Suspension !

[robert997]

My quest to have the most unreliable 997 took a new turn today, as my local PC confirmed what I'd suspected the last two weeks in that I have at least one failed rear (PASM) damper. It's been almost undriveable the last two weeks, hopping around on the motorway and moving alarmingly in the bends.

Needless to say, these aren't a warranty item, neither the old warranty nor the new, super-as-good-as-new-car-extended-cover warranty ! Around £350 a corner list price plus fitting. There is some grumbling that 4 and a half years is an acceptable life for a damper too, though not in my experience ! I'm the second one since X-Mas, so used buyers beware of anything on a 54-plate !

It's funny I remember when ordering the 997, some months before it was even launched, thinking 'adaptive dampers eh, they'll cost a bomb to replace !'

So, members of the PCGB forum jury, what's your opinion ?

1. Replace the rear pair ?
2. Replace all 4 on the basis that I don't want a firm rear and a worn front-end ? Would this even happen ? Or should I just do it to avoid an inevitable 4 year old front damper failure ? This is more money as it will involve a 4-wheel-alignment - the rears are fixed mountings, but the fronts move I'm informed.
3. Go for something after-market from Bilstein or KW ? Though I don't want anything firmer ? Nor invalidate the warranty ?
4. Burn the bl**dy car and claim on the gap insurance, and buy something less painful to own ?

If I'd have known last September how much I'd have been spending on servicing, warranty, tyres and dampers in the following six months (anything up to £6k!) I might have bought a new one instead !

 

[Alex L]

I will consult with Chris and let you know Rob.

I am wondering if my OEM Bilsteins I took off my Turbo are the same as the OEM C2S ones? If so Chris should have my original set - with only 7000 miles on them.

I would be weary about not replacing all 4 dampeners at the same time. I think though anything other than getting an OPC to replace like for like will invalidate this new-fangled Porsche extended warranty. So you might want to verify this. Porsche really do have everyone over a large barrel on this don't they!!

 

[simonm]

I have at least one failed rear (PASM) damper

I don't think I would be tempted to use a non-standard part - when you sell the car would you reveal this to the new owner (OPC or a friend)? If something went badly wrong - would you think what if I had only the 'right' part?

Kind regards
SimonM

 

[adrian996]

Hi Robert. (Forgive me if you've already done this but...) have you got a local Indi that you could get a second opinion from? If so, I would definitely take it to them ASAP - without letting on too much about what the OPC have already said!

You've got nothing to lose. (Unless, of course, this would invalidate your OPC warranty - which I'm afraid I know little about!)

As an aside, I've been trying to change to a 997 for some time now but some of the recent posts on this forum about 997s have put me right off. The grass doesn't necessarily seem to be that greener to me. I'm almost certainly going to stick to what I've got for now - and maybe keep a close eye on what happens with the new 997.2 range reliability-wise.

Adrian.

 

[snarf]

Rob, I think Alex's suggestion of tapping into Chris' knowledge at CG is a good one, however, I think your first option is probably the way to go - I presume replacement by an indy/CG would not invalidate any remaining warranty.

 

[Black80XSA]

Porsche have claimed in the past thats its Ok to just replace one damper at a time - whether thats because the computer software monitors the performance of one unit to the others and compensates i doubt very much. £350 sounds cheap to me - and yes, i thought exactly the same about the inevitable replacment costs when i bought my PASMd 987 !

 

[okellyt]

ORIGINAL: robert997

So, members of the PCGB forum jury, what's your opinion ?

1. Burn the bl**dy car and claim on the gap insurance, and buy something less painful to own ?

Robert it must be so tempting[&o]

Its so frustrating when our favorite toys stop working as they should

Sorry to hear you are having yet more problems

There is a decision here, how long are you going to keep the beast - if short to medium term get one or both the rear PASM dampers done. If you are keeping it longer term, what do you want to use it for? if you are considering same changes to make it a bit more track friendly or fun it might be worth looking at some custom replacements

 

[drmark]

Aftermarket products - like KW - are far superior quality to OE Porsche dampers and last much longer. Ride needn't be any harder, and handling will probably be better. Speak to Chris Franklin and ask his advice.
If you are sticking with OE, I would replace both rears only. OE will be cheaper than KW etc - but you get what you pay for.

 

[Geoff_Fields]

For me it has to be both rears as a minimum. I'm not so sure that £350 quote from OPC is accurate, CHECK!
The KW option is the route I would take (I don't have PASM[]) But they are not PASM compatible; no problem to disable though.
A set of KW coil overs Variant 3 are about £1700, double that and some with the front lift option. Or if your really feeling flush the Bilsteins are PASM compatible.
As for the latest warranty scheme, very restrictive, even if you can comply and have it! Obviously the KW and Billies would not be acceptable as a Porsche approved modification.

 

[dereksharpuk]

ORIGINAL: robert997

If I'd have known last September how much I'd have been spending on servicing, warranty, tyres and dampers in the following six months (anything up to £6k!) I might have bought a new one instead !

Well I have always been laughed at by changing my Porsche every year and true it has cost me dearly. But I wonder how much Rob has paid out since we both bought new 997s. I suspect I have paid more, but there again I have always had the latest car. Maybe there is an intermediate line.

 

[robert997]

£11,922.22 to date - I keep a spreadsheet with expenses together. Not including fuel, Tax or depreciation obviously !

So prob it's cheaper to keep it than to have kept changing !

 

[tscaptain]

ORIGINAL: robert997

So prob it's cheaper to keep it than to have kept changing !

Indeed, just like wives..........[]

 

[dereksharpuk]

ORIGINAL: robert997

£11,922.22 to date - I keep a spreadsheet with expenses together. Not including fuel, Tax or depreciation obviously !

So prob it's cheaper to keep it than to have kept changing !

Well in that time I have lost the following : 997 £10K, Cayman S £6K, Cayman S £12 K, Ferrari £4K, Total £32K, but of course you will have to add £30K + for depreciation so your costs are £42K. Are my figures correct???? Interesting point. However, to my figure I will probably have to add another £6K loss on my current Gen 2 at 1200 miles, so mine is nearer £38K. Still less I think. However, both very frightening.....................................

 

[okellyt]

ORIGINAL: dereksharpuk

ORIGINAL: robert997

£11,922.22 to date - I keep a spreadsheet with expenses together. Not including fuel, Tax or depreciation obviously !

So prob it's cheaper to keep it than to have kept changing !

Well in that time I have lost the following : 997 £10K, Cayman S £6K, Cayman S £12 K, Ferrari £4K, Total £32K, but of course you will have to add £30K + for depreciation so your costs are £42K. Are my figures correct???? Interesting point. However, to my figure I will probably have to add another £6K loss on my current Gen 2 at 1200 miles, so mine is nearer £38K. Still less I think. However, both very frightening.....................................

Either way you cut it Derek, thats a lot of money for us to fund our addictions.

I bought my 997 new in 07 so got the worst hit in depreciation (had a number of extra's so its was pricy) doubt I'd get half what I paid for it as a trade in now, adding servicing and enhancements its probably cost me about the same as Robert ( Iguess i'd be £42-£45k out of procket if I sold up now).[]

Still its a lot less than half a house and half a pension if I swapped my wife[]

 

[911sse]

Maybe not PC but....

Could burn the wife and claim on the insurance?

 

[okellyt]

ORIGINAL: 911sse

Maybe not PC but....

Could burn the wife and claim on the insurance?

Now there is an idea

She often wondered why the life insurance on here was 5 times the amount on me..........[8|]

 

[paulfcraven]

In the current climate losing only £6k on a 997 Gen2 PDK could be a little optimistic?