Questions on PASM
Discussion
I have a few questions on PASM on the 9x7 cars (Boxster & 911). I understand that it is standard on the 911 C2S and above and I also understand that its supposed to modify the suspension from standard to sport when installed (and no doubt some extra functions).
However, my questions are:
- I've read that on cars with the 19in wheels it is best to have PASM as otherwise the ride on the standard suspension is too harsh. Is this correct? Should I avoid a boggo C2 or Boxster without it?
- Is there any anectodal evidence that shows its more or less troublesome than a standard setup?
- Does it make it more difficult/expensive to eventually refresh the suspension on a car thus equipped?
However, my questions are:
- I've read that on cars with the 19in wheels it is best to have PASM as otherwise the ride on the standard suspension is too harsh. Is this correct? Should I avoid a boggo C2 or Boxster without it?
- Is there any anectodal evidence that shows its more or less troublesome than a standard setup?
- Does it make it more difficult/expensive to eventually refresh the suspension on a car thus equipped?
Hi,
I have PASM fitted to my car and have recently had a loaner on 19inch wheels without.
I would say that the standard setup on 19s is a nice firm ride and the setup feels sporty without being too crashy 80% of the time.
PASM on 19inch wheels allows the car to suck up UK road surfaces with ease and increases confidence at speed.
Not having PASM is not a deal breaker for some people, you really need to try it. It would not be a deal breaker for me but, I specced mine with.
I would imagine to refresh the whole suspension would be more expensive however, I cannot recall seeing too many horror stories reported.
I have PASM fitted to my car and have recently had a loaner on 19inch wheels without.
I would say that the standard setup on 19s is a nice firm ride and the setup feels sporty without being too crashy 80% of the time.
PASM on 19inch wheels allows the car to suck up UK road surfaces with ease and increases confidence at speed.
Not having PASM is not a deal breaker for some people, you really need to try it. It would not be a deal breaker for me but, I specced mine with.
I would imagine to refresh the whole suspension would be more expensive however, I cannot recall seeing too many horror stories reported.
PASM imo is one of those things you have to experience, and whether it will be a dealbreaker or not will depend on both your expectations and what you're used to.
I drove a PASM and non-PASM but otherwise identically specced Caymans back to back, along the same route at roughly the same speeds, and by the end of it didn't feel like it made a significant enough difference to me. Before turning up to test drive I was convinced, purely on the advice of others on random forums, that it was an essential option. Afterwards it moved down to my "nice to have" pile.
What I would say though is that PASM can't be retrofitted and therefore you really should see for yourself whether you think you need it or not before you make a decision. Generally speaking you won't get a meaningful answer just by reading other peoples opinions not least of which because they will likely be biased according to what they themselves specced, but moreover because people have differing expectations of ride quality.
edit: The other thing to note about PASM is that there is no downside to having it really that I can think of. It's the best of both worlds, soft(er) when pootling along, harder than non-PASM in Sport mode (though I have heard anecdotal evidence to suggest that Sport-mode PASM is just ridiculous on UK roads)
I drove a PASM and non-PASM but otherwise identically specced Caymans back to back, along the same route at roughly the same speeds, and by the end of it didn't feel like it made a significant enough difference to me. Before turning up to test drive I was convinced, purely on the advice of others on random forums, that it was an essential option. Afterwards it moved down to my "nice to have" pile.
What I would say though is that PASM can't be retrofitted and therefore you really should see for yourself whether you think you need it or not before you make a decision. Generally speaking you won't get a meaningful answer just by reading other peoples opinions not least of which because they will likely be biased according to what they themselves specced, but moreover because people have differing expectations of ride quality.
edit: The other thing to note about PASM is that there is no downside to having it really that I can think of. It's the best of both worlds, soft(er) when pootling along, harder than non-PASM in Sport mode (though I have heard anecdotal evidence to suggest that Sport-mode PASM is just ridiculous on UK roads)
Edited by Durzel on Wednesday 23 November 19:47
Durzel said:
SFO said:
Only criticism I have of PASM (on my Boxster S) is that it siffens up when it should not on uneven roads when you driving very briskly leading to poor ride and deteriorating handling.
I assume you've spoken to Porsche to ask whether that is typical behaviour or not?SFO said:
Durzel said:
SFO said:
Only criticism I have of PASM (on my Boxster S) is that it siffens up when it should not on uneven roads when you driving very briskly leading to poor ride and deteriorating handling.
I assume you've spoken to Porsche to ask whether that is typical behaviour or not?http://www.porsche.com/microsite/technology/defaul...
