911 - I've seen the light!

911 - I've seen the light!

Author
Discussion

steve1968

343 posts

259 months

Thursday 16th June 2022
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Tobermory said:
I'm booked into CG in a couple of weeks. The car has new discs pads and tyres so a good starting point I hope. It feels pretty good already though.
Have you been yet ?

Interested in your feedback as I’m booked in 1st August .

Hereward

4,135 posts

229 months

Friday 17th June 2022
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Regarding Centre Gravity - do they ask you what set up you want (ie "track day" or "fast road use"), or do they simply adjust everything to a set up they think is best for the make and model of car in question? Thanks.

Marley71

84 posts

74 months

Friday 17th June 2022
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Zumbruk said:
Tobermory said:
A few more thoughts a week on.

I find it hard to tell if I have locked the car or not as there is only one door lock button on the remote and no visible indicator in the car.
Irritating, isn't it?
indicators flash once for open, twice for locked on mine.

MrC986

3,481 posts

190 months

Friday 17th June 2022
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Hereward said:
Regarding Centre Gravity - do they ask you what set up you want (ie "track day" or "fast road use"), or do they simply adjust everything to a set up they think is best for the make and model of car in question? Thanks.
Yes, CG set the car up to your specific needs with the suspension setup you have already (or are having installed by them) - obviously if you have standard parts, the spec is limited that they can work to although if you have adjustable coil-overs, they have a wider range including ride height changes. In my situation, I had already had fitted new uprated shocks & lowering springs, top mounts and coffin arms etc. following attending one of their winter clinics about 18 months prior as they had identified worn top mounts, coffin arms, bump stops etc. and I took the position that whilst it was all in pieces I may as well save the labour of going back in to have the shocks/springs replaced later. I had my car set-up by them to a fast-road spec and it drives so much better for what I need.

Mick Dastardly

154 posts

23 months

Friday 17th June 2022
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I honestly believe the 997 is the sweet spot of 911 sports cars.

It’s compact with clean and pure lines and the hydraulic steering gives fantastic feedback, and I honestly wouldn’t swap mine for a newer 911.

Mine’s a 17 year old bore score car, so although it’s done 107k the new engine is only on 35k, so barely run in. I’ve a BGTS on the way to replace my wife’s elderly Boxster so planned on getting rid of mine, but then realised there’s nothing I wanted to replace it with, so I bit the bullet and had it completely restored underneath: completely new suspension, Bilstein shocks, h&m lowering kit (-30mm, it’s firm but compliant), plus loads of other stuff while they were in there, and now it drives better than it did when it left the factory.

The bodywork is a bit tatty but I quite like the fact it shows the patina of its years, so I plan to drive the arse off it for the foreseeable future.



Edited by Mick Dastardly on Saturday 18th June 09:23

Mick Dastardly

154 posts

23 months

Friday 17th June 2022
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Hereward

4,135 posts

229 months

Saturday 18th June 2022
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MrC986 said:
Hereward said:
Regarding Centre Gravity - do they ask you what set up you want (ie "track day" or "fast road use"), or do they simply adjust everything to a set up they think is best for the make and model of car in question? Thanks.
Yes, CG set the car up to your specific needs with the suspension setup you have already (or are having installed by them) - obviously if you have standard parts, the spec is limited that they can work to although if you have adjustable coil-overs, they have a wider range including ride height changes. In my situation, I had already had fitted new uprated shocks & lowering springs, top mounts and coffin arms etc. following attending one of their winter clinics about 18 months prior as they had identified worn top mounts, coffin arms, bump stops etc. and I took the position that whilst it was all in pieces I may as well save the labour of going back in to have the shocks/springs replaced later. I had my car set-up by them to a fast-road spec and it drives so much better for what I need.
Many thanks for that. I hadn't realised they supply and fit components too.

braddo

10,399 posts

187 months

Saturday 18th June 2022
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Mick Dastardly said:
Nice!

legzr1

3,843 posts

138 months

Saturday 18th June 2022
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Marley71 said:
indicators flash once for open, twice for locked on mine.
Same here.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Sunday 19th June 2022
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legzr1 said:
Marley71 said:
indicators flash once for open, twice for locked on mine.
Same here.
Thanks I’ll keep an eye out for that.

The cars booked into CG the week after next

Now the honeymoon period has worn off my thoughts have changed a bit.

It’s even better than I first realised smile

I got to use it in seats folded luggage carrying mode. I repeat it’s a very clever piece of packaging.

bennno

11,513 posts

268 months

Sunday 19th June 2022
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Tobermory said:
So I've never been a Porsche kind of guy. Don't know why, but apart from nearly buying my bosses 911 3.2 Supersport in the red braces era, I've never even thought about having one.

