Hello all! I'm about to order my first Porsche 911 (very excited) and have a bunch of questions with regards to which 911 I should get and all the many options that are available. I've been to a bunch of dealerships and configured a few cars, but every dealer seems to give me different answers to questions and I don't always feel they are the most knowledgeable. So, here are the options I am debating. I would love your feedback and opinions. I know a lot will be personal preference, but this is my first 911 and a big purchase, I want to make sure I don't regret any missed option or upgrade.

1) 911S or 4S? I was leaning towards the 4S only bc I like the rear lights more, but you can't make them clear, which I want and can obviously do on the carrera S. I like how the 4 is a bit wider in the back, but I don't think it will make much of a difference.

2) Sport Chrono Package and MOST importantly, the sport exhaust system. The sport exhaust is one of the main reasons I am custom building a car. Can't find one at any dealer new to purchase. Does anyone have this options and if so, how big of a difference is it. Online, it sounds 100x better.

3) White exterior with 20inch painted black sport design wheels.

4) Power Sport Seats (14-way) with Memory Package - Does all or partial make that much of a difference? Outside of stitching, I didn't think I would notice it much.

5) Bi-Xenon™ Headlights in Black incl. Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS)

6) Sunroof in glass.

Thats basically it besides the small things. I know, I know, most are personal preference, but I really don't want to regret anything. I would love your thoughts on the above, and if there are any options I missed that are a must. Porsche has so many options!

I appreciate everyone's input. and fwiw, this site is great!

Thanks
NYU02

 

Re:S vs 4S to me that's a matter of use. If you intend to drive every day and could face significant snow, go 4S. If it is a weekend car, I would probably go 2wd. I have 4wd because I need to know I can get over a mountain pass in the snow. As I hope you know, snow tires are a MUST if you venture out in the cold and snow.

Re: PSE I love mine, but not all day everyday. It does make the car sound awesome.

 

What color are you leaning towards?
If you plan to drive it year-round in the NE, then I would recommend a 4S
You do realize that the 4S is "slower" has a smaller fuel tank and "frunk".

The Sport Exhaust sounds great and can be retro fitted. (Do a search on this forum to read about real life experiences).

Black headlights look good with some colors, and not so good with others.

Leather is completely up to you and your budget. You can pretty much wrap the entire car in leather for the price of a mid sized sedan.

 

I know the 4 is better for snow, but unless I switch the tires, it really doesn't make a difference, no?

Dux - I didn't know it had a smaller tank, thanks. I was planning on getting it in white, black rims, black interior. With the aftermarket sport exhaust, that is one of the things dealers keep giving me different answers on. 1) said they 100% can, 1 said 100% can't. I know they make after market sport exhausts for the 991, but does that include the wiring for the button or just 100% always on change of the exhaust?

 

1. 4S
2. Yes a must. I would also consider spasm and pdcc which IMO is transformational.
3. Lovely
4. 14 way fine but try all
5. Yes - Pdls in black on white car
6. Yes

It'll be a nice car.

 

You can re wire the button but that is really not practical. There are all sorts of exhausts and most are not always on (valves open). The valves open at a certain rev limit and or have a remote switch to keep them open.

Also the PSE is on all the time if you push the button but is not off all the time if you don't. Even with out the button pushed the valves are going to open at a certain rev limit.

I think I would ask your self if the PSE is loud enough or if you want a little more theoretical power from an after market exhaust. I think most people think the PSE sounds awesome but some want to chase more power or make the car louder. The different exhausts all sound different but most of them are just mostly louder. Yes there are a few that really scream like an F-1 car but most are the familiar flat 6 growl but louder.

FWIW I had the PSE and put the FVD valved sport exhaust on the back half. I am not sure yet if I will do the rest. I am also not sure if it was worth the money. It does sound a little deeper and it is louder. I can't feel if there is any more power. I like it being a bit louder most but not all of the time and the sound while deeper is not really better just different. So I do like it but I am not sure I like it 5k more.

