2008 Porsche 997 GT3 RS
Discussion
Hi all,
I've been a long time reader of Pistonheads, but unfortunately never really bothered with the forum. I've attented a couple Friday-services at PHLM and the PH-atmosphere has always been outstanding.
Kicking off with my latest addition:
I've been eyeing GT3's since they were first presented in 1999. Even on paper it seemed to offer me exactly what I was looking for, Porsche heritage, pared back and spiced up with real Motorsport-pedigree. What's not to love, I thought.
That feeling never changed throughout the generations of GT3 (RS) that came along. I had some real favorites (996 RS, 997 4.0), but none of the other iterations let me down either. It was clear it was the absolute pinnacle for me.
My last stop before GT3-ownership, was the CSL, which appeared to be an absolutely fabulous driving experience. Even now after having enjoyed my own GT3 RS, I stand by that opinion. It was BMW at its very best, offering a very different driving experience to Porsche at its absolute best. In my opinion, having both is a real blessing as their dynamics absolutely complement eachother. More on that later.
After having decided, the time was right to take the jump to GT3 ownership, I decided on the 997.1 RS, I've briefly considered the 997.2 GT3, but the broad hips of the RS are too much for me to resist. Ideally, I've considered a 3.8 RS, but looks and price made me decide on the more cohesive (imo) 997.1 RS.
The first example I'd seen appeared to be the right one for me, as I like my cars a bit pared-back and raw:
Orange
15k km
No airco
PCCB (now on 380mm Cup-discs)
Full-cage
Cup-splitter
Cup-bypass
O.Z-wheels on Trofeo R + OEM-wheels on Michelin PSS
Last Friday, it was collection time at long last. The idea was to pick up my RS together with my friend and colleague, and drop him off at PZ Maienfeld to pick-up his very own RS. Crazy with excitement despite hardly having slept all week, we took off in my orange RS. First impression is one of extreme solidity, the clutch pedal is hard, the gearbox mechanical and precise. Second impression, after the car had the time to warm its fluids "crap, it's going wrong already", such was the chuntering and rattling noise at idle and coasting.
Being my first time in an RS, I had no clue it was the single-mass flywheel making itself heard. Luckily, upon arrival at PZ Maienfeld, the mechanic confirmed it was nothing to be concerned off. As soon as Bacchus took off in his green RS, it indeed appeared to chunter and rattle in the exact same way.
After having picked up both RS's, we would acquaint ourselves with them on French soil, heading to the Vosges-region, which is home to some fabulous driving roads. Arriving in Les Vosges, the promise was met, fabulous deserted driving roads, being there at that time in my own GT3 RS, it felt 'pinch me'-hard to believe.
The first thing that gets you in a GT3 is the engine, the noise, the reach, the specific noise it makes shifting up from 2 to 3, 3 to 4. The stuff of Porsche-dreams. The second thing, as an M3 CSL driver, are its dynamics. I tend to enjoy a tail-led balance when driving, accelerating early and provoking the tail out. The RS doesn't play in the same way, in fact not once did I manage to unstick its 325-section rears, such is the grip on offer. Unlike the CSL, it does serve up some understeer if you're being inconsiderate of the car's balance. Trail-braking into turns resolved this handling-trait, and appeared to put the car on tip-toes, getting alive and subtly even getting the back into play.
It's more difficult to get your enjoyment from, to get it to work with you, but when you do, you get real satisfaction from getting it right, as it's a much harder, more physical car to drive in a spirited manner. Braking into the corner, heel-and-toeing your way down the gears, getting the front to bite, and then -very- early on the throttle, it's a thing to behold, one of the true motoring experiences. That said, I'll still enjoy the way my CSL handles things, tail-out, playful balance, hyper-alert. It's different, but brilliant in its own right. They complement eachother perfectly.
After an extensive drive on the Vosges road, we headed north to Belgium to visit friends and family, and with that, got to experience the GT3 RS's on the autobahn. Despite its hardcore nature, I considered it to be perfectly habitable to cover large distances in, the brilliant suspension is firm but not uncomfortable at all. Engine noise is OK, as mine has its valves permanently open (bypass pipes are not fitted at this time), it did serve up some drone, but all things considered it is much, much more comfortable than my CSL.
I'm sure I'll get to know so much more characteristics in the time to come, it's not a car you get the best from immediately, it seems to take time to get to learn how to drive it, and that's what I truly appreciate from it. If I have to note one downside, it would be that the 3.6 lacks some low-down torque vs. the 3.8, but that's hardly a surprise. It compensates with a truly visceral top-end.
Tucked up in its garage now, it's hard to believe this dream has come true, I can't wait until the next drive.
I've been a long time reader of Pistonheads, but unfortunately never really bothered with the forum. I've attented a couple Friday-services at PHLM and the PH-atmosphere has always been outstanding.