I've got an EV coming in around 6-9 months, and like many people I imagine, during an idle moment in lockdown I constructed a 'bucket list' of cars to have before the petrol dies. I thought (and my friends nagged me) that I really should try a 911. My BMW 650i had been a fabulous daily driver but it was time to let it go after 8 years and 90,000 miles. So I did the only thing a true petrolhead could do and bought a manual 997.1 (arctic silver 61K miles, immaculate condition). I chose this very deliberately as I wanted a 911 that I could daily drive so that I got the most out of it in the 9 months or so I plan to have it, and that ruled out anything older for me. Likewise I didn't want or need the performance of anything newer so I judged that a 997.1 was probably the sweet spot.

I did not drive it before buying, as I don't think that you can tell much from a test drive and usually I hate new cars because they just feel unfamiliar, but I did get it inspected. With the report I was able to negotiate into the asking price discs and pads and new tyres all round, a new tandem pump and fixing a few broken trim clips. Other than that it didn't need anything, The cam deviation data suggested that the IMS bearing was fine and no signs of bore scoring. I will get a low temp thermostat as a precaution at some point soon.

I picked it up today. Why didn't anyone tell me! (Well actually they did, but I didn't listen.) This thing is fabulous. I've had and have some reasonably sporty cars (currently a BAC Mono and I've owned a gen 1 NSX for 15 years), but the 997 can absolutely hold it's head high. I've only had a couple of hours in it so far, but I can see already why people rate them so highly.

Things it has in common with the NSX are a feeling of lightness and an utterly rigid body. Likewise the absence of any slack in the drivetrain. The 997 has more low down torque although the NSX encourages you to rev higher to get that VTec wail. Both feel very analogue and mechanical. The 997 feels tiny and so easy to place and in both the 997 and the NSX you see the humps at the edge of the bonnet which allow you to judge the position perfectly. The 997 has PAS unlike the NSX, and so is easier to park, but the steering feel is still excellent and on a par with the NSX. The interior quality in both is excellent and there isn't a single rattle or squeak. (I've Gliptoned the slight bit of wear on the drivers seat already.)

I'm not sure it needs it but I've got it booked into Center Gravity for a full geo and corner weight setup in a few weeks as I went to make sure it is 100% right. It feels pretty good to me so far though.

I'm going to enjoy driving some familiar B roads and comparing the two, but given how much an NSX costs these days the 997 seems an absolute bargain. I haven't driven a 991, but Porsche engineers must have had a few late nights wondering how to improve on this one.
If you really want to challenge your prejudices then do the same with an early (manual) 2.5 Boxster. Even better steer.

I say that having owned many 911’s, Lotus, McLaren etc.

Mick Dastardly

154 posts

23 months

Sunday 19th June 2022
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bennno said:
If you really want to challenge your prejudices then do the same with an early (manual) 2.5 Boxster. Even better steer.

I say that having owned many 911’s, Lotus, McLaren etc.
Agreed. We’ve owned a 986.2 2.7 for the last 15 years and whilst it’s not the quickest thing, a spirited drive on the sweeping moorland roads near me is still immense fun, and always reminds me what nimble, beautifully balanced little cars early Boxsters are.

So much so that when my BGTS arrives the old car is being SORNed in my eldest sons garage, for him and his brothers to enjoy as a fun classic car in the future.


legzr1

3,843 posts

138 months

Sunday 19th June 2022
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Tobermory said:
Thanks I’ll keep an eye out for that.

.
Leave the centre console open and you’ll get a beep when locking.

wink

Pivo

1,082 posts

34 months

Monday 20th June 2022
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Very interesting thread… I was about to get a Taycan, but also thought to get a 911 before they go extinct in the fossil-fuel form. So I changed my order to 992 C2S and I took a Boxster 300PS with MT, off the floor for few months while I am waiting for the new 911.

I absolutely love the Boxster, it is 2016 MY, I.e. the last one with anti-social exhaust system fitted as standard. All new models are progressively quieter and I guess more refined. It’s solid, no rattles (I am allergic to rattles) and it handles like a go-cart. No, better than go-cart!

I have never had a 911 and I was tempted to get an older model, but then I thought that I will battle to convince myself to upgrade few months later. I have been waiting for new 911 for almost 12 months and now when it actually arrives, I am scheming to keep the Boxster for some time, until I get it out of my system. My better half will not be impressed, so eventually I will have to let it go, but if 911 is anything like Boxster, or better, it is worth the wait!

Malcolm E Boo

192 posts

71 months

Monday 20th June 2022
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Mick Dastardly said:
Agreed. We’ve owned a 986.2 2.7 for the last 15 years and whilst it’s not the quickest thing, a spirited drive on the sweeping moorland roads near me is still immense fun, and always reminds me what nimble, beautifully balanced little cars early Boxsters are.

So much so that when my BGTS arrives the old car is being SORNed in my eldest sons garage, for him and his brothers to enjoy as a fun classic car in the future.

PELP

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Tuesday 28th June 2022
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Just got back from visiting Center Gravity. My what an experience that was!

Chris is a thoroughly delightful guy and his knowledge of Porsche's and suspensions physics is encyclopaedic.

