Big difference between 2.7 and 3.4 engines on 981?

[Jezz-z1000]

There seems to be plenty of 2.7 981s in either PDK or manual form, but not so many 3.4s in my price range.

Is there a big difference in performance? Not just at the top end but day to day?

[mosbacher]

Yes. You’d have to try both to see but I’d say the 2.7 is a little gutless depending on what you’re used to. 3.4 definitely worth the extra for my money but to each their own of course.

[Renngineering]

The advice I typically give is to focus on the best car you can find and park the desperation for an engine type.

Neither car is really that (in italics) fast compared to lots of modern performance cars.

To answer the question directly. Yes there’s a noticeable difference as you’d expect, but personally I really like the 2.7. Drive it like you stole it and it’s huge fun.

A lovely condition, great spec base vs an average to scruffy S and I know where I’m putting my money.

[Youforreal.]

Test drive both.

[Crudeoink]

Having driven an S and a 2.7 id say its worth the extra wait and money to find a good 3.4. They have a lot more torque and feel a lot faster. The 2.7 requires move revs and thus means if you like revvy engines and working for the power they are still good fun. I knew that if i'd bought a 2.7 id still be looking at Autotrader in the evenings for a well specc'd 3.4 as i'd always be thinking about the bigger engined car.

[Panamax]

PDK is very effective at masking the limited torque of 2.7 as it shuffles the gears so quickly.

If you want a manual transmission the torquier 3.4 is more driveable.

[SV_WDC]

As others say, think you need to test drive them.

For public roads it's plenty. It's amazing how quickly you get used to the power anyway, even if you've owned or driven bigger and more powerful cars before it. And the other poster is right on how good PDK is at masking any loss of power versus a larger variant