+1 and the locking diff is std on the 4S

 

Congrats, sounds like a fantastic car. I really wish I had stuck w/ my original red leather build, as the pictures don't do it justice, it's not a "lipstick" red, it's much nicer in person IMHO. Can't wait to see your car!

 

How much do silver GT2/GT3 wheels cost?

 

I don't know . I bought the HRE wheels when making upgrades but at the time I did ask about the Gt3 RS wheels and they cost less than mine .

 

These are all very personal choices and so I hesitate to comment on anyone's options choices. But, FWIW, I question the value and tradeoffs of AWD versus RWD. In addition to the extra weight, the big issue for me is that it changes the nature of the Porsche experience.
One of the outstanding values of a Porsche, and in particular a 911 is the steering feel. The combination of the direct connection feel to the tread of the tires - feeling every bump, groove and pebble of the road - and the lighter front wheel weight - due to the rear-engine design - making it feel like a sprint-kart - is one of the great thrills of the 911 experience.
The AWD feature diminishes this (at least it feels that way for me). The road feel is reduced, that 'skimming the road' feel goes away as well. And the computer intervention on F/R balance and the like further separates the driver from the road experience.
OTOH, for non-race-skilled drivers (and I am not one), AWD does improve the peak performance. As well, if you live in a bad-traction (read 'snow') area, AWD has other values (although if it is sufficiently low enough traction outside, I'd leave my P-car home).
Anyway, just free advice. And you get what you pay for.
Regardless, welcome in advance to the list of blindingly happy car owners. Porsche's are magnificent machines. I smile every time I step in and out of mine.

 

Those wheels weight a freakin' ton!

 

Congrats!

 

That was discussed on the 997tt forum . Keep in mind we are talking about the Gt3 Rs wheels for the widebody . On post number 45 of this thread forum member Atomic 80 placed both the Gt3 Rs wheels and the stock 997tt wheels on a Fedex scale and weighed them .

Here are his results. https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...-wheels-3.html

Turbo front (8.5" x 19"): 24 lbs 3.44 ounces
Turbo rear (11" x 19"): 28 lbs 11.44 ounces

GT3 RS front (8.5" x 19"): 24 lbs 3.2 ounces
GT3 RS rear (12" x 19"): 30 lbs 13.76 ounces

 

i basically agree with you-the rwd carrera s is probably the best feeling porsche-it is light, precise. etc. the obvious issue, as you note, is that for those of us who live in the snow belt, and want to drive home from work with that feeling of protection from slipping and sliding in the snow, the awd car becomes increasingly desireable. if i lived in california, i probably would also say that there is almost no need for awd. the first awd car that they made, the 1989 carrera 4, definitely felt much heavier than the rwd carrera 2 (the awd mechanism itself weighed almost 250 lbs), but they seem to be producing the awd cars with a feel that more closely approximates the rwd car. but i do agree with your general assessment.

 

C4S vs C2S

I once felt as many have stated that the C2S of the two normally aspirated cars was the choice to make (light, more pure, even less on the wallet) . I even felt in the past that the C4S was somewhere in limbo (not as precise as a C2S and not as fast as a Turbo) --BUT this 2009 model appears different to me . I think Porsche put down some serious time planning this car , with a snow course in Finland , limited slip differential standard . and adding PDK making this a different type of Porsche . It appears to be a very enhanced version of the car . It's no longer just an UNTurbo . It's a car which put down some serious performance with less interactive effort placed on the driver . Even the styling is no longer a bloated 997S nor is it a Turbo . It's making its name known in this line up and I am noticing more of them on dealership lots than in the past . It's not for everyone but for the first time it has caught my attention and gained a lot of respect .

I think he made a good choice . It's a beautiful car .