SUPERTEST: Porsche 911 996 C4S

Super test: Porsche / 996 / Carrera 4S coupe

In this blog entry, I'll be covering the Porsche 911 996 Carrera 4s (C4S). In Malaysia, this is an EXOTIC and RARE car.  Somehow, I managed to compiled the 2nd hand value of this car in Malaysia.  Here are the outcome:

Porsche 911 C4S (Averaged pricing)

2001: RM340,000
2002: RM365,000
2003: RM390,000
2004: RM420,000
2005: RM460,000 (Unreg)
2006: RM490,000 (Unreg)

(Source: www.mudah.my, Motortrader Magazine (last 11 issues -

(Issue 467 to 477)

Again, I don't have a Car to drive/see/touch and brag about.  All is NOT LOST, I dished out a SUPER TEST from GoAuto Australia and 2 owner's review from Carsurvey.org.  Enjoy:

SOURCE 1: Overview

PORSCHE'S 911 coupe has always been the consummate sports car, and last year's midlife makeover of the current iteration did nothing to blunt either its performance or the formidable reputation the 911 name has earned during almost 40 years in production.

As part of the 2001 facelift, which included a bigger, more powerful boxer engine and fresh new interior and exterior styling from the flagship 911 Turbo, Porsche Cars Australia also chose to reintroduce the Carrera 4S - a top-end 911 that mimics the Turbo's tough, wide-bodied stance and also gets its seriously beefy wheels, brakes and clever-but-heavy four-wheel drive system.

Replacing the Carrera 4 as the only non-Turbo four-wheel drive in the local 911 line-up, the C4S is therefore one of two things, depending on your perspective: a poor man's 911 Turbo or a bodykitted 911 C4.

Either way, the sexy new C4S builds on Porsche's notoriety for top-shelf performance, handling, design and technology - even if it isn't the quickest car in the eight-model 911 range.

Model release dates: August 2001 - October 2004

Previous model

Make: Porsche
Model: Porsche 993 911 C4S

Release date:October 95

End date:November 97

THE previous, 993-generation Porsche 911 first appeared Down Under in February, 1994.

Packing a 3.6-litre air-cooled flat six with a new six-speed manual, an all-new interior with new seats, more luggage space, a redesigned rear suspension and more powerful brakes, the 993 was the most radically changed 911 ever by dispensing with the 911's 30-year-old upright headlights.

The Turbo-look Carrera 4S concept was first offered in the 993 model series, but the 993 C4S did not arrive here until October, 1995, before being discontinued in November, 1997 - two months before the current, liquid-cooled, 996-generation 911 appeared here in January 1998.

It was not until the current 911 was facelifted in August 2001, that a new C4S was offered in Australia, replacing the Carrera 4 in the local Porsche line-up. 

The Car

THE C4S 911's styling was inspired by the 911 Turbo, with which it shares its wider bodyshell and more aggressive plastics. Like the Turbo, the C4S has 60mm wider rear wheel arches to accommodate wider wheel tracks and the massive 295/30-section rear tyres on Turbo-look 18-inch alloy wheels. Where C4S departs, however, is in its use of the standard 911's extendable rear spoiler (which extends at 120km/h and retracts when speed falls below 80km/h), rather than the Turbo's fixed rear wing.

Also, given it misses out on the flagship's turbocharged engine (and therefore intercoolers), the C4S goes without the Turbo's prominent side air scoops, which is said to reduce its aerodynamic drag figure to a 911-like 0.30Cd instead of the Turbo's less slippery 0.31. Apart from its prominent rear, titanium coloured "Carrera 4S" bootlid badging - plus discreet "4S" badges on all four wheel centres - C4S is differentiated from other 911s by its use of a red light strip at the lower edge of the engine compartment lid, which visually links the two rear lights. C4S also gets metallic paint and an electric glass sunroof as standard.

Did you know?

The Lohner-Porsche Electric Car was revealed at the 1900 Paris Expo. The wheel hub motors devised by Ferdinand Porsche, then a young engineer and test driver, made the Porsche name famous worldwide.

The Car - Seat Plan

LIKE all 911s, the C4S offers a two-plus-two seating arrangement, but a severe lack of rear leg and headroom restricts the rear seats to use by small children. The C4S is no different, with its small, folding rear pews appearing to be token gestures and better used for storing luggage. Still, the 911 remains a four-seater in theory, something many supercars can't match.

