GT4 RS/ Spyder RS Experiences, Driving and Technical
Discussion
ChrisW. said:
I moved from a 981GT4 to a 991.2 GT3RS (hence an interloper here) and despite the GT4 box being one of the best, the PDK is better.
I think the reason many find it alien in manual is because in auto it is so very good ... only jarring when you need instant maximum go and then lift ... it takes a little time for the car to realise and change back up but the initial downshifts were far swifter than a manual change would have been unless a planned change.
Hence I drive in auto around town and manual out of town ... just to keep my hand in.
A plus is that there is no need to rev-check a PDK car, flat changes and mid corner changes are an option .... and the car is more economical. Win, win, win ... but no heel and toeing etc.
Thanks, for sharing. It's driving a 991.2 RS recently which really got me thinking about the 4RS as the engine and gearbox was spectacular. Enjoy it I think the reason many find it alien in manual is because in auto it is so very good ... only jarring when you need instant maximum go and then lift ... it takes a little time for the car to realise and change back up but the initial downshifts were far swifter than a manual change would have been unless a planned change.
Hence I drive in auto around town and manual out of town ... just to keep my hand in.
A plus is that there is no need to rev-check a PDK car, flat changes and mid corner changes are an option .... and the car is more economical. Win, win, win ... but no heel and toeing etc.
I do love this car at any given speed, I even love it when I`m staring at it.
And I keep staring at it a lot :-) (I`m also driving it, no worries here :-))
The engine and the different sounds it makes, it's an animal with an attitude, if woken up, it can be silent if you want it to be.
The steering, the road compliance (I have to admit Dutch B-roads are far better compared to the UK ones) the brakes, the PDK, the interoir with old skool dials, the exterior. For me it's just the best I could wish fore. The way this car acts and reacts ,on what ever input you`ll give, is unmatched.
Do I sound in love?
You bet !
Paul_N said:
Come from a manual 718 GT4 to GT4RS only covered 380 miles so far, bought car then went on holiday for 3 weeks, so run in process may have to wait until after winter, depending on weather etc.
As for going from manual to PDK, we hired a 4RS for 2 days in Germany & Austria back in June, covered 400 miles, personally much prefer the PDK over manual in our GT4, think it suits the car better & makes for faster progress, but that’s just our opinion. Have to say first time we drove GT4 after hire car I knew its days were numbered.
Different to most on here, won’t be going on track, car will be for Euro trips, certainly no expert driver & probably wouldn’t be a car most 60 year old couples would use for this purpose but we both love it.
Thanks Paul, it sounds like a great choice to me no matter the age. I've always had Lotus Exige's before so the GT4 feels luxurious to me and my wife. What's started this is a recent drive in a 991.2 GT3 RS and I knew within 5 minutes it was going to cost me!! As for going from manual to PDK, we hired a 4RS for 2 days in Germany & Austria back in June, covered 400 miles, personally much prefer the PDK over manual in our GT4, think it suits the car better & makes for faster progress, but that’s just our opinion. Have to say first time we drove GT4 after hire car I knew its days were numbered.
Different to most on here, won’t be going on track, car will be for Euro trips, certainly no expert driver & probably wouldn’t be a car most 60 year old couples would use for this purpose but we both love it.
Edited by Paul_N on Sunday 6th October 23:36
One of my hesitations is the noise at regular motorway speeds. Is it noticeable louder at an 80mph cruise on a European motorway? I have no issue with the crazy sound when it's time to play!
lotusgeek said:
Thanks Paul, it sounds like a great choice to me no matter the age. I've always had Lotus Exige's before so the GT4 feels luxurious to me and my wife. What's started this is a recent drive in a 991.2 GT3 RS and I knew within 5 minutes it was going to cost me!!
One of my hesitations is the noise at regular motorway speeds. Is it noticeable louder at an 80mph cruise on a European motorway? I have no issue with the crazy sound when it's time to play!
This was a concern for me too. 70mph is 3k RPM, which isn't too crazy, but at 80mph it's noticeable louder. Nothing if you're used to an Exige though! Road and tyre noise is present, but on nice smooth European roads I don't think it'll be an issue. Do it, you won't regret itOne of my hesitations is the noise at regular motorway speeds. Is it noticeable louder at an 80mph cruise on a European motorway? I have no issue with the crazy sound when it's time to play!
If you run with PSE off and are not laying heavily into the throttle, the drivetrain noise and intake is quiet and you can be making ‘very brisk’ progress. Quicker than general traffic.
The car is happier at 80mph than it is at 60mph.
There will be tyre/road noise, due to large tyres, next to no rubber bushings in the suspension (solid joints), lightweight glass in the rear and less sound deadening.
