1998 996 C2

[ATM]

ATM said:

Chris Stott said:

27/33 is pretty low - I haven't been that low with mine.

I'm on stock suspension (265 rears), and run c.32f, c.36r (I think book is 36/42), and the ride is decent. At factory pressures, the car really isn't very nice - bounces and crashes over potholes/bumps.

I think the standard pressures are madness. I cant understand why anyone would use those unless maybe if they were planning some high speed autobahn runs.

I'm still thinking about tyre pressures - perhaps obsessing a little. From a physics perspective surely tyre pressures are related to the weight on the tyre. So trucks which carry large loads run very high pressures. Therefore I'd expect tyre pressures to be very closely related to the weight of the car AND maybe a bit extra for down force and / or cornering forces. All of these will vary a little but you get my point. Now let's compare the 986 Boxster and 996 carrera. I would argue that these cars are very similar. They are the same car from the mid point to the front. The rears are different and I've recently learnt - thanks to c moose - that the wheelbase is longer on the Boxster. As we all know the 996 is heavier at the back but the fronts are basically identical. They were also available with the same size tyres in 17 and 18 sizes. The same n rated tyres too so if you buy into the myths about porsche approved tyres then this means the exact same tyres were approved by porsche for both models. So that's the similarities which I think are considerable. Then we look at the pressures recommended by porsche themselves. I believe the 986 is 28 / 36 and 996 is 36 / 42. So what's going on?

[ATM]

Edited by ATM on Friday 27th April 09:57

[ATM]

bgunn said:

Worth noting, I saw that the GT3 has different tyre pressures again, showing 2.2 bar (31) front and 2.5 bar (36) rear. Or at least that's what I see in the Porsche service manual in the running gear section. Can someone corroborate with an owners manual?

That'll be using sport design wheels as are on my motor, too. Granted, the wheel rate is a lot higher on the GT3 suspension, but it's food for thought.

I'm not sure if wheel strength should be a variable worth considering. The only variables I can think of for any given car is the weight on the wheel and the strength of the tyre. Both carcass as in the main tread area and the sidewall. I can guess that a wider tyre needs more pressure because otherwise it would deform but then again I'd guess that a wider tyre would be stiffer in its carcass to prevent this. So given say a 265 tyre and say a 285 tyre on the same car I can see an argument for more pressure on the wider tyre. But otherwise why such a difference?

Then we get into the realms of feel and perhaps a manufacturer such as Porsche can recommend a pressure but if this was to carry a caveat that it achieves the feel that Porsche thinks is wanted then that might make more sense. Given that n rated tyres are approved for various manufacturers I can't imagine how all of them would feel optimum with the same pressure. On the 981 Porsche recommend a pressure and then another for 'comfort'. They do state that on the comfort setting one should not drive over 125. Who the F is doing 125 regularly in this country?

[ATM]

Break down

I noticed a red exclamation mark lit up on the dash yesterday or possibly the day before. Then I noticed the clutch pedal not returning to it's upright position after I had depressed it, only occasionally. I thought ok I'll need to get that checked but did nothing other than pull the clutch pedal back up with my toes and carry on. Fast forward an hour or two of fun driving and I find myself doing some low speed manoeuvres which required the clutch to be pressed for a while and suddenly it does not want to return at all, even if I try to pull it up with my toes. The upshot being I can't really disengage drive and the clutch is basically useless. I looked at the brake fluid reservoir and yes it was low. I walked to a garage and bought some more fluid but it made no difference. I'd guess that it needs bleeding but I can't do that at the side of the road. So i cant drive the car. It feels like a minor break down but still it is a break down.

[ATM]

I did Google it first. But under the bonnet there is the battery front and centre and then two reservoirs on either side. One is clearly brakes and the other is screen wash. I'd guess on the left hooker the whole brake thing is in on the other side in front of the driver.

So yeah whatever it is the car is now stranded. I did move it a bit on the starter in gear but didn't fancy doing this too far.

Now I guess it needs recover and repair.

This is my first break down in a long while and only a week after I sold a perfectly good working car. Although the red exclamation mark could of saved me if I had not ignored it.

I think I noticed some fluid below where it was parked - towards the middle. I wasn't sure which car it was from. I was hoping it was from the car i just sold but I guess it might have been fluid leaking out of the slave cylinder now.

Is the slave cylinder a common failure?

[ATM]

New slave cylinder by my trusted BMW mechanic. Recovered, fixed and returned to me for £185. I realised the MOT had expired too so he took it for MOT today and it passed first time. I'll be able to give it a try it later when I get back from the office.

[ATM]

DoubleTime said:

I have a feeling the pics in this thread might just be a catalyst for the prices starting to push north on 996's.

It really does look nice on those wheels at that height.

OP, is this a daily driver?

Well I have 3 cars. The intention is to use it as and when. Even though it is a bit track oriented with the suspension setup I dont have any intention of tracking - well not right now but that might change. I didn't really plan to buy a 911 with hard suspension - it just happened. I've never driven a standard car. Maybe I could try some different setups and the decide. In a way it helps to add to the occasion because when you drive it there is never a dull moment. The bumping around alone is enough to make it feel different and exciting.

[ATM]

Can I deduce anything useful from these MOT emissions results?

Edited by ATM on Friday 27th April 09:59

[ATM]

I've seen comments from people talking about oil analysis. How does someone go about getting their oil analysed?

[ATM]

Edited by ATM on Friday 27th April 09:59

[ATM]

Tried it but too hot so had to close the roof. A.C. not great or not working on the 996 so that's the deciding factor.

[ATM]

Edited by ATM on Friday 27th April 09:59

[ATM]

Edited by ATM on Friday 27th April 09:59

[ATM]

Edited by ATM on Friday 27th April 09:59

[ATM]

bgunn said:

ATM said:

Tried it but too hot so had to close the roof.

Windows down, drive faster

Traffic and speed bumps slowed me down and may I mention the young ladies wandering around who may have needed my attention.

[ATM]

ooid said:

981 looks just fantastic.

Thanks

I've decided to use the 19 inch wheels instead of the 20. I think the 20 inchers look a bit too big personally but that's not why I stopped using them. The car really drives a lot better on these. Right now I am on 33 psi but I might try a bit lower. I really wanted to go to 18 inch and see how that felt. I might still do it but wasn't sure about spending £1300 on a set of 18 wheels for the privilege. The 981 has standard passive dampers and you can basically ignore speed bumps if you have no sympathy for the car.

Still on the lookout for some 17 inch wheels for the 996. If I find some I might try the 18 wheels currently on there on the 981. With different tyres obviously. So there is a plan - sort of.

The 996 has developed a few clunks recently in the suspension. Ideally I'd like to take it somewhere for a check over. The thing is that's difficult for anyone who works office hours like me and doesn't have anywhere suitable nearby.

[ATM]

Fast Bug said:

Where do you live ATM?

West Mids

[ATM]

Fast Bug said:

Are you near Zuffenhaus?

That could work. Are they any good?

[ATM]

ooid said:

ATM said:

Thanks

All you need is 993 c4 now to complete the modest fleet?

I'm thinking about a 987 Cayman. Or maybe a 996 with a softer setup. I'd like to try a gen 2 997 too. So much Pork and so little time.

[ATM]

Fast Bug said:

You're on the 996 page on Facebook aren't you?

Facebook - god No.