GT3RS Info / help please
GT3RS Info / help please
Author
Discussion

S1M VP

Original Poster:

949 posts

257 months

Tuesday 8th September 2020
quotequote all
Hi all,

Having only owned 1 911, 15+ years ago (a 996 turbo), I know very little about more recent 911’s, so I am hoping to get some up to date advice from PH’rs. I have searched previous posts but the more relevant threads seem to date back a while, so thought a new topic the best idea.

I have a 488 Challenge car which I race, but being a race car, wearing slick tyres etc, it really needs a team to run the car and we go through tyres & brake pads very quickly.
At £2k a set of tyres, £3.5k for the team, £600 for the day on track, fuel, brake pads at £700 for a set of front pads & £750 for a set of rear pads (we usually go through 2 sets of tyres and a set of pads on most test days) it all makes a good days running c£10k/day. We also can’t run on some tracks when they have lower noise limits. The car runs c.103dB even with silencers on it, 108dB without.

Hence a I’m looking for a good, solid, reliable track-day toy, which isn’t too noisy.

I have used the 720s on a trackday (once), and it performed reasonably well, but doesn’t feel robust enough to do many days with it. The Engine/Turbos would occasionally drop in power when it got hot and the body felt like it could fall apart at any stage.

I half considered a BMW M2 Comp just for Trackdays, but think I would get frustrated by lack of power (hasten to add I haven’t driven one, so could be wrong on this).

I have often seen 911 GT3’s and GT3RS’s on track, when we’ve run the challenge car on Trackdays, so I’m curious to hear from owners (and the more knowledgable) about their experiences, as I am steering ever closer to buying one.

Based on some brief Classified browsing, cars with less than 5k miles, (I’m talking round numbers), it seems that ...

991 GT3’S can be had from £125-140k
991 GT3RS gen 1’s at circa £150-160k
991 GT3RS gen 2’s are c£175-190k
991 GT3RS gen 2’s with Weissach pack are c.£220k


A few immediate Questions:

1. Is the RS noticeably better than the std GT3? Looking at lap times & reviews there doesn’t seem to be a huge jump in performance?

2. Is there enough of a difference between Gen1 RS & Gen2 RS, to justify the extra £35-40k (or is it just that the cars are newer?)

3. Are there any engine/gearbox related problems with the 991.1 RS?

4. Is a 991 GT3RS a good, solid car that can cope with hard driven Trackdays?

5. Is the Weissach pack worth having? As in; does it make a difference to performance or is it more just to look nice with the extra exposed carbon? )It seems to carry a fairly hefty premium!)

6. Can any adjustments be made to the cars to improve balance for different tracks, ie stiffer bars, adjustable shocks etc?

7. Are the cars fairly easy to upgrade, in terms of dampers, springs etc

8. Is a GT3/RS a good option for Trackdays in general.

9. What would the original £RRP of say a 2019 RS with Weissach pack be? I’m assuming £225k includes a premium?

10. What variant would you recommend?

11. What would a GT3RS typically run at NOISE WISE dB? (standing & drive by)

12. Is the 992 GT3/RS likely to smash the values, when those cars are released?


Any info, help or advice would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
thumbup

Taffy66

5,964 posts

125 months

Tuesday 8th September 2020
quotequote all
I'm biased as i have a 991.2GT3 RS however if i was buying an used one today i'd save the £35k premium and get a 2018 991.2GT3 RS non-WP car..For regular tracking i'd be very cautious with the Mag wheels especially on kerbs as they are very prone to damage and impossible to repair..Take away the Mags form the RS WP and all you're left with is a Titanium cage which although 45% lighter than a steel one is not FIA compliant.
I'd also get one without PCCBs which sell at a large discount and spend the saving on Surface transforms CCB brake discs..There is no need to upgrade the hardware suspension bits on 991.2GT3 RS as they are brilliant out've the box..Just take it to RPM or JCR for a good fast road/track geo..
The 992 versions will be slightly quicker round the Ring in typical fashion but will be hard to get hold of and about two years away..It'll also most likely be heavier if other 992s are any indication..OTOT 992s aren't as well put together as 991s, at least in my experience.

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

288 months

Tuesday 8th September 2020
quotequote all
That's a lot of questions to get though and some will provoke subjective answers.

So here is a review of all 991 911's .1 and .2

just buy the car in 1st place, it don't get any more simple :-) and if you are a real track hack pro fit some TTX ohlins to it.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/best-991-porsche-9...