Did you know?

As Daimler technical director and board member, among other things, Ferdinand Porsche developed the now legendary Mercedes SS and SSK supercharged sports cars in 1928. Three years later, Ferry Porsche founded the Porsche Engineering Office in Stuttgart, thus laying the foundations for the company as it is known today, Dr.Ing.h.c. F. Porsche AG.

The Car - Seats

THE 911 C4S has a two-plus-two seating configuration but
next to no rear head and legroom means the twin folding rear
seats are useless for all but small children. But their fold-down
function does liberate plenty of useable storage space under
the rear glass, while luggage can also be stored in the two rear
footwells. Nevertheless, all four seats are trimmed with perforated
black leather, with the front two deeply bolstered sports bucket
seats featuring integrated head restraints and a forward-folding
function for rear seat access. Both front seats are power
adjustable for reach, height and recline, while two memory
positions can be recalled from the remote key. Positioned
low and adjustable across a wide range, the 911's seats are comfortable, supportive and of high quality.

Did you know?

Commissioned by NSU, the Type 32 was designed in 1933,
as a predecessor of the first Volkswagen. In 1936 extensive
test runs were carried out with the first VW prototypes, starting
from a backyard garage of Porsche's villa in Stuttgart.

The Car - Dash

THE C4S's stylised interior features a leather-bound instrument
binnacle that protrudes from the dashboard that is also
upholstered in a soft, textured black leather. Cow hide is also
 used extensively in detail areas throughout the cabin and, in combination with the Alcantara (fake suede) roof lining and full
carpeting, makes the 911 interior a very pleasant place to be.

Apart from a small amount of plastic around the sound and air-conditioning units, and the stylish air vents, the dash is
almost exclusively leather trimmed. A comprehensive, stylised
instrument pod features a large central tacho and speedo,
both featuring large, white-on-black, easy-to-read increments
and the latter featuring increments to 340km/h.

The full array of instrumentation includes a temperature gauge,
fuel gauge, oil pressure gauge and a voltmeter, while the trip
computer displays engine oil level before start-up, plus distance
to empty, outside temperature, average speed and average fuel consumption. The ignition switch is located on the dash fascia
next to the Euro-style headlight switch.

Did you know?

Under the direction of Ferdinand Porsche, the first assembly
lines for Volkswagen were erected in Wolfsburg in 1938. But
World War II started the next year and it was not until 1946
that the Volkswagen went into series production.

The Car - Controls

TRUE to European and American tradition, the C4S indicator
stalk is mounted on the left of the steering column, directly
above the standard trip computer control stalk, while the wipers
are operated via the right-hand stalk, just above the standard
cruise control stalk. The light switch is also mounted Euro-style
on the dashboard and features buttons for the fog lights and a
pull-out function for parking lights.

Also dash-mounted are the PSM-off button, rear wiper button,
rear demist button, internal locking button and a rotating dial
for the variable speed intermittent wipers. Bonnet and boot
release controls are now electronic, but still on the floor to the
right of the driver, where the seat memory switches are also
located. Power window buttons are on the centre console
behind the shift gate, both featuring auto up and down functions.
The steering wheel is adjustable for reach across a range of
40mm.

Did you know?

A sports car was soon built in Gmünd, under Ferry Porsche's
guidance, based on Volkswagen parts: the 356. On June 8,
1948, the first sports car bearing the name Porsche is born.

The Car - Wheels/tyres

THOUGH not the full-house hollow-spoke items off the flagship
911 Turbo, the C4S does nonetheless feature "Turbo Look II"
alloy wheels at all four corners. They do a fine job of imitating the
Turbo's boots and, while they may be slightly heavier, deliver a substantial footprint on the road. Shod with super-sticky Pirelli
P-Zero rubber measuring 225/40 ZR18 up front and a massive
295/30 ZR18 at the rear, the alloys are staggered front to rear, measuring eight inches wide up front and a big 11 inches out
back. The simple, five-spoke design is easy to clean and
features security locknuts, but only plastic valve caps. The
spare tyre is collapsible, limited to 80km/h and measures
165/70-16.

Did you know?

