soguinness

I have a steep driveway, and just had a chance to test a 911 equipped with SPASM and the sport design package. It definitely doesn’t make it up to my driveway when you drive it head on but to my surprise with a bit of angle it went up with no issues. Here is a video:
Gonna be putting my order without FAL. I know it will be a little learning to avoid parking garages where I can’t do an angled approach but I can definitely live with it. Even with my current bmw 3 series I always do approach with an angle just in case. No biggie.

Update: later on I chickened out and added FAL. I saw many challenging garage entrances in my area and didn’t wanna live with a decision every day about SUV vs Porsche.

JHesketh

Yup. Me too yesterday.

My driveway drops away down hill. I approached the driveway from uphill on the road turning right down into driveway. Bottomed out just in front of rear wheels.

I have been in and out of this driveway without issue approaching it from downhill and turning left into drive. Just lucky I was going slowly. FAL from now on.

jkautz

After watching that. I’d definitely spec FAL

soguinness

Haha fair. I actually had several attempts but only took a video from the first try. When I took the driveway at a larger angle, it had a ground clearance of 1.5 - 2 inches which convinced me that this thing can take anything you throw at it.

jkautz

I was holding my breath watching it! lol

I didn’t spec it on mine either.

Golfster

I spec’ed FAL, not for the driveways I know but for those I don’t know. I didn’t have it on a previous car but found I could have used it on several occasions.

Thinc2

Is the clearance on a 992 different than a 991.2? We really need some data here.

The normal 991.2 cars by and large don't need FAL. I have a steep driveway and deal with a steep parking garage daily with no problems with a stock 991.2. If you drop the car 10mm, then that might be a different story.

soguinness

Update: I chickened out and put the FAL into my order in the last second after seeing couple of garage entrances in Seattle downtown. I had to drop a few other comfort features such as ACC and 360 view camera for it.

Bob Z.

If there is still time you can change your mind...I would rather have the other options!

soguinness

I’m set and the car is locked (v210). I configured the car with all performance options. ACC is a nice to have in other cars but it is kind of funny in a Porsche. Thanks for the advice though.

ipse dixit

Good choice.

ACC is stupid.

360 view is unnecessary. Macan or Cayenne? Sure. 911, no.

jkautz

360 camera is definitely unnecessary. The car already has parking sensors. That should be good enough in a 911

Smart choice with the FAL. I would have done the same had I spec’d SPASM

detansinn

You basically lost nothing with this decision. 360 view is an unnecessary frill. I have always spec’d my cars with cruise control, but I never really use it. Heck, my Alfa 4C has cruise control — most pointless car for it.

neil.yoshi

I went by my local dealership this am and the 992 really looks like it could use a 1" drop. I think if you decide to do that you'll probably want FAL.

sexfiend

The ACTUAL cases where FAL (Front Axle Lift) is required is incredibly few and far between UNLESS you know of a specific spot you cannot clear or avoid.

Even with really low suspensions, lower than 992 Sport Suspension (SPASM) down to GT3 levels, if you don't have a specific spot it's not really worth it. The solution is to slow down, which is done anyway, and to turn the wheels as you go over the bump/obstacle. It's good practice anways. The other downside is you will get annoyed having to adjust your speed and timing to just hit the button. It's much faster to just do the above of turning the wheel.

Should only recommend for people who KNOW for sure they must avoid a spot - such as a driveway or parking lot they frequently use.