996 C2 without PSM
Discussion
I wouldn't for resale reasons, i specified it on a new C2 in 2002 for that reason and found that it totally exceeded my expectations.The bargain on the Porsche extras list.
I recall it is about a £700 extra........anything is possible but it would surely cost many thousands to retro fit and would not be an economic exercise.
I recall it is about a £700 extra........anything is possible but it would surely cost many thousands to retro fit and would not be an economic exercise.
Had a terrible moment in my C class during a roundabout meets sideways challenge moment.
All of a sudden, revs chop back to 4K - had the same effect as if the handrake came on (not that it had a handbrake, and the foot parkbrake kept breaking, but that's another story).
Wouldn't have minded so much, but I had the ESP turned off.
Big moment, saved only by dipping the clutch - glad I thought of that.
Vowed never to buy a car that thought it was better than the driver.
Is PSM good enough to change my mind?
And, can it really be turned off?
Had a tough time with a spot of snow a few weeks back - does PSM work with that?
Systems I tried in the US with real snow were hopeless.
simon
All of a sudden, revs chop back to 4K - had the same effect as if the handrake came on (not that it had a handbrake, and the foot parkbrake kept breaking, but that's another story).
Wouldn't have minded so much, but I had the ESP turned off.
Big moment, saved only by dipping the clutch - glad I thought of that.
Vowed never to buy a car that thought it was better than the driver.
Is PSM good enough to change my mind?
And, can it really be turned off?
Had a tough time with a spot of snow a few weeks back - does PSM work with that?
Systems I tried in the US with real snow were hopeless.
simon
Sounds a good price.
My C2 didnt have PSM, I drove her hard, and never once felt the need for it.
Only time the rear ever stepped out was when I deliberately provoked it, just to SEE if I could get the rear out, as it was that planted.
Come wet or dry, unless your driving like a
, I cant see you 'needing' PSM on any 996.
That said, every option is a bonus, and It depends if you want to let the missus / kids drive it.
If so, then PSM all the way.
My C2 didnt have PSM, I drove her hard, and never once felt the need for it.
Only time the rear ever stepped out was when I deliberately provoked it, just to SEE if I could get the rear out, as it was that planted.
Come wet or dry, unless your driving like a

That said, every option is a bonus, and It depends if you want to let the missus / kids drive it.
If so, then PSM all the way.
I live in a dry climate. I don't have PSM. Out here I reckon it is a total waste of money. If you triggered it (unexpectedly) on a hot dry road, you would have to be an utter loon, and perhaps shouldn't be on the road at all. The 911's inherent traction is awesome.
That said, in the UK I could probably justify paying for it.
That said, in the UK I could probably justify paying for it.
lance robinson said:
The car is about 2 secs per lap SLOWER with it on round Silverstone which just shoes what a poor system it is!
It is a shame that Porshe now designs its cars for people that can't drive to the detriment of others.
Surely the GT2 / 3/ & RS are for people who care about 2 secs a lap on a race track.
Porsche sells most of it's cars for road use and PSM is an excellent and worthwhile addition to the car.
lance robinson said:
It is a shame that Porshe now designs its cars for people that can't drive to the detriment of others.
Not sure of your point here mate. If you find it detrimental to your driving simply switch it off, or just don't specify it in the first place.
As far as these systems go, the Porsche PSM is rated highly becuase it is pretty effective, but it is also un-intrusive.
It is hardly surprising it slows you down marginally on a flying lap - does that make it a bad safety system? Airbags slow you down due to the extra weight but I'd rather have them in thanks.
I was in LLoyds Autobodies the local Porsche repairer in Manchester looking at a one week old 996 C2 with bad rear end damage the Chap told me this belonged to a customer of Strastones, who when asked if he wanted PSM on his C2 said "I've driven Porsches for years the day I need traction control, will be the day I stop driving".


I totally agree with Azurra.
I have a GT2 that I love driving and I relish the raw thrills and experience it provides, which include the 'dangers' of driving a near 500bhp rear-wheel drive car and the fact that it is 100% pure driver input without computer interference.
However, there are also times that I wish I had a PSM system that I could switch on, such as when in very wet or icy conditions, especially if my wife is sat next to me.
I truly believe that PSM (along with ABS, seatbelts and airbags) has been one of the major automotive safety improvements in cars in the last few years and I would specifiy it in any car I could.
The only thing is that it should be able to be completely switched off if desired, which most systems (even Porsche) cannot. You can partially de-activate the Porsche PSM, but it still comes back on in certain circumstances.
Guy
>> Edited by GuyR on Thursday 15th April 16:24
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