Adaptive dampers are a bit more expensive but not shockingly. Not sure if they are more fragile than conventional units though.
If I was looking for a second hand car, the presence or absence of PASM would have no influence on my choice as there are rather more important things to look at to assess a car (like condition, history and state of the consumables etc).
It would be a shame to eliminate a good proportion of potential cars just because they happen to have or don't have PASM, in my opinion.
If I was looking for a second hand car, the presence or absence of PASM would have no influence on my choice as there are rather more important things to look at to assess a car (like condition, history and state of the consumables etc).
It would be a shame to eliminate a good proportion of potential cars just because they happen to have or don't have PASM, in my opinion.
I prefer the ride with PASM but the ability to switch to a really firm setup is less important than I initially thought since i dont ever actually use this (UK roads not good enough). PASM cars also sit 10mm lower which give the cars a slightly better stance in my view, particularly on the smaller wheels.
PASM is actually usable in the UK. If the road surface is a little more than half decent and you are without a sickly passenger then the Sport setting is actually quite handy. I find that the increased firmness in the suspension adds a little weight to the steering in my Boxster S and allows you to press on with more confidence. Of course, if the road surface changes again it's off at the flick of a button.
It really comes into it's own on a track.
It really comes into it's own on a track.
Sorry if I’m stating the obvious, but it’s not clear from some of these posts.
If you have PASM specced it is on all the time and you cannot switch it off. The car is also set up 10 mm lower than a car without it.
What you can do is override the automatic switching to sports mode by switching it to full stiffness for all conditions.
Mine is on 18 inch wheels and with it switched to sports mode I find it a bit too firm for the local back roads and so mine stays permanently in auto mode.
I’m not even sure I would bother switching to sports mode on a billiard smooth track either as to me the car handles fantastic as it is, i just let the computer do all the work, but then I do also drive a TVR.......
If you have PASM specced it is on all the time and you cannot switch it off. The car is also set up 10 mm lower than a car without it.
What you can do is override the automatic switching to sports mode by switching it to full stiffness for all conditions.
Mine is on 18 inch wheels and with it switched to sports mode I find it a bit too firm for the local back roads and so mine stays permanently in auto mode.
I’m not even sure I would bother switching to sports mode on a billiard smooth track either as to me the car handles fantastic as it is, i just let the computer do all the work, but then I do also drive a TVR.......
Simon.b said:
What you can do is override the automatic switching to sports mode by switching it to full stiffness for all conditions.
i thought that the two different settings effectively change the band of operation of the suspension, i.e. it is always adjusting to road conditions whichever mode you are in but the overall band of operation is stiffer when you are in sports mode.alcatraz236 said:
i thought that the two different settings effectively change the band of operation of the suspension, i.e. it is always adjusting to road conditions whichever mode you are in but the overall band of operation is stiffer when you are in sports mode.
Correct.I have a Cayman with PASM a mate has a Cayman without. Having driven both I must be honest I like the PASM because most of the time I am not driving like my hair is on fire and it gives a noticeably better ride. Then when you do push on it stiffens automatically and you have the option of going even stiffer in sport mode if you wish. That said I almost never bother with sport as it's too stiff on the road IMO.
Now if I was looking at two identical cars to buy in every way except one had PASM and one did not I would pay a premium for the car with PASM possibly as much as £500.00 on a 20k plus car. That said its subjective and you need to try for your self.
Thank you very much to all for your replies.
Overall consensus seems to try and compare directly and decide for myself, even though nobody particularly feels I should exclude non-PASM cars as a matter of principle. I do like the fact that cars with it are 10mm lower.
I did try a 992 C2S thus equipped and pushed in the PASM button, but in the short distance I drove with it on I didn't feel any notable difference.
Thank you also for the explanation and link on how PASM works, something that wasn't actually clear to me. I also didn't realise that there was PASM as well as PASM Sport Chassis, I had always understood the sport chassis (20mm lower) to exclude the PASM.
Overall consensus seems to try and compare directly and decide for myself, even though nobody particularly feels I should exclude non-PASM cars as a matter of principle. I do like the fact that cars with it are 10mm lower.
I did try a 992 C2S thus equipped and pushed in the PASM button, but in the short distance I drove with it on I didn't feel any notable difference.
Thank you also for the explanation and link on how PASM works, something that wasn't actually clear to me. I also didn't realise that there was PASM as well as PASM Sport Chassis, I had always understood the sport chassis (20mm lower) to exclude the PASM.
