wmond

Friends, Countrymen, I am in desperate need of advice, based on real life actual experience. I have done my forum searches and read all there is to read here on the extended range tank, which we all agree is well worth the few dollars it costs to spec it. And I do understand that the difference between the small and large tank means I can drive further without having to fill it up.

What I am hoping to hear, please, from anyone with the smaller tank, is how much of a PITA is it to have the small tank. My use case is probably 2 DE weekends per year (5 days) until I can sell my children, and the rest on public roads, daily driver, etc.

So, for anyone with a small gas tank (no double entendre), no judgement (think of this as a safe place to share your feelings), how bad is it really? I expect that any issues will only be at track days, but wanted to know for sure. I'm asking "for a friend"....

GrantG

I think it all depends on where and how you drive the car. As long as you expect to drive within the smaller tank's range of fueling stations, it's just slightly more inconvenient to fill up more frequently.

In my case, the extended tank has been a real bonus.

For example: I really hate to put fuel in the GT3 that contains Ethanol. There is only one station in town that sells Ethanol-free fuel. The extended tank allows me to fuel up there, drive 60 miles to the track, do some laps, and still get home without having to fuel at the track with $9/gallon race fuel. With the standard tank, I'd either have to be willing to add Ethanol-laced fuel or pay the big bucks...

midwestamv8

I came from a 981 GTS to my 991.2 GT3 w/ extended range fuel tank, and it's been AMAZING so far. Before, when I'd fill uo my Boxster, I'd be lucky if the display said I had 300 miles on the car. Not horrible you say? It's only 150 miles to a half tank... and then if you're leaving on a longer trip with people you'd better be filling up right before you leave. If you think about it, when was the last time you let your tank go to Empty or even 1/4 tank? So really, that 300 miles becomes 250 before you're freaking out very quickly, at least out here in Colorado where a gas station might be 15 miles away.

In the GT3, I put ~350 miles on it from the dealer filled tank before I filled up and the display still said I had 130 miles to go, or about 1/4 tank. Weirdly, after fill-up it only said I have ~340 miles, but it said about the same when I left the dealer on a full tank (and got 350 miles before I had 130 left), so I think they just don't update the gauge / mileage estimate for cars with the extended tank vs the small one? What I can tell you I'm really enjoying the larger tank so far and I'd 100% spec it again. However, I use my car exclusively on the street and tend to take longer drives more frequently... so the extra range really helps in that case. Can't really comment on the extra range if all you're doing is DE events.

Dr.Bill

Well, even the 'extended range' fuel tank will only last 2 (maybe 3) 20-30 minute track sessions.

GrantG

No, it will last longer than that. 90L is about 24 gallons (hard to burn that in an hour).

If you average 75mph at the track, that means you would only run the tank dry in an hour if you were getting 3 mpg...

shamoo

I have the extended tank and I'm also a new Porsche/GT3 owner so here's some of my limited knowledge.

I'm glad I have the extended tank because even with normal non-aggressive driving, you can't get too far. I think I have 500 miles on it now and I already filled up twice (on my 2nd tank now). It gets way less mileage than I thought it would. Of course when you fill it up, it says you have 350+ miles left, but when you actually start driving, it is significantly less. At least that's what I've seen.

Based on that, I think it would be wise to get the extended tank if you have the choice. Again, it really depends on the driving you do. I'm not a hardcore track guy and this car might see the track less than 5 times over its lifetime (we'll see).

TRAKCAR

On track its a giant PITA because you must refuel every session.

Riz

It is not a PITA having the standard tank, probably better for the track. Besides being a little lighter, I was told fuel level is higher in the tank so fuel pickup better under high lateral G loads especially as fuel level goes down. The bigger tank better if you have to drive far to get to the track and obviously more fill ups if many track sessions. I'm sure some more track experienced guys will comment.

GrantG

GrantG

Pretty sure the bottom of the tank (where the pick-up is located) is no wider on the extended tank, so no reason not to get extended tank. The regular tank only exists to lower the car's weight specification which requires the tank to be 90% full.

disden

If you intend to aggressively track it, then it is an absolute must. depending on the track, even with the extended range tank I typically run out by end of day. If not, then I wouldn't worry about it - wouldn't be a deal breaker.

signes

Why wouldn't you get it? No reason not to. I just wish they would calibrate it for the larger tank.

shamoo

Interesting. Good to know. Thanks! I'll check it carefully next time.

wmond

Let's pretend that my friend doesn't have a choice whether to have it. Think about it as whether this would be a reason to not buy a car, if it had the small gas tank...

Wild Weasel

Neat!! I'm making the same move. Do you miss the GTS at all?

I'm assuming he doesn't have a choice and the car is already spec'd with the small tank.