Wheel sizes

[bladeboy]

Just working myself up to ordering a new 997 cabrio.

Can't decide if I should go for one of the various 19" options or stay with the standard 18".

Ride quality is a big issue for me but of course residuals and used desirablity is a consideration.

Anyone got any views?

 

[sidicks]

I presume you've already decided not to consider the 'S' model ??

From recollection, it's £5k or so more expensive than the base model, but general concensus appears to be that it's worth the extra - I'm not up to speed with all the details, but as well as the extra power / torque, you also get other options whichmore than cover the additional cost, including 19" wheels (which look much better and for me personally don't interefere with the ride too much) and PASM, plus no doubt some other things too..........

Sidicks

 

[bladeboy]

I'm probably going to go for the Carrera and not the S.

I test drove the S and didn't feel that even though its got the PASM and the Xenon lights as standard spending the extra on the S was justifed.

Thought the PASM was not something I would use as I don't do trackdays in my car and even if I did i'm not a good enough driver to make it worth while having it.

Rather spend the £5K on up grading my bike next year which I do use on track.

 

[sidicks]

ORIGINAL: bladeboy

I'm probably going to go for the Carrera and not the S.

I test drove the S and didn't feel that even though its got the PASM and the Xenon lights as standard spending the extra on the S was justifed.

Thought the PASM was not something I would use as I don't do trackdays in my car and even if I did i'm not a good enough driver to make it worth while having it.

Rather spend the £5K on up grading my bike next year which I do use on track.

Fair enough!

I wouldn't argue that I'm good enough to exploit the full benefits of PASM, but even in standard mode, it is still always monitoring and adjusting for optimum handling/comfort. The Bi-Xenons are superb as well, but it's easy to keep adding things and a £60k car suddenly becomes a £70k car!!

Whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll enjoy it,

Sidicks

 

[jonathanw]

I have one of the first 997 cabs - delivered 9 April 2005. I deliberated long and hard about whther to go for an S or not. I decided to stick with the non S but loaded it with options including PASM which I think is great, 19 inch classic wheels (easy to clean) and xenons among others. Total cost about 77k.

I have no problem with the ride being too hard unless you put PASM in sport mode. I had 2 996 cabs before and the current car feels much stiffer with no rattles. Of course one misses the snob appeal of the 4 tailpipes but for the average driver the standard car is fast enough.

I took advice from our previous register secretary, Dereck Sharp about the sports chrono. I wondered whether it was a bit of a gimmick. He strongly advised getting it and I do not regret it. It does sharpen up the throttle response although I normally turn the sports PASM when I use it. I also think the sports adaptaive seats are great.

 

[bladeboy]

If you spec the car with the sports exhaust you get the 4 tail pipes.

Cleaning the wheels is a consideration as well, had a bmw with the mv spoke wheels, what a nightmare to clean.

 

[jonathanw]

with the classic 19 inchers it is extremely easy to clean the inside of the wheels also.

 

[bladeboy]

Yeah, my 996 has got the 18" carrera wheels on and there easy to clean apart from you have to do the inside of the rim.

When I was looking for a 996 my local opc tried to sell me one with the 18" split rims on it, told him what he could do with it.

 

[simonm]

The difference in price between an S and non S is £7K and the extra options £3.3K (19" wheels + PASM + smaller steering wheel + few details) don't justify the price difference however it seems that 70-80% of sales are for the S models. You also have to want all the extras and any extra residual on the S (vs non S with options) still don't justify the differences.

Some of the differences cannot be added - bigger brakes (from 996 turbo) a plastic air box (changes engine sound for the better). Some aluminium interior trim, white dials, 4 pipe exhaust etc. The 3.8 engine is quite a bit different from the 3.6 which is carried over from 996. The gearing is the same so the difference is extra torque (nice) rather than higher final drive (no lower revs at motorway speed for same gear).

For the choice of wheels I think the 18" wheels will provide a softer ride compared to the 19" without PASM so the option of bigger wheels and PASM should be considered as one £2K option together and it's a good one as the normal setting of PASM is good for most road conditions.

Kind regards,
Simon

 

[bladeboy]

Thanks for the comments, will have to get on the Porsche website and have a play around with specs.

 

[pvernham]

I have an S on 19" Carrera Classic wheels. I would echo the comments on easy to clean (one reason for choosing them) and that the ride with PASM provides a good balance of comfort and body control.

I too got my car on launch day for the Cabriolet so have now been running for nearly 14 months. Thought that I had specced my S pretty well but the total cost was £78k - jonathanw - you must have hit that option list pretty hard.

I would question simonm's suggestion that you will not get the additional cost of an S back in residual value. If half the additional £7k cost can be identified from the options list you are only paying £3.5k for the additional performance and better brakes. I thought that the percentage of S to non S was higher than 80% and that would probably reflect demand in the second hand market when you come to sell.

Just my 2p worth.

 

[jonathanw]

my options came to about 12k including tiptronic which is supplemented by the sports chrono which is great. Boy am I going to get stung for depreciation if i only keep it for a few years!