Hello. I've always lurked here on 6speed and decided to register to get a public concensous from the 996 guys (c2 in particular). I currently own a B6 (2005) Audi S4 and I'm looking at a B5 S4 or 996 c2 (02+ 3.6L). I've already owned a B5 w/ RS4 K04 upgrades, etc. etc. and ended up selling due to premature rod failure (my fault, n2o involved). I bought the B6 because I just figured it was time to move to the next S4 up, and after a couple years of ownership.. I can't take it anymore. It drives like a boat and doesn't have much to offer in terms of acceleration (boring!). I need to get back into something I can enjoy and have fun with (no other suggestions please, German only ) . I would like to get more involved in road course events but also enjoy some straight line acceleration. If I got the B5, I would enhance it with upgraded turbos (TiAL 605), fueling (EPL), coilovers, etc. to about 450whp on pump gas. This would hands down eat up a bolt on C2 in a straight line.. however, I know the C2 is built for the corners.. which is something I'm interested in. My question is.. would the C2's abilities in the turns make up for its power defecit over the B5 on a road course? Is it that much better? (Given I would outfit the 996 with a nice coilover setup as well). On a side note, this would also be my daily. Any opinions here to assist my decision would be much appreciated! (I understand it will be a bit biased here, but I'm alittle biased being an S4 guy, so it will balance out ) Thanks in advance!

Cheers!
Jeff

 

My vote is for a Porsche Turbo, you've got the handling in the corners (4 wheel drive) and the awesome acceleration that you desire. The prices are reasonable for a good low mileage Turbo, Most Turbo owners baby them since they are such a high end car they don't get into the hands of the teeny boper racers. Of course, the obvious choice would be a GT2 (Turbo) or GT3 (normally aspirated), which would knock your socks off!

 

Having owned a modded B5 S4 and now owning a C4S, I would suggest the 996. While the B5 is a really great car, it is still quite a heavy car on the track. The 996 is a better handling car, IMO, even though it may lack the power a modded S4 has. You may want to check out a C4S or Turbo if you prefer AWD cars.

 

I agree, the Turbo would be ideal but I don't know if I want to spend that much on the car itself since I know I'm going to dump money in modifications after the purchase. If I find a killer deal on one its a possibility. I'm leaning towards the P-car over the Audi after the reminder that they are heavy cars on the track, maybe a C4S like rajeshr suggested, just need to find the right deal . Thanks for the feedback guys!

 

I currently own both a 2000 B5 S4 and a 2003 996 C2 (which I just bought). I consider this a big upgrade for me even though the 996 is only marginally faster, it is just so much fun to drive. My S4 is only Stage 1 with MTM cpu for about 315 HP. I know a full Stage 3 modded car with coilovers is a different beast but it is still a heavy S4. The difference between my 2 cars now is like night and day. The S4 is a luxury car with a great ride but not connected to the ground the way the 996 is. I love the way the 996 handles and revs to redline. A real blast to drive even stock. The S4 is fast too but in a different way. I never really got that sports car feeling from the S4 the way I do from the 996. The 996 just feels like it loves to be pushed hard whereas the S4 always feels like it is trying to do something which it was not created to do. Have you driven any 996's? I think that since you have already had a nice B5 S4 (and I agree that the B5 is the best) that you would be doing yourself a favor by trying out a 996.

 

Wow, you are definitely a perfect candidate for this thread. Exactly the insight I was looking for. Thanks a lot for your time. As you described it was the way I imagined it was, you just confirmed it for me. I'm definitely locked into the 996 now. I have driven a 996 before, but not exactly the way I would want to.. if you know what I mean. I'm going to get serious and take one home. Hopefully I will have a "new owner, pics inside" post up once I find the right one.

 

The 996 is a superior feeling vehicle. If you'd driven both, I doubt you'd be asking this question. The AUDI is nicely put together also, and I really like how they look, but the driving dynamics don't compare, as they shouldn't, the 911 is a sports car, the S4 is a well polished and fast luxury, sporty, highway cruising car, with much humbler roots.

 

If you haven't owned a Porsche yet, the 996 is a good way to start. Owning a B5, while it's a great car, the 911 is completely different in feel. In my opinion, perfect brakes (even better in later models), perfect steering, perfect clutch, good power/weight ratio, etc. You will not be faster in a straight line and any gains that the 911 would have would be obliterated in the next straight. But still, in terms of "driving feel", you can't beat it with a B5 or any Audi for that matter. On that note, my favorite driving feel car was my old Miata, but we won't go there. Overall, my favorite car so far is probably my Boxster S. Although the 911's steering feel is superior.

 

I agree with your post fully, but have to ask why you consider the later model 996 brakes to be better than the early ones, considering that to the best of my knowledge, other than programming/channel difference, they're exactly the same...

 

I meant that the 997 and 987 brakes are much better - significant difference actually.

 

OK, I was wondering if you meant 996 vs. 997, I won't necessarily disagree...

 

Once you get spoiled by the steering in the porsche, audi will be a dud, agree go with the turbo, incredible car for the money and durable!

 

Having owned a 550HP B5 and a Stasis/Milltek B6 S4 which were great cars nothing brings a bigger smile to my face than my 911. It's that simple.

 

Base B5 S4 is only 250 hp at the same weight as a 996 isn't it? Modded B5 is probably comparable to a 996 but it's a totally different car. Audi is a lux car, not a sports car no matter what you do to it.

Also, comparing a 911 turbo to a B5 S4 is not an equal comparison price-wise.