Porsche production returned to Zuffenhausen, near Stuttgart, in
1950, using rooms rented from the Reutter car-body factory.
Porsche became an independent automobile factory just one
year later - in 1951 - the same year Professor Ferdinand
Porsche Sr died, aged 75.

The Car - Luggage

LIKE all 911s, the C4S offers minimal conventional luggage
space because of its lack of a rear boot. However, the front
differential further reduces space under the bonnet in the C4S,
which offers 100 litres of load space compared to the standard
911's 130 litres. C4S's different front-end componentry
necessitated the relocation of the space-saver spare wheel
from inside the load area to below the boot floor, meaning
the load space is wider but shallower than other 911s but still
good for an overnight bag.

Inside, there is a reasonably well sized, lined, lit and lockable
glovebox, while another lockable centre console compartment
hides beneath the centre armrest and is good for CD-sized
bits and pieces. Deep, lidded compartments below the
armrests in both front doors are well concealed. Both the
bonnet and bootlid feature gas struts, there is a single
12-volt outlet, a number of coat hangers and twin flip-out
cupholders up front, but no grabrails.

Did you know?

The Porsche 356 scored its first international success in
motor racing in 1951, winning the 1100cc category in the
24 Hours of Le Mans. By 1956, to celebrate the 25th
anniversary of the company, the 10,000th Porsche 356
rolled off the production line.

The Car - What's changed

THE C4S is new to Australia within the current 911 model
series, although a C4S was part of the previous 993 model
line-up from late 1995. The tough-looking 911, with its 60mm
wider bodyshell, 10mm lower ride height and twin tailpipes,
appeared here as a replacement for the Carrera 4 when the
facelifted 911 came here in August, 2001. That facelift
included a fresher interior for all 911 models, including - for
the first time - cupholders and a glovebox - plus seatbelt
pretensioners with belt force limiters, a 25kg weight gain
due to extra roof and side reinforcing, and Turbo-look front
and rear styling - including headlights, but this time Halogen
not bi-Xenon units.

The 911's standard six-cylinder boxer engine also came in
for a 14kW power hike, courtesy of a 200c increase in
displacement, to 3.6 litres. The addition of the Turbo model's
VarioCam Plus variable valve timing technology also helped
lift peak torque to 370Nm.

Did you know?

Porsche presented the 911 at the Frankfurt International
Automobile Show in 1963. Designed by Ferry Porsche's
son, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, it featured a new flat
six-cylinder engine but remained true to the VW concept
of using a rear-mounted, air-cooled boxer engine. The first
911 began production in 1964.

The Car - Stand out features

OF COURSE, a standout feature for all 911s is the horizontally-
opposed six-cylinder boxer engine that has become a Porsche trademark. Producing levels of power and torque most V8
engines would be proud of, the 3.6-litre flat six is a modern
masterpiece, comprising leading edge technologies such as
cylinder-specific knock control, dry sump lubrication, Motronic
ME7.8 electronic engine management, an electronic throttle,
sequential multipoint fuel injection with stereo Lambda control
circuits and twin three-way catalytic converters. It goes without
saying, however, that chassis rigidity, grip, handling, steering
and brakes are also stand-out features of the 911.

Did you know?

1975 saw Porsche introduce the 924 - the first transaxle sports
car with the engine at the front and the transmission and drive
wheels at the rear - while the V8-engined 928 appeared in 1977.

The Car - Climate control

ALL 911s feature a fully automatic climate control system with
integrated active carbon filter, the C4S getting the standard
single-zone arrangement that is adjustable for temperatures
between 18 and 30 degrees Celcius. Featuring a number of
simple push buttons, including fully automatic and AC-off
functions, the system is simple to use and provides 12 fan
speed settings. Good ventilation is provided by a large
windscreen vent plus four large, closable dash vents, while
climate control is further assisted by green tinted heat insulating
glass with graduated front screen tint. The power mirrors are
heated, as is the rear screen.

Did you know?

A limited number of Porsche 959s were built in 1985. The
following year it became the first sports car to win the Paris-
Dakar Rally.

The Car - Sound system

The Car - Sound system

C4S offers a higher specification "sound package" audio
system, featuring a single-CD slot (and provision for a CD
changer) that is accessed by flipping out the head unit. CDs
can be stored in Porsche's familiar CD storage system, which accommodates four CDs and is mounted directly beneath the
sound system. The unit features 10 push-button station presets,
an LCD display panel, volume knob on the left, seek knob on
the right, plus Bose speakers in the front doors, dash, behind
the rear seats and beside the rear passengers. Numbering a
total of eight speakers, including sub-woofers, the system's
sound quality is exceptional. The aerial is integrated into the
rear windscreen.

