Porsche 997S vs RS4

[rs4v8]

my old RS4 had ss+. My wife also commented how much more comfy the C4s is PASM off.

Mine has SS+ and I find it less harsh than my old M3. Generally the roads where I live are in pretty good condition though. Horses for courses I guess. It'd be good to be able to electroncally change the settings of the suspension though I must admit and the PDK would be good for full on 'lazy mode'

Personally, and having never driven a 911, I think the RS4 offers me an unbeatable blend of pace, handling and practicality whilst remaining (reasonably!) understated.

[P_G]

I'm not arguing rs4v8, I was surprised to hear the comment. I doubt I could get all the gear for my two year old and 6 month old including two buggies, clothes, toys etc plus our stuff, and the four of use in a 997 and I definitely couldn't get a chest of drawers into a 997 which I can in the Avant. But maybe they have more space than people make out?

[rs4v8]

I'm not arguing rs4v8, I was surprised to hear the comment. I doubt I could get all the gear for my two year old and 6 month old including two buggies, clothes, toys etc plus our stuff, and the four of use in a 997 and I definitely couldn't get a chest of drawers into a 997 which I can in the Avant. But maybe they have more space than people make out?

I know you weren't arguing mate. Just a wee bit of a raised eyebrow by the 'on par' bit

From what Arsey4 says it definately sounds like a 997 has a wee bit more space than I thought though.

Gonna have a wee look next time I'm down in Aberdeen.

[ARSEY4]

Just to clarify as my teeth are aching from being pulled
A RS4 is obviously more practical space wise than a 911, I wasnt suggetsing that it wasnt.
In My C4s I can get as I said a small fold up pushchair frame in the front, I can get a rear facing car seat with my nearly 3 month old son in and my wife in the front.
I did a lot of research before I bought the c4s and went into the dealership to test everything out as if I could not of got the wife and son in with a pushchair it would have been a no go as its no point having a second car that only I can use.
When our son gets to around 9 months he will go in forward facing seat, saftey and legislation permitting (another story) which will allow my wifes seat to go back further. There is only one pushchair that I know of that fits so we have one for the 911 and one for the practical car.
I also had no problem with my ss+ RS4 but my wife did and she doesnt with the C4s. I hope that clears up everything up and as a final thought did you know that a Winibago is more practical than a RS4

[rs4v8]

Just to clarify as my teeth are aching from being pulled

Did you get to keep your teeth? Let me know which dentist you're with and I'll bring my car round and take them home for you if you like. I doubt they'll go in yours.

did you know that a Winibago is more practical than a RS4

Now you're just being silly!!

[P_G]

When our son gets to around 9 months he will go in forward facing seat, saftey and legislation permitting (another story) which will allow my wifes seat to go back further.

Trust me, you'll need more space when they are front facing with swinging feet. Nothing worse than being constantly kicked in the back by the young 'un let alon the damage to yhe rear of the seat.

[rs4v8]

When our son gets to around 9 months he will go in forward facing seat, saftey and legislation permitting (another story) which will allow my wifes seat to go back further.

Trust me, you'll need more space when they are front facing with swinging feet. Nothing worse than being constantly kicked in the back by the young 'un let alon the damage to yhe rear of the seat.

and lifting him in and out of the back through the front doors will become pretty tiresome too when he gets a little bit heavier. Been there done that. Mrs Arsey4 will be more fed up with it than you.

[ARSEY4]

When our son gets to around 9 months he will go in forward facing seat, saftey and legislation permitting (another story) which will allow my wifes seat to go back further.

Trust me, you'll need more space when they are front facing with swinging feet. Nothing worse than being constantly kicked in the back by the young 'un let alon the damage to yhe rear of the seat.

and lifting him in and out of the back through the front doors will become pretty tiresome too when he gets a little bit heavier. Been there done that. Mrs Arsey4 will be more fed up with it than you.

Mrs Arsey4 will probably not use the car without me but yes I can imagine its going to become a problem. Hopefully by that time a new RS4 will be with us with adaptive suspension and DSG that looks as good and goes as well as the B7.

[rs4v8]

Hopefully by that time a new RS4 will be with us with adaptive suspension and DSG that looks as good and goes as well as the B7.

Very much hope so. Having said that, you've got me looking at 911s on the web now!!

[CHRISKL]

Guys - this has been an interesting discussion - andit really is a case of horses for courses IMHO. I'm relatively lucky enough to own both a newish RS4 (B7) and a much older 911 (993). Both high performance vehicles but very different - and as this discussion has discovered (I think!) they are both practical relative to their specific designs. Lets face it, nobody buys a 911 (of any genre) for the same practicality they would an RS4 (or any other large performance saloon/estate for that matter) - but that does not mean to say the 911 is impractical. I purchased a RS4 Avant to give me more room load/passenger carrying wise than could my 993 but also retaining the performance aspect.
Having said that I've owned the 993 a long time and it has taken 2 adults and all the camping and hiking gear needed for a week at a time in all weathers and all over the country. They (911's) really are more 'practical' than you'd ever realise unless you've owned and lived with one long term.
Compared to my 993 I'm sure that the 997 is even more practical and capable of carrying more - but not as much as the RS4!
Performance wise they are similar (though the RS4 wins out over the old 993) - but the driving style is totally different.
Finally, my wife much prefers the RS4 drive (as a passenger) to the Porsche - me, I enjoy both but in seperate ways!
See, it's as clear as mud!!!

[ghoonk]

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...

t'was a 997 CS. I'd guess that the PDK makes a small difference -- they save a split second or few on shifting and zero chance of a misshift.

[ARSEY4]

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...

t'was a 997 CS. I'd guess that the PDK makes a small difference -- they save a split second or few on shifting and zero chance of a misshift.

Generation 1 or generation 2? What reg was it?

[chemical-ali]

Trust me, you'll need more space when they are front facing with swinging feet. Nothing worse than being constantly kicked in the back by the young 'un let alon the damage to yhe rear of the seat.

and lifting him in and out of the back through the front doors will become pretty tiresome too when he gets a little bit heavier. Been there done that. Mrs Arsey4 will be more fed up with it than you.

Mrs Arsey4 will probably not use the car without me but yes I can imagine its going to become a problem. Hopefully by that time a new RS4 will be with us with adaptive suspension and DSG that looks as good and goes as well as the B7.

They do. Its an M3 saloon with dsg and edc.