 

I have a 4s on order as well, after reading your statement I had to doublecheck the website just to make sure of the specs.

0-60 4s is faster
Top speed is slower for 4s by 3 miles. At 187&184, not sure thats huge
4s has bigger fuel tank, smaller trunk space

Just wanted to clarify things for the OP

 

The brochure numbers suggest 2S is quicker at higher speed. 0-60 same.

 

If I ordered a car, one of the few options I was going to get on a white C2 was the black headlights and the glass roof. I think it looks great on a white coupe.

IMO, choosing a C4 because you like the lights better is a little bit of the tail wagging the dog, but it's your money and your choice. Good luck with whatever you end up with. They are all great!

 

here's a white one that is for sale and awesome. This was my "back up car" if my order didn't go well (but it's all good now, I have my Black Beauty).

I know the Sales Manager for this car and he was great to deal with, but I ordered my Black car from a different dealer because they had the slot. The car is in MA. It still shows for sale, I can PM you his contact info if you're interested. BTW, he offered me about $11k off the MSRP, it's a 2014 and a beauty!

 

I have more options on my car than most. The one option you mention above that I consider a must is the PDLS. I have PDLS, with the black. I think it looks great. Beyond looks though, the PDLS is useful. It is also very cool.

I have the C4S. If you want something to sling around the back en in, the C4S is not it. If you want something that is safer on less than ideal roads or at excessive speeds, choose the C4S. The rear tail light and wider fenders look awesome in my opinion.

I have PSE and Sport Chrono. The clock looks good, and is in a very usable position. The Sport Chrono packages is faster if you have the PDK transmission. The PSE sounds great, and can be turned off. The turning off aspect can be quite nice at time.

I love my 18 way seats.

An option I have that you didn't mention is Adaptive Cruise Control. It is awesome for those times you want to stay within the speed limit. Porsche did a fantastic job with it.

 

I have a 2S and use the normal speed control to stay within the limits. The adaptive which keeps you from hitting the car in front of you (hopefully) is a very expensive option. I have it on my BMW 650 and find it a PITA.

 

I would go 4S if you want to use it everyday. The exhaust can be retrofitted but is about $1000 more expensive than if it was ordered originally, however, a must have option. Sent you a link to one that you might like good luck!

 

1) If I were in NY and was going to drive year round, I would absolutely do the 4S. Since I live in the sunshine state, I made the obvious C2S purchase. On a side note, I love the 4S view from the rear, but the three-quarter side view looks a bit weird to me. Maybe it's an illusion, but the rear fenders reflect the wider track with a bit too much curviness(technical term ).

2) Unless you are into aftermarket modifications, which I am, I would absolutely get PSE, which I still ordered. Sport Chrono is cool with 7MT and a must with PDK>

3) If they offered a semi-gloss or matte black and completely finished the wheel, I would have been all over it. The polished lip and gloss paint doesn't work for me.

4) 14 way seats are missing the shoulder bolstering that the Sport Plus 4 way and Adaptave Sport Plus 18 way seats have.

5) The black headlights are cool, but a good place to trim the sticker if needed.

6) Sunroof in glass: Weighs more and probably hurt chassis stiffness, so count me out.

Extra Opinions) I would also consider either of the Sport Design Aero kits and Sport Design side mirrors. I chickened out of the ducktail and Aerocup and opted for just Sport Design front bumper.

 

1) I have the 4S and I have driven both on road and track. I prefer the handling of the 4S more steering feel.

2) What do you want out of the car... Nice noise, better engine mapping, launch control (PDK), rev-matching manual, etc... get the SCP and PSE.

3) Color scheme works - very personal though.

4) I have 4 way - never really adjust the seat. I do have deviated stitching and I feel it adds pop to the interior. Really depends on your color scheme very personal.

5) If you are going for white with black wheels the black headlights are in play... I do not have PDLS and happy I don't have it.

6) For me, yes yes and yes... without it I feel the cabin to a little too dark. That is again a personal thought.

Good luck and keep us posted.