Hi guys and gals, need some food for thought.
I tried searching but didnt come up with enough info. i hope you can help.

I currently have S550 and absolutely love it. But as im sure everyone else have at some point, i have a mini-me inside that says, feed your childhood dreams and get a Porsche. So I’m thinking that maybe i should, life is short.
I test drove 07 Carrera S4 and as expected, not as comfy as S class but manageable i think and sure is fun to drive.
This will be a DD. Not concerned about snow, winter tires are your best friend in Chicago.

So questions for those that may have both, Benz that is close to comfort of S and a Porsche (Cayenne does not count), or one after another, not necessarily at the same time:

1. Is the ride too rough after a while? I didn’t test drive it over particularly bad roads. The one I drove has PASM. Can it be adjusted to be softer than “normal” setting?
2. Are there remote starts such as MidCity Engineering has for a Benz? I currently do not have a luxury of a garage (oh how I miss it). As I’ve seen with my old CLK and same with my wife’s CLS, at 4am when windows are frozen, you are not getting in to that car.
3. I was driving it in jeans and sweatshirt, how rough would it be on a suit or dress pants. Am I going to be all wrinkled by the time I get to work? How is it with thick coat or a long rain coat?
4. Is heat/defrost good enough for winter?
5. Can clutch and shifter be made for smother shifting. Clutch seems heavy and gears take effort to engage.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you guys.

 

I can't speak to most of your questions about winter weather because I'm in California BUT I traded in my Lexus which was my daily driver for my 911 which is now my daily driver :-)

 

I am 3 weeks into a C2S after 5 years with an MB C55. I feel that the 911 is far better over rough roads and over small bumps than the C55. The driving position is far better as well. The 911 is comfortable for me and I am 6'1 240.

The 911 is more raw than the C55. It is louder, more wind noise, and you pretty much hear everything that is happening with the car. I like this.

Comparing an S class and 911 is like comparing apples to oranges. You can love both but it will be for different reasons.

 

1. Is the ride too rough after a while? I didn’t test drive it over particularly bad roads. The one I drove has PASM. Can it be adjusted to be softer than “normal” setting?

It's not too rough - I just did a 100 mile drive over some choppy back roads to the Oregon Coast -was a blast. However, you can't expect that the 911 will behave like a plush luxury vehicle - it's more an extreme performance vehicle that has some luxury appointments.

2. Are there remote starts such as MidCity Engineering has for a Benz? I currently do not have a luxury of a garage (oh how I miss it). As I’ve seen with my old CLK and same with my wife’s CLS, at 4am when windows are frozen, you are not getting in to that car.

This, I don't know.

3. I was driving it in jeans and sweatshirt, how rough would it be on a suit or dress pants. Am I going to be all wrinkled by the time I get to work? How is it with thick coat or a long rain coat?

I have no issue with DD mine with work clothes. I haven't worn a long coat though - can't comment on that.

4. Is heat/defrost good enough for winter?

Here in the Pac NW it is. For your "hardcore" winters, I'll let someone from Canada answer that LOL

5. Can clutch and shifter be made for smother shifting. Clutch seems heavy and gears take effort to engage.

You'll get used to the shifting after some time in the car. I thought the clutch was heavy compared to my 545 (which has a stick), but after I had the 911 for a couple weeks, I got used to the clutch, and now after 4+ years I love the clutch and gearshift in the 911!

Hope that helped a bit. I'm sure some cold weather folk will chime in

Ron

 

1) I am a long time Benz owner(1998 E320, 2000 E430, 2002 E55 AMG, 2001 CLK55 AMG, 2003 ML350, 2006 GL450, 2006 E55 AMG, 2011 GL550) and still own 2002 E55 and 2011 GL550. At the beginning it was rough. I picked up my new C4S in 2009 and drove 5 hours home the first day and my back was sore for couple days. after couple months it doesn't bother me anymore. However you will immediately notice the agility and precise response of the car because the 911 is so light comparing to the lumbering Benz!!!

2) No experience with remote start as my car is garaged every night. However during the nasty winter months here in Buffalo I have no issue getting into my car after work when it is parked outside. You must have heated seats and Porsche heated seats warm up much faster than the Benz.

3) I wear medical scrubs to work so I can't help you but I do wear suit and winter coat occasionally it was OK for intermediate drive.

4) IMO the heat/defrost is more than adequate for cold weather. It does snow in Germany.

5) I have PDK, double clutch transmission, and I love it! I shift when I want and when I have coffee or drink in my hand, computer takes over.

After owning Porsche it is hard for me to go back to Benz. My wife is a Benz loyalist however. Mine is a daily drive rain, shine or snow and I wouldn't have it any other way. Good luck with your decision.

John

 

The 911 is a sports car, the benz is not, ride, size and comfort will not be equal.

If shifting is an issue get the PDK.

