The wide body is pretty cool ! Is there a way to get rid of that red light band thing between the rear lights ?

 

Yeah don't by a 4.....

 

The C4S is supposedly 44mm wider. If I am correct, that is about a 1 1/2 inches which does dot seem like a lot. Visualy is it a big difference from the rear or can you tell right away?

 

Replace the red light band with the 50th Aniv or GTS grill band.

 

Depends on how much of a Porsche fanatic someone is.

 

I've read many different threads discussing virtues, values, advantages and assumptions about the "4" vs "2" cars. Never said much as I tend to believe each one of us have our own likes, dislikes, reasons for what we purchase, which in most cases doesn't mean squat to the rest of us. Yes, I think the WB cars look better, I drive mine in the snow and other bad weather, blah blah blah.

So I thought I'd offer a different real-world experience with the 4 that isn't one based on looks, style, price, performance or design/engineering assumptions.

I have a '14 C4S. PASM, springs, and spacers. I was driving home late afternoon recently on a very nice twisty road - a new surface, smooth without potholes (which is a miracle in this area!). Mid-70s, clear, dry surface, etc. A great afternoon to be taking the long-way home!

I am doing about 60-65mph, have my car in Sport+ manual mode, trailing about 3 car lengths (and gaining) behind an older, modified Supra. As we came around a tight right-hander, I knew the single lane we are in splits into two lanes, separated from the opposite two lanes by nothing more than yellow lines on the road. The "new" lane on the exit-side appears to the left of the lane we are in. So, I figured I would pass the guy on the left coming out of the corner. Oh, and this curve is a slight uphill grade, off-camber to the outside or left.

We go into the turn at speed, and I accelerate towards the Supra assuming the left lane will appear and I will pass in the clear lane ahead. But as we come around to the exit, where the second lane appears, the guy in front of me suddenly slams into a hyundai or similar car with not much time to brake. I don't even know where this car came from, but I think he pulled-out into the right lane without seeing the Supra....

I am still at about 60, and figure I'll just scoot by in the left lane to avoid the collision. But as I accelerate a bit more to pass, the supra comes spinning into the left lane. I don't really have any choice but to go further left into the middle space between the traffic lanes at same time I am on the gas. As I do, I suddenly find myself sliding as the middle of the road is covered in small gravel and sand from a winters worth of road clearing. I am on summer tires, and when I hit the gravel under acceleration the rear loses grip and I feel the inevitable spin coming-on. But being in a C4, the miraculous happens! As I turn the wheel a bit to correct, the front tires grab-on and I actually accelerate further to fly forward and get back to the left lane! Wow! The car was rock-solid as soon as the electronics sensed the rear-end losing grip, and in my head I was saying "Don't panic and hit the brakes!!!" I think i literally felt the power surge to the front end of the car as it pulled! I've had many rear-drive only cars in the past that probably would have simply spun me across the road.... But my C4S just drove through the loose gravel without hesitation or loss of control!

I wish there were a way to "play back" the power distribution graphic from the dash - I bet it would show the orange bars shift from mostly rear-biased to mostly front-biased when the car corrected itself!

Mind you, all the above happened in probably like 5 seconds or less.... But it was an awesome way to discover just how "intelligent" the AWD is on the 4 in a real-world, potentially life-threatening situation.

I pulled-over and walked back to check on the other drivers -- no major injuries, thankfully. Both were banged-up and their cars looked totaled, but I came out of the incident unscathed. I love this car!

So for me it's not just about performance or looks -- I can appreciate the safety and control the AWD affords me, and I have a lot more confidence now than previous!

 

Wow! I am right there with you. My hair is still standing up on my arms... Great story and a testimate to the 4 and 4S variants. Great thinking. I guess that comes from all the driving events you have gone to? Or, where do you think the split-second thoughts came from?

 

Well, yes and know. I didn't buy a c4, I got a C2, but I have slight wide hip envy ;-) I might go the C4 route next time if I can get rid of that red thing between the lights.
If it indeed can be replaced with the thing from the 50th or GTS, then I'm sold :-)

 

@Plenum : WOW, great story ! Felt like I was in the car with you. If I'm still getting a Carrera next time round, it will probably be a C4.

 

It lights up and IMO pretty cool. Certainly this can't be a deal breaker can it?

 

Since I haven't come across anyone reporting they've successfully modified a non-GTS or non-50th with the unlit strip, it will be a guess at this point. But I have to imagine the only reason Suncoast states that this part (Rear Bumper Grille - GTS/50th) is "Only compatible with 2013-2015 Carrera GTS models or 50th Anniversary 911 models. Will not fit other models!" is because the light strip on the C4/4S is lit, and removing without doing something with the wiring or programming is likely to throw a fault code. If I could get a look at how the lighted strip connects, perhaps there is a way to disable without fault.... Maybe I'll take my own off and give it a look.

 

Paint it.
Personally, I strongly favor the cross banded appearance of the C4S, but: to each his own.
I see no reason why it could not be painted to match, whereupon it would pretty much vanish.

To me, it visually references the 1970's Porsches with a similar taillight treatment. I strongly favor the shape, as the 996 in my opinion is otherwise a bit slab sided---particularly when compared to the 993 (I've had each).

Baskin Robbins has 31 flavors for a reason. And, so too, Porsche.

I really appreciate the story of the increased front grip in gravel. I thankfully haven't had to rely upon it in a similarly desperate situation: But I can absolutely feel the difference, compared to what I was used to in my 964 C2. I guarantee I will never have an opportunity to miss the extra 3mph at the top end, as the 170's will always be terra incognita!

 

 

That's harsh :-)

 

I test drove a 991 S and C4S back to back twice and went with the C4S. The grip is insane!