Buying a 981, red flags?

Buying a 981, red flags?

Author
Discussion

GT3Manthey

4,559 posts

50 months

Tuesday 9th April
quotequote all
981Boxess said:
It isn’t just the 20” diameter that is the problem, the larger wheels run higher pressures which leaves little give in the lower profile tyres and adds to the issue.
I bought a set of 18” wheels as a bit of an experiment to try and the ride is much better. I then went from Pirelli to Goodyear to try and reduce the tyre noise, which is very noticeable on these cars and they helped reduce that too.

The real problem is our rubbish third world roads, not the damping, the 20” drive perfectly well with passive dampers on decent roads.
If I go on Eurohoons I use the 20”, the rest of the time I use the 18” which for me overall are the better every day option. I am sure the purists will be having a fit at the thought, but don’t knock it until you have tried it.
You make a good point about the state of our roads. They are truly awful and I can't see that changing . Yes the constant rain doesn't help although they must suffer the same abroad but seem to manage it ok .

Find myself constantly dodging potholes now.

mr pg

1,956 posts

206 months

Tuesday 9th April
quotequote all
Don't agree with the ride being too stiff personally. My 981CS with 20's/PASM I thought was excellent, and way better than my previous 996 turbo on 18's.

ATM

18,367 posts

220 months

Tuesday 9th April
quotequote all
981Boxess said:
ATM said:
rawenghey said:
the ride is very stiff
If you don't choose the massive wheels and you choose the standard softer not lowered passive damper setup they are not stiff.
It isn’t just the 20” diameter that is the problem, the larger wheels run higher pressures which leaves little give in the lower profile tyres and adds to the issue.
I bought a set of 18” wheels as a bit of an experiment to try and the ride is much better.
So I have switched from the Porsche sizes to the thinnest 18 tyres available which made sense. Because I believe thinner tyres are softer. A bit extreme for most owners I know. Tyre to arch gaps do look a bit off now but the car drives well.

Standard OE Setup
235 45 18
265 45 18

Mine
215 45 18
245 45 18







GT3Manthey

4,559 posts

50 months

Tuesday 9th April
quotequote all
ATM said:
So I have switched from the Porsche sizes to the thinnest 18 tyres available which made sense. Because I believe thinner tyres are softer. A bit extreme for most owners I know. Tyre to arch gaps do look a bit off now but the car drives well.

Standard OE Setup
235 45 18
265 45 18

Mine
215 45 18
245 45 18




Very much love that colour

ATM

18,367 posts

220 months

Tuesday 9th April
quotequote all
GT3Manthey said:
ATM said:

Very much love that colour
Thanks

Took quite a bit of mental gymnastics to decide upon. I've never bought a new car so I have never had the option to choose any colour.

I deliberately left the mirrors black and the surround around the screen.


Riff Raff

5,153 posts

196 months

Tuesday 9th April
quotequote all
981Boxess said:
ATM said:
rawenghey said:
the ride is very stiff
If you don't choose the massive wheels and you choose the standard softer not lowered passive damper setup they are not stiff.
It isn’t just the 20” diameter that is the problem, the larger wheels run higher pressures which leaves little give in the lower profile tyres and adds to the issue.
I bought a set of 18” wheels as a bit of an experiment to try and the ride is much better. I then went from Pirelli to Goodyear to try and reduce the tyre noise, which is very noticeable on these cars and they helped reduce that too.

The real problem is our rubbish third world roads, not the damping, the 20” drive perfectly well with passive dampers on decent roads.
If I go on Eurohoons I use the 20”, the rest of the time I use the 18” which for me overall are the better every day option. I am sure the purists will be having a fit at the thought, but don’t knock it until you have tried it.
I'd have thought the purists would be in the 'let's minimise the unsprung weight' camp. Last time I looked, 20's are about 25% heavier than 18's. (Will depend on exact wheel tyre combos of course).

I've got the (unpopular) 18's on my 718.

