The 718 GT4 and the 981 Spyder are worlds apart on a bumpy road. I've owned both and they're not even in the same ballpark IMO.

 

How do they differ?

 

I hear exactly what you are saying. We have had the exact same topic/thread on the Camaro6 forum for the ZL1 / SS 1LE or ZL1 1LE. The ZL1 1LE has an even more stiff suspension than the GT4 and is a track car first vs the MRC suspension on the Zl1 and SS 1LE.

 

Yes, that is a good way to put it. The BMWs kind of feel like they're going to start breaking and falling apart whereas the Porsche feels solid as if it were milled from one solid piece. World of difference.

 

Unsure of the disparity between a GT4 and Spyder but in driving my Spyder home on the backroads for about 4+ hours and some of these roads being more than a little pockmarked, I actually found the suspension surprisingly compliant. In fact I found myself opting for the firmer setting wherever the road wasn’t noticeably deteriorated.

 

I consider the GT4 soft even in the Sport setting after getting so used to driving the Exige daily.

Having said that, I want to be able to use the features of the car, so I installed the V3 DSC and have been speaking with the guys at Tractive. They gave me 2 files, one for the standard 718 GT4/Spyder, and another “Tractive” file. After testing both I told them the I only have the Sport mode off I’m in terrible roads or sitting in traffic. For everywhere else I turn on the Sport setting and would like to have a true performance setup with as little compromise as possible. So, for me what works best is to truly have a quite comfortable ride when it’s off as the setup does not have to accommodate even slightly spirited driving. Remember that for suspension setups, only you can really say what you prefer as they are 99% of the time, compromises.

They’re sending me that file this week, so if it sounds like this is more suited to your behavior and would like to try it out, PM me and I’ll share it with you.

 

Same here. I find the Spyder quite compliant over rough pavement, and usually keep the suspension in stiff mode unless I have a more sensitive passenger. Kitchener/Waterloo roads are awfully cracked and potholed, yet in the Spyder they're fine even in stiff mode. It feels quite soft and comfortable compared to my previous AMG GT S (with Dynamic Plus Package), though I didn't lose too much handling precision for it, so it's a great tradeoff to me. Obviously it's firmer than luxury cars, and firmer than non-GT Porsches too, but still plenty comfortable for bad roads in my opinion. Even my mother commented she found the Spyder's ride comfortable compared to my previous AMG.

Archimedes' impressions of the GT4 suspension sound very different from my impressions of the Spyder suspension. I wonder if there really is a huge difference between GT4 and Spyder damping, or if it's just a matter of perception.

 

The 20/21 GT4 and Spyder are exactly the same suspension with slightly different suspension tunes. Neither is softer than the other but they are different, which is all the engineers will admit to. The comparison above was a 981 Spyder, which Spyder are you referring to? Almost everything I’ve read or viewed on YouTube says the 718 GT4/Spyder is more compliant than the 981 variants. There’s a difference between compliant and soft.

 

Are the spring rates the same with only the damping being different?

 

Nm

 

The 718 transmits more of the high speed impacts to you then the 981 Spyder did, especially in the rear. It’s a better performing suspension for sure, but it is more direct. It feels like a car with better damping characteristics, but shorter travel and firmer springs. Again, great suspension, but super firm. Which is what you would expect given the purpose of the car.

Anyone who says this is a soft car in any way shape or form is either nuts or lives in a Germany and drives perfect roads all the time. I expect there are some people who will be enamored with the GT4 due to its looks but then quickly tire of it in daily duty.

 

I can identify with that sentiment.
I had a 2008 MB CLK Black Series and that suspension spoiled me for future cars.
I'm hoping that the Spyder harkens back to the Black Series on the street and on the track.

 

Andreas Pruniger said only a slight difference in the damper valving... springs are the same.

 

People have different levels of tolerances and you do get used to what you operate often enough.

Having said that, I’m aware that not many people can daily an Exige, and when you do that, the GT4 is a relaxing affair

 

The car is pretty wasted on daily driving activities unless your commute involves some back roads carving.
The suspension is sublime. firm but communicative. It’s not rigid. An enthusiast can daily it. It’s great on the highway, extremely precise. But what makes the car exquisite is lost on that kind of driving. Many other cars can do a couple hours at 70+ mph on straight flat highway with a softer touch, quieter cabin, better sound system and all around more comfort to the same effect. I also miss keyless entry and the steering wheel PCM controls. Little things. It’s not a touring car.

just finished my 2000th mile, daily driving to get through the run in period. Along with a ton of hill runs, midnight twisties and some coastline. Front lip is scratched to hell, and my ears are still ringing.