Thanks Carlos.
But I don't understand one thing: why does this magazine claim 321 HP for the Carrera and 350 HP for the Carrera S? I just checked with the UK Porsche website and the power figures are the same as almost everywhere else: 325 HP and 355 HP. Any clue?
We didn't do a Carrera vs. Carrera S back to back testing yet but I heard that the Carrera S has an advantage in the upper speed range only at speeds way over 125 mph.
I can also imagine that a Carrera equipped with PCCB, 19'' wheels and the 20 mm chassis option would be the hell of a fun car for almost the same money as the 997 Carrera S.
Factory performance claims indicate a 0.3 seconds advantage for the 997 Carrera S vs. the Carrera from 0-100 mph.
But of course you get a different engine with the 997 Carrera S, even if Porsche and dealers try to make it look differently. The M97 engine has been improved substantially compared to the "old" M96 engine and of course it revvs a little bit faster to higher rpm figures. Not to forget about sport exhaust availability for the Carrera S and the rumored 380 HP powerkit which might be available in a year or two.
For 911 "beginners", a 997 Carrera with 20 mm chassis option might be the right choice for an interesting price, especially since there is high demand for the Carrera S and dealers are more likely to discount a Carrera.
But the "S" has that extra sportiness which makes it a little bit more special. Is it worth the extra money? Well, for 10000 Euro more, the buyer also gets PASM or the 20 mm chassis option, 19'' wheels and bigger brakes (they so called "Turbo" brake) and of course 30 HP more power, the newer engine and a better engine/exhaust note at higher rev figures. From a financial point of view, the Carrera S clearly is the better deal. Can't say much about resale value though but I suspect high demand for "S" models and less demand for the Carrera on the used car market after a year or two. Time will tell.