Mancayman

90 posts

132 months

Tuesday 9th April
quotequote all
981Boxess said:
ATM said:
rawenghey said:
the ride is very stiff
If you don't choose the massive wheels and you choose the standard softer not lowered passive damper setup they are not stiff.
It isn’t just the 20” diameter that is the problem, the larger wheels run higher pressures which leaves little give in the lower profile tyres and adds to the issue.
I bought a set of 18” wheels as a bit of an experiment to try and the ride is much better. I then went from Pirelli to Goodyear to try and reduce the tyre noise, which is very noticeable on these cars and they helped reduce that too.

The real problem is our rubbish third world roads, not the damping, the 20” drive perfectly well with passive dampers on decent roads.
If I go on Eurohoons I use the 20”, the rest of the time I use the 18” which for me overall are the better every day option. I am sure the purists will be having a fit at the thought, but don’t knock it until you have tried it.
Completely agree. Would like a Cayman 'Dakar' to deal with our roads! In fact Porsche should introduce a Dakar for each of its sports models and not just one based on a 911GTS.

ATM

18,367 posts

220 months

Tuesday 9th April
quotequote all
Riff Raff said:
981Boxess said:
ATM said:
rawenghey said:
the ride is very stiff
If you don't choose the massive wheels and you choose the standard softer not lowered passive damper setup they are not stiff.
It isn’t just the 20” diameter that is the problem, the larger wheels run higher pressures which leaves little give in the lower profile tyres and adds to the issue.
I bought a set of 18” wheels as a bit of an experiment to try and the ride is much better. I then went from Pirelli to Goodyear to try and reduce the tyre noise, which is very noticeable on these cars and they helped reduce that too.

The real problem is our rubbish third world roads, not the damping, the 20” drive perfectly well with passive dampers on decent roads.
If I go on Eurohoons I use the 20”, the rest of the time I use the 18” which for me overall are the better every day option. I am sure the purists will be having a fit at the thought, but don’t knock it until you have tried it.
I'd have thought the purists would be in the 'let's minimise the unsprung weight' camp. Last time I looked, 20's are about 25% heavier than 18's. (Will depend on exact wheel tyre combos of course).

I've got the (unpopular) 18's on my 718.
Porsche spend a lot on the bigger wheels getting the weight down for this reason. I have a set of 20, 19 and 18 for mine. The 20 fronts are almost the lightest of all even with tyres on. That probably then means they will buckle easier. You cant have good without the bad. Lifting one of the 19 rears with a tyre on will make you think. I should really weigh some of them.

From the MIchelin website - below

You can see the load ratings for the 20 tyres are the lowest - the top 3 pairs in the list. Guessing generally but lower load means less structure or support in the tyre so less weight. Lower profile tyres can weigh less so the game is to make the wheels lighter using different metals or manufacturing techniques because a bigger wheel should be heavier obviously.


SV_WDC

720 posts

90 months

Tuesday 9th April
quotequote all
mr pg said:
Don't agree with the ride being too stiff personally. My 981CS with 20's/PASM I thought was excellent, and way better than my previous 996 turbo on 18's.
Same, similar to my 987.2 with 19" before that. But I do opt for running on comfort pressure which probably helps.

TheOctaneAddict

779 posts

48 months

Tuesday 9th April
quotequote all
I've ran with both 20" and 18" on my non PASM 981 cayman. The 18s certainly took the hard edge off the ride, but i'm back on the 20s as I just love the way they look. 18s will stay as track wheels where the tyres can be sacrificial laugh

rawenghey

488 posts

22 months

Wednesday 10th April
quotequote all
AndyDubbya said:
This is where I went wrong. I swapped my BGTS for a 992 C2S convertible (which is lovely) almost just to have a change & try something new, but reading all your tales of going through tunnels with pops & bangs on the overrun, I think I made a mistake…
Lol, funnily enough, I find myself wondering if something like a manual 992 would be a decent next car if/when I get bored of the 981. The noise and visceral nature of the engine is a huge draw for me and I know I'd miss it, but on the other hand the latest generation 911 is a serious machine and has really moved the 911 away from the Cayster range I feel. Thuggish power from that twin turbo unit too.

