I have just ordered my 997!

[Guest]

Hi chaps,

I'm sure you guys are used to this, but I am quite excited as i have just ordered my 997 which should arrive in time for Le Mans in June.

Now the big question is spec.

I have provisionally looked at all the usual like sport seats, heated seats, Sat Nav, phone etc, but what do we think to Ceramic brakes? are the they worth the 5k? Or is it 5k just to look cool? (I love those big yellow callipers).

Anyway, if you have time to comment, please do...

Petch.

 

[oliver]

Apparently, they make a significant contribution to the ride and handling, owing to the unsprung weight saving.

However, they are expensive and it is difficult to predict what you might get back at 'trade-in' time, although I can see them eventually becoming a 'must have' option.

Several leading motoring writers have said that a 997 on PCCBs is a nicer car to drive than the 997S on standard brakes.

Tempting.

 

[Guest]

Hi Oliver

Thats what I heard too, in regards to expense, I'll be financing the car over two years so an extra 5K dosen't translate to a massive cost each month, so all swings and roundabouts if I only keep for two years anyway...

I'll keep you posted once I have spoken to the finance guy, I'll let you know the difference it makes.

Petch

 

[Rob Edwards]

Hi Petch
I agree with Oliver's sentiments in respect of unsprung weight etc - for me, there are too many horror stories of cracked discs after track days to regard them as essential (I think each disc is around £4k to replace!) and the Porsche aren't being overly helpful in warranty claims regarding the PCCB - so much so that i have heard of some owners taking the PCCB off and replacing with conventional steel rotors for track work.
Mind you, they do look the dogs do-dads and for road work should be awesome.
You could just have the conventional brakes coloured yellow I suppose - that would fox a few folk!
I must admit, my 997S has conventional brakes and they are certainly up to anything that I can expose them to!
Good luck with your decision - lets face it, it's a winner either way, eh?[]
Rob

 

[Rob Edwards]

Just an afterthought - it might be worth you asking the same question on the GT3 forum - I think there are quite a few with real experience of PCCB and their views, both good and bad, might be worth canvassing?
rob

 

[Guest]

Hi Rob

Cracked disks are a concern actually, and good point about asking on the GT3 forum, those guys all have loads of dosh and can take the financial hit for experimentation!

I thought the PCCBs now were some sort of second generation and were less prone to cracking? or maybe I'm i just misheard something. I'll ask the OPC (Swindon) what they say about cracked disks as I won't be amused if they crack and then there not supported in the warranty.

I'm sure the steel brakes are fine to be honest, I'm just looking at all options with the PCCBs as if I finance as I said earlier, it might not make that much difference to the finance.

As for get yellow callipers, my brother would realise and he has only just stopped taking the P@@s out of me for having a boxster before my 996! (brotherly love...)

Speak to you soon.

Petch

 

[Guest]

Why don't you see if you can drive a car with and without the PCCB.
If it were me, I would stick with steel.
They are much cheaper to replace, and brakes are consumables. If you have any doubts about using them, then it will take the fun out of the car.
The ultimate stopping power is not much different - if you can lock the wheels, then you don't need any more.
The main advatange is in unsprung weight, but just how hard are you going to drive it. I doubt you can really tell the difference - and I wonder if it is just psychological for the reviewers. I would prefer a blind test, since I am sure they look before they drive the cars.

edit:
I think the 997 has the 996 turbo discs anyway - and that is not lacking much when it comes to stopping.

Call me a luddite, but if it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

[Guest]

Hi Stuart

I think you're right in hindsight, I've just got a bit excited about the spec as I'm currently playing with the car configurator on the website and they just look cool.

In reality I have done 36k in my 996 and the brakes haven't even needed to be changed, so i doubt I'm going to push PCCBs to their extreme!

We'll see what difference it makes to the finance, if its noticable I'll probably say no to them.

Cheers

Petch

 

[Rob Edwards]

Hi Petch
Yes, I think Stuart has a very valid point - if you can get a drive in a car with/without PCCB that might help the decision process.
Also, have you thought about an 'S'? That has slightly bigger brakes and comes with funky 'Big Red' calipers, plus of course PASM/Xenons and a few other goodies, esp the 3.8 engine.
Could be worth the extra, esp if you are looking at a pretty comprehensive spec anyway.
I know what you mean about playing abround with the configurator - it's very easy to keep adding! Mind you, that's half the fun of a new car if you ask me, the speccing and anticipation - plus of course, you can stay one up in the sibling rivalry stakes!
Have a ball speccing - there are quite a few other threads on other extras on the forum, should you need any advice, although it sounds like you have most of the other bits and bobs covered. PCM/Heated seats are a must have, full leather is impressive too, as well as electric seats/sunroof. BOSE is nice but not as impressive as I anticipated. I have a sunroof which is great on sunny days, but the auto dim mirrors/rain sensor I don't think I would spec again.
Enjoy, and remind your brother exactly which car came out on top in the Aston/M6 showdown - plus it being voted Autocars drivers car of the year - that should keep him quiet!![][][]
Rob

 

[Guest]

Hi Rob

Cheers for the reply. I have actually ordered an 's' so good to know I have made the right choice. Definitely going to stick with regular brakes, I think I was only interested because they looked good, got to stop trying to impress my brother!

