Chris Harris Drives: the Porsche 911.2 Turbo S

[e21Mark]

Nicely shot video. Much prefer older 911's.

Would I be right in thinking the turbo won't sound as good at the 4.0 RS by virtue of the fact it has said turbo?

[RSVP911]

AndrewD said:

Leaving aside and colours and seating position, fascinating though all that is , and returning to the car.

Does anybody own one? I'd be interested in your experiences. Always wanted a turbo as a daily but never sure because people seem to respect them but not love them. Toyed with a gen 2 Turbo S but instead bought a gen 2 R8 V10 plus, which is equally ballistic but makes an awesome sound and feels very special place to sit. Perhaps not the last word in driver involvement though, and doesn't have rear seats, but great for a daily car.

Have never owned one but spent 1/2 a day at the PEC in one (circuit and road) - did nothing for me (can't see it sitting with your lot) Owned a 997.2 Turbo - very nice but boring - GT all the way for me

[Digga]

13m said:

Phooey said:

Hard to tell if he really likes it or not but worth a watch

http://www.topgear.com/videos/chris-harris-drives/...

I think he's saying it's the same as every Turbo since the 930 - hugely capable but meh.

It almost seems like he's damning it with faint praise. The nugget of the appeal of the Turbo is only briefly touched on; wet British B roads. If you want a car to enjoy on our back roads, in any weather, the Turbo - really any of them 996 to 991 - take a lot of beating.

[13m]

Digga said:

13m said:

Phooey said:

Hard to tell if he really likes it or not but worth a watch

http://www.topgear.com/videos/chris-harris-drives/...

I think he's saying it's the same as every Turbo since the 930 - hugely capable but meh.

It almost seems like he's damning it with faint praise. The nugget of the appeal of the Turbo is only briefly touched on; wet British B roads. If you want a car to enjoy on our back roads, in any weather, the Turbo - really any of them 996 to 991 - take a lot of beating.

That was my feeling. He certainly didn't seem inspired by the car.

[Digga]

13m said:

That was my feeling. He certainly didn't seem inspired by the car.

It's a shame, because you do get the idea he really does appreciate the car - he gets how and why people buy them and what they're really good at. He certainly likes it better than the new, blown C2s.

I guess, in part, taking the car to a track, and one where fuel and altitude conspire to blunt the prodigal power delivery that is such a central part of any 911 turbo's appeal is a bit daft. I am sure he'd love to take one into the Welsh hills on a wet day, and therein lies potential for a more interesting video and review.

[sidicks]

13m said:

sidicks said:

IREvans said:

I'm happy with it...looks spectacular..! I've saved some weight too, I only have 1 seat..! (By the way, in the context above, its doesn't not don't )

For completeness (and before Mr Demon responds), in the context above it's "it's" not "it's"...

What you mean is, "in the context above it's "it's" not "its"..."

If there are two things I cannot abide they are sloppy pedantry and Lava Orange.

[APOLO1]

AndrewD said:

Leaving aside and colours and seating position, fascinating though all that is , and returning to the car.

Does anybody own one? I'd be interested in your experiences. Always wanted a turbo as a daily but never sure because people seem to respect them but not love them. Toyed with a gen 2 Turbo S but instead bought a gen 2 R8 V10 plus, which is equally ballistic but makes an awesome sound and feels very special place to sit. Perhaps not the last word in driver involvement though, and doesn't have rear seats, but great for a daily car.

Hi A,
Been driving Porsche Turbos for a long long time as DD. On my 4th 991 Turbo S, a Gen 2. No better car for a DD imv. You can just lose it in public places, does not attract undue attention. Turn up on a track day, press a few buttons and get to within a second of a P1 on some tracks. Very underrated car.

Only points I don't like are, exhaust could with a bit more noise, and the traction control on the Gen 2 needs to come back in a bit.

[IMI A]

APOLO1 said:

AndrewD said:

Leaving aside and colours and seating position, fascinating though all that is , and returning to the car.

