Newbie 996 C4 versus C2 question

Excluding the turbo version, which I can't afford, does the 996 C4 offer significant control and safety advantages on wet surfaces over a C2 with PSM given equally good tires? Not concerned about ice and snow, since I will not be driving the car in either.

I am interested to see the responses of this. Never driven a C2 and I own a C4 because of ice and snow. In non ice and snow I don't think a C4 would provide a huge difference. From all of my reading on the internet the advantage to a C4 and the way Porsche set it up (not really a true AWD) the C4 is easier to handle at the edge of performance for non professional drivers. For professionals there seems to be some debate.

I dunno if it was the PSM system or the fact that is is tied to 4wd....... my C4 has done some amazing things for me when I got in over my head a few times. AMAZING things.

^^^^Agreed.

Prior to the 2010 change to a truly functional AWD system all the C4 system did was add weight and complexity.

^^^^Agreed.

Only someone who's not owned a C4S would say some of the comments seen so far. Fact is it's faster on the track and street than the comparable narrow body.

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I'm willing to believe that is true of a C4S, with its additional hp ... but is it also true of a C4? OP's question referenced C2 vs C4 ...

C4 is about 200 lb heavier than an identical C2, correct? With the same HP, I find it hard to believe that it is a faster car. While I don't doubt that the C4 is even better, my C2 daily driver on snow tires will get me around without issue in the winter.

It's all about power delivery cornering speeds and traction. Yes faster at the press launches and in real life track days. It's a performance AWD not a snow traction device.

I have both an 04 C2 and an 04 C4S. The C2 has the USM030 sport suspension and the C4S has the touring suspension. Both cars have PSM. Logic would tell me that the C4S would have an advantage in wet conditions with 5% of the power routed to the front wheels at all times. However, I have never noticed a difference between the two cars on wet or snow covered roads, perhaps because I am extremely cautious in poor weather conditions. The C2 sees more time on the road in the winter and with proper winter tires I have never had a problem, including getting trapped on the interstate in icy conditions. All this said, in my personal experience the C4S definitely out handles the C2 on dry roads. I like to keep the cars regularly exercised and typically take them out back to back some evenings on local no traffic country roads. I distinctly remember making my run with the C4S first then swapping to the C2. Same road, same route, same speeds, but the C2 had me lifting off the throttle at one point and returning home driving like the old man that I am. It took awhile for my heart rate to return to normal. I honestly can't say which car is faster, the C2 "feels" quicker but I believe they both wind up to the same speed in the same time. I enjoy the C2 for spirited drives and really like the feel of throttle on launching out of a turn. The C4S is a more comfortable long distance driver. Too bad I like them equally, I sure don't need two of them but would be hard pressed to choose one as a keeper over the other.

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My C2 w/ X51 & LSD on X74 offset rims and wider tires and 300lbs less weight than a C4s would disagree

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Thanks for making my point. I guarantee a C4S with the same goodies would still out handle a 2wd in an identical configuration.

A pissing match between which cars are faster is a moot point in the real world as we all know half the guys can't drive worth $hit and they often look for the "fastest" car they can afford to make up the deficit. Rather than pissing over which cars are faster, it would be more fruitful to describe how they drive and make you feel. Explaining driving dynamics and characteristics of each model would be more productive IMO.

My Dad can beat up your Dad! And he goes faster too!!

That is why the RSR's are 4wd! Oh, wait. No they are not

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Seriously ? The GT3 R Hybrid is AWD and faster than the RSR

The AWD system in the 996 wasn't designed for wet roads or winter conditions. It's a completely mechanical system using a viscous coupling to drive the front wheels. As previously mentioned, the system sends approximately 5% of the power to the front wheels all the time. It can send up to 40% of the power to the front wheels, but this only happens in certain circumstances. Specifically, this happens when the rear wheels are turning at a rate faster than the front wheels. This speed differential causes the dilitant fluid in the viscous coupling to heat up and become nearly solid, thereby engaging the clutches in the viscous coupling and driving the front wheels. Here's the kicker: if you're getting rear wheel spin due to slick road conditions, the PSM system will intervene and cut power to the rear wheels before the front wheels are ever engaged. The 996 AWD system shines in track use and in very spirited driving. In these instances, the speed differential between front and rear allows you to engage the front wheels and power aggressively out of corners. This is what the system was designed to do. Porsche's testing of the 996 C2 vs. the 996 C4S at the Nurburgring showed that the C4S was approximately 4 seconds faster. Many people feel that the wider tires, bigger brakes and improved suspension are more important than the AWD system in this test (the C2 shares engines with the C4S), and that a C2 with these upgrades would be faster due to the reduced weight. This may be true - I have no idea. Some people don't like the added weight and complexity of the AWD system. Some people feel that it makes the car easier to drive at the limit because it tends to "push" a little more in corners due to the added weight up front. Ultimately it's up to the buyer to decide what is most important for them. Either car can be very fast on the track - the driver is the biggest variable in my opinion. The vast majority of drivers will never approach the limits of their 996 on the street or the track. Getting back to the original question: my opinion is that a C4 will not offer an advantage in wet conditions over an equally equipped C2 (especially one with PSM).

Safe and secure, no surprises C4 Like to explore, hone your skills C2 I've had both, currently AWD Turbo, may convert to RWD.

I like what Nick says. Great write up Dennis. Very...neutral. I disagree with your last bit tho. Ive had 70k miles on both a light C2 with coilovers and now 20k miles on a C4S in lots of rain and dry conditions. For my aggressive speeds the C4S is superior.