Do you drive it like you stole it?

I am wondering what the driving styles are for everyone on this MB? I occasionally have the 996 do some short 20-60 mph sprints but nothing above 3500 RPM. I don't think she is happy as she likes to be driven hard. Also what tracks are available in the Northern Virginia area, where I can take her just to try and see what her limits are. I hate to speed and put everyone's life in danger including mine. thx. MiCkEy

I work out in the country, so my daily drive is 35 miles one way, one traffic light and 2 stop signs. Curvy road in good condition. I get her pretty warmed up sometimes...75-80 is common. I target the rpms at 3,000-3,500 but regularly hit 5500+ on accelerating, passing, etc. As far as tracks...VIR!! It's in southern Va., but worht the drive. If not VIR, then Summit Point. I've not been to Summit Point but I thinks it's much closer. It's not the experience VIR, though IMHO. But then, not many tracks are

I usually shift at 4,000 rpm when I'm just toodling around, butI go to 6,000 rpm or more when the mood strikes me. I don't think that this is 'driving it like I stole it'.

Mickey - I drive it like I stole it every time I drive it (Daily Driver)... Tach is always at 12 o'clock (4K RPM). HOWEVER - being from the great Commonwealth of Virginia, and experiencing its many fine counties, both northern and central, I will say that it is the ONLY state I am hesitant to really speed in. The troopers are merciless and 73 in a 55 is reckless driving... which you know is a misdeameanor. Advice to you would be get a Valentine 1 radar detector, and risk the worthless $40 fine. Then drive it a little more aggressively, but less than 100mph Ross

Once up to operating temp, I don't shift below 4000 rpm.

"I occasionally have the 996 do some short 20-60 mph sprints but nothing above 3500 RPM." I would not call it a "sprint" at 3500 rpm. If this is the common driving experience in the 996, no wonder so many burn oil. Bounce off the rev limiter a few times a day amd you'll not only better protect your engine but you'll have a lot more fun driving.

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+1

Once up to normal operating temps, I rarely shift below 3500. I always try to let it run to redline at least once per drive. As noted above, I think the engine likes it. Better yet, I like it! Also, +1 for VIR. Best track I've driven by far (although Mont Tremblant is not too bad!).

My on board computer thingy tells me that my current average MPG is 13ish. What does that tell you?

I never got the "drive it like you stole it" thing. If I stole a car, I would drive it very carefully, so as not to get caught! I prefer "drive it like you rented it"! That said, I always wondered if you go to redline, does it matter what speed you are going, or what gear you are in? Does running at redline in 3rd do the same thing as running at redline in 5th?

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Doesn't matter what gear. It is just as important to engine brake from redline a few times every once in awhile to keep the mating of the rings and cylinder wall as tight as possible.

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Take it to Summit Point. It's around 45 mins to an hour away from you. 3 great tracks to learn and try. Also try autocross if you are looking for a lower speed slightly safer way to learn your car. You are in luck because there are a lot of great clubs that hold events both High Performance Driving Events (HPDE or track schools) and Autocrosses in the area. Clubs like PCA (we have 2 chapters in the DC area) and BMW club (they offer a friendly autocross environment) and many others. By the way, PCA does both Autocross and Drivers schools and offer arguably some of the best environments to learn. Hope this helps, Pete

i like the hold the revs high (i.e. not shifting at 3K) just cuz i love the noise, but i rarely bang gears on public roads.

Once it's warmed up I never shift below 8000.

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Meaning take it to redline, then ease off the gas without braking = good for the engine?

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I drive hard. I drive off the rev limiter. I use ABS. I squeal the tires on turns. I.e., I drive on the track. For daily driving, I don't sprint, but after getting to operating temps, I only drive in the power band Mine says 8.7 this morning. But I was at the track last weekend. One intestesting thing, I reset my trip odometer this before I went to the track - my weekend miles driven was just about 400 miles. And that took me 2 tanks of gas (one complete tank per day). -td

I'll frequently accelerate rapidly from a stop (not a launch, mind you), run it up to 6k RPM in a few gears. I use the brakes firmly for the fun of it. But I don't corner excessivly on the street (i.e. no tire squeal). Basically, I try to be well behaved on the street... On the track, it'll be a different story (I haven't tracked the 996 yet).

Thanks all for the lovely suggestions and opinions. I will surely open her up a bit more as I gain in confidence and know the limits a bit more. Will look at the Autocross and the PCA chapters and choose. I was averaging 22 MPG and now I average close to 19!! I am ashamed. On another note I thought tire pressure at 36f/44r was a bit too much (harsh ride) and eased it to 35/37 on the 18 continentals. The ride is much more comfortable. Anyone else doing that? Thx. MiCkEy

Pedal to the Metal as often as possible ... drive it like a PORSCHE is meant to be driven

nope. I drive it like I own it.... lol

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Just lift off the gas all the way and coast down.