Edited by RiccardoG on Thursday 24th November 10:19
RiccardoG said:
Thank you very much to all for your replies.
Overall consensus seems to try and compare directly and decide for myself, even though nobody particularly feels I should exclude non-PASM cars as a matter of principle. I do like the fact that cars with it are 10mm lower.
I did try a 992 C2S thus equipped and pushed in the PASM button, but in the short distance I drove with it on I didn't feel any notable difference.
Thank you also for the explanation and link on how PASM works, something that wasn't actually clear to me. I also didn't realise that there was PASM as well as PASM Sport Chassis, I had always understood the sport chassis (20mm lower) to exclude the PASM.
997 Gen 1 with Sport Chassis means no PASM. 997 Gen II with sports chassis has PASM. Both are 20mm lower.Overall consensus seems to try and compare directly and decide for myself, even though nobody particularly feels I should exclude non-PASM cars as a matter of principle. I do like the fact that cars with it are 10mm lower.
I did try a 992 C2S thus equipped and pushed in the PASM button, but in the short distance I drove with it on I didn't feel any notable difference.
Thank you also for the explanation and link on how PASM works, something that wasn't actually clear to me. I also didn't realise that there was PASM as well as PASM Sport Chassis, I had always understood the sport chassis (20mm lower) to exclude the PASM.
Edited by RiccardoG on Thursday 24th November 10:19
PASM standard on C2S.
No sports chassis on Cayman or Boxster, except for Boxster Spyder and Cayman R, both of which are 20mm lower, without PASM.
I find Sport mode on PASM wonderful on smooth French autoroutes. Makes the car tauter, more agile and more responsive.
+1 to SFO's comments.
I have PASM, but was cheerfully considering Caymen without it - the ride is unquestionably better in 'normal' mode. Like most of the posters above I never use 'Sport' on the road unless I'm demonstrating to somebody what the PASM button does... Looking forward to trying it out on track next year though.
I have PASM, but was cheerfully considering Caymen without it - the ride is unquestionably better in 'normal' mode. Like most of the posters above I never use 'Sport' on the road unless I'm demonstrating to somebody what the PASM button does... Looking forward to trying it out on track next year though.
RiccardoG said:
I did try a 992 C2S thus equipped and pushed in the PASM button, but in the short distance I drove with it on I didn't feel any notable difference.
Actually that's probably the wrong comparison. What you should be doing is comparing it in normal mode to a non-PASM car in terms of how it deals with the bumps and lumps better. I have PASM on my Cayman and it is a better long distance car than my Audi A6 by some way. I'm happy to be corrected on this if I'm wrong, but if you are pressing on along a bumpy road, you'd be better off with it in normal as well I think?Edited by RiccardoG on Thursday 24th November 10:19
My last 987S didn't have PASM but my current one does, along with PSE and Sports Chrono (so the 'full set' of buttons on the bottom panel).
My initial sense with PASM was 'what's the point on UK roads?'. Press the button and the car is unnecessarily fidgety. Then had a courtesy car without PASM which highlighted to me what others have noted above - PASM is never 'off'. Comparing non-PASM to PASM but without engaging the firmer ride, I would say the latter feels a little tauter (in a good way) but a Boxster without PASM still feels great anyway so it is not a deal breaker for me.
For what it's worth, having had my 2nd Boxster for 6 months ranking those buttons (the Knight Rider panel as I like to call it!) in terms of ENJOYMENT (not the same as geunine benefit) is fairly easy:
First - Sports Exhaust (switch it on nearly all the time)
Second - Sports Chrono. Sharper throttle is fun from time to time(and I like the way the hands on the chrono swing back to zero (rididulous I know!))
Third - PASM. Never really press it and I am fine with the standard suspension.
My initial sense with PASM was 'what's the point on UK roads?'. Press the button and the car is unnecessarily fidgety. Then had a courtesy car without PASM which highlighted to me what others have noted above - PASM is never 'off'. Comparing non-PASM to PASM but without engaging the firmer ride, I would say the latter feels a little tauter (in a good way) but a Boxster without PASM still feels great anyway so it is not a deal breaker for me.
For what it's worth, having had my 2nd Boxster for 6 months ranking those buttons (the Knight Rider panel as I like to call it!) in terms of ENJOYMENT (not the same as geunine benefit) is fairly easy:
First - Sports Exhaust (switch it on nearly all the time)
Second - Sports Chrono. Sharper throttle is fun from time to time(and I like the way the hands on the chrono swing back to zero (rididulous I know!))
Third - PASM. Never really press it and I am fine with the standard suspension.
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