Optioning a Base 991 for most 'feel'
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 399
Likes: 36
From: ca
Totally different. PASM gets you 10mm lower, SPASM gets you 20mm lower, each with appropriately stiffer dampers. Car is VERY floaty on the base suspension, less so with PASM and MUCH less so on SPASM. SPASM does ride fairly stiffly, but I love it and after driving cars with PASM on the track, I would definitely order SPASM again.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 336
Likes: 68
The base brakes are less powerful than the S's and the engine obviously lacks some grunt, but in my back to back test drives and especially when keeping the RPMs high, the base was very capable.
I did test a PDK, PDCC PASM C2S against a base Cab with passive suspension and 7 speed manual.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 878
Likes: 75
From: NW Arkansas
Meh. My base car is 7MT with 19's and no suspension options, and I think it's a near-perfect blend of ride/handling. Although I haven't tracked or auto-X'ed it yet, it has absorbed every road-going test I have thrown at it with aplomb.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 546
From: Pennsylvania
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
At some point, I may get some progressive lowering springs to reduce the wheel gap, and minimize any corner roll. I hear that those who lowered the car have even a bit tighter steering feel, as well.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 12
If he's looking for the most 'feel', I guess the question is does 'most road feel' mean firmest ride with no roll or most natural? SPASM sounds great in terms of choosing your ride stiffness, but 'natural' is more likely going to be the base suspension. PTV, PDCC, PDK, the Sport+ DEMs, etc. aren't going to get you more road feel. Less roll, more comfort, better track times, etc., sure, but it all depends on what you want from the ride.
I also love my base MT (also on 19's, no suspension options either), but test drive them and see what you like.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 336
Likes: 68
+1
If he's looking for the most 'feel', I guess the question is does 'most road feel' mean firmest ride with no roll or most natural? SPASM sounds great in terms of choosing your ride stiffness, but 'natural' is more likely going to be the base suspension. PTV, PDCC, PDK, the Sport+ DEMs, etc. aren't going to get you more road feel. Less roll, more comfort, better track times, etc., sure, but it all depends on what you want from the ride.
I also love my base MT (also on 19's, no suspension options either), but test drive them and see what you like.
If he's looking for the most 'feel', I guess the question is does 'most road feel' mean firmest ride with no roll or most natural? SPASM sounds great in terms of choosing your ride stiffness, but 'natural' is more likely going to be the base suspension. PTV, PDCC, PDK, the Sport+ DEMs, etc. aren't going to get you more road feel. Less roll, more comfort, better track times, etc., sure, but it all depends on what you want from the ride.
I also love my base MT (also on 19's, no suspension options either), but test drive them and see what you like.
I'm pretty sure all the configs are great actually.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 878
Likes: 75
From: NW Arkansas
Let me put it in another way. Does anyone really think that Porsche releases a "version" of their car/suspension that they consider unworthy? That would be a sure death in marketing. I believe PASM and SPASM first appeared when larger wheel/lower profile tire options first starting coming out. Those options would give back the ride quality of the cushier tires while getting some benefit from the larger combos. PTV and PDCC add other dynamics that are even more subtle.
It's only natural here that people will defend their choices, but might do things differently if they had it to do over again. I do not regret my low options car.
It's only natural here that people will defend their choices, but might do things differently if they had it to do over again. I do not regret my low options car.
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 81
Likes: 1
SPASM is option code 030. 030 used to mean ROW (rest of world). 030 used to be the lowest passive suspension available from the factory and was standard ROW.
US customers complained about stiffness and scraping the front and rear due to the lowered ride height. Thus 030 became an option in the US.
The base 911 suspension is called "US comfort".
The PASM suspension is the "active suspension" with two modes comfort and sport
I would not spec a 991 without SPASM. The other suspension options are trading comfort for performance. 030 means the way it's supposed to be.
US customers complained about stiffness and scraping the front and rear due to the lowered ride height. Thus 030 became an option in the US.
The base 911 suspension is called "US comfort".
The PASM suspension is the "active suspension" with two modes comfort and sport
I would not spec a 991 without SPASM. The other suspension options are trading comfort for performance. 030 means the way it's supposed to be.
Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 734
Likes: 49
From: Brasil
From a power standpoint? Wouldn't the suspensions be identical if optioned the same way?
The base brakes are less powerful than the S's and the engine obviously lacks some grunt, but in my back to back test drives and especially when keeping the RPMs high, the base was very capable.
I did test a PDK, PDCC PASM C2S against a base Cab with passive suspension and 7 speed manual.
The base brakes are less powerful than the S's and the engine obviously lacks some grunt, but in my back to back test drives and especially when keeping the RPMs high, the base was very capable.
I did test a PDK, PDCC PASM C2S against a base Cab with passive suspension and 7 speed manual.
My point is that if you want to load a Base with the options you are considering, you better stretch a bit and get the "S", the Base car is very capable as is.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 31
From: Scottsdale & Stuttgart
What would you select on the option list if you were getting a 991 but were interested in the most road 'feel'?
Coming from a spyder and getting into a Carrera, I'd like to retain as much of the involvement as possible. 'Driver's' car.
I know it will have to be 7sp manual and I'll check the sports chrono box. SPASM worth it on a base, considering the requirement to also pay for PTV and 20" wheels (bringing the price very close to 991S)? 20" wheels providing more feel than 19s?
Appreciate the input.
Coming from a spyder and getting into a Carrera, I'd like to retain as much of the involvement as possible. 'Driver's' car.
I know it will have to be 7sp manual and I'll check the sports chrono box. SPASM worth it on a base, considering the requirement to also pay for PTV and 20" wheels (bringing the price very close to 991S)? 20" wheels providing more feel than 19s?
Appreciate the input.
- Definitely SPASM (lower cg, crisper turn in and exits with minimal body roll) w/o PDCC (heavy and no cornering weight transition feel).
- MT
- Low weight: Sport Seats Plus w/o cooling, no sunroof, base stereo
- Technically the PCCB should be good for lower unsprung weight, but I have no personal experience with it. Price is a bit on the high side....
- Sport Chrono
an S with X51 is worth it IMO, but quite expensive.
Race Car
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,628
Likes: 346
From: Maryland USA
Sport PASM in addition to lowering the car 10 mm more than PASM and 20 mm lower than standard, has stiffer springs and sway bars. Taken together all that changes many variables: the center of gravity is lower, the handling is "tighter" (but not relatively "harsh" as had been the case in pre 991 models). The steering feel is a bit more to my liking in terms of precision and road feel, compared to 991s without it, but without the "noise" of the traditional 911. I used think that was involving- in my 74 911 S and 78 SC and 08 Boxter S. But to tell the truth I am more involved placing the car and slowing down at the higher speeds and cornering forces of the 991.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 178
Likes: 12
Sport PASM in addition to lowering the car 10 mm more than PASM and 20 mm lower than standard, has stiffer springs and sway bars. Taken together all that changes many variables: the center of gravity is lower, the handling is "tighter" (but not relatively "harsh" as had been the case in pre 991 models). The steering feel is a bit more to my liking in terms of precision and road feel, compared to 991s without it, but without the "noise" of the traditional 911. I used think that was involving- in my 74 911 S and 78 SC and 08 Boxter S. But to tell the truth I am more involved placing the car and slowing down at the higher speeds and cornering forces of the 991.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,542
Likes: 476
From: Los Angeles
Your butt will feel less forward thrust in a base 991 compared to the Spyder as well...