997 / 997S dilemma

[daveinscotland]

Its my first post here so thanks in advance for any help folks.

Basically, I am really keen to get lined up with a nearly new 997 or 997S this summer and am keeping my eyes peeled big time for my ideal car, but have a couple of issues that are causing me sleepless nights!!

- bit of an old chesnut I know, but I was wondering if anyone deliberately went for a standard 997 carrera to get the 18 inch wheels / 'supposedly' more compliant ride etc ? has anyone driven both to gauge whether there is much of a difference between that
and an S with 19 inch wheels ? The larger wheels look the business
but I really wanna get the best handling car I can. Feel free to tell
me if I have read too many misguided car mag articles here !!

Ive recently sold an 987S which has 19 inchers and although i never
had the chance to drive a car on 18 inchers I had this nagging
feeling that it may have felt a bit nicer / bit more nimble on a cross country blast.

- I see on Tequipement section of the main porsche website you can get spacers. Has anyone got any thoughts to what extent these address the problem of 18 inchers looking a bit puny ?

- Would anyone know if the -20mm sports suspension option is only available on the S, or on the base car too ?

I know I need to get down to the local OPC and try a standard car, and a S, but I'm worried I'll get carried away and buy what ever they give me a shot of ..

dave

[oldtimer]

you need to drive the cars . I just went straight for the S , so dont have a comparison , really like the extra power and brakes compared to the standard 996 it replaced.....also believe the S will be easier to resell when the time comes.

[gmk666]

There was a piece in GT Purely Porsche last year (February or March I think - just before I got my 997) on this subject. Which is the 'purest' Porsche - 3.6 Carrera on 18" v 3.8 Carrera S with PASM on 19". Might be worth a read if you can find a copy (unless this is one of the misguided articles you're referring to).

>> Edited by gmk666 on Thursday 20th April 19:28

[colin5577]

I found the 997 nicer to drive on the road than the 997 S. I tried a regular 997 on 18s, and it felt a bit lighter on its feet, had better ride quality, was noticeably more economical and a bit more chuckable than the S I subsequently tried. I'd still go for an S, though, as I wasn't too crazy about the regular 997 once I got it onto the Nurburgring - I desperately wanted it to feel a bit more 'batoned down' and less delicate. You reach the new 911s limits at high speeds and they're not as informative as they used to be. If you go for a 997, I wouldn't go crazy with the spec, because it will interfere with resale if you push its price into S territory.

[Geneve]

A number of journalists, including Chris Harris and Brett Fraser, have said that the standard 997 (on 18" wheels rides and handles better on the road than the 997S. Although, I believe they were using a 997 fitted with PCCBs.

It has also been reported that both models are quieter and more compliant on Pirellis rather than Michelins.

[jjr1]

All the 997S have been tested with PASM as well and never the no cost -20mm option of a 997S, against a standard 997

[daveinscotland]

Thanks for the comments folks. Am gonna get test drives lined up,
and will try and find that article in GT Purely Porsche.

[sidicks]

jjr1 said:

All the 997S have been tested with PASM as well and never the no cost -20mm option of a 997S, against a standard 997

Bear in mind that this option is -20mm below standard Carrera suspension, -10mm below standard 'S' suspension.
sidicks

[jjr1]

It is lower naturally but in Evo and other mags it has been described as a lot more fun than the standard PASM set up. So it is possible that the -20mm is the best handling of all set ups.

[sidicks]

jjr1 said:

It is lower naturally but in Evo and other mags it has been described as a lot more fun than the standard PASM set up. So it is possible that the -20mm is the best handling of all set ups.

I don't doubt that the non-PASM, -20mm is the way for the best handling car, but I think it all depends on what the car has to do - my car is a daily commuter and only ocassionally will go on a track, so I think the PASM is the best compromise for me.

I do however think that as a weekend toy or for frequent track use then the non-PASM, -20mm suspension is probably the way forward.

Sidicks

[boxbob612]

Dave,
if your anywhere in the Central belt/West of Scotland, try Stuart McKay instead of your OPC.
He used to work for Porsche, before setting up on his own, is very knowledgeable, has a number of 997s to try out, and is much more friendly than your run of the mill OPC sales guys.

No affiliation with him, just know him from his time @ OPC and heard lots of good reports since his move out on his own.

272 Bath Street
Glasgow G2 4JR
T 0141 354 8999 M 07917 300 997
Also at:
Harbourside Inverkip Marina PA16 0BR
T 01475 529872
E [e-mail]

Good luck with your search.

Bob McPherson

[daveinscotland]

Thanks alot for that Bob. I will definitely check that out.
To be honest I prefer to venture into my local OPC only when
absolutely necessary.

[abarber]

Geneve said:

A number of journalists, including Chris Harris and Brett Fraser, have said that the standard 997 (on 18" wheels rides and handles better on the road than the 997S. Although, I believe they were using a 997 fitted with PCCBs. It has also been reported that both models are quieter and more compliant on Pirellis rather than Michelins.

Think you could be right with this one. I test drove a 997 on 18"s, then a 997S with PASM on the road. The standard 997 was superb, nice ride comfort but still a great handling car, sweeter steering too. If you're not doing any track work, perhaps the best 997 for the road. As said above, test drive them and see which suits you. Let us know how you get on!

>> Edited by abarber on Friday 21st April 13:34

>> Edited by abarber on Friday 21st April 13:34

[DHA]

Just a little side note. You can't order a 997 with -20 suspension and 18" wheels. They force you to buy 19s on the "base" model if you want suspension upgrades.