Edited by Porsche911R on Tuesday 8th September 15:12

hunter 66

4,190 posts

243 months

Tuesday 8th September 2020
quotequote all
Running race cars over the years , I see where you are coming from and the GT3RS is a solid car for the job , of relatively cheap days to with mates at track days without all the drama.
I have a .2 but seems the way to go would be a slightly modded .1 , good set up and less up front cost .
I specced steel brakes , yes I know not fashionable but works OK ,and front discs and pads lasted 12 track days and 10 k miles , and cost £1,200 to replace with Porsche parts . On second set of tyres now , and that is it , added half a pint of oil in the 10 k miles .
Only issue was a squeaky dash which was fixed ....
So reliable is usual Porsche
Yes still understeers a bit but all I have done is gone one softer on front roll bar ..... there is a long way to go if you want real times , but then it is my road car as well .

JulierPass

685 posts

253 months

Tuesday 8th September 2020
quotequote all
Great post!

I race as well and understand the cost implications of running a car with a team. I run a 997.2 Cup car and BMW M3 as toys. My dedicated circuit 911 that can be driven to a circuit and back is my 996 RS. I currently have a manual 991.2 GT3 on the fleet and I ran it simultaneously with a 991.1 RS.

My answers your questions would be:

1. Is the RS noticeably better than the std GT3? Looking at lap times & reviews there doesn’t seem to be a huge jump in performance?

Turn in and mid corner speeds are better in the RS. But a decent geo and a set of trofeo R's on a GT3 does close the gap.

2. Is there enough of a difference between Gen1 RS & Gen2 RS, to justify the extra £35-40k (or is it just that the cars are newer?)

For the purposes you want it for no. If you are going to be using the car in anger you are probably going to want to upgrade the suspension anyway and this is where the majority of the gain is between .1 and .2 RS

3. Are there any engine/gearbox related problems with the 991.1 RS?

Not that I am aware of. There is well documented issue with the 991.1 GT3 engine though.

4. Is a 991 GT3RS a good, solid car that can cope with hard driven Trackdays?

Yes. They go on forever if you maintain them.

5. Is the Weissach pack worth having? As in; does it make a difference to performance or is it more just to look nice with the extra exposed carbon? )It seems to carry a fairly hefty premium!)

WP make no real odds.

6. Can any adjustments be made to the cars to improve balance for different tracks, ie stiffer bars, adjustable shocks etc?

Yes, there is plenty of adjustment in them. No 2 cars I've driven are the same. Some are hugely pointy with loose rear ends, other want to under steer and you really have to tuck them in on the brakes.

7. Are the cars fairly easy to upgrade, in terms of dampers, springs etc

Yes. Go and haave a conversatuon with either Parr, RPM technik

8. Is a GT3/RS a good option for Trackdays in general.

Yes.

9. What would the original £RRP of say a 2019 RS with Weissach pack be? I’m assuming £225k includes a premium?

Not sure. Your figure seems reasonble but I'm sure someone else can comment.

10. What variant would you recommend?

991.2 GT3 PDK. or if you could live with the fact that you'd be slightly slower round a circuit the manual car.

11. What would a GT3RS typically run at NOISE WISE dB? (standing & drive by)

Good question. the honest answer is I don't the exact DB, but my 991.1 RS went to all MSV circuits, Silverstone, Spa and the Ring and I never had an issue anywhere. I was running the standard exhaust.

12. Is the 992 GT3/RS likely to smash the values, when those cars are released?

No, but racking up big miles on your chosen car will. Todays GT car buyer are more fussed with interior options and keeping the mileage down for resale purposes. If you put 8K miles on the car a year expect it to cost you 15K a year in depreciation plus your consumables.

HTH

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

288 months

Tuesday 8th September 2020
quotequote all
hunter 66 said:
Running race cars over the years , I see where you are coming from and the GT3RS is a solid car for the job , of relatively cheap days to with mates at track days without all the drama.
I have a .2 but seems the way to go would be a slightly modded .1 , good set up and less up front cost .
I specced steel brakes , yes I know not fashionable but works OK ,and front discs and pads lasted 12 track days and 10 k miles , and cost £1,200 to replace with Porsche parts . On second set of tyres now , and that is it , added half a pint of oil in the 10 k miles .
Only issue was a squeaky dash which was fixed ....
So reliable is usual Porsche
Yes still understeers a bit but all I have done is gone one softer on front roll bar ..... there is a long way to go if you want real times , but then it is my road car as well .
The .1 RS was not liked much in the 991 line up review I posted, if Randy Pobst spun the GT3 .1 RS three times what chance does mr ave have, and the last person to buy and track a 991.1 RS on PH posted in this very forum and crashed it last month on it's 1st trip out.