Did you know?

The 911 Carrera 4 was launched in 1988, while the first Boxster
concept car was shown at the Detroit motor show in 1993 -
the same year the 993 911 appeared in Frankfurt.

The Car - Security

 

The Car - Security

SECURITY features of the C4S include an electronic immobiliser
with in-key transponder, integrated into a tactile one-piece remote
key fob that features lock, unlock and bonnet open functions - plus
a remote window and sunroof opening function. There is an alarm system with interior surveillance, but no audible warning upon
un/locking. There is an interior lock button, but no panic function,
no auto locking and no two-stage unlocking (anti-hijacking) feature. There are plenty of interior lights, including twin vanity mirrors on
both sunblinds, twin front reading lights integrated with a central overhead light, door lighting and interior orientation lighting for
the ignition switch, door handles and centre console. The interior
lights turn on automatically when the ignition key is removed, while
the interior lights feature a delayed fade function on locking.

Did you know?

In 1995 the new 911 Turbo became the first production car in the
world with on-board diagnosis, friction-welded hollow-spoke
wheels and the lowest emission rating of all production cars in
the market.

Our opinion

We like Styling, performance, handling, grip, design,
quality

Room for improvement Driveline snatch, automatic
transmission, weight, price

By MARTON PETTENDY 13/08/2002

YOU'VE got to hand it to Porsche. Despite having just two models
- for the moment at least - the dedicated German sports car factory
has managed to churn out a seemingly endless procession of new products from its Zuffenhausen factory in recent years.

 

The latest is the Carrera 4S, one of eight 911 models sold in
Australia from a total range of nine models available worldwide.

Taking its name from the standard 911 coupe - Carrera being
the Spanish word for race, 4 representing its use of a four-wheel drivetrain and S standing for Sport - the C4S is based on the wide-bodied 911 Turbo, with which it also shares its beefy
brakes, big wheels and much of its standard equipment list.

Replacing the Carrera 4 as the only four-wheel drive in the local
911 line-up (apart from the Turbo) when the 911 range was
facelifted in August 2001, C4S therefore benefits from the many
changes designed to keep the current, 996-series 911 fresh in
the middle of its model life.

As such, it gets the latest iteration of Porsche's trademark
horizontally opposed six-cylinder boxer engine - a configuration
that has been a Porsche institution since the original 911 began production in 1964. In fact, the rear-mounted air-cooled boxer
engine concept can be traced back to the first Volkswagen -
a car designed by Ferry Porsche prior to World War II.

In its 2002 guise, the standard 911 boxer engine continues with
the liquid-cooled flat six introduced with the current model in 1998,
but increases its capacity to 3.6 litres and adds the 911 Turbo's VarioCam Plus variable valve timing technology.

 

In addition to VarioCam's variable exhaust camshaft timing, the
Plus part of the equation adds variable inlet camshaft timing and
makes the flat six even more flexible than before. Raw figures are 235kW at 6800rpm and peak torque of 370Nm at just 4250rpm,
but the numbers discount the V8-like tractability with which the
new engine delivers them.

BMW's sublime E46 M3 - the world's other great six-cylinder
coupe - still betters the 911 for specific power output by
extracting 252kW from just 3.2 litres, and the Porsche loses
out in power-to-weight terms too, despite carrying less weight.

But there's not much in it, and the 911 Turbo takes six-cylinder performance to new heights. Put simply, if there's a better
six-cylinder in production, we haven't driven it.

The new flat six has allowed Porsche to claim a new
0-100km/h acceleration time of just five seconds for the
standard 911 - which puts it squarely in the M3's ballpark -
but herein lies the rub.

The C4S might look the goods with its 18-inch Turbo-look
alloys, huge red brake callipers and wide, low-slung Turbo
body, but the lack of twin turbochargers (and side intake
scoops to feed them) actually makes the four-wheel drive
C4S one of the heaviest and slowest 911s available.

