Discussion
as am I...although I apologise for this slip in terminology..I too mean the "sports chassis." I think it costs around £300 on Boxsters and 996.
edited to add
in fact I dont believe that Porsche offers a 30mm lowering option on their "standard" cars.
>> Edited by kamal_raza on Friday 12th December 15:03
edited to add
in fact I dont believe that Porsche offers a 30mm lowering option on their "standard" cars.
>> Edited by kamal_raza on Friday 12th December 15:03
JUST KIDDING... kamal_raza said:Not quite sure why this thread seems to be becoming ill-tempered when it all boils down to preferences. My prefrence is sports suspension and sports exhaust, which isn't anywhere close to what I call 'extreme'. As CS pointed out, there is a flip side. Such as when you're feeling particularly fragile, at an ungodly hour on a filthy morning with a long, tough day in another country in prospect. Then, my preference is to be in something soft and quiet. A Bentley would do nicely, preferably driven by someone else. The rest of the time I want the experience to be intense and loud, just right for me on those B roads on a dry, sunny morning. And not right for you Kamal when driving around London. Which is really, honestly fine!
HERE IS A QUOTE FROM 456GT on another part of this site!!!!!!!!!!!
"Have to say I agree with the above two posts. Sometimes you just want to get from A to B, with a minimum of fuss. This occurred to me recently when heading for Heathrow at 05.30 on a cold, wet & murky winter morning, in a 911 with rock hard suspension and more power than grip. Sometimes you just don't want the bastard communicating with you through the seat of your pants and the steering wheel. You just want to engage ponce-o-tronic, gay assist and sleepmatic and have the car wake you up when you've arrived."
ASSUMING YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT CAR THEN WHAT ARE WE TO BELIEVE!!!!!!
>> Edited by kamal_raza on Thursday 11th December 22:42
456, I think the thread was getting a little "hot" due to Kamal playing wind-up, he must be if he comparing the handling of a Lexus LS430 with a 996 !
Getting back to Andy's original question,including the issue of extra's alla sports suspension three out of four piston headers (on this thread) say sports suspension, one says not. It's the choice if you want more of a sports car focus rather than a GT, & is far more compliant than a 360,Evo,STI etc etc.18 inch wheels are a no brainer once you have seen them on a 996.
Andy test drive both & decide for yourself !
Getting back to Andy's original question,including the issue of extra's alla sports suspension three out of four piston headers (on this thread) say sports suspension, one says not. It's the choice if you want more of a sports car focus rather than a GT, & is far more compliant than a 360,Evo,STI etc etc.18 inch wheels are a no brainer once you have seen them on a 996.
Andy test drive both & decide for yourself !
Thanks 456GT...dont mean to wind you up and I am glad that you admit that at times sports chassis can be a pain.
In the same vein- I admit that the cars with the sports chassis handle better in certain circumstances.
The balancing factor is how often are you in each circumstance. If the use of the car is 99% on the crap roads in London then Sports chassis is not the way to go.
If you spend much of the time with the freedom to drive about 7/10ths of the 996's performance (eg tracks-A and B roads that are smooth) then go with the sports chassis.
In terms of a 3 to 1 in favour of the set up..thats not a fair measure. The real measure should be how many 996s and Boxsters are found with the option. NOT THAT MANY perhaps 10% of Boxsters and 20% of 996s. Now-when spending £30k to £90k on a new Porsche do you all really think that most owners dont think "Lets spend the extra £300 and get the sports chassis as I am buying a sports car and it will handle better and look cool" in most instances the dealers talk people out of it becasue of the problems they have with people buckling wheels and complaining about the poor side effects.
>> Edited by kamal_raza on Sunday 14th December 15:17
In the same vein- I admit that the cars with the sports chassis handle better in certain circumstances.
The balancing factor is how often are you in each circumstance. If the use of the car is 99% on the crap roads in London then Sports chassis is not the way to go.
If you spend much of the time with the freedom to drive about 7/10ths of the 996's performance (eg tracks-A and B roads that are smooth) then go with the sports chassis.
In terms of a 3 to 1 in favour of the set up..thats not a fair measure. The real measure should be how many 996s and Boxsters are found with the option. NOT THAT MANY perhaps 10% of Boxsters and 20% of 996s. Now-when spending £30k to £90k on a new Porsche do you all really think that most owners dont think "Lets spend the extra £300 and get the sports chassis as I am buying a sports car and it will handle better and look cool" in most instances the dealers talk people out of it becasue of the problems they have with people buckling wheels and complaining about the poor side effects.
>> Edited by kamal_raza on Sunday 14th December 15:17
Kamal, ALL C4S's & Turbo's are specified with the sports chassis as standard & many C2's & C4's are specified with it as an extra, as were mine & clubsports , so the percentages you quote are way out!
BUT as I have already said, it's all down to personal preference, I drive bumpy B roads every day & the sports chassis is the only choice for me. As I have already said the ride is still better than most other "sports cars", it is the real world compromise between the "hardcore" 30mm lowered & the softer standard settings. But if you prefer standard, great I know where you are coming from , long may different opinions exist ! One mans meat is anothers poison & I like meat !
BUT as I have already said, it's all down to personal preference, I drive bumpy B roads every day & the sports chassis is the only choice for me. As I have already said the ride is still better than most other "sports cars", it is the real world compromise between the "hardcore" 30mm lowered & the softer standard settings. But if you prefer standard, great I know where you are coming from , long may different opinions exist ! One mans meat is anothers poison & I like meat !
Another vote for the (10mm drop) sports "chassis" and 18" wheels over here, and I live in central London (well nearly). Had mine for three years, about 24k miles and never found the set-up overduly harsh. Going back to the original question, I found that whilst friends were paying thousands to service their Italian exotica, I didn't pay over £500 for any of the annual services, and even a set of four tyres was only £650ish. Pah, too cheap, so I reluctuntly changed it
I asked about the sports chassis when I specced my Boxster S and was told by the dealer to avoid it if in combination with 18" wheels as it adversely effected the ride quality.
A mate bought a Box S same year as mine that had 18's and the sports chassis and I think the ride quality is little different to mine.It does feel stiffer though, especially at the back which I prefer. If I was speccing my car again I would DEFINITELY spec the sports chassis.
None of which helps me decide what to do next. I have enjoyed the Boxster but its time to move on. I'd like a C2 I think but unless a cheap 996 (post 01) comes along with LOOOOOW miles and a £40k- ticket I think I will have to wait for the 997 C2.
A mate bought a Box S same year as mine that had 18's and the sports chassis and I think the ride quality is little different to mine.It does feel stiffer though, especially at the back which I prefer. If I was speccing my car again I would DEFINITELY spec the sports chassis.
None of which helps me decide what to do next. I have enjoyed the Boxster but its time to move on. I'd like a C2 I think but unless a cheap 996 (post 01) comes along with LOOOOOW miles and a £40k- ticket I think I will have to wait for the 997 C2.
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