Hello All,

This is my first post so be kind.

I have long been a BMW enthusiast ( currently have 2 M3's and a 325) and am looking to get rid of my 03 M3 in favor of a porsche. Although I really like the M3, the latest iteration does not have the steering feel or feedback that I so love on my 95 M3 and 94 325is. However, this car will be my daily driver so I would like to get something recent, as apposed to buying another old M3 or 993.

I have finally settled on either a used 996 or Cayman S. I know they are very different cars and for what I am going to use it for I am currently leaning toward the Cayman. However, I drove one today with PASM and was disappointed with how tight the car was. In sport mode it barely felt as hard as my newer M3 which is stock. I know that I don't NEED a stiffer setup for street driving, but I do prefer a really stiff car, even as a daily driver.

Ultimately, my question is can I replace a PASM suspension with an after market coilover setup if I decide I want something stiffer in the future? Will it cause issues with the "sport" mode? The reason I ask is I have a deposit on this car and waiting for one without PASM will take a while.

Thanks.

 

What a hard *** you are! I just returned from driving the Cayman in sport mode and it was plenty firm enough for me on public roads. I'll save that mode for autocross, track, and smooth curvy roads. I had a RSA with firmer suspension (H&R's and Bilsteins) and the Cayman felt similar in sport mode. I also have a '98 M3 and the Cayman in sport mode felt a bit firmer than my M3. If you'd like the Cayman firmer than PASM provides, it might be easier, and certainly cheaper, to pass on the PASM (but get the Sport Chrono) and upgrade to a firmer aftermarket suspension, as some others say they plan to do.

 

Yeah, I thought it was a little strange. I kept checking the button to make sure it was on. I have driven a 997S in sport mode and it seemed to be a lot stiffer. Also, the car had 19" 997S wheels which should make it even worse.

Currently my favorite setup of all my cars are the PSS-9's on my 325is. That car is still the most fun in the "fleet", at least until I get CO's on the old M3.

 

I drove a cayman yesterday with the 19" wheels and the standard suspension and the thing was stiff enough for me. On a bumpy section of highway it was really stiff if you know what I mean, but otherwise on normal roads that arent chewed up by NJ winter potholes, the car was really nice. Could use a bit more torque, but, that would comparing it to musclecars which I guess is wrong.

I cant get the engine howl out of my head. I think I have been bit by the porsche bug. I wish I could get a ZO6 test drive to see if it offers the same fun level. Wonder which one is more practical as a daily driver?

 

if you think pasm in sport mode is not stiff enough, either the porsche you drove was not set up right or the setting on your pss9 bimmer is off.

my car sits on moton coil overs with heim joint upper mounts, which makes pss9 feel like jello. when i drove cayman and 997s with pasm i found the suspension too stiff and the rebound poor, unabel to stick to the road.

if you are contemplating aftermarket coil overs, get a car without pasm.

 

Ok, I am starting to think there was something wrong with the car I drove. I'll go back this weekend and take another drive.