Sports Suspension for Boxster

[986er]

Is it worth getting on the Boxster? Yes or No? What are your opinons on this topic?

[Don]

I don't have it....so can't comment.

It is generally agreed that the combination of 18" wheels and "sports suspension" is not a great idea...

[986er]

Thats what I've been told by my OPC, does it look much lower to the standard set up. I wanted it to sit lower but in the brochure it says that it's only a 10mm drop so it shouldn't really look much different to the satndard set up!!

[PGM]

I have sports suspension and 18s on my 03 boxster s and it is fine ride wise - not much difference to standard cars I have tried on weekend loan cars.

Handling is sharper though if you like to 'press on'.

This is a matter of personal preference and what you use the car for.

Cheers
Paul

[leighellane]

Don't do it, that's all I can say!! I had 18" wheels with the sports suspension and the ride was terrible on anything but decent roads. I've always uprated the suspension on previous cars I've owned but this was a big mistake on the Boxster. Hated it so much that I sold the car after just 10 months.

[986er]

So from the sounds of it the ride can be a bit harsh, but what about if you wanted it for looks? no one has mentioned how much lower it actually sits compared to the standard set up!

[PGM]

The car looks nicely lower when the cars are next to each other but you're hard pushed to tell just looking at cars individually. There is less air under the arches in my car and it looks meaner from the front.

I really have no problem with ride quality and my wife who has complained about firmness in her subaru (the suspension that is!) has never commented on it.

Cheers
Paul

[Rotaree]

I've got 18s and sports suspension on my 02 and I think it looks fantastic (not the best pic but the only one I could find.) I have to say though that it did seem a touch(!) firm when it was new and I've either got used to it or it has softened up a bit now it has covered 10k.

[986er]

After having a look around, the standard set up seems quite high when fitted with 18's. The front end does look a lot nicer with the sports chassis!

How about rattles? do you find more rattles with the sports set up? sorry for the questions but want to make a right decision and not regret it at a later date.

i'm sold on the looks alone at the moment!

cheers 4 everyones input!

[Grant3]

986er....are you ordering a 2.7 or an "S",I think the standard set up for the "S" is spot on, good fluid handling, good body control, firm but not uncomfortable. If you are ordering a 2.7 ask the OPC what the "S" set up is. If you are using the car daily on B roads then a Boxter sports set up can be a little "firm" & yes I think the thing will rattle more, there always seems to be a squeak or rattle somewhere on B roads !!

[Rotaree]

I have to admit I get some squeaks from the hood but the OPC has promised they can cure that when it has it's first service and they assure me it will be rattle and squeak free!

[jumjum]

Test driven a 2.7 on 17's with the sport suspension, owned a S with 17's and now own an S with 18's

The 2.7 (sport sus) on 17's was a bit harsh on the bumpy cheshire roads and not good on the hacked up and potholed town roads, very little advantage that I could feel from the sport set up. Wasn't taken by the sprot susp and ordered an S without it.

S with 17's, quite a good ride, loads of steering feel , much better with in town hacked up roads, our pal who had an old 2.5 on sport suspension couldn't belive the difference when he borrowed it.

S with 18's, ride is a shade more harsh, the steering has lost some of it's feel but has gained a pleaseing weight and the car feels a tiny bit less fidgety as you approach the limit, the grip may be a fraction higher if anything, it's still possible to get the tail out and about on the road with clumsy/deliberate behaviour(although for safety this one now has PSM as well) and it seems just as dramatic as the 17's was maybe shade worse to recover. I haven't taken this one on the track yet to really see how easy it is really toss it around and recover.

I would recommend PSM, it's a good safety net great for when you are tired and don't want the worry of pushing on in the rain or when conditions aren't great. On the first S (no psm) a friend managed to put the rear end of the car into the armco on a slightly damp motorway slip road.

[986er]

i'm getting a 2.7, but still undecided about getting the sports suspension! any more suggestions? I really want it look lower and don't want there to be a big gap between the tyre and the arch! but from the sounds of it the difference is not to noticable compared to the standard setr up, esp if it's only a 10mm drop in height!!!

[Spining-v-grid]

Rattles....hhhmmmm!!

I recently traded in my Elise for a Boxster, I run 19inch wheels on Sports suspension - the ride for me doesn't feel harsh, but having come from an Elise this may jolly well have something to do with it!?

I have noticed rattles are common. As soon as one has been fixed two more appear, but the question is " what do you want ?"

Myself, I prefer a better handling & sharper looking car. If I wanted plush suspension then a family car would be an option. I beleive the base weight is a stonking 1500kg, so the stiffer the suspension, in my view, the better.

Best of luck.

SVG