There are just so many good cars about and the problem is most of us don't have Gran Turismo size garage space or funds. I think it's ChrisW on here who has a really nice saying about swapping out cars: "life is not a museum". Just keep cycling through. So much good stuff about smile

Royal Jelly

3,691 posts

199 months

Wednesday 10th April
quotequote all
Mine has 20’ wheels and PASM, and I find the ride to be very good. Yes, it could be softer, but it’s the compromise we all face. That said, mine with N1 P-Zeros seems quite sensitive to small pressure changes.

I find the ride much less ‘crashy’ at 32-33psi vs 34-35. Worth keeping an eye on. The difference to me is much more stark than a couple of psi in other cars I’ve had (including a Macan on 21’ wheels).

GT3Manthey

4,559 posts

50 months

Wednesday 10th April
quotequote all
Royal Jelly said:
Mine has 20’ wheels and PASM, and I find the ride to be very good. Yes, it could be softer, but it’s the compromise we all face. That said, mine with N1 P-Zeros seems quite sensitive to small pressure changes.

I find the ride much less ‘crashy’ at 32-33psi vs 34-35. Worth keeping an eye on. The difference to me is much more stark than a couple of psi in other cars I’ve had (including a Macan on 21’ wheels).
Good post . I noticed at the weekend my pressures were between 36/38 all round so I might do well to adjust them this weekend

Royal Jelly

3,691 posts

199 months

Wednesday 10th April
quotequote all
GT3Manthey said:
Good post . I noticed at the weekend my pressures were between 36/38 all round so I might do well to adjust them this weekend
It’ll definitely change things. I personally find 32 all round to be ‘the slot’ around Yorkshire. Plenty of compliance and grip, and huge reduction in racket from our patches of - let’s charitably call it - ‘characterful’ road surface.
No need to get them any higher as it’s a hustle to be doing much more than the NSL.

SV_WDC

720 posts

90 months

Wednesday 10th April
quotequote all
GT3Manthey said:
Royal Jelly said:
Mine has 20’ wheels and PASM, and I find the ride to be very good. Yes, it could be softer, but it’s the compromise we all face. That said, mine with N1 P-Zeros seems quite sensitive to small pressure changes.

I find the ride much less ‘crashy’ at 32-33psi vs 34-35. Worth keeping an eye on. The difference to me is much more stark than a couple of psi in other cars I’ve had (including a Macan on 21’ wheels).
Good post . I noticed at the weekend my pressures were between 36/38 all round so I might do well to adjust them this weekend
Yeh, that's too high. The recommended PSI is printed on the door card sticker. Both Comfort & Performance are listed.

At that PSI you'll be unevenly wearing the tyres

andygo

6,832 posts

256 months

Wednesday 10th April
quotequote all
Cold pressures on my Cayman 981 are maintained at 32 psi. Its wearing 20 inch PS4 s tyres.

Depending on weather, according to the dash readout, they can rise up to 38 psi on a run. It's not really practical to drop the pressures after 20 miles as they will be down to 26 psi the next morning.

elan362

156 posts

38 months

Wednesday 10th April
quotequote all
For road use, my understanding tyre pressures are normally stated at cold / ambient temperature Recognising they will rise in use.

GT3Manthey

4,559 posts

50 months

Wednesday 10th April
quotequote all
SV_WDC said:
Yeh, that's too high. The recommended PSI is printed on the door card sticker. Both Comfort & Performance are listed.

At that PSI you'll be unevenly wearing the tyres
I should add that those temperatures were warm and not cold if that makes a difference

paulguitar

Original Poster:

23,891 posts

114 months

Wednesday 10th April
quotequote all
Latest news with mine, I have ordered the stalks for adding cruise control:





Looks like I will go to MLR Porsche in Stoke to get that fitted and coded, and while I am there I will have them look at the drain tubes and carry out the modification to remove the valves.

ATM

18,367 posts

220 months

Wednesday 10th April
quotequote all
paulguitar said:
Latest news with mine, I have ordered the stalks for adding cruise control:





Looks like I will go to MLR Porsche in Stoke to get that fitted and coded, and while I am there I will have them look at the drain tubes and carry out the modification to remove the valves.
Never admit to 'cruising' in your Porsche. Not on PH anyway.