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Had the chance to test drive the 997S for 24 hrs while my RS4 saloon was in the paint shop last week so have been able to do a direct comparison.

The 997 had the new 7 speed pdk box which changes gear 60% faster than a normal auto, good for 4.5 seconds, 0-60 (compares to 4.7 for the manual version).

Sticking your foot in the carpet at the lights, there's a lot more drama to it than in the RS4 - you have to literally hold on to the steering wheel as it sling shots you forward and it has that slight 911 light front wheels feel to it whereas the RS4 feels smoother and less twitchy.

I remember this with a 993 I once had, anything over 80 mph on a bending road starts to become unnerving whereas in the RS4 you don't feel you need to back off. It might be the 997 4S version feels more assured, the C4 964 I had certainly did.

In townI felt the auto box is very easy to drive, even my girlfriend who is frankly a bit scared of fast cars said she wouldn't mind driving it and you do feel quite special in it.

My conclusion is that thery're both great cars, the RS4 definately still the best method of getting from A to B in a preposterously fast manner, and a car for all occasions whereas the Porsche is a bit of a pose, albeit a very nice one.

The ronseal RS4 wins again

Still haven't seen anything which has made my boxers twitch enough to make me want to change yet.

911 - painfully desirable but still not a proper everyday propostion regardless of what anyone says.

I think I would have written the same report, had I not just sold my rs4.

Just had the carrera s for a day as well as I am considering alternatives at the moment. As a straight comparison, the Carrera s with the PDK is somewhat superior in performance to the RS4. Still dont think I would buy one, but as a piece of driving theatre, the Porsche is much more alive to the road, especially the brakes. I forgot just how good Porsche brakes were with their sublime feel and graduated fade. In comparison, the audi's are an on off switch.

The engine of the s is no better, the RS4 engine note alone making it the better unit overall. However, the Porsche lays that power down in a way that feels like it has more BHP and/or less weight. I was wary of the steering, which felt light at speed and if accelerating round bends. If I bought a Porsche, I would get the front lowered by 5mm or so to create the flying wedge, making the front end heavier at speed. Either that, or go for a 4wd.

As an everyday drive, if I didn't have the kids / wife / lugguage, the porsche would win hands down, especially with the pdk box. The only annoying thing is they still have stupid buttons on the wheel rather than proper paddles!!! But it is a close one and considering the RS4 does so many things more than the porsche, and for a lot less money, you have to respect that audi did a great job.

As part of my day, I went out in the Panemera Turbo. All I can say is OMFG!!!! It is perhaps the fastest road car off the blocks I have ever been in. Faster than an F430, 360, Gallardo, 997 or 996 Turbo. All of them! Forget what a pig it is, it was unbelievably rapid. Have a go if you get the chance.

I went from RS4 with ss+ to Carrera 4s (generation 2), I took two pdk cars on test drives which were fantstic and really couldnt make up my mind. In the end the deal I got offered on a 2 month old car with 274 miles on the clock made my mind up for me. I did have a sneaking doubt in my mind that pdk would loose its appeal after a while but I am still not sure.
As an every day driving car the c4s is easier to live with than my old ss+ RS4 and that is mainly down to pasm and the option to have comfy or similar ride to the RS4.
The engine is more responsive in the C4s and it does feel faster but I do miss the sound of the V8. I recently had the sports exhaust fitted which makes it sound very raspy. I have a 10 week old son and I get a Quinny zapp push chair in the front boot, a rear facing child seat in the back and the wife in the front. I still have room for an overnight bag ontop of the pushchair and the seat behind me is free so its suprisingly practical.

ARSEY4 wrote: so its suprisingly practical.

Really? Surprised to hear this. Hmm, interesting.........

rs4v8 wrote:

ARSEY4 wrote: so its suprisingly practical.

Really? Surprised to hear this. Hmm, interesting.........

Yes really....

Had a run with a 997CS three weeks back on a clear open road (late night). Good weather conditions, dry, and the RS4 was able to close in on the CS in every gear, and started passing the CS from 270 km/h, and he gave up at around 290 km/h. Stock car, except for a Revo reflash off the shelf to remove speed limiter and increase rev limit to 8400 rpm.

My experience is the same as ghoonk's although only up to 165mph...but I hazard a guess my run in was with a Gen 1 C2S?

However, I think what chemcial-ali is saying is that the new Gen 2 C2S with the PDK (385hp?) is quicker than the RS4 in a drag which would make sense considering its bhp:kg ratio...

That said, a bit like the GTR, I've heard the great 0-60 times are a function of the clutch-eating launch control...

Gen1 s to me felt a little flat mid range, the gen 2s feel a bit more lively.
Im sure a well driven RS4 could easily keep up and vice versa, crikey I got blown off by a Peguot 205 1.9 the other day that had 2 passengers in as he was prepared to launch his car into a roundabout sideways. I was not!

ARSEY4 wrote:

rs4v8 wrote:

ARSEY4 wrote: so its suprisingly practical.

Really? Surprised to hear this. Hmm, interesting.........

Yes really....

Not as practical as say an RS4 Avant though. I could see the 997 and saloon being on a par.

P_G wrote:

ARSEY4 wrote:

rs4v8 wrote: Really? Surprised to hear this. Hmm, interesting.........

Yes really....

Not as practical as say an RS4 Avant though. I could see the 997 and saloon being on a par.

I think we can safetly say that a 2 door coupe is not as practical as either a four door saloon or a five door estate car in the same way as a RS4 avant is not as practical as a seven seater X5, assuming that you are using the word practical to mean as spacious. Having said that to drive everyday without any passengers or the need to take vast amounts of luggage my C4s is an easier proposition than my old RS4. This is soley down to ride and the qualities of PASM and the fact my old RS4 had ss+. My wife also commented how much more comfy the C4s is PASM off.

ARSEY4 wrote:

rs4v8 wrote:

ARSEY4 wrote: so its suprisingly practical.

Really? Surprised to hear this. Hmm, interesting.........

Yes really....

I really wasn't meaning to be sarcastic if that's how you've read it!! Genuinely surprised.

P_G wrote:Not as practical as say an RS4 Avant though. I could see the 997 and saloon being on a par.

Sorry to disagree. You'll struggle to get four adults in a 911. I've had five in my RS4 from Inverness to Oulton Park and Donington with no grumbles from the back seat.

Furthermore, for load carrying, I'm not having it that a 911 would be able to carry luggage for five adults, my RS4 often does as well as golf clubs, bikes, kite buggy or DIY stuff from B&Q.

Would love to own a 911 if I could justify a second car, but as a practical everyday proposition a 911 is flawed IMHO in comparison to the saloon (or avant) bodied layout.