Does anybody own one? I'd be interested in your experiences. Always wanted a turbo as a daily but never sure because people seem to respect them but not love them. Toyed with a gen 2 Turbo S but instead bought a gen 2 R8 V10 plus, which is equally ballistic but makes an awesome sound and feels very special place to sit. Perhaps not the last word in driver involvement though, and doesn't have rear seats, but great for a daily car.

Hi A,
Been driving Porsche Turbos for a long long time as DD. On my 4th 991 Turbo S, a Gen 2. No better car for a DD imv. You can just lose it in public places, does not attract undue attention. Turn up on a track day, press a few buttons and get to within a second of a P1 on some tracks. Very underrated car.

Only points I don't like are, exhaust could with a bit more noise, and the traction control on the Gen 2 needs to come back in a bit.

Hi David, Any noticeable difference in straight line thrust compared to gen 1 991 t s? I hear the turbos are a bit bigger on the new turbo S. Best wishes Imi

[APOLO1]

IMI A said:

Hi David, Any noticeable difference in straight line thrust compared to gen 1 991 t s? I hear the turbos are a bit bigger on the new turbo S. Best wishes Imi

Hi Im,
Yes that's one of the changes I understand....0-60 feels just a little more savage in the Gen 2, but it the middle range 60-130 it feels like another 50bhp. Evo did a true 0-60 2.6, and 0-100, 6.0, time after time....

Lots of little changes, aside to Bhp, seats a bit lower, wheels wider, bigger turbos, etc, all make up to what feels quite a bit of difference over the Gen 1. The main point for me though is the way it now delivers the torque, feels more bias to the rear.

Only down side is still the Pzeros on track, after a few hot laps they are gone, just moved over to Race maxxx, they seem a little better.....

Honestly believe that the Gen 2 TTS taking into account the performance it offers per ££ is best value super car on the market.

[Not Ideal]

IREvans said:

I'm happy with it...looks spectacular..! I've saved some weight too, I only have 1 seat..! (By the way, in the context above, its doesn't not don't )

I've seen some pics of your car and its mods on Instagram. Absolutely love what you have done with it. Chapeau to you sir.

Could we have some more details on the bike mods please ?

[IREvans]

sidicks said:

For completeness (and before Mr Demon responds), in the context above it's "it's" not "it's"...

You are quite correct with regard to the missing apostrophe Sid, and equally amused that you put an extra one in your correction..! I only did it to check people were paying attention..!

[Digga]

IREvans said:

sidicks said:

For completeness (and before Mr Demon responds), in the context above it's "it's" not "it's"...

You are quite correct with regard to the missing apostrophe Sid, and equally amused that you put an extra one in your correction..! I only did it to check people were paying attention..!

For the record, any or all of my spelling, grammatical, factual and logical errors are intentional.

[smudger911]

APOLO1 said:

IMI A said:

Hi David, Any noticeable difference in straight line thrust compared to gen 1 991 t s? I hear the turbos are a bit bigger on the new turbo S. Best wishes Imi

Hi Im,
Yes that's one of the changes I understand....0-60 feels just a little more savage in the Gen 2, but it the middle range 60-130 it feels like another 50bhp. Evo did a true 0-60 2.6, and 0-100, 6.0, time after time....

Lots of little changes, aside to Bhp, seats a bit lower, wheels wider, bigger turbos, etc, all make up to what feels quite a bit of difference over the Gen 1. The main point for me though is the way it now delivers the torque, feels more bias to the rear.

Only down side is still the Pzeros on track, after a few hot laps they are gone, just moved over to Race maxxx, they seem a little better.....

Honestly believe that the Gen 2 TTS taking into account the performance it offers per ££ is best value super car on the market.

David, many thanks for the noteworthy feedback.
Considering moving my 997.1 Turbo on for a 991 TTS so very useful to hear your experiences on road & track.

