WANTED: X74 suspension for 996 C2

Ok, if anyone has a new, slightly used X74 suspension for 996 C2, please PM me or respond on this list. I'm looking to get one within the next month or so. Suspension should include all the shocks, springs, and sway bars/bushings. If no one responds, I may be buying new from Carnewal.com. I am trying to get everything done with one shot - 45K + suspension upgrade. Thanks!

I'm not sure Gert would appreciate you using his image when you are trying to solicite a purchase from another source. Just a though.....

Sorry, I have replaced that picture. The X74 suspension seems to be only an European thing. There's one that's for sale on eBay here for only $500 USD, but it's located in the UK. Downside is shipping to the states for that size and weight will run about $500-$600 USD based on UPS or FedEx! http://cgi.ebay.com/Porsche-X74-spor...ayphotohosting Don't anyone sell it local? I love to buy it from Carnewal but the exchange rate is driving me nuts! Sigh. But looks like it is the only way to go.

I believe that Suncoast sells it.

Hi Ray, Is that Suncoast Porsche of FL? If not, can you provide the URL? Thansk!

Here you go http://e-partssales.com/Merchant2/me..._Code=996sport

FWIW, I have the X74 on my 996 and it transforms the handling of the car. However be prepared, it is stiff. Your ride will deteriorate......there is no free lunch. Good Luck....

Ray, I need to ask for your advice on which one I should get then. I do mainly spirited road driving and some track use. My choices so far are: - PSS9s - sugguested by Alex for it's adjustibility, though I don't know if I will be actually adjusting them after they leave the shop - M030 - seems like a good compromise, but I rather not spend the $1K if it's not going to increase handling greatly - X74 - seems like everyone is giving it rave reviews, but may be too hard core when 50+% of my time is on the road. Current suspension (besides for creaking/groaning noise coming from the rear driver side) has a slight floaty feel during high speed. So it's going to have to be replace with something during my 45K checkup/service. Thanks!

Dimnslow wrote: I have the X74 and it is 95% street, I wouldn't change back. Had the PSS9's but it was a pain to change the settings, at least for me. Purchased mine from Gert.

I can't comment on the PSS9's as I have not driven a car that is equiped with them. I have heard that they do not give a harsher ride than stock, then again I have heard the same about the X74 and that is just not the case in my opinion. In my opinion, the pluses and minuses are as follows; x74 + Factory equipment + No adjustment necessary + Simple bolt on replacement (very easy to install) + Transforms the handling - Ride degrades - No adjustment possible (can't corner balance, adjust ride height, or dampning level) PSS9 + Fully adjustable + Ride is allegedly not too harsh + Improves the handling - Complicated to install (there seems to be quite a bit of confusion on which parts are re-used and which are discarded) - Fully adjustable (you will need to play around with the variables to get it right) - Non-factory fit - Drop capabilities (Bilstein says the system is only good for a 35mm drop or else you risk bottoming the suspension on the bumpstops. However, most of the cars I have seen with this system have been lowered beyond 35mm. I'm not sure how effective the set-up with lower ride heights). I would say that my 996 w/the x74 is fairly stiff. However, for me it is fine as the stock set-up felt a touch soft. I don't use the 996 on the track (only my 986 for now) so all my driving is street use. However, I'd bet the x74 would work great on the track. If you are really torn, why not ask a few people for a ride in their cars. I know there are a lot of Rennlister's in California. I'm sure you could find a few to give you a ride in their cars. Good luck!

One last comment. That "float" you describe will be erased with the x74.

I just put in a bid for the X74 suspension package from the UK guy. He is missing the metal support tabs that fit behind the rear brake lights (he forgot to uninstall it from his car). How important is that piece? I read that it helps stiffen the structure, but will I experience a catastrophic failure without it? Also, can that support tab part be easily, and cheaply purchased in the states?

I put those pieces on my car. They don't look like much, but I doubt Porsche would include them if they didn't have a reason. I'd call up a dealer that deals in this system (Suncoast is the only one that I am familiar with) and ask them to look up the PN. Good luck!

I sent the information below on Thursday 10/05 via PM as a response to dimnslow's request in this thread. If anyone else is looking for this setup, just let me know. Shipping should be less as SC is a little closer than the UK. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have exactly what you're looking for, or basically I have everything you have shown in your picture. Only had the X74 setup installed on my '03 Targa for approx 1K miles. The wife could never get used to it. She complained about how it handled bumps. Actually I thought the car generally rode much better except on washboard type bumps. On those it was a little stiff. To me, compared to stock, it handled much, much better. The ride height was perfect. I purchased it from Gert at Carnewal. He has assured me that my setup fits all C2 style 996's. Make me an offer I can't refuse.

so will this set up work on a '99?

