ROW 030 vs. C4-S Sport Susp

I purchased an '03 C4S last week and although it's way to premature to start critiquing the car and giving my opinion, I do feel the suspension is somewhat "harsh". Although this is my first Porsche I have driven others and owned other sports cars and I feel they were stiff without being harsh. One thing to note is I don't have a lot of driving time on wheels bigger than 17" (a factor?). Questions: 1. Will the springs "break in" as I put some miles on it and possibly feel more supple? 2. How does this suspension compare to the RoW 030 suspension in terms of ride quality, handling, and ride height? 3. Will the RoW bolt in easily to the C4S and what is the general price range for this suspension? I notice the 030 suspension has been discussed here quite a bit with many different views but in general most people seem happy with ride quality.

The springs will break in a little, but not enough that you will be happy. The problem is that the springs are constant rate and not progressive. I had a friend with the same complaints and he went to tech art coil overs and not only was the handling much better with almost no need to preload the suspension for the corner, but the ride was more managable as well. YOu can also corner balance coil overs! I think that in terms of ride quality, the row should be a bit more complacent than coils though so maybe better if you want to make the ride better.

I don't know much about the Row030 suspension, so I can't answer your questions there. However, yes, the ride is "harsh." After about a week of driving my C4S, I wondered if the ride quality was normal, but it seems like it is going by the other postings on the board. Previous C4S or Turbo owners might seem indifferent to it, but since my previous ride was a C2, the difference for me is quite noticeable. Does anyone know how much it would cost to upgrade to RoW030, and what is the difference in the ride quality like? I think part of it on my car, is the Continental tires it came with, which I absolutely hate. On my 993, I drove Bridgeston S02s, and when the rear tires on this car wear out, I am thinking about replacing them all with Bridgestone S03s or Michellin Pilot Sports.

The 030 will not fit a C4S, only fits the C2/C4 coupe and cab. Anyway, the RoW030 if anything it will be marginally harsher than the US C4S suspension even. BTW lowering your tires pressures 2-3 psi bellow factory recom may help. You may find that it handles better too.

Also, on a sunny day, lower the windows, open the sunroof and let it rip. I did that today, and it was a much more enjoyable experience! We'll get used to it. I've heard that the suspension on the C4S isn't even as harsh as the Turbos. Can anyone confirm that?

Haven't driven a C4S...yet , but my RoW 030 C2 is significantly stiffer than an '01 TT tip I had a chance to drive. I think a US spec C4S is about as soft as they make the C4S, a RoW spring change may make it even "harsher", it depends if the RoW C4S springs are progressive.

The better performing Pilot Sports or S03's are harsher tires than the OEM Conti's which are more confort oriented and less noisy.

I'd wait until the temps warm up in your part of the country before judging ride quality. These Z rated low profile tires get pretty hard in cold weather. My Turbo ( which is spec'd a bit firmer than a C4S ) has a very soft , compliant ride here in warm California with it's OEM Pirelli tires.

Thanks for the input. Is there any particular reason the springs are constant rate and not progressive? I'll check the tire pressure and back it off a bit and also wait for warmer temps and see what happens.

Lance, I've got 10k miles on my C4S now. My wife would only occasionally ride with me whenever I drove my "mistress" . At about 7k miles, she commented that the ride seemed to be more supple and smoother than the first times she had ridden in it. I started to pay attention, and it DID seem to be less abrupt in all aspects. Although I've been driving stick shifts and "firmer" cars almost all my driving life, my getting accustomed to the C4S may still have played a role in this change. So, to answer your question, yes, it will get more supple. Whether it only seems like it or it truly does get more supple, I couldn't tell you. Anyway, the firm ride is one of things that gives the C4S better performance than the C2/C4 out of the box. The people who are happy with the ROW 030 were looking for a more firm ride, akin to the C4S, and that's why they are happier. I would hope that that is one of the reasons you bought the C4S. Use it for a while, wait for warm weather, take it to an autocross or DE, and see if you still want it softer. BTW, there are no expamsion joints in a race track <img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" /> .

I've been dealing with this dilemma for a while now also. For the C4S, I understand that there are now two factory suspension alternatives to stock. Since I have yet to take delivery of my C4S (how much longer for May to get here?) I've had some time to research this. The X73 setup will lower the car 15mm all around. I understand that this is a bit harsher than stock. The Euro M030 is the second alternative. Lowering the car 20mm in the front and 10mm in the rear, this suspension setup will give your car more of a raked look and will stay very close to stock in terms ride quality. If anyone has experience with either of these setups, please share your opinions.

I reccomend you give the Continental Sport Contact 2 tires a chance. I think once the temps warm up you will be VERY supprised at how they do. They are the better of the 2 OE tires (Conti & Pirelli). Carlos is right the Conti is the most forgiving tire when it comes to ride quality and noise. But also with this new (introduced in 2002) Conti it is the best performer in the wet, almost equal performance on the dry to the Pirellis and ride and noise are far superior to anything out there. It is a great tire, much better than the origional Sport Contact. Also Bridgestone does not make a tire that will fit the C4S. And Michelin I think just came out with one, but it is a DOT Racing tire so if you want ride quality good luck with that one. A4EP 2002 C4S

I have the Pirelli's on my car. I'll probably get used to it over time. I just don't remember "noticing" the ride as much on other cars I've driven/owned. I've always wondered why a manufacturer can't just set up a suspension that leans towards a performance with a "relief valve" that you can activate say if you're on the highway to alleviate any rough ride. I know my '93 300ZX turbo had adjustable shocks but I think it was more of a novelty. The hard setting only seemed to make the car stiffer and not perform better. My idea would be to have it in the reverse order. A stiff setup with something to get you through those "rough" sections but doesn't affect the inherent qualities of the performance suspension. Supposedly that new suspension the Corvette is getting (The shocks have fluid with tiny metal ***** suspended in it and electric pulses are sent through the fluid to make the shock change setting in milliseconds) is a very nice way to bridge the gap between ride and handling.

Does any Porsche 996 compatible susspension system have a dash switch that can switch from cruising/soft mode to twistis/firm mode, as found on the older MB 600 SLs?