Boxster 981 Spyder Suspension
Discussion
Has anyone put aftermarket suspension on a 981 Spyder to improve the ride on the road, such as Bilstein B16 PSS10 / KW Variant 3 / Ohlins or ??? I want to be able to soften the ride when used around pot holed UK towns and rough B roads! The Spyder suspension is unfortunately non-adjustable.
Bispal said:
Has anyone put aftermarket suspension on a 981 Spyder to improve the ride on the road, such as Bilstein B16 PSS10 / KW Variant 3 / Ohlins or ??? I want to be able to soften the ride when used around pot holed UK towns and rough B roads! The Spyder suspension is unfortunately non-adjustable.
Get a manual GTS with PASM. Job done, the Spyder is designed to give that go kart feel and X73 does just that imo.I find the 981 Spyder suspension very compliant for fast road use and certainly better (and quieter!) than my old GT4. Having said that I understand if you're looking for more comfort then the only option you'll have is switching it out for something else. My fear would be that any upgrade (KW, Bilstein etc) might be as firm as the stock suspension even on their softest setting and only allow further adjustment to make firmer rather than softer. Tread with caution and hopefully find someone who has already done it.
I have previously fitted various suspension upgrades on previous cars with great success but I once fitted a KW Variant 3 kit to a Civic Type R FN2 which transformed the car's ride & handling but unfortunately made my wife physically sick every time she was a passenger (she was pregnant at the time...) so mixed fortunes!
I have previously fitted various suspension upgrades on previous cars with great success but I once fitted a KW Variant 3 kit to a Civic Type R FN2 which transformed the car's ride & handling but unfortunately made my wife physically sick every time she was a passenger (she was pregnant at the time...) so mixed fortunes!
khushy said:
not 981 - but my 987 Spyder has been driven constantly, on all sorts of roads, in all weather conditions for the last 9 years - I would not change a thing - it's so comfortable and compliant on any surface = #perfection
Smaller wheels and higher profile tyres. Don't know why car companies are obsessed with bigger and bigger wheels with elastic band tyres! chrisABP said:
I find the 981 Spyder suspension very compliant for fast road use and certainly better (and quieter!) than my old GT4. Having said that I understand if you're looking for more comfort then the only option you'll have is switching it out for something else. My fear would be that any upgrade (KW, Bilstein etc) might be as firm as the stock suspension even on their softest setting and only allow further adjustment to make firmer rather than softer. Tread with caution and hopefully find someone who has already done it.
I have previously fitted various suspension upgrades on previous cars with great success but I once fitted a KW Variant 3 kit to a Civic Type R FN2 which transformed the car's ride & handling but unfortunately made my wife physically sick every time she was a passenger (she was pregnant at the time...) so mixed fortunes!
Thanks Chris, Good points :-) I have previously fitted various suspension upgrades on previous cars with great success but I once fitted a KW Variant 3 kit to a Civic Type R FN2 which transformed the car's ride & handling but unfortunately made my wife physically sick every time she was a passenger (she was pregnant at the time...) so mixed fortunes!
I also have a 981 Spyder which i love, even the way it rides..My 991.2GT3 has a similarly firm ride and both cars are harsh riding compared to my 458 which floats along the surface in comparison..Having said all that i wouldn't change a thing on either of the Porsches as they're both weekend fun cars..All three have the light Carbon seats which adds even further to the firm ride..
Try lowering the tyre pressures a little bit to see if it makes a difference..What seats have you got on them as finding a Spyder with 18ways would be the way to go for increased comfort while still keeping the car OEM.
Has it got P Zeros as on as mine which aren't as good as the MPS4S and i intend switching mine once i wear the existing tyres down a bit more..Either way i wouldn't change the suspension hardware at the risk of making the ride even worse..!
Try lowering the tyre pressures a little bit to see if it makes a difference..What seats have you got on them as finding a Spyder with 18ways would be the way to go for increased comfort while still keeping the car OEM.
Has it got P Zeros as on as mine which aren't as good as the MPS4S and i intend switching mine once i wear the existing tyres down a bit more..Either way i wouldn't change the suspension hardware at the risk of making the ride even worse..!
Bispal said:
Has anyone put aftermarket suspension on a 981 Spyder to improve the ride on the road, such as Bilstein B16 PSS10 / KW Variant 3 / Ohlins or ??? I want to be able to soften the ride when used around pot holed UK towns and rough B roads! The Spyder suspension is unfortunately non-adjustable.
all after market kits will be ni on triple the spring rates.sell the 981 Spyder and buy a 981 GTS PASM car and put £10k in your pocket for a few mods.
things like a DSC controller and some new tyres on a GTS will transform it.
you can even take the 981 GTS to 380BHP if you wish for about £8k
be a much nicer car to own, be faster and gives you a working roof with boot access.
On second consideration I wonder what transformation in ride quality / comfort on a 981 Spyder a set of smaller diameter wheels (19" - not sure if 18" wheels would fit over brakes???) and Michelin PS4S tyres would make....Might give the improvement your wife desires.
Appreciate the comments on swapping it for a 981 GTS but surely if the OP wanted a Spyder why not look at options to make it work....
Appreciate the comments on swapping it for a 981 GTS but surely if the OP wanted a Spyder why not look at options to make it work....
chrisABP said:
On second consideration I wonder what transformation in ride quality / comfort on a 981 Spyder a set of smaller diameter wheels (19" - not sure if 18" wheels would fit over brakes???) and Michelin PS4S tyres would make....Might give the improvement your wife desires.
Appreciate the comments on swapping it for a 981 GTS but surely if the OP wanted a Spyder why not look at options to make it work....
because he also wants to take out the bucket seats and put comfort ones in it.Appreciate the comments on swapping it for a 981 GTS but surely if the OP wanted a Spyder why not look at options to make it work....
GTS Boxster seem the better fit to me for the OP.
Porsche911R said:
chrisABP said:
On second consideration I wonder what transformation in ride quality / comfort on a 981 Spyder a set of smaller diameter wheels (19" - not sure if 18" wheels would fit over brakes???) and Michelin PS4S tyres would make....Might give the improvement your wife desires.
Appreciate the comments on swapping it for a 981 GTS but surely if the OP wanted a Spyder why not look at options to make it work....
because he also wants to take out the bucket seats and put comfort ones in it.Appreciate the comments on swapping it for a 981 GTS but surely if the OP wanted a Spyder why not look at options to make it work....
GTS Boxster seem the better fit to me for the OP.
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