At 1470kg in manual form, C4S is overweight by 911
standards, weighing in at some 125kg more than garden
variety 911s thanks to its all-wheel powertrain - and some
65kg more than the outgoing C4, thanks to the higher
standard specs list, bigger brakes and fatter, more rigid
bodyshell.

Porsche says the C4S is just 1/10 slower to 100km/h and
has a 5km/h slower top speed of 280km/h. While that may
not seem a high price to pay for Turbo styling and the
confidence of four-wheel drive, the Tiptronic S version we
drove felt particularly lethargic and very un-911-like.

In fact, after wondering what kind of buyer would be attracted
to the C4S, first impressions left us thinking of cashed-up
extroverts who value image and safety more than performance.

But much of our disappointment can be blamed on the five-
speed semi-automatic transmission that's now optional on
most 911s. A popular choice among 911 buyers, the auto is
quick and smooth shifting, but still dilutes even the potent new
flat six.

What's more, it defaults to second gear when coming to a halt,
meaning that unless you manually downshift to first at every set
of traffic lights, slow and laboured take-offs are the order of the
day.

This is inexcusable in any sports car, let alone a Porsche - as is
the fact the engine will die if the throttle and brakes are applied
at once, preventing the ability to left-foot brake safely.

Another automatic transmission bugbear is the lack of a manual
shift gate for the gear lever (meaning you can't lock and leave
the transmission in, say, fourth gear all day), leaving only steering
wheel buttons with which to change gears manually.

Once in the groove, on the right road and provided you don't
want to brake with your left foot, a Tiptronic S 911 can be a
delight to punt quickly, and the fact the steering wheel toggles
can be used momentarily even in auto mode is appreciated.
But around town it's best left in full auto mode, provided one
can put up with second-gear starts and braking with one's right
foot.

Of course, one can always opt for the bespoke six-speed
manual transmission, which is available across all 911s,
and is easily the best such device we've sampled. Falling
naturally to hand, well gated and with perfect ratios, the
six-speeder is a pleasure to use and makes a mockery
of the auto.

One last gripe was a particularly loud thud that emanated from
the driveline of our test car when the transmission changed
down as the car came to halt. Apparently a result of the auto/
all-wheel drive combination, the agricultural sound seemed
at odds with the refinement of the rest of the package.

But while the C4S isn't the fastest 911, it's certainly no slouch. Acceleration is brisk, even in auto models, with a muscular
torque wave from extremely low revs turning into a howling
horsepower hit as the revs approach the 7000rpm redline.

And the C4S has the handling to match. For all intents and
purposes the C4S is a rear-wheel drive, transmitting a
maximum of just 40 per cent of engine torque to the front
wheels when the massive rear wheels lose traction, which
takes a big dose of provocation.

Combined with perfectly weighted steering that transmits
only the slightest of torque steer under extreme conditions
and remains a benchmark even for many rear-wheel drive
cars, the C4S feels as agile as any Carrera we've driven -
with the added bonus of superior roadholding via its wider
stance and massive rubber footprint.

Photo SOURCE:

http://www.cameronsportscars.co.uk/items/149?back=%2Flibrary

 

The interior update across all 911s makes C4S a more pleasant
place to be as well, the changes answering claims too much
plastic had found its way into Porsche's top-shelf model. The
leather lined dash, comprehensive, stylised instrumentation and
the fact that where there's no leather there's carpet (even the roof
lining is Alcantara) mean the C4S exudes quality and refinement 

It gets a few extra goodies over other 911s too, like a full leather
interior, metallic paint, driver's seat memory, sunroof and a
full-house sound system. Of course, the first-class ergonomics
are the same, combining day-to-day practicality with supercar performance.

Already offering staggering levels of chassis rigidity (you could
hang an engine off a 911's door without so much as a creak),
the C4S goes even further with its use of the wider, stiffer and
tougher looking Turbo body.

Throw in huge, staggered alloy wheels and touring car-style
brakes straight off the Turbo, and the C4S is a recipe for
supercar grip, handling and braking.

Of course, as with all Porsches, you also get the knowledge
that your new C4S will probably out-perform its owner when
it comes to durability, reliability and longevity.

But why pay extra? Being slightly heavier, slightly slower and a
fair degree more expensive than a regular 911, we'd settle for
the standard, undiluted and even more rewarding 911 Carerra
- and spend what's leftover on a weekday runabout.

How Much?