[IREvans]

Not Ideal said:

I've seen some pics of your car and its mods on Instagram. Absolutely love what you have done with it. Chapeau to you sir.

Could we have some more details on the bike mods please ?

The only mods to the bike are to remove the wheels, and fit roof rack mounts between the axles, to spread the load when the bike is mounted onto the floor..

Then I removed the bucket seat, and fitted eyelets into the harness mounts in the floor. Sat the bike on the floor, and ratchet strapped the bike down. 2,500 mile round trip to cycle up Mont Ventoux and Alpe D'Huex, and not a squeak or rattle from the bike at all. It would obviously have been easier to have taken an estate car, but what fun would that have been....and besides, the drive from Ventoux to Alpe D'Huez, on deserted French mountain roads was insanely good..!

[Steve Rance]

IREvans said:

The only mods to the bike are to remove the wheels, and fit roof rack mounts between the axles, to spread the load when the bike is mounted onto the floor..

Then I removed the bucket seat, and fitted eyelets into the harness mounts in the floor. Sat the bike on the floor, and ratchet strapped the bike down. 2,500 mile round trip to cycle up Mont Ventoux and Alpe D'Huex, and not a squeak or rattle from the bike at all. It would obviously have been easier to have taken an estate car, but what fun would that have been....and besides, the drive from Ventoux to Alpe D'Huez, on deserted French mountain roads was insanely good..!

You are quite mad. I salute you Sir!

[Not Ideal]

^ absolutely awesome. And a Pinarello Dogma is about as good as it gets. Chapeau.

[Digga]

IREvans said:

I've got absolutely no idea about road bikes, but that is a supreme effort. Did the wheels go in there beside the frame?

It much better weight distribution having the bike in there (plus you get to ogle it in traffic jams) and, having once made an mtb trip to the Alps with four bikes on the roof of a 5 series touring, less faff protecting the bike from a million dead flies and less hazardous in car parks.

[IREvans]

Digga said:

I've got absolutely no idea about road bikes, but that is a supreme effort. Did the wheels go in there beside the frame?

It much better weight distribution having the bike in there (plus you get to ogle it in traffic jams) and, having once made an mtb trip to the Alps with four bikes on the roof of a 5 series touring, less faff protecting the bike from a million dead flies and less hazardous in car parks.

Yes, wheels went beside the frame, plenty of room. I did try and get the bike to fit with the seat in place, but I wasn't even close to getting it in. Also, the guys from the local OPC said "you'll never get a bike in there"...as soon as they said that, I was determined to make it work..!

Better for security too - I couldn't see any way you'd ever get the bike out by smashing a window....its tricky enough getting it into the car with an open door.

[s2000db]

Lift the car on to a flatbed and get a free bike with your to order stolen car??

[Digga]

IREvans said:

Digga said:

I've got absolutely no idea about road bikes, but that is a supreme effort. Did the wheels go in there beside the frame?

It much better weight distribution having the bike in there (plus you get to ogle it in traffic jams) and, having once made an mtb trip to the Alps with four bikes on the roof of a 5 series touring, less faff protecting the bike from a million dead flies and less hazardous in car parks.

Yes, wheels went beside the frame, plenty of room. I did try and get the bike to fit with the seat in place, but I wasn't even close to getting it in. Also, the guys from the local OPC said "you'll never get a bike in there"...as soon as they said that, I was determined to make it work..!

Better for security too - I couldn't see any way you'd ever get the bike out by smashing a window....its tricky enough getting it into the car with an open door.

Security is the biggie; I've no idea what road bikes cost, but I know how mtbs - even cheap ones - go walkies with alarming and annoying frequency, so I'm never happy leaving mine unattended. Even popping into the motorway services for a pitstop is a hazard with bikes on external racks (which is partly why my daily is a VW T5) and usually best with someone left to guard the vehicle, which is a PITA.

I had thought about if/how I could get mt mtb in to the 911, but the mud and dirt aspect is a far bigger problem than just the mere physical fit. Congratulations on your cussed determination!