I'm wondering if you knowledgeable folks can help me piece together a list of weight penalties for common options. This will help me and hopefully others decide if those options are worth the performance decrease.

I like my cars lighter if possible, but realize some things are just worth the extra weight. The problem is Porsche doesn't tell us what the options weigh. We just get to see magainze test results showing us porkier-than-usual 911s.

My hunch is the power seats and sound systems weigh the most.

PDK -- ~ 55-60 lbs according to Porsche website

18-way power seats vs. 14-way sport seats vs. 4-way seats

Bose surround sound vs. Burmester vs. Standard

Front axle lift system

Full leather interior/extended leather interior

Heated seats

Power folding mirrors

Glass sunroof vs. normal sunroof vs. no sunroof

 

The sunroof has to be meaty as well.

 

Can anyone possibly tell a few hundred lb. difference in a 991? I bet not even a pro driver.

Don't know what the big deal is sometimes. The batch of fuel you have in the car has more of an impact than any small weight.

Run with half a tank of gas and have a personal weight of 150-160lbs and that should help

Or a forged set of wheels and ceramic brakes/rotors. That unsprung weight would have a bigger effect than anything else.

 

The glass is more than the solid one.

 

Thanks but that's besides the point. Do you think people really notice the torsional rigidity difference between a Cayman and Boxster? I don't think so, but we want to know it's there regardless. Ditto acceleration between a Turbo and Turbo S or the performance difference between GT3 and GT3 RS. It's normal to buy cars based on this marketing mumbo jumbo even if there is only shred of engineering truth behind it. The 997 GT3 RS was sold based on the fact it had a partial roll cage and weighed 30 lbs less than a standard GT3.

200-300 lbs is significant no matter how you slice it. That's way more than what a 16.9 gallon fuel tank will carry. I think you're underestimating what these options really weigh. A high end audio system can add 100 lbs by itself.


Owners and customers should know so we can make informed decisions, even if you think it's pointless.

 

True -- added to list. I left off power folding mirrors because I can't imagine it's that much.

 

I don't think it's pointless, one should be able to build a car as he wants. Porsche should give the weight on the configurator with different builds don't you think? It would hurt checked box $$$$ options I'm sure if buyers gave any importance to the weight.

 

It's pretty easy to feel 200 lb difference in a car. If you ever go to the track, ride one time with an instructor and the second time by yourself.


I don't know if it's right, but if you use this rationale and formula: http://www.tuneruniversity.com/blog/...-weight-ratio/

Carrera S with PDK is 3219 lbs with 420 horsepower.
The weight to power ratio us 7.664
Now take out 219 lbs
The weight to power ratio is 7.142

Now take the old weight/new weight to power ratio
equals 450.7.

So, if I'm doing this right, 219 lbs lost in the Carrera S is equal to 30 horsepower gain.

 

And still the PDK is faster. PDK FTW.

 

I can definitely feel a performance difference with just 1 120 passenger.

I looked up some of the weight numbers before but can't remember actual totals. Power seats, sunroof and PDCC were all pretty heavy. I think the seats being 50+ pounds. I doubt the stereo would add much.

 

That's right. Porsche lets us customize every detail from the color of the air vent slats to the model designation stickers.

I just want to know how bad those penalties are if I were to add all the comfort options. Am I looking at a 3800 lbs Turbo S coupe?

 

Porsche makes $$$ by adding options, not saving us weight.

 

Few hundred lbs is a LOT for our cars. I can tell a difference between full tank of gas and running empty. Car is more playful and nimble on empty so imagine what 200 lbs would bring.

Completely agree on reducing unsprung weight as a starting point. Biggest bang per lb here.

 

The glass roof...I would bet on the order of 80-100 lbs. Probably half that for the steel.

The 18 way seats are going to be hefty. Wouldn't be surprised if you picked up an easy 50 lbs plus vs the 4 ways.

I honestly don't think the other items are more than a few pounds each.

 

How about the weight penalty of the .2 turbos?