997.2 GTS vs 997.1 GTS ride quality - Page 1 - 911/Carrera GT - PistonHeads UK

Firstly, this isn't meant to be a which is the best car thread. I know there would be strong feelings in one direction. Just an honest question, so I will give some background. I have a lot of ownership seat time in various 997s but very limited short test drives a couple of GT3s. The stars have never quite aligned for me to purchase a GT3 but I was out in my 997GTS over the weekend on a spirited drive with the other half on average British roads (dual carriageways, and A roads) and concluded that the GTS seemed the perfect balance for a road car on average bumpy roads. In fact occasional it verged on being too harsh on the standard PASM (non sport) setting. It then got me thinking about whether a GT3 would actually be too hard for my tastes and road only usage (i.e. no track days). Does anyone who has decent seat time in a GT3 and a GTS have a view as to whether the GT3 is a little harder or a lot harder on road than a GTS. I'm just thinking that if it is, the GT3 really just isn't for me, although I won't stop dreaming that it is for other reasons (looks, Mezger, 8.5k red line etc.)! Edited by c4sman on Monday 1st September 22:34

Yes a Gt3 is harder. A Gt3 is not for you.

Yes a Gt3 is harder. A Gt3 is not for you.

I should have said, I know it would be harder, but really a lot harder?

The idea of owning a GT3 is nice, that's about it. Edited by mrdemon on Monday 1st September 23:10

If you are concerned ANY aspect of the GTS, including ride quality, is too harsh, then the 997 GT3 is probably not for you. On normal UK A and B roads,, the GTS is virtually as rapid as a GT3 point to point btw.......

Thanks for the feedback. It seems the reality of a GT3 is not ideal for me. My concern was to some extent about comfort at low speed in particular (there is only so much jiggling about I can tolerate before I'm embarrassed by my car), but also about grip at higher speeds, as if your car is spending a lot of time airborne, cornering is not going to be great. I think I have chosen the perfect car for my needs. I will just press the PASM button now and again to remind me to stop my GT3 thoughts!

I'm afraid that's the reality of UK roads. My similar 997.2 C4S is pretty much ideal for our bumpy country B-roads in standard PASM mode. Probably slightly more compliant than your GTS and I very rarely (actually never) use the sport PASM setting. It just gets jiggly and unsettled whenever I try it. On track would be a different story of course. Then the PASM sport mode would no doubt be welcome. For the same reasons I wouldn't buy a GT3 for road use only. I have no doubt it would be slower on the local B-roads I drive. Back in the day I had a 964 RS and it was pretty useless on anything other than billiard smooth tarmac. It used to literally take off on the slightest mid corner bump, which is definitely not what you want for road use! Also had a 996 C2 on KWV3 suspension and GT3 mounts and arbs. Better than the 964 RS, but still way too stiff for fast road use. My 997.2 C4S is miles better/faster on a typical UK B-road. I think your GTS is about as good as it gets. Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 2nd September 10:42

Thanks for the responses. Very useful to know that I wasnt deluding myself! May favorite roundabouts where I lean on the car tend to be very bumpy and I just couldnt imagine anything stiffer being of use in these situations. Cheers!

Ride height is an issue too. My C4S is on H&Rs and it has roughly the same ride height as a GT3. As a result, living in London i have to crawl over speedbumps and inevitably i will occasionally scrape over some of them. Also, i'm a little concious of peeing off people behind me who will happily take the same bumps at 30mph+! Our Turbo S rides quite hard whereas the C4S is cosseting in comparison; i couldn't live with the Turbo using it every day. The GT3 is a bit harder still, but the Gen 2 is an improvement over the Gen 1. Of course, some fancy aftermarket suspension could perhaps improve things.

I have a gen2 GT3 and I'm quite happy with it on the roads HOWEVER, I would not want to live near speed bumps and really bumpy B roads are not ideal.....

hondansx said: Ride height is an issue too. My C4S is on H&Rs and it has roughly the same ride height as a GT3. As a result, living in London i have to crawl over speedbumps and inevitably i will occasionally scrape over some of them. Also, i'm a little concious of peeing off people behind me who will happily take the same bumps at 30mph+! Our Turbo S rides quite hard whereas the C4S is cosseting in comparison; i couldn't live with the Turbo using it every day. The GT3 is a bit harder still, but the Gen 2 is an improvement over the Gen 1. Of course, some fancy aftermarket suspension could perhaps improve things. I often have traverse mountains around my home also known as traffic calming measures and the GTS handles this fine as it is relatively lofty. I wouldn't go down modded route as I have done this with previous cars and never really been 100% happy with results, plus the dilemmas at sale time about whether to return to standard or not.

Looking at it from another direction though - a 997.2 GT3 at standard ride height on cups actually rides bumps and potholes better than an E9x 3 series on run flats with M sport suspension (speaking as someone with both). Expect to hear the splitter ground a lot in day to day use though.

7.2 GT3 is firm, not harsh.

DiscoColin said: Looking at it from another direction though - a 997.2 GT3 at standard ride height on cups actually rides bumps and potholes better than an E9x 3 series on run flats with M sport suspension (speaking as someone with both). Expect to hear the splitter ground a lot in day to day use though. I've been test driving BMWs and surprised at how good the 997 rides in comparison and the 991 is even better. Seems wrong somehow for the "sports car" to ride better than the saloon.

I live in London and have a 7.1 GT3. I've not put many miles on it but it is definitely best described as very firm in standard mode. BUT, that said, it is never crashy. On a bad road it feels busy, but the steering is still fine. On terrible roads you feel all the bumps vividly but it's never uncomfortable/wincy. I put it down to the chassis being so stiff based on my limited knowledge. In comparison, my 993 Cab on PSS10s and lower rate Eibach springs (as opposed to the Bilsteins that come with it) is more compliant and comfortable than the GT3 on good to medium roads, BUT, there is a very definite point where the 993 chassis/suspension is overwhelmed and the ride just becomes horrible where the GT3 just soldiers on. ETA: funny thing is my gf is perfectly happy in both and proclaims they're both very comfortable all the time....think she has a higher tolerance than I do!

I should also add that in small deference to city practicality, my GT3 is also running 8mm above standard GT3 ride height and still looks fine to my eye