911 to Cayenne Turbo - Air Suspension Comfort?

[R26Andy]

Hi all,

After just 7 months of 911 ownership I've just been diagnosed with a stomach condition which is exacerbated by bouncing around in a hard suspension sports car. I`m gutted to say the least, I love the car and have put a lot into it.

To try and soften the blow, I`m thinking of a Cayenne turbo with air suspension but I`d like some thoughts on how it rides, particularly over pot holes and over speed bumps? I will test drive in due course but the nearest is 30 miles away so I thought I`d ask here first.

Cheers

Andy

[Henry Fiddleton]

The ride (despite everyone saying so) if not great.

Mine, the Turbo S, has 40 profile tyres and even on the comfort mode the suspension is still quite bumpy. The comfort button basically makes the car under damped on the motor way.

Its still a good ride, but don't expect a magic carpet, and smoother cars tend to be barge like with high profile tyres.

Handles great for a 2+ tonne 4x4 though!

[R26Andy]

Thanks, 20" do look much nicer but I may have to go with 19 or even 18" but I won't discount any until I've driven them.

Although, the one nearby has 22" wheels which I think I'll pass on.

[hornbaek]

Compared to other SUVs the Cayenne Turbo has a hard ride. There is a reason for its sporty drive and that is that the ride is quite harsh. If you need a softer setting i would go for a Range Rover with Dynamic Response. It is not as competent as the Cayenne around corners but its ride is much more floaty. I have had both and currently have a Range Rover Sport Supercharged which is somewhere in between the two and much more sporty than the Range Rover (and a great deal more fun).

[David W.]

Best to try one. I have a 4.8s on 21" tyres with air. My Freelander driving wifey always comments on how smoth and comfortable it is.
Did your 911 have PASM suspension, our C4s does and it's much better than the standard 911 ride which I do find to hard.
Other option, try a Panamera, they are a terrific drive too.

[R26Andy]

My car is a 996 4S so no PASM available.

I've been looking on ebay and a set of 18" wheels can be bought for peanuts because everyone seems to want the bigger wheels. I think I`ll test drive the turbo, I`m sure it will be fine compared to the 911.

Just need to sell the 911 first, not a single bit of interest from the pistonheads advert despite what I think is a very reasonable price. Probably the location that the problem.

[Henry Fiddleton]

Can 18" wheels clear turbo brakes?

I think the Turbo S has bigger discs, and I think 20" is the smallest I can go.

Happy to proved incorrect, then I will drop down a wheel size and increase the profile of the tyres.

[R26Andy]

I have seen a few like this one that claims to have 18" wheels:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

not sure about the differences between the Turbo and Turbo S.

[robrobc]

I am running a 2005 Turbo in Portugal
In order to successfully matriculate the car I had to put it back on 18" wheels which I did, and I can confirm that the calipers do indeed clear the wheel.
In all other respects the car rides well just keep it in comfort on the A and B Roads and pop into sport when on the faster smoother dual carriageways and motorways.
HTH

Rob

[R26Andy]

Thanks for the replies, it sounds like a turbo on 18" wheels will do the job.

[5678]

Henry Fiddleton said:

The ride (despite everyone saying so) if not great.

Mine, the Turbo S, has 40 profile tyres and even on the comfort mode the suspension is still quite bumpy. The comfort button basically makes the car under damped on the motor way.

Its still a good ride, but don't expect a magic carpet, and smoother cars tend to be barge like with high profile tyres.

Handles great for a 2+ tonne 4x4 though!

I'll agree with that. I have a Turbo on 20" wheels and whilst Comfort is softer, it's not like driving a sofa.