lots of articles on the subject in brit Porsche mags lately.

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WOW! What does the X-51 package consist of? Exhaust and a CPU upgrade? I totally forgot the C4S was awd. It's funny you mentioned the brit mags. I just saw one last week with my wife when we were at the book store. I was bored so I picked up the mag. I was thinking about a C4S before and the idea had kind of gone away. Until I read the mag and they were talking about 996 C4Ss! I'm not saying I have a bad back or I'm old, but my M3 is pretty stiff due to the shock/spring combo I have on it. I believe you're right, I am thinking about the Radio system. Thanks!

X-51 had different heads, cams, intake manifold, headers and ecu programing. Bolt on mods don't really make a huge difference on these engines as they are pretty much optimized out of the box.

yoda- keep reading. if you read a buyers guide and didn't know that a C4S is AWD, you've got a lot of research to do. As a former '02 C4S owner, I really enjoyed it as a street car, but not so much for the track. I've run front-drive, rear-drive, and AWD cars on track and the C4S just wasn't as much fun as I thought it would be. I ran the car stock, even the tires (Pirelli's - not great), and the car tended to understeer a lot. The brakes are off the 996 Turbo and the car is lighter than the turbo, so no problems there, and the car is relatively fast - much faster than an E36 M3 (I had one of those too). As mentioned above, there is no LSD on the car, but all 996's beyond 1999 are drive-by-wire. This causes some issues if you are a left-foot braker and want to balance with the throttle at the same time. Mine wouldn't do it. If you really want a weekend-only, primarily a track car, I'd keep looking. You can find some nice 996 C2 cars that are already set up with track goodies for less money, too.

I track my C4S a lot and have to disagree with the statement that it understeers a lot. The AWD combined with the larger turbo brakes allows you to brake later coming into the corners and get on the gas sooner exiting as the torque transfer between the front and back gives you more grip. Also the fact that it is a widebody with wider track (and tires) than a std 996 helps too. You need to drive both a C2 and a C4S and decide which one feels best to your style of driving.

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I believe the LSD was an option in 1999 and 2004. The 2004 Anniversary C2came with an LSD standard.

What ever you get learn by practice controlling the suspension setting things up in the turns so you keep the suspension planted for best results. Yah sure oversteer understeer overbeer. Run it and plant it on the road and you shouldn't be floundering too much.

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Actually I know it's AWD. What I forgot to realize was that it was AWD and an LSD isn't as a big deal on it. I'm basically looking for the best OEM performance setup I can get. I don't want to have to add an aftermarket LSD later on, etc. Keep in mind, most cars out of the box are designed to understeer. It's simply product liability. Case in point, '95 E36, non-staggered setup, was call the "enthusiasts" car. The '96+ E36 is called the lawyers car due to staggered wheels and more understeer built into it to keep drivers out of trouble. Ideally, I'd keep my E36 for the track and just drive the c4s around for fun. But I don't have a 4 car garage and kind of looking for a dual purpose fun/track car. I did show my wife a picture of the GT2 RS last night and she told me to get it! Though I don't think she realized that it's probably over 200k What about options? Any "must haves" out there? As of now, I think I want a Seal Gray with a black interior. Most of the Seal Grays I've seen are with gray interiors.

Best bet is to look for the 2004 C2 Anniversary model, for what you're seeking, if you want to stay with the 996's. Standard LSD and X51 motor, plus turbo/C4S front end with larger grilles to the radiators. Not sure if it came stock with 030 sport suspension (though if so, you'd want that too). Just my .02

I love my C4S... but for a track car I'd seriously consider a properly outfitted C2.

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If you were looking for a turbo, then you'd be my alter ego. I also have an E36 M3 and it complements my Seal Grey Turbo. Before I had the Turbo, I had an Atlas Grey C4S. IMO, Atlas Grey is a very sharp color... I almost miss the color, really. Good luck on your search... /m

I have an '02 C4S that is mainly a track car - agree with what others have said, I'd rather have a C2 or a C2S. Unfortunately, there is no 996 C2S. That said, it's a great car and I love it. First mod I did was suspension. Stock suspension has limited camber adjustment and it understeers like a fat pig. Once you get 1-2 degree neg camber up front the understeer pretty much goes away. Next I installed Euro GT3 seats, 6-pt Schroth harnesses and a DAS sport roll bar. The stock seats and belts just allowed for way too much sliding around and will not accomodate harnesses. Great track car and I can't drive it anywhere near the limit. Of course I'm now shopping for a 997 C2S, which I still won't be able to drive at the limit. These cars will make you crazy.

Why a regular C2 over the C4s? I really love the look for the S (flared fenders, more aggressive looking). I would imagine the extra traction from the all-wheel drive couldn't hurt at all around the track.

Maybe it's just my driving style, but I don't want the extra traction. I like being able to hang the rear end out in tight corners. It helps rotate the car. I can do it with the C4S; turn PSM off, lift abruptly off the throttle and catch it as it comes around. However, it's easier with the C2. Also - since I don't really need the AWD living in NorCal, I'd rather not have the extra weight. Having said that tho' I do really like the look of the S.

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Michael-Dallas, It's closer than you think! You're info is from Frisco, TX, I'm from San Francisco, CA (originally at least, now I live about 20mins south) I'd consider a turbo since it's a great buy at these prices. However, I don't want to go down that slope. Too many possible mods with a turbo. This way I won't tempt myself! Ideally I'd keep my E36, but the parking situation would make it rather difficult. Pjorgen, Which groups do you run with up here in NorCal? What's weird is I test drove a c4s with the x73 suspension in it. I was really surprised at how I could actually kick the rear end out (and how neutral maybe a tad oversteer the car had.) And to be honest, because I was on public roads, I wasn't going 10/10ths either. I agree with the non-need of AWD in norcal. I wouldn't drive this car in the rain anyhow. But you know, if there's ever a chance of a wet trackday it'll come in handy. Sucks that Porsche didn't make a c2s in the 996.

I teach with both Hooked on Driving and Audi Club. HoD is a great organization, well run and very safe, excellent instruction. Lots of events at Thunderhill, and few at Sears and Laguna, even Reno-Fernley once in a while. I got my start with Audi Club since I had an Audi. They're good too, safe and well run. All two-day events so more expensive. Wet track days are fun too, AWD or RWD.

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Ah, indeed Frisco, TX is named after the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway. Ah, I understand. I'm thinking 415hp is a giant leap from 240hp (unless you're not stock) and that oughta keep you entertained for a long time. Dell is resisting the urge to do power mods on his Turbo. You should read his thread on the 996 GT3 forum, he's plenty happy with the stock power of the Turbo at his local track. /m