Archimedes

Its just such a shame Porsche can’t hire dmini and TRZ to help them engineer their cars. Maybe then they could turn out some good cars instead of all these crappy Caymans. Perhaps Porsche can at least replace that knucklehead Randy Pobst with a competent hot shoe like dmini.

TRZ06

You are local to me. Anytime you want to do back to back testing just let me know.

We can even swap cars if you would like.

Prime

It's a dealer car that they used for marketing purposes and now sitting on their showroom floor as a halo given no more GT3's here and GT3 RS is a while away.

They will either add it to their collection in a warehouse or sell it for the rrp price in a year or two to someone just stoked to be getting one.
I personally would be more patient but they are focused on running a business.

It was interesting seeing it on main stage at the dealer with a couple lightly used 992 Turbo/ S with stickers twice its price scattered elsewhere amongst their other inventory.

sandy59

Apologies if posted before, if it's good enough for this guy (ex racing driver), then I'd think it'll be good enough for the vast majority of owners.
It's fun over lap times for me at least.

matttheboatman

Grant, this is my anecdotal observation from my track day experience with gentleman drivers when I was on the Red Bull ring. Someone made the comment that the GT3 is easier to drive fast. I think that is true. During the morning sessions, the GT3 drivers were faster than the 4RS drivers. I can only assume they like me were getting warmed up and would start pushing as the day progressed. I did start to push in the 4Rs and what I discovered was the GT4RS was able to start to catch up to the GT3s on the straights. The the end of the day, I felt confident I could pass most.

Following behind one particular driver of a GT3, I made this observation: I could definately brake a 1/2 second later than the GT3. The GT3 definately turned in quicker and is more balanced than the GT4RS. At mid corner, The GT4RS could tighten the radius more than the GT3, which of course, allowed me to unwind earlier and get on the throttle earlier. This resulted in the GT4 running a couple of mph quicker than the GT3 down the straight and eventually catching them.

Is the GT4RS more "tossable" than a 992 GT3, yes definately. But don't get overconfident, it is still a Cayman and you can easily overdrive the car and induce the dreaded understeer. It took me a while and a bit of shananigans before I found the limit. So before everyone comes back and tells me the GT4RS is like driving on rails, I say you are not pushing enough! Eventually, you will discover like all Caymans, you have to manage front end grip.

dnimi123

Here's something for ya!
"It’s been well documented, by Randy Pobst and others, that the GT4 suffers from a case of understeer from the factory (see here, here, or here). Pobst also mentions that, on track, the Cayman GT4 feels “slightly underdamped,” particularly over bumps. Additionally, many experienced drivers (many of whom have expressed this here on Rennlist) have noted issues with corner entry oversteer, tire wear issues on track, and excessive nose dive/bodyroll."

I dont think Porsche needs us as the final product is a result of a business decision and not an engineering one. Of course (if I were in the Board Room) I would argue (while AP was announcing to the world it could NOT be done - probably to sell more GT4's) that Porsche could put a GT3 engine in a Cayman GT4 and call it a GT4RS - oh wait they did that! So all things are possible yet Porsche decides for business reasons to not do them. This reminds me of politicians and not in a good way. I think thats what is most irritating. Fortunately there is a very very healthy aftermarket scene that can help the ones who want or demand more that the Factory is calculating to give.

dnimi123

VDO please - IF it ever happens! Id love to see the look on Archie's face when he actually gets a ride in or even drove a properly sorted GT4. Sadly he still would probably want the stock, factory experience. Can we say 'Sacred Cow'?

dnimi123

Mmmm... lets see... oh wait they did this to the car (PS I never said the chassis was not good). Sounds like they 'worked' on EVERYTHING thats an issue in the GT4/GT4RS - damn those Porsche engineers!

"Modifications to the chassis have also improved the handling of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport. The damper technology has been revised from the ground up in order to achieve an optimised vehicle responsiveness and a further improvement in body control. This has had a significant impact on the overall performance of the vehicle and handling. Upgrades include the use of two-way adjustable shock absorbers with improved characteristics, in addition to adjustable sword-type anti-roll bars front and rear. Vehicle height, camber and toe are also adjustable. Furthermore, three different spring rates for front and rear axle are now available. Special NACA ducts in the bonnet are designed to direct the air flow more efficiently to the large racing braking system fitted with 380 millimetre steel brake discs. The Porsche Stability Management System (PSM) is designed specifically for motorsports and includes a switch for traction control (TC), ABS and an updated stability control system." Just to list a few of the "upgrades" to the Clubsport!

RomoNL

I have to confirm dnimi123 statement. The suspension on a the GT4 is a weak point.

My previous 718 GT4 PDK and full options, as much as I liked the car, it surely was disappointing while hard driving on bad road surfaces. I drove the car to max on the German BAB, some very flat tarmac, no problems, but when the tarmac bumped, the car bumped even more, the rear very unstable, very hard to steer the car, constantly counter steering and correcting the car, until the point came that I had enough of it. It felt in no way road compliant, it felt unsafe, it felt disappointing for a Porsche. (all my previous ///M BMW`s, including a M2CS felt way more stable and safe on high speed driving) On B roads the GT4 is perfect, but fast driving on bumpy tarmac the car is far from perfect IMHO

I`m waiting now for my GT4RS, hoping it's better, if it isn't I go for a GT3

dnimi123

[QUOTE=RomoNL;18459946]I have to confirm dnimi123 statement. The suspension on a the GT4 is a weak point.

My previous 718 GT4 PDK and full options, as much as I liked the car, it surely was disappointing while hard driving on bad road surfaces. I drove the car to max on the German BAB, some very flat tarmac, no problems, but when the tarmac bumped, the car bumped even more, the rear very unstable, very hard to steer the car, constantly counter steering and correcting the car, until the point came that I had enough of it. It felt in no way road compliant, it felt unsafe, it felt disappointing for a Porsche. (all my previous ///M BMW`s, including a M2CS felt way more stable and safe on high speed driving) On B roads the GT4 is perfect, but fast driving on bumpy tarmac the car is far from perfect IMHO

I`m waiting now for my GT4RS, hoping it's better, if it isn't I go for a GT3[/QUOTE]
Thanks. The GT4RS will not be much better - how could it be? BUT for about $10K more I would slap some MCS 3 ways with remote reservoirs with some decent spring rates (plus get a good alignment and maybe a couple other suspension bits) on the GT4RS and THEN you will be much happier!

RomoNL

I have no experience with MCS 3 ways, what about JRZ or Öhlins ?

Of course I can not comment on the GT4RS suspension now, I have not driven it.

The spring rates are much firmer though compared to the 718 GT4

jmartpr

Guys, why don't we put a cap on this flawed design issue? We all know is far from perfect.
I think that if you can't cope with minor "issues" and the simple aftermarket solutions, please buy a GT3 or GT3RS....ohh is too expensive? Then deal with it....as I said earlier: It is what it is!
In Porsche world and economics it sits exactly where it needs to be....don't go comparing to what you can buy from other manufacturers, just go and buy that.

Mr. Adair

Bingo.

clutchplate

That's a generous offer Archimedes, you should take him up on it and report back.

Underblu

You are quoting a quote from who? another forum member? and trying to make it sound like it’s coming from Randy Pobst. “Slightly underdamped” is a reasonable assessment. the suggeation that the suspension on the GT4 is somehow subpar is complete hyperbolic BS.