Mechanical

Mechanical - Plan views

LIKE all 911s before it, the C4S employs a rear-mounted
longitudinal flat six that drives the rear wheels via a rear
transaxle. Unlike the majority of Porsches, however, C4S
employs the flagship Turbo model's viscous coupled
four-wheel drivetrain as standard, making this Australia's
only four-wheel drive Porsche, apart from the Turbo. 

Feeding a constant five per cent of engine torque to the
front wheels in normal (read: straight-line) conditions,
rising to as much as 40 per cent, the C4S maintains
Porsche's trademark rear-wheel drive characteristics
even in the slipperiest of circumstances. Of course, the
Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system keeps
everything in check.

Mechanical - Engine

 

FEATURING the same all-alloy 3.6-litre flat six that appeared
across the 911 range when it was facelifted in August, 2001,
the C4S produces a healthy 235kW at 6800rpm and a muscular
370Nm of torque at just 4250rpm - figures that are more often
associated with a V8 than a six-cylinder. The updated 3.6
is itself a development of the first liquid-cooled 911 engine that
appeared in the current, 996 version in 1998. Apart from
benefiting from a 200cc increase in displacement, the new engine
also features the Turbo's VarioCam Plus variable valve timing
technology, the "Plus" part of which adds variable inlet
camshaft timing to an already clever induction equation.

In effect, VarioCam Plus provides low valve lift for part-load city
traffic situations and high valve lift - said to deliver three times as
much torque for maximum performance. The proof is in the driving:
the new 3.6 is even more flexible than before, operating with
impressive thrust over a rev range from around 1000rpm
to almost 7000rpm. Combined fuel economy remains a
respectable 11.4 litres per 100km, which is said to be a seven
per cent improvement on the less powerful 993-series 3.6-litre
engine. While top speed remains an impressive 280km/h,
0-100km/h acceleration is slightly down on the standard 911,
due to the heavier drivetrain, at 5.1 seconds.

Did you know?

Production of the all-new Porsche Boxster mid-engined roadster
started in 1996 after only three-and-a-half years of development,
while the all-new 911 with liquid-cooled engine was launched
globally in 1997.

Mechanical - Suspension

   

EMPLOYING the same suspension system as the Turbo, the
C4S has a ride height that is 10mm lower than other 911 models.
Otherwise, it employs 911's standard suspension configuration,
including a MacPherson strut front system that has been optimised
by Porsche and uses lateral and longitudinal control arms, plus
truncated-cone coil springs that house twin-tube shock absorbers.
At the rear, C4S continues with 911's fully independent multi-link
suspension that comprises five links for each wheel, cylindrical-
pattern coil springs housing coaxial single-tube shock absorbers.

Did you know?

All Porsches sold in Australia come with a two-year factory warranty,
10-year corrosion and rust warranty, three-year paint warranty, two-
year subscription to Porsche's Christophorus magazine and Porsche
Assist 24-hour roadside assistance.

Mechanical - Electronic system

APART from a small amount of plastic around the sound and air-conditioning units, and for the stylish air vents, the dash is
almost exclusively leather trimmed. A comprehensive, stylised
instrument pod features a large central tacho and speedo, both
featuring large, white-on-black, easy-to-read increments and the
latter featuring increments to 340km/h. The full array of
instrumentation includes a temperature gauge, fuel gauge, oil
pressure gauge and a voltmeter, while the trip computer
displays engine oil level before start-up, plus distance to empty,
outside temperature, average speed and average fuel
consumption.

Did you know?

Porsche will add a third model to its line-up when the
Cayenne off-roader, built in conjunction with Volkswagen,
appears at the 2002 Paris motor show

Mechanical - Transmission

911 C4S comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission,
which delivers power to the rear wheels directly and to the front
wheels via a viscous coupling. Gearing is tall but the engine's
flexibility allows for care-free first-gear take-offs, and the near-1:1
fifth gear means sixth is still the only overdriven gear. Those who
pay extra for the "Tiptronic S" automatic model get a five-speed
semi-auto transmission with steering wheel-mounted gearchange
buttons, which are the only means of changing ratios manually in
the absence of a manual shift gate. Fourth gear is 1:1 in the auto,
while its final drive ratio is also slightly taller than in the manual at
3.37 versus 3.44 respectively.

Did you know?

