What's better a 964 C2 or C4?

[blau911]

Looking for opinions from people who have had/driven C4's.
Thanks.

[badcar]

C-4 is a rock solid ride if you like the grip and slight understeer. I never tracked my car, so not sure how it would act under those driving conditions. It worked very well through snow. Be aware of the expense of a C4 where the drive train needs work...very expensive.

[Garrett]

Originally posted by blau911
Looking for opinions from people who have had/driven C4's.
Thanks.

It depends on what you're looking for. If you like a 2wd car just because, then don't get a C4. If you like advanced and well engineered AWD systems, get a C4. Personally, I think C4's are better: how can you argue with a sports car with better traction? Is a sports car with poorer traction that good of a sports car? That's why I've owned 4 of them and still own 3: I have one as a daily driver, one as a race car, and one for sale!

As a track car, a C2 is slightly lighter, and puts down a slight amount more power to the wheels - BUT, and a big BUT, it only goes down to two wheels - these same two wheels which are also needed to support a lot of rear-end weight. A tire has a limit of traction and if it's already max'ed out due to lateral traction limits and you're asking it to also accelerate the car in a forward direction, you'll get tire slip. A C4 as a track car has a better weight balance due to some mass in the front end, it can be tuned to oversteer or understeer however much you want so static handling is similar except for the worse weight bias of a C2. A C4 has the ability to put the power down without wasting it to wheel spin making it a real animal coming out of corners - having AWD with managed limited slip differentials (what a C4 has) is a better power distribution system versus an open rear differential on a single axle. A C4 is more stable under throttle when traction limits of tires are close, as it can put the power down and make sure it's being used by a tire with good traction. This translates into a lack of throttle oversteer out of corners as well as more stability in corners where the power is on - very stable. A C2, especially one with no LSD, can throttle oversteer which is not as fast as coming out of a corner, and not as stable, and not as confidence inspiring.

This same issue does translate to the handling on the street, if you drive in a way where limits of traction are met or even if you get close. If you never test the limits of traction of a tire (whether turning or braking or accelerating or if it's snowy or rainy) on the street, the C4 will be the same as a C2. The additional weight of the C4 isn't that noticeable on a street car - a full vs. empty tank of gas probably makes as much of a difference. A car with this much torque, and this little weight, it makes a big difference to have good power distribution, because a spinning tire provides no acceleration, and no lateral traction.

Expense-wise - no big difference. There are more CV boots to tear - but once they're replaced they seldom go bad again. The bearing carriers in the hub are stronger on a C4 than C2. There is one more differential to have fresh oil in and the tranny takes maybe one more liter than a C2 tranny - if you use synthetic, it never needs changing, so that's not much different. The drivetrain is solid, I would not worry at all about additional expense - if anything breaks, it's likely to happen on a C2 or a C4. Changing the brake fluid will cost more if you don't do it yourself because the hydraulics need to be bled in addition to the brake system hydraulics - this is a once a two-year interval. A C4 uses a hydraulic system for brake assist which is very solid; a C2 uses a vacuum based system. Each can have its share of problems. I personally think the pressure-based system of the C4 to be more reliable - Porsche used it on its 964 race cars, turbo cars, RS cars...

The biggest issue of reliabilty is how well the entire car was maintained. If you drive like an old lady and are oblivious to the "feel" of a car, you won't know the difference between the two models. In most cases, people can buy either one as long as their in good shape - that makes a bigger difference. If traction is a concern (which is a sports car, how is it not, right?!), a C4 has better traction due to better power distribution.

I could write a book on this question.... and just may... Hope this helps.

[hytem]

Depends on what you want a C4 for. The C2 is fine in snow, if you have the right tires. Rear engine/rear drive cars are very good in snow, so the C2 should be very good with all-season tires. I wouldn't get a C4 just for better winter traction.