According to Porsche this system is only for '02's and later models. Porsche asserts that this system is not to be used on the Mk I's because they do not have the enhanced chassis of the Mk II's. However, I know that several Rennlisters have put the x74 on the earlier models. I don't know if anyone has had any problems.

For some reason I don't seem to be able to read my PMs, damn . Dwaynemosley, I just emailed you (I think) about the suspension. Please give me an email at rogerpai at gmail dot com. This is my first Porsche so I can't afford TOO much, but love to make a deal with you if we can reach an agreement :-)

dimmslow, Going from a standard suspension to the X74 is a big jump. I don't mean to rain on your parade, but I just want to make sure you know what you are getting. The ROW M030 will lower and stiffen your suspension. It will get rid of all that "floaty" feeling on street driving, and WILL significantly and noticeably increase performance. Some people already think that the sport suspension can be too hard on the street, and is certainly adequate for occasional track use. My C4S came standard with the 030, and it took about 2 years of frequent track driving before I noticed any shortcomings at all. It was still excellent, and I could have lived with it had I wanted to. The X74 will be a big jump. It will lower your car to the point where scraping can be an issue, and bad roads can be really annoying. I now have the X73 in my C4S. I love it on the track, but cringe when I see bad roads on the street. If this will be your daily driver, and you have any roads with bad expansion joints or bumpy patches of any significant length, and you plan on only an occasional track excursion, I would not recommend it. It can be liveable, but will not be enjoyable in those circumstances, and the street sacrifice may not be worth the track improvement. Just my .02.

Thanks for the advice Palting, I been getting different responses on the performance of the X74 and M030. Mainly people had rave reviews on the X74 going from stock suspension setups. My main concern is I want to eliminate the "floating feeling at high speed" while retain everyday drivability. My thought is since I'm already planning on spending money to upgrade the suspension, I do not want to spend all that $ to just upgrade the suspension a little, but rather see a drastic improvement in high speed performance. Maybe I should ask for both and see which one is cheaper. BTW, do you know if the M030 is made for 2000 model 996s?

Yes, there is M030 for 2000 996. Each MY 911 has a sport suspension option. Here's a link to Suncoast ROW M030 for '98-'01 that lists at $1057: M030 Here's one for the X74 for '02-'04 that lists at $2495: X74 No affiliation to Suncoast. In fact, I did not buy my X73 from them. Just posting to show you the list prices.

Tough call. I would suggest that if you already have concerns regarding ride comfort the ROW might be what you want. Do you drive in the cit or in the Heights areas? If you pllan on going to the track and improving then you will need to give up some of the comfort. PSS9 is a great way to go because you can adjust the ride.

Ideally I would like the performance and ride quality of the 996 GT3. I been in them and don't mind the stiff ride. Which one of the suspension package will match the ride and performance of the GT3?

If you don't mind the GT3 then get the x74. It's has the closest ride/handling characteristics to the GT3 available on the 996 with a Porsche O.E. set-up. As I mentioned before this set-up simply transforms the handling of the car.

The difference is that the GT3 has a much stiffer chassis so they could go with a softer suspension. You will not be able to duplicate the set up. Stop by the guys a TRG ask for Austin. He will be able to help.

The Mk II GT3's chassis is only marginally stiffer than a stock C2 Mk II (the GT3 uses the C4 Chassis). In fact, I'd bet that the Mk II Carrera has a stiffer chassis than the Mk I GT3 (not sold in the US). However Porsche has stated that the GT3 springs are 20% stiffer than the standard C2 springs and it has firmer shocks and thicker bars (it is not softer than a C2). Stiffer springs, shocks, and bars are exactly what the x74 package provides. Obviously the x74 set-up is not as extreme as the GT3's but it is as close as you will get out of an O.E. setup. (vs. getting racing coilovers). If he does not find the GT3's ride to be objectionable, he will not mind the X74.

I emailed Suncoast about these parts advertised on their website, and never heard boo back from them.

Yup, I hear you, wrljet. Some of these guys just can't seem to e-mail. Did my best research on the phones. Most of the dealers were quite helpful, though some just did not seem to have a clue. I ended up buying from my local dealer, and they matched the best price I found on the internet.

Heh, I am still waiting to see if anyone has a gently used X74 suspension or RoW M030 suspension they want to sell. Not too into spending $$ on brand new suspension for a 5/6 yr old car

Pretty good article on the RoW M030 suspension http://www.pca.org/panorama/sample_article_3.html Seems like this should be the suspension I should consider new, and a much cheaper alternative.

Yup. IMHO, its the right suspension for what you want, it's the right suspension for your model year car, and it's the right price. Now, see if you can get your local dealer to get it for you at the same price as the cheapest new one from the internet, then either give have them give you a reaonable instal quote or make it a DIY, and you'll be in hog heaven. Enjoy it!