The first 911 Turbo cabrio for 14 years is expected to be released
in 2003, bringing the number of current 911 models to 10. It will be
the last 911 in the 996 model series before an all-new 911 arrives.

Mechanical - Brakes

SHARING its highly competent braking system with the 911 Turbo
and GT2 models, the C4S features larger four-piston fixed
monobloc aluminium brake callipers both front and rear - painted
red. They work with larger cross-drilled and internally ventilated
brake rotors on all four corners, the front units now measuring
330mm x 34mm and the rears 330mm x 28mm. For the C4S,
engine mounts and front axle pivot bearings were optimised for
good brake ventilation, while ceramic brakes will soon become
an option for C4S, as it is with the Turbo. Of course, dual-circuit
ABS is standard - as is PSM, ASR and ABD - and there are
brake pad wear sensors.

Did you know?

Porsche is also rumoured to be working on a replacement for
the discontinued, front-engined 928. Featuring the Cayenne's
4.5-litre V8 and all-wheel drive, it is said to be due around 2007.

Mechanical - Steering

 

Mechanical - Steering

THE 911 employs a power-assisted rack and pinion steering
system with three turns lock to lock. Small in diameter and leather-
wrapped, the thick-rimmed tiller feels right at home in this consummate
sports car. In Tiptronic versions, the airbag-equipped C4S steering
wheel features remote gearshift toggle switches on its upper spokes,
but manual versions comprise no steering wheel buttons of any kind.
The leather used on the steering wheel is matched to that used on the
gear lever, handbrake and door handles.

Did you know?

Apart from Cayenne, 2003 will also see the V10 Carrera GT supercar
released, along with an all-new 997-series 911. According to some
sources, range-topping versions of the new generation 911 will also use
Cayenne's V8.

Safety

ASIDE from the inherent safety provided by its outstandingly stiff bodyshell, the 911 features a number of leading passive safety technologies. They include the intuitive Porsche Stability
Management system, which includes traction control, plus the
latest Bosch 5.7 anti-lock braking and brake-force distribution
systems. There are also front and side bags, front seatbelt height adjustment provision for child seat anchor points, four lap-sash
seatbelts, seatbelt pretensioners and belt force limiters. Of course,
911 braking is legendary and the C4S continues that by using the Turbo's big ventilated and cross-drilled brakes.

Did you know?

A new Boxster is expected to appear in 2004, along with cabrio
and Carrera 4 versions of the 997 911 and, later, a Boxster
coupe.

RIVALS:

Porsche 911 Carrera 4S	BMW M3	Mercedes-Benz CL500
PRICE - RETAIL (Accurate at time of publishing)
$225,300	$141,100	$278,600
TRANSMISSION
Six-speed manual or five-speed semi-auto	Six-speed manual or six-speed SMG	Five-speed semi-auto only
DRIVING WHEELS
Rear	Rear	Rear
ENGINE
3.596-litre rear-mounted longitudinal 24-valve DOHC flat six-cylinder	3.246-litre front-mounted longitudinal 24-valve DOHC inline six-cylinder	4.996-litre front-mounted longitudinal 24-valve SOHC V8
MAX POWER
235kW	252kW	225kW
LENGTH
4435mm	4492mm	4993mm
WIDTH
1830mm	1780mm	1857mm
HEIGHT
1295mm	1383mm	1398mm
WEIGHT
1470kg	1525kg	1865kg

Data

AUSTRALIAN WARRANTY:

• Two years/unlimited km
• Major service intervals: 10,000km

ENGINE:

• 3.396-litre rear-mounted longitudinal 24-valve DOHC
• horizontally-opposed six-cylinder
• Power: 235kW @ 6800rpm
• Torque: 370Nm @ 4250rpm
• Compression ratio: 11.3:1
• Bore x stroke: 96 x 82.8mm

TRANSMISSION:

• Six-speed manual or five-speed semi-auto

SUSPENSION:

• Front: independent by MacPherson struts with lateral and longitudinal control arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar
• Rear: independent by (five)multi-links, coil springs, anti-roll bar

STEERING:

• Power-assisted rack and pinion
• Turns lock to lock: 3.0

DIMENSIONS:

• Length: 4435mm
• Width: 1830mm
• Height: 1295mm
• Wheelbase: 2350mm
• Front track: 1472mm
• Rear track: 1528mm
• Kerb weight: 1470kg