Kicking off with my latest addition:
I've been eyeing GT3's since they were first presented in 1999. Even on paper it seemed to offer me exactly what I was looking for, Porsche heritage, pared back and spiced up with real Motorsport-pedigree. What's not to love, I thought.
That feeling never changed throughout the generations of GT3 (RS) that came along. I had some real favorites (996 RS, 997 4.0), but none of the other iterations let me down either. It was clear it was the absolute pinnacle for me.
My last stop before GT3-ownership, was the CSL, which appeared to be an absolutely fabulous driving experience. Even now after having enjoyed my own GT3 RS, I stand by that opinion. It was BMW at its very best, offering a very different driving experience to Porsche at its absolute best. In my opinion, having both is a real blessing as their dynamics absolutely complement eachother. More on that later.
After having decided, the time was right to take the jump to GT3 ownership, I decided on the 997.1 RS, I've briefly considered the 997.2 GT3, but the broad hips of the RS are too much for me to resist. Ideally, I've considered a 3.8 RS, but looks and price made me decide on the more cohesive (imo) 997.1 RS.
The first example I'd seen appeared to be the right one for me, as I like my cars a bit pared-back and raw:
Orange
15k km
No airco
PCCB (now on 380mm Cup-discs)
Full-cage
Cup-splitter
Cup-bypass
O.Z-wheels on Trofeo R + OEM-wheels on Michelin PSS
Last Friday, it was collection time at long last. The idea was to pick up my RS together with my friend and colleague, and drop him off at PZ Maienfeld to pick-up his very own RS. Crazy with excitement despite hardly having slept all week, we took off in my orange RS. First impression is one of extreme solidity, the clutch pedal is hard, the gearbox mechanical and precise. Second impression, after the car had the time to warm its fluids "crap, it's going wrong already", such was the chuntering and rattling noise at idle and coasting.
Being my first time in an RS, I had no clue it was the single-mass flywheel making itself heard. Luckily, upon arrival at PZ Maienfeld, the mechanic confirmed it was nothing to be concerned off. As soon as Bacchus took off in his green RS, it indeed appeared to chunter and rattle in the exact same way.
After having picked up both RS's, we would acquaint ourselves with them on French soil, heading to the Vosges-region, which is home to some fabulous driving roads. Arriving in Les Vosges, the promise was met, fabulous deserted driving roads, being there at that time in my own GT3 RS, it felt 'pinch me'-hard to believe.
The first thing that gets you in a GT3 is the engine, the noise, the reach, the specific noise it makes shifting up from 2 to 3, 3 to 4. The stuff of Porsche-dreams. The second thing, as an M3 CSL driver, are its dynamics. I tend to enjoy a tail-led balance when driving, accelerating early and provoking the tail out. The RS doesn't play in the same way, in fact not once did I manage to unstick its 325-section rears, such is the grip on offer. Unlike the CSL, it does serve up some understeer if you're being inconsiderate of the car's balance. Trail-braking into turns resolved this handling-trait, and appeared to put the car on tip-toes, getting alive and subtly even getting the back into play.
It's more difficult to get your enjoyment from, to get it to work with you, but when you do, you get real satisfaction from getting it right, as it's a much harder, more physical car to drive in a spirited manner. Braking into the corner, heel-and-toeing your way down the gears, getting the front to bite, and then -very- early on the throttle, it's a thing to behold, one of the true motoring experiences. That said, I'll still enjoy the way my CSL handles things, tail-out, playful balance, hyper-alert. It's different, but brilliant in its own right. They complement eachother perfectly.
After an extensive drive on the Vosges road, we headed north to Belgium to visit friends and family, and with that, got to experience the GT3 RS's on the autobahn. Despite its hardcore nature, I considered it to be perfectly habitable to cover large distances in, the brilliant suspension is firm but not uncomfortable at all. Engine noise is OK, as mine has its valves permanently open (bypass pipes are not fitted at this time), it did serve up some drone, but all things considered it is much, much more comfortable than my CSL.
I'm sure I'll get to know so much more characteristics in the time to come, it's not a car you get the best from immediately, it seems to take time to get to learn how to drive it, and that's what I truly appreciate from it. If I have to note one downside, it would be that the 3.6 lacks some low-down torque vs. the 3.8, but that's hardly a surprise. It compensates with a truly visceral top-end.
Tucked up in its garage now, it's hard to believe this dream has come true, I can't wait until the next drive.
Trtj said:
Nice car, although black wheels are an acquired taste but I guess they suit it. Has it been lowered? Looks lower than normal to me.
also the chattering driveline...are singlere its not a rattly clutch release bearing? Ive heard this can be an issue on the 997.1. Big old job to sort a minor rattle!
My friends' GT3 RS has the exact same rattle and the OPC confirmed it was the single mass flywheel, so I assume it's OK.also the chattering driveline...are singlere its not a rattly clutch release bearing? Ive heard this can be an issue on the 997.1. Big old job to sort a minor rattle!