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I learned with all my past cars that driving them hard keeps the engine in good shape and responsive; never felt that it would harm the car; just give the engine/oil time to warm up. As LJpete said, take it to Summit Point http://www.summitpoint-raceway.com/ . On their web page you'll find an event calendar with links to the car clubs that perform DE events. I do DE events with a variety of clubs, no need to limit to PCA. For the tire pressure on 18 inch street tires: If you drive her really hard (e.g. track), then the hot pressure is relevant. I bring the cold pressure down to 30-32 front, 32-34 rear and measure at the end of the session 40psi or slightly more which I think is perfect for my driving style. I learned that this cold-warm pressure difference also depends on the tire brand. If I'd start a DE session at 35/37 cold, then I'd end up way too high. The 35/37 can only be meant for relaxed street driving but even on the street I prefer to run lower pressure; important: keep at least 2psi difference between front and rear pressure. See you at Summit Point soon!

Cracks me up to hear people talk about "saving" their engine, or "protecting" it by keeping the revs low. Once it's warmed up, use the engine like it was meant to be. When accelerating fast, shift at 6800+. Engine brake when coming to a stop to suck the crap that blows by the rings back out to help keep the internals clean. Those blow-by gases/substances can eat up your engine from the inside out. Never accelerate hard from low rpms! That's bogging the engine, and is hard on everything from the engine to the drivetrain, and causes carbon deposits to build up on the pistons! How in the world can you keep the engine running strong and clean by not taking over 4000rpm's?!?!? Keep the engine in it's torque band when driving hard and/or accelerating at more than a moderate rate. The engine was designed to run, not to bog around town like a granny. You guys live in fear of the engine blowing up, and end up hurting the engine more by babying it. It's like taking a great athelete and telling him to just sit on the couch and never do more than a fast walk, because you want to keep him healthy. I drive my car hard without abusing it, and it loves me for it. 104k miles and counting and it doesn't burn one drop of oil, drip anything, no rms, and just passed california smog check with excellent emmission numbers. The people that have issues with high oil consumption and drips and leaks always seem to be the people that say they drive very carefully - "carefully" generally meaning the type of driving that actually isn't good for the engine at all.

Watch Walter Rohrl drive his Porsche around the track...he's one of the few that really can drive like he stole it.

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+1 Here, Here. Big Fun with GT3's

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If I didn't hit the rev limiter at least once per trip, I'm not sure why I'd own a Porsche. It's a multi-valve flat-six...it loves (er, NEEDS?) to be revved. I do find it interesting that you shift your Porsche at a lower RPM than the engine in my other car turns while cruising on the Interstate (4k RPMs).

I may not drive it like I stole it, but I do drive it like it's paid for.

Mickey6, As soon as you participate in a DE event you will feel MUCH more comfortable regarding stepping on your gas pedal (and your brake pedal too). Prior to my first DE, I was much more conservative. Now, I love to find myself the only car on a long entrance ramp to a highway (assuming the car is warmed up). Best wishes, Andy T

Andy, 1+ on a DE letting you know what the throttle and brake pedals will do. My shifts happen much later than they used to after tracking the car at a DE. Something fun about being in the power band and getting it up to redline every now and then when safe.

Race car always,street car never.

I drive it like I'm borrowing it!

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And I would loan you my car any time!!

red line every shift!

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"High RPMs" isn't the same as "high speed"

When I test drove the BMW E36 I bought a few years ago, I had the older salesman with me. I shifted at about 4k, to see how the engine sounded, and he was saying "shift, you should shift earlier!" etc, etc. I was thinking "yeah, old man, relax"! I couldn't even hear the engine unless I wound it up a little. Point being, you can shift the 911 at 4-5-6k, and still be at speed-limit speeds, and it will still be fun!

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Lol, nice story - he was obviously used to BMW's automatic that usually shifts at 2k RPM (if not pushed). If I shift my 996 at 4-5-6k an try to stay within the speed limit, I can only use 2, max 3 gears

Got 26mpg when i first bought the car. now i get 13 gets 7 on ttrack weekends Why have a rev-limiteer if you are not going to use it?

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The car pulls to redline in 5th just like it does in third. I accidentally redlined 5th on my way home from a track event . . . thought I was in third and shifting to 4th . . . looked down and was doing more than 160. Ooops...