Hi All,

This is my first post, but I’m a long time reader. I’m in a market for a new or lightly used 992. This should be my daily driver. My previous cars were MB GLE Coupe, MB GLC and Audi A6. This will be my first Porsche (in fact my first sport car). Naturally I have some concerns on the ride quality. I tested a Carrera 4 for 15min at the dealership and I was satisfied with the ride quality. Unfortunately for me, most available cars have SPASM which has a 10mm lower suspension and sportier (stiffer?) ride.

My question is; if for whatever reason I’m not satisfied with the ride quality, would it be possible to change SPASM to the normal PASM? Is it as simple is changing the spring coils? Or much more complex/expensive operation?

Thanks in advance

 

No. The torsion bars in the SPASM are thicker, too.

 

That would be a ridiculous waste of money.

 

springs, shocks, software, and more. If most of the cars available have SPASM why not test drive one of them?

 

Perhaps you should do a longer test drive and make sure that you can really accept the sportier suspension in comparison to your previous vehicles and experiences. A close friend of mine has always owned more luxury and comfort vehicles such as 5 series and A6, he took an 1hr ride in my 991.2 with spasm and he couldn’t take it after about 40 mins. To me the 911(s), except the gt cars, are extremely comfortable and daily useable as a sports car. Everyone has a different standard so it’s a question only you can answer.

 

SPASM is entirely fine. I’ve driven my car halfway across the country with as much 16hrs in the saddle. The ride is compliant when you want it to be and sporty when you need it to be. Having driven both, I don’t understand the hang-up and hyperbole over it. Frankly, with SPASM, you’re getting more “sports car” in your 911. While the 992 is a fine car without, it’s a better car with it.

 

Hey, I don't like SPASM either but sure as hell don't buy a SPASM equipped car and try to convert it.

 

To be honest, the non GT 911 isn’t really that low compared to other sports cars and SPASM only tightens things up a slight bit ride wise.You will be fine, just be mindful on certain approaches - the front lip is a user replaceable part anyways at around $150.

 

Spending several thousand dollars eliminating what is a very benign suspension option (not to mention the negative impact on resale) to revert to PASM is so 2020.

If blinded to the car - I'd bet a fair number of people would even struggle to tell if the car had PASM or SPASM by the way it drove around town.

 

I kind of understand OP"s situation. When I hurt my lower back in the past, I had to sell my sports car because riding was so painful. I am ok with SPASM now though.
Anyway, my advice is to be patient until you find one with PASM and not to convert SPASM to PASM. You never know if the conversion would work for you.

 

This would be like buying a chocolate cake and trying to scoop out all the chocolate because you don't really like chocolate that much, but you do enjoy cake quite a bit.

 

Somehow I need to get ahold of your Rolodex of one liners Ipse. Just epic! 😂

 

You DEFINITELY need to drive more than 15 minutes; hopefully 30-45 minutes at least. Make sure you put it on a "typical" road surface for whatever you typically drive, and then 1) put in on the softest suspension setting and sees if that suits you. Then 2) you really should put in on the firmest setting and see how much this changes your perception. That will give you a very good comparison so you can make a more informed judgement.

Personally I love my SPASM setting when I'm up in the mountains on extremely curvy roads as I typically like to push it and this really sets the car up great IMO. But you do lose some ride quality but for me, that is perfectly fine trade off for what I gain in these types of situations. But the 992, while a fairly comfortable ride compared to some other 911's, it's not an Audi A6 by any stretch (thank goodness since that's not what I wanted). Just as an FYI, I owned an RS3 not all that long ago and much prefer the 992 by a W I D E margin.

Good luck on your decision.

 

I suspect that seat choice, tire pressure and 4WD vs RWD could have more to do with "comfort" than PASM vs SPASM, especially given the tuning in the 992.

 

Simplest and best mod for the SPASM is to get a DSC box. It will smooth out the ride tremendously. And you can download different programs and upload to your DSC based on your liking. with a DSC, your Porsche will ride like a Mercedes.

https://www.dscsport.com/porsche/