RE: Porsche 911 R at Silverstone: Time for Coffee
Discussion
I've just watched the video and yes, I agree; it's great to see someone enjoying the R in the environment it was designed for. 
I must admit though, the video demonstrates beautifully one of the things that Porsche do so badly: driving position. Notice how the driver's whole shoulders and upper back are moving off the seat when he steers; that's not only very bad for your back it's also a really poor way to control a car, but he's got no choice, Porsche just can't seem to get driving positions right.
I must admit though, the video demonstrates beautifully one of the things that Porsche do so badly: driving position. Notice how the driver's whole shoulders and upper back are moving off the seat when he steers; that's not only very bad for your back it's also a really poor way to control a car, but he's got no choice, Porsche just can't seem to get driving positions right.
RobM77 said:
I've just watched the video and yes, I agree; it's great to see someone enjoying the R in the environment it was designed for.
I must admit though, the video demonstrates beautifully one of the things that Porsche do so badly: driving position. Notice how the driver's whole shoulders and upper back are moving off the seat when he steers; that's not only very bad for your back it's also a really poor way to control a car, but he's got no choice, Porsche just can't seem to get driving positions right.
I'm 5'11 and a bit(?) short legged (30L jeans) and have no trouble getting a good driving position in my 997, where the wheel is nice and close and doesn't require shoulder movement when turning the wheel. I must admit though, the video demonstrates beautifully one of the things that Porsche do so badly: driving position. Notice how the driver's whole shoulders and upper back are moving off the seat when he steers; that's not only very bad for your back it's also a really poor way to control a car, but he's got no choice, Porsche just can't seem to get driving positions right.
Isn't the rule of thumb to be able to drape your hand over the top of the wheel without leaning forward?
ishay said:
I'm clearly the only one who thinks that H pattern gearshift looks utterly alien on a modern race track.
Stick it in Sport+ in manual mode on a PDK in a GT3 RS and do it proparly.
Load of over romantic hype.
Still a very nice car though.
So someone who wants the engagement of a manual box should ignore than and resign themselves to flicking a paddle instead?Stick it in Sport+ in manual mode on a PDK in a GT3 RS and do it proparly.
Load of over romantic hype.
Still a very nice car though.
great to see one getting all-round use. 
PunterCam said:
This car has been over-hyped to the point of comedy - I'm sure it's very nice, but come off it. "Being used properly" - it's a 911, I'm sure most are being used properly - 3k miles or 30k miles - is it really going to matter when it's rare?
£500k and struggling to get past a badly driven R8? Come off it...Another museum piece for the collectors. If you want a manual car, there are lots to choose from. This is a joke.Did you type £500k as in £500,000?
OK, just searched a bit and yes, they are quite lovely and yes, they are going for silly money.
I wondered what I would rather have for the money and came up with
Ferrari 488 (2nd hand 2800 miles)
Mclaren 650S (2nd hand 4000 miles)
New Evora
New Jag XE
I mean, they are nice but are they Ferrari488/Mc650S/Evora/Jag nice? Some people must absolutely love them...
OK, just searched a bit and yes, they are quite lovely and yes, they are going for silly money.
I wondered what I would rather have for the money and came up with
Ferrari 488 (2nd hand 2800 miles)
Mclaren 650S (2nd hand 4000 miles)
New Evora
New Jag XE
I mean, they are nice but are they Ferrari488/Mc650S/Evora/Jag nice? Some people must absolutely love them...
Edited by Oilchange on Saturday 19th November 18:06
I attended the same track day at Silverstone, and it was impressive to see some of these cars supposedly sold out to speculators actually getting properly used. As well as this 911R, there were 2 or 3 991 RS's, a couple of GT4's, a GT4 Clubsport, 675LT, 458 Speciale etc.
Doesn't get much better than a well used 911R under a layer of grime:
Doesn't get much better than a well used 911R under a layer of grime:
Edited by Gman77 on Saturday 19th November 20:10
ghiblicup said:
A few people Judging some track day footage that have obviously never done a track day.....
