Info please on handling

[Stumpy]

Hi everyone, I have not long purchased a 997 gen2 MY59 from Porsche Wilmslow.
I have a concern with it's handling, on open road on a dry clear day, with speeds above 80mph, the car will move laterally as if been moved by wind gusts, but in both directions, There is no feedback from steering, Tyre pressures are normal and Tyres are new.

I am not mechanically minded and have never owned a high performance car such as this, speeds below 80 ish there is no effect, and car feels normal.

Are Porsche 911s effected by grooves in Tarmac from heavy vehicles, although this happens in line 3 of motorways, as this is the only thing I can think is the problem, although I don't notice this in any other vehicles at the same speeds.

It has been back to the dealer, but they claim there is nothing wrong with the car, I am going back to them very soon over other matters, is there anything it could be as it's a little worrying when it happens.
Thank you.

 

[Alex L]

All cars with wide tyres and sporty camber/toe settings will tramline on grooved slow lanes on motorways.

Saying that, OPCs are useless at geometry checks/alterations so you want to call Chris @ Center Gravity ASAP to set up a 1/2 day appointment.

 

[clarkes]

Alex L beat me to it. A trip to Center Gravity is the one sure way of finding faults and getting the setup correct. The 911 has very adjustable suspension as standard and it is surprising what a different a good suspension tune can make - I thought I had come home with a new car!

 

[adrian996]

Here's the website: http://www.centergravity.co.uk/

Not sure where you're based but I've never read a bad word about the place.

You're in a car that I'd like to be in one day (C2 997.2). How's the experience been so far otherwise? Do I take it that there are other issues too...?

 

[Stumpy]

Thanks guys,
I'm based in Stoke on Trent, so this place in just down the road. Thank you.

Adrian, the car is fab, I can believe what I've been missing, as I said I've never owned a Porsche before and it has been love at first sight []
Still not over the honeymoon []

There are just a few little issues to be sorted, a rattle in passenger door, and a door trim on drivers door.

 

[Stumpy]

ORIGINAL: Alex L

All cars with wide tyres and sporty camber/toe settings will tramline on grooved slow lanes on motorways.

Saying that, OPCs are useless at geometry checks/alterations so you want to call Chris @ Center Gravity ASAP to set up a 1/2 day appointment.

ALex this is happening in all lanes, I'll check out Center Gravity, thank you

 

[adrian996]

Cheers Simon. Sounds great - any chance of a pic?

It sounds like you car is just tram-lining which is very common. Whatever the reason I'm sure that Chris will perform some sort of miracle and it'll behave very differently. You're lucky to have him so close to you! I've got to make the journey one day! [8|]

 

[Stumpy]

ORIGINAL: adrian996

Cheers Simon. Sounds great - any chance of a pic?

It sounds like you car is just tram-lining which is very common. Whatever the reason I sure that Chris will perform some sort of miracle and it'll behave very differently. You're lucky to have him so close to you! I've got to make the journey one day! [8|]

I'll sort some pics shortly if I can stop driving it []
As long as it normal then that's fine, but I'll get Chris to check it out, pity the dealers can't find the problem, the warranty would cover it[]

 

[Alex L]

Chris will give you a tailored geometry to your specific driving style. So don't look at this as a missed warranty fix, look at it as an opportunity to make the car x10 better to drive than a 'standard' setup.

 

[Stumpy]

ORIGINAL: Alex L

Chris will give you a tailored geometry to your specific driving style. So don't look at this as a missed warranty fix, look at it as an opportunity to make the car x10 better to drive than a 'standard' setup.

Thanks Alex.[]

 

[Fraserp]

Hi before you rush off to get the geometry checked, if the tyres are new, note that I had exactly the same symptoms with a new set when i purchased my car from Colchester OPC. The car felt terrible at 70mph and i wondered if it was due to the rear engine effect, being new to Porsche- just as you describe the car felt as if it wanted to wonder all over the road at speed. However after about 500 or so miles of wear on the new tyres, its fine. I did get the OPC to check geometry and they took it for a test drive too- but by the time they had it back in it was nearly sorted due to the initial wearing in period. It is very stable now, other than when there are genuine side winds. I suggest you make sure you get some miles in then only if there is no improvement get it checked. No doubt you have ensured that you have the correct tyres with "n" rating ideally all of the same, front and rear (that is to say same make, tread pattern and N code).

 

[Stumpy]

Thanks Fraserp, I'll check that out, I'm glad that it is something that has happen before, I wonder why new Tyres could be the problem?

I'll call Chris and see if he can get any advice[]

 

[Andy Rodgett]

In the absence of any Corsas I recently had P Zero Rossos fitted on my gt3 and it felt dreadful initially with a fidgetty feel at the front. A couple of laps at Castle Combe and it's abrasive surface soon scrubbed them in and it now feels fine!
The geometry had been checked after the centre lock / hub change at my PC.

Andy

 

[Stumpy]

Interesting Andy,
Mine feels like the whole car moves though and there is no feedback/movement in the steering wheel, I have just left a message with Chris at Centre Gravity so I hope I can pick his brains[]

I want to get to the bottom of it as its getting in the way of my honeymoon period[]

 

[Lancerlot]

Simon,

It's a fairly common characteristic for 911's.

The vehicle has rearward weight bias and a light front end. The engine pushing from the back tends to accentuate high-speed wander. This can often be dialled out to some extent by careful adjustment of the suspension setup. Chis can certainly help with this.

Many drivers feel their cars handle better with a full tank of petrol and/or a bootful of luggage. []

Modern engineering and tyre techniques have greatly improved handling and roadholding since the early days. However, the old adage "You can't overcome the laws of physics" still rings true today.

Regards,

Clive.

 

[Stumpy]

Thanks Clive[]
As long as I know it normal then thats ok, I'm still on that learning curve with the car so all the tips are welcome.

I guess an opportunity of a track day with the car would help[]
Are there any places to go to get a real feel for the car with an instructor anyone would recommend[]

 

[tscaptain]

Here's an interesting article about engine location and handling
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/11q2/the_mid-_vs._rear-engine_debate_porsche_cayman_r_vs._911_gt3-feature

After a trip to CG neither the previous car nor the present one have any tendency to "wander" at any speed........[] My guess would be yours has a touch of toe out at the front which is quite common in a "nearly new" car after the suspension has settled somewhat.

 

[Stumpy]

Thanks tscaptain, made and interesting read.[]

 

[Fraserp]

Stumpy it is possible there is something out of line on yours, however mine felt very bad on 4 new tyres and i had tried to make a booking with Chris at CG and had the supply OPC check it, checked pressures etc, but miraculously (unless OPC lied and did change something while they had it) it soon settled down; it is now steady at speed. One other point i checked was the automatic spoiler- mine was a little "sticky" so did not raise fully - that may have been partly to blame but i think it was just the tryes needing bedding in.

Fraser

 

[andymiller35]

My turbo felt the same when I bought it, it went back many times to various Porsche dealers for geometry and tyres etc, but I took to another dealer OPC Guildford Porsche who found the problem and it needed a new front differential and geo. My car only has 13,000 miles but it's now perfect. Take it to a dealer and get them to unplug the front diff and see if it makes a difference then get them to put a new one on under warranty