So I drove an 08' S and then immediately drove an 11' S. The .2 felt notably quicker, smoother power delivery and also seemed to feel more athletic. In fact the 08' felt a bit loose in comparison. Perhaps I shouldn't have done that because it made me feel that if I do a 997S it would have to be a .2.

But speaking of folks with 335i DD's is it me or is that one great driving car. Excellent ride, handling, steering, rigidity etc. Almost makes me wonder why a 911 has to cost $40-$50k more!

 

[quote=Evoking;3339712]So I drove an 08' S and then immediately drove an 11' S. The .2 felt notably quicker, smoother power delivery and also seemed to feel more athletic. In fact the 08' felt a bit loose in comparison. Perhaps I shouldn't have done that because it made me feel that if I do a 997S it would have to be a .2.

But speaking of folks with 335i DD's is it me or is that one great driving car. Excellent ride, handling, steering, rigidity etc. Almost makes me wonder why a 911 has to cost $40-$50k more![/quote]

Are you comparing a 335i to a 911 ?

 

I agree on feeling like a 997.2 S was a better drive than a 997.1 Turbo... I drove both and for me it wasn't even a question... Had to go with the 997.2. Haven't driven a new turbo, so I can't comment there.
And... A 911 costs so much more than a 335i because it is a ridiculously better car... Until recently, we had a 335i we bought new... It was a fine car, but lasted 9 months before we were tired of it and got rid of it. Buying a 911 had a lot to do with that, because in comparison it just seemed
boring to both of us! Lol

 

Yes, the 997.2 has several improvements over the 997.1, including direct fuel injection, and the difference is noticeable.

The 335i is a fine sedan, but not a true sports car. IMO, the 911 is well worth the extra cost.

 

I just went from a 335i to a Cayman S a few months ago. The 335i has a lot of torque, but drives nothing like a Porsche. The steering is numb, sport suspension is jarring, engine runs out of steam at higher RPM's where the Porsche is just getting started. The only current BMW I considered was the M3, much more robust than the 335i.
The overall fit/finish of my car is much better than the 335i.

 

Larry, this is a bit off topic, but can you please post a pic of your M3?

 

stock 997.1 TT requires a flash, suspension work and of course an exhaust to be thoroughly enjoyed. Stock it was boring and a C2S felt nimbler by a wide margin. If your not going to mod the Turbo you may be better off in a C2S.

Once you mod the turbo however its game over, it becomes an absolute animal but only after 12-15k investment.

 

I personally feel that the Cayman R is a better choice over a C2S if what you're into is driving feel. The Cayman R feels so much more nimble and tossable than the C2S, and the steering feel is just fantastic. Yes, acceleration on the top end is not as strong as the C2S, but it can catch the C2S under braking and in the corners to make up for it.

As for the TT, I'm inclined to agree that in stock form (which mine is at the moment), it's a bit boring. Sure, it accelerates like a beast on boost, but besides that, I feel like I'm driving a sedan rather than a sports car. It's perfect as a highway cruiser but it's not a car I'd be interested in taking to the track as it's softly sprung and steering feel is typical for an AWD car, as in there isn't much. I'm sure a set of good coilovers and aggressive alignment can change the driving dynamics, however, so once I find a setup that doesn't compromise everyday driving too much, I'll swap it out for that.

 

I have to take some pics. I rarely photo my cars thse days.

 

I've owned a 997TT, sold it and bought a 997S. No regrets. Took $30K, put it in my pocket. Honestly can't say that I miss my Turbo. S not worse, just different. And the price diff is big. What everyone else said is true. 997TT is a torque monster. 997S is just a fun sports car.

 

Wow... that really makes me think as I wanted a 997 TT ever since I can remember. Never thought people would opt for a non-turbo, but after driving my S for a while I have really grown to appreciate NA engines.

My S600 and my mothers Cayenne TT all have turbo lag that is driving me nuts. My father's Alpina B7 has the least lag out of any TT I have driven and 996TT stock was just terrible. Not being able to control the throttle perfectly really can be unrewarding after it being so right in the Sport Mode on the S.

That's why I really think that if I ever end up going the FI route with any car, I will try to stick to a Supercharger. Otherwise I hope a GTS will make its way into my future. 50 more HP must be amazing on NA 997!

 

Just as his post declared that he went from a Turbo to a non Turbo about 3/4 of the Turbo forum went the opposite route . It really does take driving the car to make the decision . .. although the price gap can influence the outcome . I walked away from many a Turbo before I bought my first one.

 

So where can I find some pics/threads of the more aggressively modded 997's?

 

after a decade of turbo cars, i finally went NA again and i like it a lot... turbo cars are finnicky and not as consistent. for someone who really drives his cars, turbo cars proved to be a detriment on some occasions, overheating and pulling not only power, but response (which is worse)... granted they weren't Porsche's. i think it is important to get the speed demon off your back to really appreciate NA, though.

 

oh and someone mentioned superchargers, i had one of those... yes response is great, but i had problems with heat. it was a roots type which replaced the intake manifold and did not lend itself well to aftercooling, so in anything but mild street driving i had audible knock. that experience is why i spent a decade with turbo cars instead... i am trying to avoid a supercharger for my NSX because i will be faced with a similar issue as it is a screw type which replaces the intake manifold. however it is the only CARB Legal option.

a centrifugal/ rotrex supercharger i would much prefer... they use turbo style compressors and are much easier to aftercool.