I was thinking the same. People simply don't know how close 2 performance cars can be on track in a non-racing context. Law of diminishing returns hits early. For all we know, the R8 might have been on DZ03g. Edited by nickfrog on Sunday 20th November 09:58
braddo said:
RobM77 said:
I've just watched the video and yes, I agree; it's great to see someone enjoying the R in the environment it was designed for.
I must admit though, the video demonstrates beautifully one of the things that Porsche do so badly: driving position. Notice how the driver's whole shoulders and upper back are moving off the seat when he steers; that's not only very bad for your back it's also a really poor way to control a car, but he's got no choice, Porsche just can't seem to get driving positions right.
I'm 5'11 and a bit(?) short legged (30L jeans) and have no trouble getting a good driving position in my 997, where the wheel is nice and close and doesn't require shoulder movement when turning the wheel. I must admit though, the video demonstrates beautifully one of the things that Porsche do so badly: driving position. Notice how the driver's whole shoulders and upper back are moving off the seat when he steers; that's not only very bad for your back it's also a really poor way to control a car, but he's got no choice, Porsche just can't seem to get driving positions right.
Isn't the rule of thumb to be able to drape your hand over the top of the wheel without leaning forward?
You're right about the reach test - you should be able to put the top of the steering wheel in the small of your wrist on an outstretched arm without lifting your shoulders off the seat back. For me that's impossible in a Porsche without doubling my legs up! As I say, the video is a classic example - the poor guy looks desperately uncomfortable.
Oilchange said:
Did you type £500k as in £500,000?
OK, just searched a bit and yes, they are quite lovely and yes, they are going for silly money.
I wondered what I would rather have for the money and came up with
Ferrari 488 (2nd hand 2800 miles)
Mclaren 650S (2nd hand 4000 miles)
New Evora
New Jag XE
I mean, they are nice but are they Ferrari488/Mc650S/Evora/Jag nice? Some people must absolutely love them...
Yes, £500k for a manual 911 GT3!! The world has gone crazy with hype. Too few people have an abundance of wealth and throw it on anything that is in limited supply, and the facebook/youtube generation idolise it as the holy grail. OK, just searched a bit and yes, they are quite lovely and yes, they are going for silly money.
I wondered what I would rather have for the money and came up with
Ferrari 488 (2nd hand 2800 miles)
Mclaren 650S (2nd hand 4000 miles)
New Evora
New Jag XE
I mean, they are nice but are they Ferrari488/Mc650S/Evora/Jag nice? Some people must absolutely love them...
Edited by Oilchange on Saturday 19th November 18:06
nckr55 said:
Top petrolhead, Mr Footsoldier.
Dailying the 911R at the moment. Sensible winter hack
No doubt a great car to drive but that looks ridiculous. The Porches bods must be pissing themselves that they can put a few chav decals and yellow callipers on and charge twice as much. Dailying the 911R at the moment. Sensible winter hack
RobM77 said:
If you've got short legs that's why you don't have a problem.
You're right about the reach test - you should be able to put the top of the steering wheel in the small of your wrist on an outstretched arm without lifting your shoulders off the seat back. For me that's impossible in a Porsche without doubling my legs up! As I say, the video is a classic example - the poor guy looks desperately uncomfortable.
Must admit first time I've ever heard this across an active user community.You're right about the reach test - you should be able to put the top of the steering wheel in the small of your wrist on an outstretched arm without lifting your shoulders off the seat back. For me that's impossible in a Porsche without doubling my legs up! As I say, the video is a classic example - the poor guy looks desperately uncomfortable.
However different people have physiques so not doubting if that has been your experience.
The steering wheels come with reach adjustment if you have shorter arms/longer legs/etc
I find the the earlier cars like 996 buckets absolutely spot on. The 997s also extremely good though I have a preference for the earlier bucket shape.
As for the 911R in question yes superb to see it being used widely on road and track. I think people need to disassociate from the tabloid headlines on price of last car sold at an auction from the technical enjoyment of such a car on video.
Edited by LaSource on Sunday 20th November 23:56
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