How can two 981s be so different?

[AlexNJ89]

A few weeks ago I test drove a 981 S. I thought it was utterly fantastic.

Having test driven an M2, Evora, TTRS, 987, F-Type etc I felt this 981 S stood out as being one of the best cars I’ve ever driven, so I made it my goal to find one in the right spec for me.

I then test drove one which was in the right spec for me, the only difference is that this one had PASM and the sport design steering wheel, the other didn’t.

I was so disappointed, the steering was mushy (similar to the M2) and not very direct, it was a lot lighter and didn’t give any feedback at all.

Is there a difference in steering between specs at all?

The cars were identical apart from the two features I mentioned.

Thanks

[AlexNJ89]

Just to clarify, I tried sport and sport plus as well as PASM on/off.

Edited by AlexNJ89 on Saturday 5th June 23:17

[AlexNJ89]

n12maser said:

Did the first car (that you loved) have PASM?

Or was it either the standard suspension, or perhaps even sports suspension (x73)

The first car I liked didn't have PASM.

It was this car specifically that I liked:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104221...

[AlexNJ89]

Koln-RS said:

There could be many reasons - and doesn’t just apply to Porsches.
Two identical cars can feel different, and even the same car can feel different on different days. Could be the roads or even the weather.

One thing I have noticed is that, very often, a base model with fewer options can feel nicer than a highly specd model. And, from personal experience, most Porsches improve with mileage.

Interestingly the second car was better specced as it had PASM.

Also, the second car had the exhaust popping and banging the entire time when in Sport Plus Mode, the first car didn't do that despite having Sport Chrono and the Sports Exhaust, is that a map or do they all do that?

[AlexNJ89]

Toltec said:

It could be the PASM, I saw a review of a TTRS where it was noted that the car without the Audi equivalent seemed to have better steering feel and feedback. It could equally well be the geometry setup differences between the two cars.

I really hope it is, I've been ruling out cars as they don't have PASM but maybe I'd prefer it without.

[AlexNJ89]

TB303 said:

Passive damping has more feel, and that of course affects the steering. Like I said, I noticed it on my 987, and there’s a reason they don’t put PASM on the Spyders.

Would you also say passive damping has more weight to it too?

It would be good to know if it is PASM so I don't waste so much time on test drives.

[AlexNJ89]

Milemuncher said:

Sorry, I’m not trying to be rude and forgive me if I’ve missed something… but if you liked the original one you tried so much, why don’t you just buy it?

It didn't have the sport design steering wheel and I like the paddles over the buttons.

It also wasn't a colour combination I liked.

[AlexNJ89]

Oh this is interesting.

Perhaps on car had Power Steering Plus and the other didn't?

https://www.planet-9.com/threads/is-power-steering...

[AlexNJ89]

PaulD86 said:

Three possibilities spring to mind:

1. PASM - this would be the one I suspect
2. Power Steering Plus - I'm not sure what it is supposed to do, but I am sure I remember a Henry Catchpole video where he said it negatively impacted steering feel (although I could be wrong on that one)
3.Tyres/geo. If my first experience of a Porsche had been on Pirellis in the damp I'd never have bought one. Had it been on Michelins, I would have. And did. Geo can make quite a difference to the feel too.

I think option 1 is the probable one, however.

This is the conclusion I'm coming to too.

I think I'll only know once I've driven a few.

The reason I don't think it is geo is that the first I drove had heavier steering even on gravel, so unless I have misunderstood the impact of geometry I don't think it'll be that.

[AlexNJ89]

Funkydunc said:

My money would be on the geometry being way out, or was it the difference between being able to twiddle the steering with one finger or having to use both hands?

Correct/good geometry massively changes the perception and feel of a car, more so in the turn in to a corner

The weighting was even different going at 1mph

[AlexNJ89]

Red 5 said:

The only things I can think of then, are power steering plus, that adds assistance as speeds drop, or VERY high tyre pressures.

There are also by design, ZERO pops and bangs in sport+, so the second car might have been tinkered with.
Re-map to add this feature, might also point to fettling in other areas on car two.

I think it could be power steering plus too. I'm the kind of guy who likes steering feel even at low speeds.

I've watched a few videos on YouTube where sport+ does have pops and bangs.

Here's a timestamped example:
https://youtu.be/yWxm2FX5dAs?t=486

[AlexNJ89]

When I get an 981 I may even see if I can map out the pops and crackles.

I wonder if it's a PSE thing?

[AlexNJ89]

DJMC said:

Firstly, forget any with push/pull buttons on the steering wheel. Go for the paddles. Nobody will want one with the buttons when you come to sell.

I tried five standard suspension cars before the PASM version I bought. Standard was OK, but PASM gave more comfort in normal mode, which suits me, and a firmer ride in Sport setting.

Maybe you didn't like either of these and preferred the middle setting of the standard suspension? I'd rate PASM as one of my top three "must haves" in speccing a car. PSE wouldn't even reach my bottom three - awful droning at 70mph. Gave me a headache in a courtesy car.

Have you tried a 2.7? I preferred it to the 3.4, but then I preferred normal and 14 way seats!

Can you have the switchable exhaust without the PSE?

Thanks for your feedback on PASM, I'll give another one a go when on comes up.