To quote the review:
"I wasn't a fan of the 991.1 GT3 RS. That car was set up for race-car drivers. Meaning that if you're comfy making constant corrections because the car is set up loose, have at it. Since no one has ever paid me to race, I found the car twitchy and I was never fully confident in it. Too much oversteer, and even a bit of understeer. Lots of unnecessary wheel sawin', says me. Even pros had problems. Randy Pobst spun the GT3 RS three times trying to set a lap at Laguna Seca, and it was the only car he's ever spun there in the nearly 10 years I've worked with him.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I first drove the 991.2 GT3 RS. Not only was it radically improved compared to its former self, I was fully confident in this Porsche's massive grip by corner two. When you're confident, you drive harder, you push deeper, and you discover things—everything is better. What's the expression? From zero to hero?"



S1M VP

Original Poster:

949 posts

257 months

Tuesday 8th September 2020
quotequote all
JulierPass said:
Great post!

I race as well and understand the cost implications of running a car with a team. I run a 997.2 Cup car and BMW M3 as toys. My dedicated circuit 911 that can be driven to a circuit and back is my 996 RS. I currently have a manual 991.2 GT3 on the fleet and I ran it simultaneously with a 991.1 RS.

My answers your questions would be:

1. Is the RS noticeably better than the std GT3? Looking at lap times & reviews there doesn’t seem to be a huge jump in performance?

Turn in and mid corner speeds are better in the RS. But a decent geo and a set of trofeo R's on a GT3 does close the gap.

2. Is there enough of a difference between Gen1 RS & Gen2 RS, to justify the extra £35-40k (or is it just that the cars are newer?)

For the purposes you want it for no. If you are going to be using the car in anger you are probably going to want to upgrade the suspension anyway and this is where the majority of the gain is between .1 and .2 RS

3. Are there any engine/gearbox related problems with the 991.1 RS?

Not that I am aware of. There is well documented issue with the 991.1 GT3 engine though.

4. Is a 991 GT3RS a good, solid car that can cope with hard driven Trackdays?

Yes. They go on forever if you maintain them.

5. Is the Weissach pack worth having? As in; does it make a difference to performance or is it more just to look nice with the extra exposed carbon? )It seems to carry a fairly hefty premium!)

WP make no real odds.

6. Can any adjustments be made to the cars to improve balance for different tracks, ie stiffer bars, adjustable shocks etc?

Yes, there is plenty of adjustment in them. No 2 cars I've driven are the same. Some are hugely pointy with loose rear ends, other want to under steer and you really have to tuck them in on the brakes.

7. Are the cars fairly easy to upgrade, in terms of dampers, springs etc

Yes. Go and haave a conversatuon with either Parr, RPM technik

8. Is a GT3/RS a good option for Trackdays in general.

Yes.

9. What would the original £RRP of say a 2019 RS with Weissach pack be? I’m assuming £225k includes a premium?

Not sure. Your figure seems reasonble but I'm sure someone else can comment.

10. What variant would you recommend?

991.2 GT3 PDK. or if you could live with the fact that you'd be slightly slower round a circuit the manual car.

11. What would a GT3RS typically run at NOISE WISE dB? (standing & drive by)

Good question. the honest answer is I don't the exact DB, but my 991.1 RS went to all MSV circuits, Silverstone, Spa and the Ring and I never had an issue anywhere. I was running the standard exhaust.

12. Is the 992 GT3/RS likely to smash the values, when those cars are released?

No, but racking up big miles on your chosen car will. Todays GT car buyer are more fussed with interior options and keeping the mileage down for resale purposes. If you put 8K miles on the car a year expect it to cost you 15K a year in depreciation plus your consumables.

HTH
REALLY useful info ... thanks! thumbup

S1M VP

Original Poster:

949 posts

257 months

Tuesday 8th September 2020
quotequote all
hunter 66 said:
Running race cars over the years , I see where you are coming from and the GT3RS is a solid car for the job , of relatively cheap days to with mates at track days without all the drama.
I have a .2 but seems the way to go would be a slightly modded .1 , good set up and less up front cost .
I specced steel brakes , yes I know not fashionable but works OK ,and front discs and pads lasted 12 track days and 10 k miles , and cost £1,200 to replace with Porsche parts . On second set of tyres now , and that is it , added half a pint of oil in the 10 k miles .
Only issue was a squeaky dash which was fixed ....
So reliable is usual Porsche
Yes still understeers a bit but all I have done is gone one softer on front roll bar ..... there is a long way to go if you want real times , but then it is my road car as well .
Thanks ... that’s exactly what I am after tbh .. Pads after 12 trackdays would be very refreshing ha ha thumbup

130R

7,003 posts

229 months

Tuesday 8th September 2020
quotequote all
Manthey-Racing just released their complete package for the 991.2 GT3 RS - https://www.manthey-racing.de/en/manthey-racing-pr...

hunter 66

4,190 posts

243 months

Tuesday 8th September 2020
quotequote all
Porsche911R said:
The .1 RS was not liked much in the 991 line up review I posted, if Randy Pobst spun the GT3 .1 RS three times what chance does mr ave have, and the last person to buy and track a 991.1 RS on PH posted in this very forum and crashed it last month on it's 1st trip out.