The 911 as a DD is not for everyone, IMHO, and for some of the reasons you mention. I lived in Chicago, and drovea 911 some during the winter and I was uncomfortable with all the clothing you must wear, and I am small at 5'6" & 150lbs. Luckily I had a 2nd car and did not drive the 911 all winter.

I commuted from Lake Zurich to near Hiawatha and sometimes the car, a 1997 993, could be a bear in the 21 mile 75 minute drive. The heater and a/c on the modern Carrera's are great, unlike to older air-cooled cars.

I'm not sure of the remote start with the manual tranny, PDK would probably be ok, call the dealer and ask.

 

Thank you guys for the replies, much appreciated!

I do understand that they are different cars, im just trying to understand if the trade off is something i can handle.

Thus far the two issues im seeing is winter/rain clothing comfort and remote start.
I think remote start will be the biggest and only issue i really need to concentrate on solving.

I had a light bike accident 6 or so years ago that, althought was light comparing to allot of motorcycle accidents, screwed up my knee permenantly. Thus why im conserned about the clutch pedal resistance. I miss my motorcycles, so getting a manual trans is like getting a little bit of that motorsport feel back.


Anyone else with any info and experiance would be greatly appreciated.

 

Recovering benz owner here. Moved over to Audi for the manual trans within the S4 platforms over the years, then said, I need another 911 as I too, being an ex 2 wheel rider, like the involvement of driving the 911 in Manual form like that of a motorcycle being hands on.


The 911 car is simply wrong for me in Auto shift. Your knee issue concerns me if you get stuck in Chi-town traffic.... Yes, the clutch is a bit heavy...as others have said, you will get used to it after a week or so.


Frunk space makes you think about running errands in a 911 though.
Even hard getting dry cleaning into the rear seating area.
Im 6'2", 200#, and I couldn't imagine being any bigger driving a 911 as a DD. A bit of a stretch getting into and out of.


if you don't need the room, drive alone, don't mind tires every 10K miles, and maintenance costs trumping that of your benz, get one... you'll check on the car at night while youre up taking a leak.... its that kind of car!!


good luck.

 

Get a C4S. I love mine. Has a 750 Bimmer and so glad I decided to try the 911.

 

I live in Chicago, 2 suggestions, get pdk, clutch is hard for stop and go traffic, (I have a manual myself so I speak from experience) get a carrera 4 or 4s, even with winter tires the car is not optimum for snowy conditions (remember this last winter we had) I use my 911 from April to nov, dec to march I use a 4x4 suburban, if I had the 4s ( I have a cab s) maybe the winter would not be such an issue, I'm sure remote starter is no biggie, manual you would have to leave in neutral, so another good reason to get pdk, I have a shop I can recommend to get the starter installed, defroster is just fine for rear winter driving, it's a small cab so it gets hot quickly, big jackets are also an issue, I'm 6'5" and have to take off prior getting Into the car, with all this being said, I love my car and wouldn't trade it for anything, fun to drive and puts a smile on my face every time!!!!

 

Thank you guys, keep them coming, this is useful.

Please do not remind me of the last winter. I think another one like it is coming. Lucky for me when its that bad I can work from home. I’m a tad under 6 feet at 185. So perhaps winter clothing may not be too bad.

I won’t be doing too much shopping in it, and anything I usually do I can probably throw in that glove box in the front of the car. Wife has a CLS so we’ll take hers more often

Back in my rice days I had Eclipse in manual, loved it, didn’t mind traffic. My first Benz was in stick as well, buttery smooth, loved it, also didn’t mind traffic as I absolutely loved the car.
I am 12 years older now since, and probably foolishly think i will be able to handle it still.

Marti, what shop can i talk to regarding remote start?

 

I live in Naperville so they are in the western suburbs, The business is called sounds pluz, it was actually recommended to me by the Porsche service manager from Hinsdale when I wanted to installed the Nav – TV system in my car so I can plug my phone to the radio, they did a really good job, You can email Marty at soundzplus@aol.com, they are roughly in the area of Butterfield and Eola Road.

 

I live in Oak Brook, Il. You have no garage and your going to use it as a daily driver? You're coming from a S550?


This is going to be a bigger adjustment then you think. Snow tires on 911s are ok, not great.


If we have another winter like last year, what are you going to do?? go to work at 1 o'clock in the afternoon?(you're going to have to wait for the street snow plowers to catch up. You can't drive in 6-10 inches of snow with a 4s, even with sow tires.


This is not a good move IMHO.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I'll jack up the suspension and put extra tall tires
I have an option to work from home, especially in inclement weather.
Thanks for the feedback.
I'll jack up the suspension and put extra tall tires

I have an option to work from home, especially in inclement weather. So im hopping that would help when mother nature decides to be a b.

 

Thanks much.
Im in north burbs, not too far of a drive... I'll reach out if i get it.