In regards to my brother, he is eight years older so he always take the mick, don't think he would ever stop no matter what car I bought!

Petch

 

[jcosh]

Yesterday my local OPC arranged for me to test-drive two 997S's as I wanted to drive the sports suspension against the regular PASM set up. The sports suspension car came from Reading and was specced with PCCB's. At first I was disappointed because I was trying to evaluate the two different chassis set-ups and I knew that the lower unsprung weight of the PCCB's would through another factor into the comparison.

Until yesterday I would have never considered the PCCB's due to cost and the fear of future failure. I am very aware of the issues that surround the first generation PCCB's as I have recently sold a GT3RS and many of the guys that I was doing track days with had them fitted. I am now considering the purchase of a 997S and as a result of yesterday's drive will be making some enquiries as to how the second generation PCCB's differ from the originals.

They felt firmer, more positive and some how just better.....?

The sports suspension was my favourite car. Not sure how much the PCCB's affected the handling. It felt far more compliant and less floaty than the PASM car. I also noted that the PASM car was less compromised in sports mode than I had expected, but it did feel a bit 'bobby' and less involving. If you want your 997 to feel like a luxury German saloon go for PASM, if you want it to feel like a sports car tick the sports suspension box.

As an aside has anybody considered/ordered the X51 power upgrade? Coming from the GT3RS the lower power of the 997S was noticable. 997S, sports suspension, PCCB's and power upgrade - now that is a sexy spec, if a little pricey.

Cheers Jonathan

P.S. Can somebody tell me what they mean my 'full leather' as the 997S seems to have plenty as standard?

 

[Ken993T]

My OPC said that the cost of replacing the ceramic disks was £2,500 per corner. You should also consider that the pads last much longer with ceramic's, and also the disc's should last much longer, so that should help reduce the cost. The other plus point not often metioned is that the ceramic's don't produce brake dust so the wheels stay much cleaner.

 

[pvernham]

I think the full leather is standard (as you say it is everywhere including dash, door etc.) although from recollection it is shown separately in the purchase invoice broken out separately as part of the basic list price of the car

 

[keith jecks]

Jonathan - interested in your decision. I am agonising about whether to buy a 996 GT3RS for £70k, or to get a new 997C2S. I will use the car a fair bit on the road, but it will also do 3- 4 track days plus two RMA visits to the 'Ring each year. I am quite an experienced track driver (in a Caterham R500 generally) so am capable of taking the car close(ish) to its limits. I have always liked the RS since seeing how incredibly fast it is on track (it is the only road car I have ever seen that could stay with my R500 - the one at Brands was much faster than regular GT3's), but the PCCB's do frighten me. If you use it on circuits occasionally you will have to expect to replace the brakes every 3 years for about £8k.

Why did you sell yours, and what was your experience of owning one like? Clearly in my position you would go for the 997, but why?

And to ask a silly question, I take it that Convertable 997s are not rigid enough for track use? I prefer open cars generally, but if the handling were badly compromised it would annoy me.

 

[jcosh]

ORIGINAL: keith jecks

Jonathan - interested in your decision. I am agonising about whether to buy a 996 GT3RS for £70k, or to get a new 997C2S. I will use the car a fair bit on the road, but it will also do 3- 4 track days plus two RMA visits to the 'Ring each year. I am quite an experienced track driver (in a Caterham R500 generally) so am capable of taking the car close(ish) to its limits. I have always liked the RS since seeing how incredibly fast it is on track (it is the only road car I have ever seen that could stay with my R500 - the one at Brands was much faster than regular GT3's), but the PCCB's do frighten me. If you use it on circuits occasionally you will have to expect to replace the brakes every 3 years for about £8k.

Why did you sell yours, and what was your experience of owning one like? Clearly in my position you would go for the 997, but why?

And to ask a silly question, I take it that Convertable 997s are not rigid enough for track use? I prefer open cars generally, but if the handling were badly compromised it would annoy me.

Keith

The GT3RS is a fantastic car and one of the best track cars out there. I did 16 odd track days this year and had a blast. 100% reliable and as fast as most other track-based cars. The only cars that were quicker were Radicals, the odd Caterham and RS's driven by drivers better than me. The only road use I did was to and from circuits and the odd trip down the road to show off to mates. However, I can honestly say that if I were you I would be seriously considering the 997S. It is a far better road car, more discreet and far more useable everyday. The RS was my only 'fun' car and always thought it a shame that I couldn't use it with the family. This was the one of the reasons that I sold it. It was also the end of the track day season and I am not planning to do so many track days next year.

The 997S with -20mm suspension is a great drive, far better than the PASM in my opinion. With its LSDiff I am sure it would keep in touch with MK1 and Mk2 GT3's on track. With the power kit I think there would be very little in it. The only concern would be the lack of harness, roll cage and bucket seat. These items really do make you feel part of the car and add a sense of security.

For what you have described I would buy the 997. 4-6 track days is not enough to warrant the RS unless you want it for the experience of owning one. Only negative about the 997 is the lack of rarity of them.

If you want a soft top buy a Boxster.

Cheers Jonathan