993 C2 / Boxster S comparison
Discussion
Had my LHD 993 for a few weeks now and thought I would post some comments on how it feels compared to my previous Boxster S. I know that a few people often consider both when spending 20k - 30k on a used Porsche.
Steering - Boxster felt much better in this area, predictably as its much the newer car. 911 a little more vague, nervous, maybe new tyres and a tracking check would improve matters. Turning circle on 911 not too great either, made me look a twat on a few parking attempts!
Handling - Still getting used to the 911 at the moment, keeping well within my limits! but feels more fun than the Boxster simply because of the challenge in taming it. The Boxster you could throw into any dry corner at speed without fuss or drama.
Performance - Not a lot in this. 911 perhaps a little faster at the top end but only above 5500rpm or so. Boxster felt more torquey to me. 911 does not sound as special as I thought it would - I feel a RSR muffler purchase on the way!
Overall I am happy with the 993, I always felt like a bit of a poser with the Boxster and I hate being judged that way. great car though. Gotta finish this post earlier than expected as work has suddenly cropped up! I hate it when that happens!
Steering - Boxster felt much better in this area, predictably as its much the newer car. 911 a little more vague, nervous, maybe new tyres and a tracking check would improve matters. Turning circle on 911 not too great either, made me look a twat on a few parking attempts!
Handling - Still getting used to the 911 at the moment, keeping well within my limits! but feels more fun than the Boxster simply because of the challenge in taming it. The Boxster you could throw into any dry corner at speed without fuss or drama.
Performance - Not a lot in this. 911 perhaps a little faster at the top end but only above 5500rpm or so. Boxster felt more torquey to me. 911 does not sound as special as I thought it would - I feel a RSR muffler purchase on the way!
Overall I am happy with the 993, I always felt like a bit of a poser with the Boxster and I hate being judged that way. great car though. Gotta finish this post earlier than expected as work has suddenly cropped up! I hate it when that happens!
Well done mate, chalk and cheese I'm sure. Interesting to see about the comment re handling. My 993 which I thoght was ok had knacked shocks. The OE shocks are not known to last long at all. The problem is you don't realise it until it's been changed. I had my suspension/shocks replaced awhile ago not because it felt bad, just because I read so much about how it "should" be well gone by now. Boy did it make a difference! It's like driving a completely different car all together! The ride is more comfortable even though it's meant to be harder, 'cos the shock absorber is actually absorbing shocks! the handling is miles sharper but sorting the alignments also contributed I'm sure.
As far as the sound is concerned, RSR muffler is definatly worth having. Also, you can drill the air box youself for free, that makes it sounds/roar much nicer!
As far as the sound is concerned, RSR muffler is definatly worth having. Also, you can drill the air box youself for free, that makes it sounds/roar much nicer!
When I bought the car it's already done about 40k miles, then I used it for another 40k in about 4yrs. During this time I didn't feel any deterioration in handling. May be the change was so slow, or may be it was shot by the time I had it, I'm not sure. The car felt "alright" all the while I had it. Started doing track days last yr. The first one with the OE shocks, then the second one with new shocks, that's when I felt the most difference. Even on the road it felt miles better with new shocks. The OE shocks are reported to last @40k miles or less!
It`s got nothing to do with how many miles the car has done. It`s a combination of their age and how many times they`ve been used.
Otherwise how else could the shocks on my GT3 cup car need sorting after only a couple of thousand miles !
The fact is that most road going Porsches over 3 to 5 years old, and certainly most 993`s would benefit from new shocks. If you only sit on smooth roads then age and / or corrosion will be the killer
Henry
Otherwise how else could the shocks on my GT3 cup car need sorting after only a couple of thousand miles !
The fact is that most road going Porsches over 3 to 5 years old, and certainly most 993`s would benefit from new shocks. If you only sit on smooth roads then age and / or corrosion will be the killer
Henry
Starting to wish that I hadn't read this thread because it's a "spend-inciter". My 993tt dates back to '98 and has done circa 50k miles, so on the basis of the above the shocks will need changing, though the car is so solidly posed that it's impossible to tell from bump tests, etc.
For fiddlers like myself, I've just had a quick look at the PET drawings and replacement should be a fairly simple DIY job, though the front wheel alignment will then have to be done again. The rear shocks ahave a single lower pick-up point so alignment should not be affected as long as ride height is unaffected.
Out of curiosity, with the lowered suspension on the tt do people recommend sticking to the OEM shocks or changing to an aftermarket make?
For fiddlers like myself, I've just had a quick look at the PET drawings and replacement should be a fairly simple DIY job, though the front wheel alignment will then have to be done again. The rear shocks ahave a single lower pick-up point so alignment should not be affected as long as ride height is unaffected.
Out of curiosity, with the lowered suspension on the tt do people recommend sticking to the OEM shocks or changing to an aftermarket make?
Pss9 transforms the TT. This also gives you a lot of adjustment for different scenarios, track, touring etc..