As I said I can still easily listen to podcasts or music… and don’t feel beaten up.
The car is happier at 80mph than it is at 60mph.
There will be tyre/road noise, due to large tyres, next to no rubber bushings in the suspension (solid joints), lightweight glass in the rear and less sound deadening.
As I said I can still easily listen to podcasts or music… and don’t feel beaten up.
Edited by TDT on Tuesday 8th October 00:27
I've done 5.5k miles in mine, including track days, a euro tour, and my commute across central London.
Initially I had a fast road geo on standard parts plus shims, but at about 2.5k miles put on the monthly GT4 rear toe arms plus eccentric top mounts for a more extreme geo. It's still fine on the road.
More or less since new I've had braided lines, SRF, and RSC1 pads.
At around 2k or so I put on a titanium exhaust.
I think it's the most epic car. I still pinch myself that it's possible to buy a car like this now. It always feels an occasion, but it does pretty much everything without much fuss (though being central, and with the state of our roads, and with a fairly low-riding geo, you have to live with scraping the sacrificial underbody geo). It's brutally fast, mega competent but fun on track, and the noise is addictive. Surprisingly, the general public seem to love it - people even give way!
The only thing I think I'd do without in retrospect is the exhaust. It definitely gives the car more 'presence' by improving the sound and lifting the volume slightly. However, it introduces too much drone in normal use, and in truth I prefer that glorious induction noise.
Initially I had a fast road geo on standard parts plus shims, but at about 2.5k miles put on the monthly GT4 rear toe arms plus eccentric top mounts for a more extreme geo. It's still fine on the road.
More or less since new I've had braided lines, SRF, and RSC1 pads.
At around 2k or so I put on a titanium exhaust.
I think it's the most epic car. I still pinch myself that it's possible to buy a car like this now. It always feels an occasion, but it does pretty much everything without much fuss (though being central, and with the state of our roads, and with a fairly low-riding geo, you have to live with scraping the sacrificial underbody geo). It's brutally fast, mega competent but fun on track, and the noise is addictive. Surprisingly, the general public seem to love it - people even give way!
The only thing I think I'd do without in retrospect is the exhaust. It definitely gives the car more 'presence' by improving the sound and lifting the volume slightly. However, it introduces too much drone in normal use, and in truth I prefer that glorious induction noise.
Edited by ab8 on Tuesday 8th October 09:22
Hi !
Took delivery in March 2023. No WP, FAL, steel brakes, full PPF and geo/corner weights done by Manthey with standard parts.
I have done 22 000 km, including 22 trackdays, mostly on Nordschleife and Spa. Also several long trips to Alps and Italy. As former Exige owner this feels like a luxury car, but I can understand if its too much for some. I'm using earplugs on track and when doing 200+ on autobahn. Love PDK on track, on the road maybe manual would be more fun. FAL is excellent on Euro trips, many garages have steep entrances.
Just had its first service done by Manthey, cost was €900. Have used 2 sets of front/1 set of rear pads and 3 sets of tyres. As I'm mostly driving on Nordschleife then tyre life is limited by heat cycles. For smaller tracks it needs more front camber.
Oil consumption is appr. 1 l./2500 km. No technical or any other issues up to now.
Took delivery in March 2023. No WP, FAL, steel brakes, full PPF and geo/corner weights done by Manthey with standard parts.
I have done 22 000 km, including 22 trackdays, mostly on Nordschleife and Spa. Also several long trips to Alps and Italy. As former Exige owner this feels like a luxury car, but I can understand if its too much for some. I'm using earplugs on track and when doing 200+ on autobahn. Love PDK on track, on the road maybe manual would be more fun. FAL is excellent on Euro trips, many garages have steep entrances.
Just had its first service done by Manthey, cost was €900. Have used 2 sets of front/1 set of rear pads and 3 sets of tyres. As I'm mostly driving on Nordschleife then tyre life is limited by heat cycles. For smaller tracks it needs more front camber.
Oil consumption is appr. 1 l./2500 km. No technical or any other issues up to now.
onemile said:
Hi !
Took delivery in March 2023. No WP, FAL, steel brakes, full PPF and geo/corner weights done by Manthey with standard parts.
I have done 22 000 km, including 22 trackdays, mostly on Nordschleife and Spa. Also several long trips to Alps and Italy. As former Exige owner this feels like a luxury car, but I can understand if its too much for some. I'm using earplugs on track and when doing 200+ on autobahn. Love PDK on track, on the road maybe manual would be more fun. FAL is excellent on Euro trips, many garages have steep entrances.
