GrantG

I think the RS downforce is measured at top speed (over 190 mph), no? Really not fair to compare these cars, unless the numbers are normalized to the same speed (downforce increases exponentially with speed).

A/S

Porsche's current downforce numbers are at 186 mph for the 991 GT3RS (.1 or .2), 198-199mph for the .2 GT3, and 211 mph for the GT2RS.

At 155mph, while the 600LT produces 220#, the .1 RS produces 535# and the .2 GT3RS nearly 700#, the downforce difference between the .1 and .2 RS is still significant at the same speed of 155mph, and downforce not only helps on turns, but it helps greatly on braking from very high speeds (before T17 at Sebring, back straight at PBIR, bus stop at WGI, T1 for Road America, etc.). At 155mph, the winged 997.1 GT3 RS had just 84# of downforce (a more stable car at high speeds compared to the 997.1 GT3), the difference between the .1 and .2 991GT3RS doubles what the 997.1 GT3RS had in total. The 600LT number is decent, without gigantic wings this car is close to what the 997.2 GT3 RS did, but Porsche has gone mad (yet not as mad as Ralph Gilles and team did with the ACR-E), I hope Porsche continues this trend and incorporates active aero or some sort of DRS.

GrantG

Thanks for additional data

tstafford

Great write up A/S.

MaxLTV

Genius!

mqandil

Stethoscope

Thank you everyone for the replies and particularly A/S. To confirm - the low end torque is less pronounced than the .2 correct? I’m assuming it won’t make a practical difference in the real world. Please share more differences if any exist - thanks again.

Hams955

My .1 3RS had the BBi sport cup suspension upgrade on it so all rubber joints are gone. My .2 3RS is still a stiffer ride on the street compared to the .1 3RS. The .2 is definitely louder but more so from the tire noise and wind. The exhaust note, like .1 3RS, is fairly quiet. Both cars really need an exhaust to wake them up.

Radio/bluetooth at speed is useless in the .2 3RS. I removed my radio completely in the .1 3RS for the same reasons.

Backup camera in the .2 3RS is a great feature; otherwise I would remove the radio from the .2 as well.

Both cars command your concentration when you drive them. I feel the .2 3RS does so more to me than the .1 3RS. I think that is due to the notes above regarding noise and stiffness of ride.

PDK shifting profile has changed and mimics more of the change from .1 to .2 GT3 where it pops and makes more noises. It feels more aggressive for sure over .1 RS.

For the reasons above I LOVE the .2 3RS. It feels more raw and edgy and than .1.

With that to say - if your two options were a well-loved CPO '16 or a ADM or used high priced .2 (assuming you don't have a MSRP allocation) - I would, without doubt, recommend .1 3RS. The price delta between the two won't be felt in the experience or the performance envelope on track. the '16 was REALLY good. Assuming the two choices and the likelihood you're paying 30-40k less for a '16 .1 3RS - I would stick with that.

I bought my .1 CPO. I wanted the joy of ordering my own car for the .2. I checked the box and I am happy.

The .1 '16 is a great car and you'd be just as happy in it or happier knowing you spent quite a lot less for it.

- Chris

SocalTouring

A/S, thanks for the detailed comparison! These 2 will undoubtedly see some depreciation over the next few years and this will definitely help future buyers. I would definitely go .2 if I were looking

-eztrader-

Interesting thanks. Just curious.. any idea what a gt3 touring downforce is at same speed 155?

CRex

A/S, thanks for the great info!

sunnyr

According to this article, Touring makes 230 lbs less downforce at it's top speed (196mph) than the winged one makes (340 lbs) at it's top speed (199mph). So at 155mph that should translate to -

~69 lbs for the touring (vs 206 lbs for the winged GT3 vs 689 lbs for the RS)

Izzone

A/S

^^^ That article is pretty nice. Yes, there is barely any downforce on the Touring, 110# at 199mph and 44# at 120mph per that article, is on the low side.

What I find very interesting is that a 991.2 GT3 and a 600LT have similar downforce numbers at 155mph, despite of the McLaren F1 experience and all the spoilers/splitters/wing/diffuser elements in the 600LT, Porsche just does a great job at developing downforce while keeping the cars sleek on relatively low Cd.

isv