991 Sport Chassis - yes or no?

[stefan1]

I'm about to trade in my Panamera Turbo after 3 years and 20,000 miles of wonderful motoring for a new 991. The new car's extra refinement make it, for me, an excellent daily driver proposition, as well as a car that should be superb on B-roads. Whilst I have greatly enjoyed the Panamera, it's huge footprint on the road can sometimes be a limiting factor - and parking is not easy!

I will certainly be going for PDDC, but the question I have is whether to go for the lowered (-20mm) sports chassis. Porshe Guildford don't have a suitable car to test, so I'd be interested in any PHers' experiences, and comparisons to the standard set up.

Cheers

[GuillaumeB]

Funnily enough Guildford have always tried to talk me out of the SPASM option (I'm now onto my 3rd 911 from them).

Having said that in combination with PDCC it should be an interesting proposition as the PDCC makes the ride so much more compliant.

Personally I am very happy with my setup which is regular PASM + PDCC + Sports Chrono. I find the sports chassis setting more that enough for our local B roads in the Surrey Hills.

[BnB]

I've had a test drive in a 991S with SPASM and PDCC. It was extremely impressive. Comfortable, instant turn-in without understeer, and, most interestingly, better steering feel. And it looked the dogs. I liked it very much indeed and would have gone for it were it available on the cabriolet. The GTS I was driving at the time had SPASM so I think I was in a good position to make a back-to-back comparison. But this recommendation comes with a warning that your preferences will most likely be different to mine.

[stefan1]

Thanks for the comments. I'm test driving a "standard" PASM car this weekend so will get one benchmark. As a longtime GT3 owner (currently lucky enough to have a 4.0) I'm pretty comfortable with more hardcore cars, so am tending towards the Sports chassis unless there is a real downside.

Cheers

[MadMark911]

Having driven a standard car, I have been wondering if the SPASM is the "holy grail" of options that will turn the 991 into a sports car (rather than the GT that it seems it's become)?

[AH9999]

Why don't you try visiting OPC Reading (Theale really) - not only the home of OPC Reading but also the home of Porsche GB (same building).......out back they have all of the press cars (as well as some cool GT's and old Porsche cars being stored for rich customers) which they try and cover with every option available

I'm confident they'll have one for you to try, not too far from OPC Guildford either.

[stefan1]

Just to close the loop on this, I've ordered my 991 with the sports chassis. The car will be GT Silver with the standard 20" wheels; the sport chassis adds a slightly more pronounced front lip spoiler also happens to look good, and suits the slightly more aggressive stance of the car.

Spec. is very sporting oriented - Powerkit (includes PTV, sports chrono and engine mounts), PDCC, sports chassis and ceramics. Hopefully will take delivery during October.

Cheers

[SFO]

stefan1 said:

Just to close the loop on this, I've ordered my 991 with the sports chassis. The car will be GT Silver with the standard 20" wheels; the sport chassis adds a slightly more pronounced front lip spoiler also happens to look good, and suits the slightly more aggressive stance of the car.

Spec. is very sporting oriented - Powerkit (includes PTV, sports chrono and engine mounts), PDDC, sports chassis and ceramics. Hopefully will take delivery during October.

Cheers

manual?

5mm wheel spacers?

[stefan1]

SFO said:

stefan1 said:

Just to close the loop on this, I've ordered my 991 with the sports chassis. The car will be GT Silver with the standard 20" wheels; the sport chassis adds a slightly more pronounced front lip spoiler also happens to look good, and suits the slightly more aggressive stance of the car.

Spec. is very sporting oriented - Powerkit (includes PTV, sports chrono and engine mounts), PDDC, sports chassis and ceramics. Hopefully will take delivery during October.

Cheers

manual?

5mm wheel spacers?

Normally I'd buy manual, but this will be a daily car, so have plumped for PDK.

I've not gone for the spacers.

Cheers

[SFO]

Not sure if you have seen this powerkit info:

take a look at the torque and power comparisons .. all improvements at the top end, above 6600 rpm. Below that, you lose some torque in some rev ranges.



more info: http://www.porsche.com/uk/powerkit-911-carrera-s/

[stefan1]

Yes, thanks, had seen that. Interestingly, the torque curve is flatter in the Powerkit, which I will prefer.

My driving style is to use all of the available rev range (as a longstanding GT3 owner) so very comfy with all that extra oomph at the top end - the standard car already has a fantastic top end, can't wait to find out what the Powerkit is like.

Cheers

[GuillaumeB]

stefan1 said:

Just to close the loop on this, I've ordered my 991 with the sports chassis. The car will be GT Silver with the standard 20" wheels; the sport chassis adds a slightly more pronounced front lip spoiler also happens to look good, and suits the slightly more aggressive stance of the car.

Spec. is very sporting oriented - Powerkit (includes PTV, sports chrono and engine mounts), PDCC, sports chassis and ceramics. Hopefully will take delivery during October.

Cheers

Fantastic, sounds amazing. As a matter of interest who do you deal with at Guildford?

[stefan1]

GuillaumeB said:

Fantastic, sounds amazing. As a matter of interest who do you deal with at Guildford?

Paul Woodward; have done for many years; consistently excellent.

[Blue62]

Stefan, my car has PASM including PDCC and I have not been so smitten since I owned a 355 with Fiorano pack many years ago. It's hard to be objective, but many of the comments I've read about the 991 steering and responses don't reflect my own experience of the car and I'd be genuinely interested to hear your opinion once you get behind the wheel. It may be down to my specification or it may just be the soft under belly of middle age (me not Porsche)!