Just had its first service done by Manthey, cost was €900. Have used 2 sets of front/1 set of rear pads and 3 sets of tyres. As I'm mostly driving on Nordschleife then tyre life is limited by heat cycles. For smaller tracks it needs more front camber.
Oil consumption is appr. 1 l./2500 km. No technical or any other issues up to now.
Amazing!! Great to see these getting used!! Took delivery in March 2023. No WP, FAL, steel brakes, full PPF and geo/corner weights done by Manthey with standard parts.
I have done 22 000 km, including 22 trackdays, mostly on Nordschleife and Spa. Also several long trips to Alps and Italy. As former Exige owner this feels like a luxury car, but I can understand if its too much for some. I'm using earplugs on track and when doing 200+ on autobahn. Love PDK on track, on the road maybe manual would be more fun. FAL is excellent on Euro trips, many garages have steep entrances.
Just had its first service done by Manthey, cost was €900. Have used 2 sets of front/1 set of rear pads and 3 sets of tyres. As I'm mostly driving on Nordschleife then tyre life is limited by heat cycles. For smaller tracks it needs more front camber.
Oil consumption is appr. 1 l./2500 km. No technical or any other issues up to now.
100% this.onemile said:
Hi !
Took delivery in March 2023. No WP, FAL, steel brakes, full PPF and geo/corner weights done by Manthey with standard parts.
I have done 22 000 km, including 22 trackdays, mostly on Nordschleife and Spa. Also several long trips to Alps and Italy. As former Exige owner this feels like a luxury car, but I can understand if its too much for some. I'm using earplugs on track and when doing 200+ on autobahn. Love PDK on track, on the road maybe manual would be more fun. FAL is excellent on Euro trips, many garages have steep entrances.
Just had its first service done by Manthey, cost was €900. Have used 2 sets of front/1 set of rear pads and 3 sets of tyres. As I'm mostly driving on Nordschleife then tyre life is limited by heat cycles. For smaller tracks it needs more front camber.
Oil consumption is appr. 1 l./2500 km. No technical or any other issues up to now.
HERO!Took delivery in March 2023. No WP, FAL, steel brakes, full PPF and geo/corner weights done by Manthey with standard parts.
I have done 22 000 km, including 22 trackdays, mostly on Nordschleife and Spa. Also several long trips to Alps and Italy. As former Exige owner this feels like a luxury car, but I can understand if its too much for some. I'm using earplugs on track and when doing 200+ on autobahn. Love PDK on track, on the road maybe manual would be more fun. FAL is excellent on Euro trips, many garages have steep entrances.
Just had its first service done by Manthey, cost was €900. Have used 2 sets of front/1 set of rear pads and 3 sets of tyres. As I'm mostly driving on Nordschleife then tyre life is limited by heat cycles. For smaller tracks it needs more front camber.
Oil consumption is appr. 1 l./2500 km. No technical or any other issues up to now.
lotusgeek said:
Thanks Paul, it sounds like a great choice to me no matter the age. I've always had Lotus Exige's before so the GT4 feels luxurious to me and my wife. What's started this is a recent drive in a 991.2 GT3 RS and I knew within 5 minutes it was going to cost me!!
One of my hesitations is the noise at regular motorway speeds. Is it noticeable louder at an 80mph cruise on a European motorway? I have no issue with the crazy sound when it's time to play!
Noise cruising on motorway is fine with exhaust turned off not too dissimilar to GT4, don’t get me wrong provoke the throttle & it’s a different matter One of my hesitations is the noise at regular motorway speeds. Is it noticeable louder at an 80mph cruise on a European motorway? I have no issue with the crazy sound when it's time to play!
Drove 250 miles each way to collect our 4RS, wife & I both commented RS seemed quieter cruising at 70 on motorway with exhaust switched off than GT4, that may change as miles increase, wife even managed a sleep on way home.
Hire car had covered 51,000 KM’s fine on motorways & autobahn.
Paul_N said:
Noise cruising on motorway is fine with exhaust turned off not too dissimilar to GT4, don’t get me wrong provoke the throttle & it’s a different matter
Drove 250 miles each way to collect our 4RS, wife & I both commented RS seemed quieter cruising at 70 on motorway with exhaust switched off than GT4, that may change as miles increase, wife even managed a sleep on way home.
Hire car had covered 51,000 KM’s fine on motorways & autobahn.
Ha!… i actually thought this also… but was waiting to post after my confirmation long drive in the next few days. Drove 250 miles each way to collect our 4RS, wife & I both commented RS seemed quieter cruising at 70 on motorway with exhaust switched off than GT4, that may change as miles increase, wife even managed a sleep on way home.
Hire car had covered 51,000 KM’s fine on motorways & autobahn.
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