2013 Cayman ride quality

[bensmithuk]

Having read all the glowing reviews I'd mentally bought the Cayman already. Love its looks, spec and just needed a test drive to rubber stamp the whole thing. A 2.7 launch car with a good spec and 10% off list had my name on it.

Took it out for an hour and was horrified by the ride - it didn't have PASM but any kind of rough surface was horribly jarring and uncomfortable. Really disappointed.

For context - I've been driving a BMW Z4 on 18" wheels and sports suspension for 10 years. This is a car that has universally been criticised for the ride being too firm - I never expected to find a new car that felt harsher.

Have I been unlucky? Should I try a different spec? Is the Boxster any better?

[juansolo]

I assume it was fitted with the bling option wheels. If so, TADTS. Otherwise, it's a lot better than it was, you should try a gen1 on 18's (or bigger if you're a masochist).

Edited by juansolo on Monday 17th June 22:00

[bensmithuk]

It had 19s on. I dread to think what those beautiful 20" options do to the ride in that case. Odd that it hasn't been mentioned in some of the reviews by now though...

I took a C4S out on 18s for a sanity check and that was precisely as I'd imagined the Cayman should be - firm and with good feel but soaked up the potholes.

[chard]

I had the same experience with ride, I think it would be great on a nice smooth road surface but without being blasphemous the ride was a bit ropey at speed on normal bumpy uk roads. Maybe I was expecting too much or maybe I just preferred id stable mate more?

[mrdemon]

Tyre brand plays a massive part.

[bensmithuk]

I guess the reviewers are testing on good tarmac or with PASM (I assume that improves things).

Dealer (diplomatically) suggested some people want a 'pure driving experience' but I couldn't bring myself to part with over £40k for a car - however pretty - that rode that badly off the motorway.

Reckon I'll try a Boxster (I do love that new shape) and then start looking for a used C2.

[DMC2]

I have a Cayman S with 20" wheels and PASM. The ride quality is absolutely incredible. Even on bumpy Scottish backroads where cars like my Gen2 GT3 were unusable I find it amazing.

I've even had the PASM on sport setting quite a few times, something which you could never do with a 997 911.

I 'downsized' as I was bored having cars that weren't fun on little roads, too much power and/or too fidgety. I'm gobsmacked by how much I love the 981 Cayman. I was only planning on keeping it till the end of the year, but I'm getting so attached to it already.

[bensmithuk]

DMC2 said:

I have a Cayman S with 20" wheels and PASM.

Right... reckon I'm off to test one with PASM then. Might stretch the budget a bit though...

[BnB]

I had a gen 1 on 19s with PASM. Rode like an absolute dream, better than any other Porsche I've had. And I've had a few.

[bensmithuk]

Thanks for all the responses. Another test-drive it is...

[mankey]

In my opinion, don't even think about a car with 19" or above without PASM, unless of course you only ever drive on perfect roads .

I had a 987 Boxster once that had 19's and NO PASM. I sort of got used to it, but the rocky ride was the first thing that all my passengers noticed.

[stevod]

Could also be pressures. My Box (19s, Pirelli, non PASM) was supplied with tyres over-inflated. Funnily enough it was a lot better when let down to the right level.

FWIW I find the 981 Box on 20s non-PASM perfectly comfortable too, and M Beemers a struggle.

Seems odd....

S

[Zyp]

Spyder (and most likely the Cayman R?) drive great on 19's with no PASM.

[juansolo]

Zyp said:

Spyder (and most likely the Cayman R?) drive great on 19's with no PASM.

Bespoke suspension for those two that's is more compliant (relatively speaking compared to the non-PASM suspension). Can be retro-fitted if you can be arsed. Shame my 17's won't go on my brothers spyder, would love to give that a go. I expect it'd be comedy.

Edited by juansolo on Monday 17th June 22:09

[rob.kellock]

Zyp said:

Spyder (and most likely the Cayman R?) drive great on 19's with no PASM.

How's the rose tinted specs?

Drive's great but the ride is not exactly S class limo!

[Zyp]

rob.kellock said:

Zyp said:

Spyder (and most likely the Cayman R?) drive great on 19's with no PASM.

How's the rose tinted specs?

Drive's great but the ride is not exactly S class limo!

Granted, but I hope anyone buying a sporty Porsche aren't expecting S class stylee comfort....

Besides, soft bouncy suspension makes me sea sick.
I like it hard. (That's obvious, having a cab... )

[Zyp]

juansolo said:

Bespoke suspension for those two that's is more compliant (relatively speaking compared to the non-PASM suspension). Can be retro-fitted if you can be arsed. Shame my 17's won't go on my brothers spyder, would love to give that a go. I expect it'd be comedy.

Edited by juansolo on Monday 17th June 22:09

I thought it was just the -20mm sports chassis?
Are there different dampers under there as well then?

[PeterB14]

I have a 981 Cayman 2.7, 20" wheels and PASM.
Use it about 50% with setting for suspension in sport and rest normal.
The Boss's opinion on the ride is firm but good and she prefers it to our previous Audi TTRS cars, that is from passenger side.
BTW I live in Teesdale and I would love to find smooth Tarmac without potholes of some sort.

[Little Lofty]

I dont have PASM on mine and have 20" alloys.Its not a soft ride my any means but I don't find it overly firm either.

[spyderman8]

FWIW I borrowed a 981 Boxster S from OPC Silverstone with 20" wheels and PASM and I was astonished by how good the ride was. Even the Sport mode of the suspension as usable on some roads.