Cayman S ride comfort
Discussion
One of the things I was absolutely adamant about when sourcing my Gen1 Cayman S was that it had SportDesign or Carrera Sport alloys. I just think they look gorgeous, and was/am prepared for the pain-in-the-arse chore of cleaning them. What I am less happy about however is the ride comfort. I confess I'd not put enough thought into this, nor test-driven a car with 19inch alloys prior to purchase, a mistake I won't repeat.
I have to say that after 5 months of ownership of an otherwise brilliant car I am finding the very firm ride rather fatiguing to the point where I am wondering how much longer I can put up with it. On my local semi-rural roads the low profile Potenzas on 19 inch alloys are bone-jangling at times.
So m questions are
1) would switching to 18 inch alloys improve the ride enough to make the car a keeper? (or should I cut my losses and chop the car in for one with PASM)
2) are there any Gen1 or Gen2 Cayman or Boxster 18 inch alloys that look similar to the SportDesign/Carrera Classic?
I have to say that after 5 months of ownership of an otherwise brilliant car I am finding the very firm ride rather fatiguing to the point where I am wondering how much longer I can put up with it. On my local semi-rural roads the low profile Potenzas on 19 inch alloys are bone-jangling at times.
So m questions are
1) would switching to 18 inch alloys improve the ride enough to make the car a keeper? (or should I cut my losses and chop the car in for one with PASM)
2) are there any Gen1 or Gen2 Cayman or Boxster 18 inch alloys that look similar to the SportDesign/Carrera Classic?
1) I don't think 18s make THAT much of a difference, but it does improve things
2) I have 19s with PASM, and I think it's fine - firm, sure, but it's a sports car so kind of has to be.
Are you confident that the suspension is all in working order? I remember, years ago, my Almera GTi had leaking shocks - night and day difference when they were changed.
2) I have 19s with PASM, and I think it's fine - firm, sure, but it's a sports car so kind of has to be.
Are you confident that the suspension is all in working order? I remember, years ago, my Almera GTi had leaking shocks - night and day difference when they were changed.
Having had a gen1 Cayman S on 19s with PASM I can confirm it would make an enormous difference to change cars - I found the ride superb with that combination, but probably much cheaper (almost free given the fact you can sell the 19s on Ebay) to switch wheels. Or find someone on here with 18s and PASM and see if they'll swap.
snapper65 said:
One of the things I was absolutely adamant about when sourcing my Gen1 Cayman S was that it had SportDesign or Carrera Sport alloys. I just think they look gorgeous, and was/am prepared for the pain-in-the-arse chore of cleaning them. What I am less happy about however is the ride comfort. I confess I'd not put enough thought into this, nor test-driven a car with 19inch alloys prior to purchase, a mistake I won't repeat.
I have to say that after 5 months of ownership of an otherwise brilliant car I am finding the very firm ride rather fatiguing to the point where I am wondering how much longer I can put up with it. On my local semi-rural roads the low profile Potenzas on 19 inch alloys are bone-jangling at times.
So m questions are
1) would switching to 18 inch alloys improve the ride enough to make the car a keeper? (or should I cut my losses and chop the car in for one with PASM)
2) are there any Gen1 or Gen2 Cayman or Boxster 18 inch alloys that look similar to the SportDesign/Carrera Classic?
It's a similar problem on the Boxster S. I "upgraded" from the Boxster S II (18" Wheel) to the Carerra S II (19" wheel). The 19's are beautiful and give a fair amount of extra turn in and on limit cornering stability, but they're pretty fidgety on anything other than a freshly tarmac'd road. I have to say that after 5 months of ownership of an otherwise brilliant car I am finding the very firm ride rather fatiguing to the point where I am wondering how much longer I can put up with it. On my local semi-rural roads the low profile Potenzas on 19 inch alloys are bone-jangling at times.
So m questions are
1) would switching to 18 inch alloys improve the ride enough to make the car a keeper? (or should I cut my losses and chop the car in for one with PASM)
2) are there any Gen1 or Gen2 Cayman or Boxster 18 inch alloys that look similar to the SportDesign/Carrera Classic?
Having said all of that - the Bridgestones you have are much harder sidewalled (read harsher) than the Michelin PS2's I was running - so you could try changing the tyres before chopping the car in?
MM.
My CaymanS has 18" & the ride is hard. Also changed to 18" winter tyres and its pretty much the same.
Kinda adds to the driving experience, what with having to avoid every manhole cover/etc.
I def couldnt make use of the drinks holders while moving, since the drinks would just end up being thrown all round the inside of the cabin.
Kinda adds to the driving experience, what with having to avoid every manhole cover/etc.
I def couldnt make use of the drinks holders while moving, since the drinks would just end up being thrown all round the inside of the cabin.
Thanks all for the replies. I suppose a start would be to check with my local dealer if they have any Boxsters or Caymans on 18 inch alloys and go from there. I kept my last Porsche for seven years. This one is a real beauty but I can't see me keeping her that long unless I can find a way to soften out the bumps
nsm3 said:
Interesting - the 991 seems to be uniformly shod with 20" wheels and yet I haven't read about these wheels ruining the ride - wonder what they have done to compensate?
991 PASM is excellent, and much improved .. may also be due to next gen tyres, longer wheelbase and stiffer chassis.Prior to purchasing my Cayman S just about everthing I read pointed towards having PASM and especially if opting for 19's. The car I ended up has both and I have no complaints whatsoever re the ride quality. In fact at the moment with its winter tyres on 18's its positively limo-like 
I suppose you could try fitting some good quality adjustable after-market shocks and springs, but I don't have the knowledge to advise on that.
I suppose you could try fitting some good quality adjustable after-market shocks and springs, but I don't have the knowledge to advise on that.
Trev450 said:
Prior to purchasing my Cayman S just about everthing I read pointed towards having PASM and especially if opting for 19's. The car I ended up has both and I have no complaints whatsoever re the ride quality. In fact at the moment with its winter tyres on 18's its positively limo-like
I suppose you could try fitting some good quality adjustable after-market shocks and springs, but I don't have the knowledge to advise on that.
Limo like, now that is a bold statement, the PASM must be superb because mine without it is nothing like!!! Would love to try one with it.I suppose you could try fitting some good quality adjustable after-market shocks and springs, but I don't have the knowledge to advise on that.
Snapper, I would try getting a ride in a car with 18"s first. One guy who runs 17's on his Cayman says it's the most comfortable and best handling car he's ever had. Going from 18's to 17's improved the ride comfort greatly in my 993. I went in a Boxster with PASM and 19's and the ride was jittery and jarring over anything other than smooth tarmac. I'm suprised people put up with it. A £40,000 sports car shouldn't be uncomfortable.
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