STANDARD EQUIPMENT:

• Turbo bodykit
• 18-inch Turbo-look wheels
• Four-wheel drive with PSM
• Turbo brakes
• Full leather trim
• Power front seats with memory
• Premium CD sound system
• Power windows and mirrors
• Trip computer
• Remote central locking
• Electric glass sunroof
• Climate control air-conditioning
• Front and side airbags
• ABS with EBD
• Cruise control

 END OF SOURCE:

WIthout further ado, let's proceed to owner's review (source:
www.carsurvey.org/reviews/porsche/911)

Owner 1: 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S review from North America

"Beautiful, Soulful, Livable, Payable"

What things have gone wrong with the car?

Nothing but a dead battery from winter storage.

General comments?

Firstly, she's not mine. I'm reviewing for my friend's father who
purchased the car out of the U.S. last year.
Porsche being my favorite car brand, I was jumping for joy whilst
wearing a perma grin on my face when I first even found out that
 this car was coming. It would be the first Porsche that I would
ever be given a chance to drive. So, here goes.

I'd like to start off by talking about the sound. My friend started it
up in the garage. It started up instantly with a snarl followed
promptly by a hollow bark. The sound filled the space, pummeling
my ear drums from all angles. Needless to say, I was left feeling
weak in the knees and emotionally unstable.

So, when I did get my chance to take her down the road (windy road)
and back, I felt like I had won the lottery. The keys were tossed to me,
and I got myself settled in my bucket seat and took a few moments to
become accustomed to my new surroundings. This sports car truly is
an easy to live with daily commuter. It starts with the impeccable all
around visibility. This car has zero blind spots! It looks like something
carved by angels, and sounds like Zeus.

The instruments inside are all simple, and within reach. If I had to sum
it up, I'd call it the Volkswagen of the high end sports cars. Not to give
it a cheap impression, but rather one that is convenient and efficient.
It even has incredible fuel economy, getting just the same as their old
2001 Toyota 4Runner. That's 13L/100km, don't know MPG.

Anyways, on to the drive. As you can probably guess, this thing can take
corners like nobody's business. The clutch is so easy to work with, it was
as though I was driving my '02 Jetta. Blipping the throttle into a lower gear
for a quick burst of speed is an absolute high.

My friend's dad purchased this particular model with the intent of driving it
all year around (winter as well because of 4 wheel drive). Fat chance. The
thing gets pampered better than any small child I know, let alone driven
in winter.

Lastly, the running costs are not so bad from what I've been hearing. It
doesn't drink gas like a Corvette, and the annual service is hardly a topic
of discussion. Being insured for only 4 months out of the year maximum,
she's not a difficult vehicle to live with at all. One year of ownership and
no problems. I hope it stays that way and that they enjoy their Porsche for
years to come. If anything else happens mechanically, I will share for the
benefit of others' knowledge and interest. As for me, I have been inspired.

Owner 2: 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera review from UK and Ireland

"Good performance, very practical, too sensible!"

What things have gone wrong with the car?

Nothing.

General comments?

As many have said, the 'basic' 996 series is somewhat lacking in interior
detail. Ordering mine from new I spent a good deal on getting it right, and
I must say that the customized interior is very nice, and can be designed to
your individual taste.
 
Performance is adequate for the UK roads- overtakes quickly and dispatches
lesser cars without batting an eyelid- however, it is not hugely exciting to drive
unlike my previous car the Lotus Esprit.

As many have said the 911 is a car well worth owning once. In fact it is so
practical you could easily manage with it as your only car. It is good for long
distances and docile in traffic- and the Bose sound system upgrade is worth
the money. Good performance is also readily accessible, and the Porsche
Stability Management system adds some peace of mind whilst learning to
drive this back heavy car.

I will be changing car soon- I had considered the 996 Turbo X50 or the GT2...
but I have fallen for the Ferrari 360 Spider, I hope it will be more fun than the
996.

SOURCES:

1) http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/0C8ED6653BB6030ECA256C0F0018625F

2) Malaysian Motortrader: last 11 issues: Issue 467 to 477

3) www.mudah.my (searched for Porsche 996)

4)http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/porsche/911/
(For Owner's review)

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this ULTRA
LONG REVIEW.