it's been 2 days since i picked up the C4S. now, after about 120 miles, here are my impressions:


1. the car is extremely firm and solid. never had anything like this.
2. the inside noise is quiet loud. engine noise, road noise, and even a low sound whenever going over anything bumpy.
3. the ride can be bumpy. i think the M030 suspension contributes to this, and likely also to the road noise because it's riding lower.
4. i am rubbing the front a lot. i try to be very careful coming out, or into driveways, parking lots. but there is always that little rub at the very end.
5. i love this car!

here are the questions:
1. am i rubbing anything major in the front. i was told that the plastic piece below the bumper is the one taking the hit. and can be replaced for rather cheap.
2. i do notice a rattle coming from right dashboard/windshield area. is it worth mention to the dealer service. i have done this to my many previous cars. the answer is always.."cannot duplicate".
3. is the slightly loud noise inside from the road and engine normal?
4. how many gallons does the tank hold?
5. when i press the clutch all the way in, there is always a little click, what is that?

sorry for all the dumb questions. but it's my first porsche, and was used.. so very nevous about everything. i won't even talk about parking this car in public and all the worries associated with that.

thanks.

 

congrat again trovan!

to answer some of ur questions:
1. u're hitting the lip which can be replaced for around $150 ~ 240 depends u want the 4S lip or Turbo lip. both fits perfectly with some difference in design. 4S lip will offer u slightly more clearance than the Turbo lip.

2. sadly rattle noise is pretty common in all 996s. i've owned 4 different 996s none is noise free but i don't care much since it's a true sports car not a Mercedes or Lexus etc. u have stiff suspension & thin tires so the rattle is understandable. just turn the music louder & u'll be fine!

3. i'd say normal. however, to look further which brand of tires are currently on the car?

4. the tank holds 16.6 gallon.

 

Congrats on an excellent choice. I loved my 4S, loved it even more after I modded the snot out of it

Are you keeping it stock or making any changes?

 

thanks arling, always count on your to give explanations. i have continental sports contact 2 on them right now. i am sure they are considered as quiet compared to some others.

i think i just have to get used to the car. you are right, it's not a lexus, and it should be loud.

i will keep rubbing the front lip. at one point, i will replace it.

thanks.

 

i will keep it stock for a while. the wife has to get over her disapproval first!!

i sold my wheels, exhaust on my audi S4 to get some wheels for the porsche. but i think for now, i will buy something nice for her and just wait!!

 

Trovan--Here are my observations (my 04 C4S cab has 10,500 miles on it now):
1. The front bumper will take some beating on driveway dips and other obstacles--not much you can do about it, except take the lip off which I would not recommend.
2. There is no reason why you should have to give up on removing the rattle. I have none, and Porsche has all kinds of TSBs for removing them. They make various felt tape and other tricks for dealing with this, and a good service department will fix it if you keep after them.
3. The road noise is a function of your brand of tires, inflation and rough road surfaces. I run Michelin Sport Pilot, and they are very quiet (considering the fact that it is a sports car!).
4. The MO30 suspension might well be the contributing factor to all three of your issues. The C4S is already 10mm lower than the stock 996--I guess you are stuck with that option, and most members of this board would want you to keep it (I prefer a standard suspension set-up for my non-track daily driving).

 

You won't scrape your lip if you angle over the dips.

That clutch noise is some switch thing. Normal. I kind of think it's cool.

Enjoy that Car !!!

 

You say the car was used.
How many miles on the tires.......what brand.......and what pressure?

These 2-3 answers may yield info with something to do with 'road noise'.........also......coasting on good road, as you slow, does the road nose change as you slow (amplitude & frequency)?.....indicators it's tire related.

Click on clutch is (probably) switch that enables ignition (can't start w/clutch out)...........it should not be loud or bothersome, I do not hear it on mine.......turn it in with rattles, never give up on rattles.

Technique for avoiding chin spoiler scrapes (as has been mentioned).......survey what you are going to go up, alway take an angle, sometimes an extreme angle, brake just BEFORE your one wheel hits grade, when you lift off brake your front suspension unloads giving you another inch of clearence at that instance.
I'm lower than you, rarely scrape.

Of course, I go-around the block alot..... and find another way in


Enjoy your car.......a good selection

 

thanks everyone.

the car has 13500 miles, and the tires were changed at 9000 miles. the car is certified, so everything was check, but i don't know the exact pressure on these conti sports contact 2. the noise definitely decrease with speed, but goes up crazy when crossing overramp/bridges.

i will take it in for the rattles. hopefully they will have a solution. my warranty is good until 3/06. so i should definitley do this. i have 2 more years after that from the pre-owned certified warranty, but don't know if they will cover these items.


thanks again everyone. maybe i need to just accept this is a sports car, and drive it like one.

 

My guess is.......that you may have some higher-than-nec pressure going there, but check-em to be sure.

4500 miles is not a ton of miles.......but unfortunely is enough for tires to develop a wear pattern (and start creating noise). Patterns do not change, they just generate more noise w/miles. Did 'certified' get you last alignment stats?.......biggest contributors to tire wear is alignment & pressure.

 

Trovan,
So how would you compare it to your S4. I am currently thinking about the jump but still unsure. BTW I post over on Audizine under JetBlue.
MO

 

hey JetBlue,

i don't think the S4 and the 4S are comparable. one is easy to drive and makes great daily driver. while the porsche is an awesome car for pleasure and not as easy for daily purpose.

at least that is my inital impression after only few days.

i am glad i have both which makes it awesome to choose my rides pending what i am doing.

parking the porsche stresses me out cuz i am so afriad someone is going to dent the door!!

 

hhaah so im SOL then..

i drive my 996 Turbo EVERYDAY !!!

and i am glad that i do use it

lol
j/k

 

Conti SC2 are so noisy, I hated just about every mile after 4000 because of this. They wear decently and have reasonable grip...but the road noise was so bad. I would check the air pressure in them to ensure you aren't running them too high.

The click is normal, but can be deactivated (not recommended though. It would enable you to start your car without your foot on the clutch, but should you forget and have it in gear...the results aren't all that pretty.). This click is the actuator that allows you to start your car.

They are noisy cars...but you hit the nail on the head when you said...it's not a Lexus.

Congratulations by the way.

 

haha to be honest i didnt really know the conti's were loud, i thought it was just the way the car was.. my wife complains about the noise.. i just turbo the radio up more hahah...