It is a reasonable outlay on a TT and is a serious move down the slippery slope of modification. If you drove one you would probably be converted...
Hopefully DeR will be along soon to profer his wisdom on 993 TT mods.
It is a reasonable outlay on a TT and is a serious move down the slippery slope of modification. If you drove one you would probably be converted...
Hopefully DeR will be along soon to profer his wisdom on 993 TT mods.
clubsport said:
Pss9 transforms the TT.
Just had a quick Google to translate that CS - OK it's Bilstein who do the Pss9 struts. Is a spring change recommended aswell or stay with OEM? I don't want really to make the suspension any harder as sometimes I come and drive on the pot-holed roads in the UK
.all in one....it is fully adjustable,,,so that you can make it harder or softer than standard as you choose.
If you only ever plan to use the car as a road/Gt car standard is probably fine for you and definitely cheaper.
check www.carnewal.com for prices etc... or www.rennlist.com for comments.
If you only ever plan to use the car as a road/Gt car standard is probably fine for you and definitely cheaper.
check www.carnewal.com for prices etc... or www.rennlist.com for comments.
Henry-F said:
Otherwise how else could the shocks on my GT3 cup car need sorting after only a couple of thousand miles !
Cos' you go badger hunting frequently?
Know what you mean about the shocks, but surely 'how many times they have been used' is a function of mileage to a strong degree?
>> Edited by MOD500 on Thursday 26th August 11:21
Here's my post on Rennlist after putting new Bilstein HD's into my 97 993tt: http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=148361
Had a long conversation/discussion with Steve in JZ before I did mine. My plan was to use the standard springs and Bilstein HD shocks. I wasn't too bothered about lowering, and PSS9 would probably be too stiff for road use.
I was told that matching the springs and shocks is very important. In PSS9 they are well matched if you get the settings right. That's why I went for Roocks suspension set, which is basically Bilstein shocks with matched H&R Springs, as far as I know.
The cars are so good even with knacked shocks you'd still think everything is ok, until you change the shocks! The OE shocks are good but they don't last. So why not replace with something that's better, last much longer, can be reconditioned, for not much more!
>> Edited by Butzi on Thursday 26th August 21:04
I was told that matching the springs and shocks is very important. In PSS9 they are well matched if you get the settings right. That's why I went for Roocks suspension set, which is basically Bilstein shocks with matched H&R Springs, as far as I know.
The cars are so good even with knacked shocks you'd still think everything is ok, until you change the shocks! The OE shocks are good but they don't last. So why not replace with something that's better, last much longer, can be reconditioned, for not much more!
>> Edited by Butzi on Thursday 26th August 21:04
I paid about £700 for the shocks (including VAT and shipping) from www.carnewal.com and installed them myself. It took me about 10 hours working slowly and methodically without access to a lift and in a confined garage. With the right kit and having down a set it should be achievable in 4 hours.
I had my 993 C2 lowered by 30mm with TechArt springs (I think these are made by H&R anyway)I thought that these new springs would show up my 62K old OE shocks. So I looked at replacements, it simply became a how far do you go thing.
Then up popped a set of virtually new OE shocks in PH, I took the very honest chap by his word that they had done only a couple of hundered miles. So I bought these and had the whole lot fitted and the car properly set up at the 993 RS settings.
The car looks right now, it feels a little bit more taught but it clanks and rattles much more than before.
I think that this is down to the springs more than the shocks.
I suppose I should really do a track day to see how it feels, but as I haven`t done one previously I cant say I would be able to notice the difference!
If you see what I mean...
Then up popped a set of virtually new OE shocks in PH, I took the very honest chap by his word that they had done only a couple of hundered miles. So I bought these and had the whole lot fitted and the car properly set up at the 993 RS settings.
The car looks right now, it feels a little bit more taught but it clanks and rattles much more than before.
I think that this is down to the springs more than the shocks.
I suppose I should really do a track day to see how it feels, but as I haven`t done one previously I cant say I would be able to notice the difference!
If you see what I mean...
Hi Alan,
Cross-posted from Rennlist:
"The car has been absolutely transformed. The ride is better without the harsh edge (my glove box lock now only rarely rattles!), the turn-in is much better and the car is much more composed and settled, even on a turn with bumps and camber changes. The new shocks can't hide the weight of the car though, it still feels like a heavy car. I suspect the PSS-9 kit might further improve the handling under spirited use but at the expense of street use. I can't fault the Bilstein HD's and it's been time and money well spent."
Felix
Cross-posted from Rennlist:
"The car has been absolutely transformed. The ride is better without the harsh edge (my glove box lock now only rarely rattles!), the turn-in is much better and the car is much more composed and settled, even on a turn with bumps and camber changes. The new shocks can't hide the weight of the car though, it still feels like a heavy car. I suspect the PSS-9 kit might further improve the handling under spirited use but at the expense of street use. I can't fault the Bilstein HD's and it's been time and money well spent."
Felix
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