996 M030 sports suspension pack

[gibbon]

Hi,

Does this really make a lot of difference to feel of a car? Is it a preferable option? Any real experiences please.

This is on a 2002 facelift c2.

Many thanks

[gibbon]

Anyone?


Thanks in advance

[steve singh]

It's all relative I guess, but I find the ride uncomfortably firm on M030 given the state of UK roads - best to try and get a drive in a car that has it. Huge difference from the standard suspension.

In terms of asthetics the 996 on M030 sits fantastically well.

I'm sure there are many people who find it great - but personally I prefer the standard suspension in terms of ride.

Edited by steve singh on Monday 7th March 12:27

[Ian_UK1]

An alternative to the MO30 is to replace your dampers with Bilstein B6 Sport units. I did this on the facelift 996 C2 I used to own a few years ago, so I can speak from 1st-hand experience.

The B6s are non-height-adjustable monotubes that offer far better damping than the stock Porsche units (that are loosely based on Bilstein B4s). They retain the stock springs (and by extension, the standard ride height) so you have plenty of suspension travel (ideal for UK roads) and no ground clearance issues. However, in conjunction with a good all-wheel geo, the change in damping characteristics improves the cars handling no end. The ride is firmer, yes, but the quality of the damping is much smoother giving a more fluid, oiled feeling the to suspension motion. The payback is much better body control, less roll, sharper turn-in, more grip, better steering feel, the elimination of the slight 'corkscrewing' motion through fast corners, elimination ofthe 'bobbing' front end and a car that's much faster point-to-point.

Chris Franklin told me he has recently done a number of these installations for 996 owners wanting an economical but effective improvement and has had nothing but positive feedback in line with my own experiences of these units. Chris is the ideal guy to supply/fit/align too as I'm sure you'll be aware.

Ian

Edited by Ian_UK1 on Monday 7th March 13:03

[gibbon]

Thank you guys.

Im thinking of buying a 2002 c2 with the m030 as standard on it, and 18inch carrera wheels spec'd from new. Seems like not a bad addition, im not opposed to a more focussed drive at all.

[Sandy59]

gibbon said:

Thank you guys.

Im thinking of buying a 2002 c2 with the m030 as standard on it, and 18inch carrera wheels spec'd from new. Seems like not a bad addition, im not opposed to a more focussed drive at all.

If I'm not mistaken you also get an LSD if it was a factory fit, I had an early 98 M030 model and though it was a great drive.

[gibbon]

Sandy59 said:

If I'm not mistaken you also get an LSD if it was a factory fit, I had an early 98 M030 model and though it was a great drive.

I believe you could only spec a lsd on a pre 2000 car, so this being 2002 i dont think it will sadly, although i will be happy to be proven wrong.

Do the facelift cars all have traction control and abs as standard whilst im here pondering things...

Thanks again all.

[MikeO996]

The sports suspension is a pain if you're doing a lot of town driving - otherwise it's a bonus.

[Sandy59]

Not sure about the facelift cars, but the early model had a 'sports pack' option which consisted of : M030 suspension, LSD, Traction Control, Sports Seats, and 18 " wheels from memory.

Pretty sure all 996's had ABS ??

[monthefish]

IIRC MO30 sill isn't as low as a GT3.

[gibbon]

Do all not have traction control then?

[steve singh]

monthefish said:

IIRC MO30 sill isn't as low as a GT3.

Correct, I believe the GT3 is still a further 20mm lower than a 996 on M030.

To the OP - M030 also means a slightly bigger headache than standard when going over particularly large speed humps and multi-story car park ramps.

[Magic919]

My 996 has M030, but I've no idea what they are like without. I think the lower car and the stiff ARBs are worthwhile, but it depends what you expect from the car. I wanted M030 and the LSD.

[superstreek]

Not all have traction control. I have a 2000 C2 with M030, Sports seats and no traction control (still trying to track down the type of diff).
The suspension is hard enough to be a pain in town of on rough roads but it does sit well and if you are lucky enough to find some good smooth roads it works well.

[EGTE]

Bit of a thread-resurrection, but I've just had a Porsche Indy tell me that my M030 kit on my 996 is adjustable.

Is that right? I know M030 on 944/968 is adjustable, but not the 996, is it?

[jkh112]

No

[EGTE]

Thanks; I thought not.

The guy on the front desk is clearly a BS-artist; rather than finding out, he just had a wild guess.....