He did a pre-geo test drive of the car, explaining how the route he uses has various road types and surfaces to allow different aspects to be tested. You could already see from the drive what might need looking at in terms of tracking,

Next he did basically a full mechanical inspection of the whole suspicions and underbody components including all the notorious 997 coolant pipes (not what I had expected from a geo appointment). It revealed that my car had actually been really well looked after, which was good to know. He also replied grease to the various bushes etc to protect them

Next he checked the geo, and surprise surprise it showed exactly what he had demonstrated in the test drive, how did he do that?

Then a (very) detailed chat about me, and my experience, driving style and where I wanted to use the car before settling on a geo target.

Once he had done that a further test drive and I could feel the difference at once, the car is more planted and stable, giving me more confidence (a slight high speed instability being my only concern before.)

He wants to have feedback and will change anything within 3/12 if you want and you get a full report of course.

More expensive (but not much) than at Quick Fit, but worth every penny. I'm looking forward to some country B road driving this weekend.

It was a 2 hours drive each way but I'm very glad I made the effort.

fear.the.raven

23 posts

256 months

Tuesday 28th June 2022
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Tobermory said:
Just got back from visiting Center Gravity. My what an experience that was!

Chris is a thoroughly delightful guy and his knowledge of Porsche's and suspensions physics is encyclopaedic.

He did a pre-geo test drive of the car, explaining how the route he uses has various road types and surfaces to allow different aspects to be tested. You could already see from the drive what might need looking at in terms of tracking,

Next he did basically a full mechanical inspection of the whole suspicions and underbody components including all the notorious 997 coolant pipes (not what I had expected from a geo appointment). It revealed that my car had actually been really well looked after, which was good to know. He also replied grease to the various bushes etc to protect them

Next he checked the geo, and surprise surprise it showed exactly what he had demonstrated in the test drive, how did he do that?

Then a (very) detailed chat about me, and my experience, driving style and where I wanted to use the car before settling on a geo target.

Once he had done that a further test drive and I could feel the difference at once, the car is more planted and stable, giving me more confidence (a slight high speed instability being my only concern before.)

He wants to have feedback and will change anything within 3/12 if you want and you get a full report of course.

More expensive (but not much) than at Quick Fit, but worth every penny. I'm looking forward to some country B road driving this weekend.

It was a 2 hours drive each way but I'm very glad I made the effort.
Great to read this! Picked up my 991 GT3 yesterday and am booked into CG in early September, so I am hoping I have an equally uplifting experience.

Chubbyross

4,537 posts

84 months

Wednesday 29th June 2022
quotequote all
Tobermory said:
Just got back from visiting Center Gravity. My what an experience that was!

Chris is a thoroughly delightful guy and his knowledge of Porsche's and suspensions physics is encyclopaedic.

He did a pre-geo test drive of the car, explaining how the route he uses has various road types and surfaces to allow different aspects to be tested. You could already see from the drive what might need looking at in terms of tracking,

Next he did basically a full mechanical inspection of the whole suspicions and underbody components including all the notorious 997 coolant pipes (not what I had expected from a geo appointment). It revealed that my car had actually been really well looked after, which was good to know. He also replied grease to the various bushes etc to protect them

Next he checked the geo, and surprise surprise it showed exactly what he had demonstrated in the test drive, how did he do that?

Then a (very) detailed chat about me, and my experience, driving style and where I wanted to use the car before settling on a geo target.

Once he had done that a further test drive and I could feel the difference at once, the car is more planted and stable, giving me more confidence (a slight high speed instability being my only concern before.)

He wants to have feedback and will change anything within 3/12 if you want and you get a full report of course.

More expensive (but not much) than at Quick Fit, but worth every penny. I'm looking forward to some country B road driving this weekend.

It was a 2 hours drive each way but I'm very glad I made the effort.
I laughed after my visit to CG when Chris warned me to check my speedo often on the way home. He said that I’d be going faster than I had prior to getting the car sorted. He wasn’t wrong! When it felt like 70mph I’d check the speedo and I’d be doing 90! The car was so planted afterwards. The best way I can describe it is I was suddenly aware of all four wheels on the road on the way home. Before, it had just felt like a single unit of steel driving along. After they had worked their magic I could sense the feedback from each corner. It was such a weird sensation.

ATM

18,096 posts

218 months

Wednesday 29th June 2022
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fear.the.raven said:
Great to read this! Picked up my 991 GT3 yesterday and am booked into CG in early September, so I am hoping I have an equally uplifting experience.
Worth checking tyres before your visit to CG. One of CG tricks is to look at dates on sidewalls. If the dates are out then you can have a difference in grip from one side to the other. CG will recommend changing tyres to get matching dates. Its easy to check the dates as they are printed or stamped onto the sidewalls. If you want to go further you can check the tread depth. That takes a little more effort. Swap out tyres if required. If you do this before your first visit you may get more from the appointment.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

53 months

Wednesday 29th June 2022
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Another benefit is that it always takes me 6 months at least before I know and trust a new (old) car, you never know what’s lurking. A proper PPI plus a CG work over fast tracks that process. I feel I have a pretty good handle on this cars and what, if anything, it needs to keep it in good working order. Very reassuring.