To quote the review:
"I wasn't a fan of the 991.1 GT3 RS. That car was set up for race-car drivers. Meaning that if you're comfy making constant corrections because the car is set up loose, have at it. Since no one has ever paid me to race, I found the car twitchy and I was never fully confident in it. Too much oversteer, and even a bit of understeer. Lots of unnecessary wheel sawin', says me. Even pros had problems. Randy Pobst spun the GT3 RS three times trying to set a lap at Laguna Seca, and it was the only car he's ever spun there in the nearly 10 years I've worked with him.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I first drove the 991.2 GT3 RS. Not only was it radically improved compared to its former self, I was fully confident in this Porsche's massive grip by corner two. When you're confident, you drive harder, you push deeper, and you discover things—everything is better. What's the expression? From zero to hero?"
Maybe but not what Pete Morris and JC said , well JC drives sideways anyway , also as I said modded so set up and suspension changes

JulierPass

685 posts

253 months

Tuesday 8th September 2020
quotequote all
S1M VP said:
REALLY useful info ... thanks! thumbup
No worries. there are a few of us out at silverstone tomorrow if you are there.

aramid

18 posts

155 months

Tuesday 8th September 2020
quotequote all
On the other hand, the wing comes in handy...


hornbaek

3,812 posts

258 months

Tuesday 8th September 2020
quotequote all
The only thing i would comment on is the noise level. With 102db being the max at various tracks I had problems with my 991.1 GT3 RS at Goodwood if using the PDK sport setting. Without PDK Sport it would pass but with PDK i had to short shift In order not to get black flagged.

S1M VP

Original Poster:

949 posts

257 months

Tuesday 8th September 2020
quotequote all
JulierPass said:
S1M VP said:
REALLY useful info ... thanks! thumbup
No worries. there are a few of us out at silverstone tomorrow if you are there.
Was there Monday and have meetings booked in tomorrow. Been in contact with dealer today and they’re sorting me a test drive at Silverstone! :-)

Spyder75

194 posts

85 months

Wednesday 9th September 2020
quotequote all
I’m not sure if this was answered. The list on a well specced WP car with mags is circa 180k.

jh001

634 posts

200 months

Wednesday 9th September 2020
quotequote all
Mine was just under £185.

S1M VP

Original Poster:

949 posts

257 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
Spyder75 said:
I’m not sure if this was answered. The list on a well specced WP car with mags is circa 180k.
Ok thanks ... so the WP cars are still carrying a 40-45k premiums over list ... interesting that they hold their money so well (at least at advertised prices).

Also interested to understand about the Track Telemetry and “Performance Pack App” ... on the face of it it looks useful, but does it give similar data as a vbox system? (Throttle, brake pressure, LapTimer with video overlay etc).

Digga

46,457 posts

306 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
hunter 66 said:
Porsche911R said:
The .1 RS was not liked much in the 991 line up review I posted, if Randy Pobst spun the GT3 .1 RS three times what chance does mr ave have, and the last person to buy and track a 991.1 RS on PH posted in this very forum and crashed it last month on it's 1st trip out.

To quote the review:
"I wasn't a fan of the 991.1 GT3 RS. That car was set up for race-car drivers. Meaning that if you're comfy making constant corrections because the car is set up loose, have at it. Since no one has ever paid me to race, I found the car twitchy and I was never fully confident in it. Too much oversteer, and even a bit of understeer. Lots of unnecessary wheel sawin', says me. Even pros had problems. Randy Pobst spun the GT3 RS three times trying to set a lap at Laguna Seca, and it was the only car he's ever spun there in the nearly 10 years I've worked with him.

Imagine my surprise, then, when I first drove the 991.2 GT3 RS. Not only was it radically improved compared to its former self, I was fully confident in this Porsche's massive grip by corner two. When you're confident, you drive harder, you push deeper, and you discover things—everything is better. What's the expression? From zero to hero?"
Maybe but not what Pete Morris and JC said , well JC drives sideways anyway , also as I said modded so set up and suspension changes
Plus, as the OP says, he is used to driving race cars so, IMHO, would probably get the benefit of the RS.

I'd err toward either 991.1 or 001.2 GT3 RS, depending on budget, and then get the thing fettled by someone who knows how to get the most form them.

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

288 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
"Randy Pobst spun the GT3 RS three times"


Digga

46,457 posts

306 months

Thursday 10th September 2020
quotequote all
Porsche911R said:
"Randy Pobst spun the GT3 RS three times"
On the other hands, Kevin Estre did not seem to struggle with it...