A bit last minute, we decided yesterday to join a trackday at Spa-Francorchamps with both RS's. It was my first time out on track with the RS, after having covered barely 1.500km in it. Last time I was at Spa was at least 3 years ago so I wanted to take it slow to reacquaint myself with the track and get to learn the RS's character and reactions. With that in mind, I left my timing gear at home, and headed to Spa.
After a 30 minute delay after being stopped on the Belgian highways in true commando style by no less than 10 Belgian highway police officers, apparently because some civilian had called 911 to warn the police that two 911's were racing (we weren't), we were on our way again.
Upon arrival at Spa, the anticipation grew of taking the car I'd dreamed of for years, on one of the world's most spectacular tracks. 'Suited' up, ready to go. Luckily, I decided to check my tyre pressure before heading out on track, my fresh rear Trofeo R's were set at 3.5bar, whoever decided that would be a good idea remains a question yet to be answered. Once set at 2.1bar, I was ready to go.
I took it slowly the first few laps, to reacquaint myself with everything again. Braking points, lines, ... Gradually increasing the speed to learn the car's reactions and behaviour at speed. It was by driving that bit harder, that I completely fell -if I hadn't so already- for the GT3 RS. What a machine. The level of communication that was so gobsmacking to me during fast road driving was that much more apparent during track driving. Whilst pushing the front axle to its levels of adhesion, you feel tiny wriggles through your steering wheel indicating the front is about to let go.
No other car I've driven shows and communicates its weight balance as obviously as this one does either. Since it's such a peculiar balance, you're always aware you need to measure your inputs, make sure you drive it smoothly to keep that rear in check, or to make sure you have to front-end commited to its line. The moment you accelerate out of a corner, feel the balance shifting rearwards, have that rear hook-up is something to behold. When you start pushing that bit more, and gradually try - I say try as I'm far from familiarized with the technique- to trail brake into corners, you notice the RS gets into its own completely, as if it started to dance. What follows is pure and utter automotive brilliance: Nose hooked up on the brakes into the corner, the rear lightens, early on the throttle, balance shifting rearwards, and with a few degrees of slip you accelerate out of the corners. La source was excellent to practice this technique. It has me literally grinning with pleasure whilst driving and hours later.
The great thing is, I've got to experience these handling traits, without even pushing it near its limits. I left a considerable safety margin, and yet it was brilliant fun exploring its handling. I can't imagine many cars keeping you that entertained, being that involving, whilst driving at seven or eight tenths. Oh and it drifts, the one thing I feared it wouldn't do, it does, with great progression and control. Excellent.
After a 30 minute delay after being stopped on the Belgian highways in true commando style by no less than 10 Belgian highway police officers, apparently because some civilian had called 911 to warn the police that two 911's were racing (we weren't), we were on our way again.
Upon arrival at Spa, the anticipation grew of taking the car I'd dreamed of for years, on one of the world's most spectacular tracks. 'Suited' up, ready to go. Luckily, I decided to check my tyre pressure before heading out on track, my fresh rear Trofeo R's were set at 3.5bar, whoever decided that would be a good idea remains a question yet to be answered. Once set at 2.1bar, I was ready to go.
I took it slowly the first few laps, to reacquaint myself with everything again. Braking points, lines, ... Gradually increasing the speed to learn the car's reactions and behaviour at speed. It was by driving that bit harder, that I completely fell -if I hadn't so already- for the GT3 RS. What a machine. The level of communication that was so gobsmacking to me during fast road driving was that much more apparent during track driving. Whilst pushing the front axle to its levels of adhesion, you feel tiny wriggles through your steering wheel indicating the front is about to let go.
No other car I've driven shows and communicates its weight balance as obviously as this one does either. Since it's such a peculiar balance, you're always aware you need to measure your inputs, make sure you drive it smoothly to keep that rear in check, or to make sure you have to front-end commited to its line. The moment you accelerate out of a corner, feel the balance shifting rearwards, have that rear hook-up is something to behold. When you start pushing that bit more, and gradually try - I say try as I'm far from familiarized with the technique- to trail brake into corners, you notice the RS gets into its own completely, as if it started to dance. What follows is pure and utter automotive brilliance: Nose hooked up on the brakes into the corner, the rear lightens, early on the throttle, balance shifting rearwards, and with a few degrees of slip you accelerate out of the corners. La source was excellent to practice this technique. It has me literally grinning with pleasure whilst driving and hours later.
The great thing is, I've got to experience these handling traits, without even pushing it near its limits. I left a considerable safety margin, and yet it was brilliant fun exploring its handling. I can't imagine many cars keeping you that entertained, being that involving, whilst driving at seven or eight tenths. Oh and it drifts, the one thing I feared it wouldn't do, it does, with great progression and control. Excellent.
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