yrralis1

There are three of use in this discussion . The third person is ready to buy his first 911 and he asked us to crtitique his build . The debate centers on RAS .

My view - My first 991.2 GTS did not have RAS . I loved the car but optioned and have RAS. in my 992 GTS Aside from the 992 being an improved car I notice the agility and turning radius . My suggestion to the 911 newbie was that the only concern I have is the expense of a lithium battery but outside of that I love the feature .

My friends view - He admits its controversial but he felt that at certain speeds and driving circumstances the car did not feel as easily controllable as without it. He feels that he needs it in his Gt3 because of the double wishbone suspension but that in the non GT cars it can be a danger .

I told him that despite every journalist review and tests ranging from the street to the track I have never heard.even one complaint . I know that he feels that I drive like an old man because my max lateral G data is civilized . The truth is that I am an old man .. haha . However , with that age comes enough wisdom to believe that Porsche would not place an unsafe feature into production cars geared towards ordinary drivers .

So here's the question ... Has anyone ever experienced any type of safety concern with RAS in street, track, or road conditions , speed (low or high) oe climate . ? I would like to hear replies that support his claim because even using search features I have found none . Its ok if someone agrees with him BTW . I just want to hear opinions /experiences. .

Thanks .

PS. The third guy ( 911 newbie) has not decided . He simply listened to us both .

Dyim

I can’t see how RAS can be unsafe compared to one without. The lawyers will be right on that. Unless it malfunctions at high speed and turn the wheels the wrong way, which I assume is not possible.

However if one tries to defy physics in a RAS car, that’s a different story.

EZ E

I've driven 911's with and without RWS. I wish I could tell but sadly I couldn't it was installed. I guess if I was going to track the car I would install but very sadly I think it's more hype about nothing. RWS has no safety issues only $2000 track option.

yrralis1

That is what I said to him . Every car (or driver) has limits and just like a car cant drive over water or fly in the air maybe it could not do what you expected . He replied that in Florida we don't have hairpin turns and to some extent. that is true . However I am not the only person with RAS and the world is a big place. People would complain . Ion fact look at all the journalist complaints on the 718 . Ranging from the 4 cylinder turbo (base and S) to the long gears in the 6 speed Spyder people voiced it. I told him that I will silence myself with even one similar complaint . My Rennlist search was mostly favorable with the exception of the battery cost .

The funny thing is I do tespect him but I think on this he's wrong . Now it is early in the thread so I hope to hear more .

Richard_Wallace

I have had RAS on both my 992's (including my current Targa), and also on my 991.2 GT3T. On my previous 991's and before I did not have RAS.

The biggest noticeable difference for me has been in slow u-turn situations, the turning radius is much shorter with RAS, freakishly so. I have not really noticed a difference in high speed type driving, I have / not do not track my 911as it is more my Daily driver (and do not track my touring) so I cannot comment on the track part. But I will say it was standard on the 991.2 GT3 cars, so likely does benefit for track use.

I opted for RAS and PDCC on my targa, wanted the best handing as possible (Targas are a bit top heavy) - certainly do not need them, as probably most conditions I or whomever would never notice them being there, but I like them, and for me worth it.

protamine

Just get it. At worst theres no perceptible difference but helps with resale. At best you'll beat your buddy in his GT3. Theres no way it impacts safety negatively

Guzzgreg

I also have RAS and PDCC on my Targa. I had never driven a car with RAS before this one. Interesting upon picking up the car in Jan. And driving it home on Parkways I felt almost like I was oversteering the car when changing lanes…what I mean is it seemed the car changed lanes quicker than I was used to. But it was me getting used to the RAS, not the car. Taking it out for a longer ride the next day I quickly got accustom to the handling of the car. To the point now I don’t eleven notice it anymore and love having it especially high speed turns as well as u-turns as Richard above has stated. But do miss not having it on my other cars. This car feels the most planted of any I’ve had before.

BondJ

Edit you:

Just get it. At worst…it won’t f*****g start when the battery craps out…

bmedude

The lithium battery issue seems to be pretty rare. My 991.2 had it and as someone who lives in a pretty big city with crappy streets, it was a godsend. I originally specced my incoming GTS without it but then convinced myself to get it because the turning radius reduction is worth it to me.

icanthelpit

Had RAS on a 2017 991.2 C4S and a 2020 BMW M850xi. Didn't notice it on either except had the Li battery issue in the 850 (car has 2 batteries; 1 AGM, 1 Li). My '22 RWD GTS does not have it and I don't regret it at all.

911Castle

RAS - Have it. Love it. Had my car at the tint, ppf, ceramic shop for 3 week (some of the time waiting for film) for various items. Doors open, closed, key close by, etc and it fired right up after 3weeks of this. Zero battery concerns.

Tobeit

Looks nobody reads and tries to actually answer the OP’s question if anybody has ever heard about safety concerns with RAS. I have not ever heard such concern.

PS: And to continue to just provide my opinion on RAS. If money does not matter, go for it. But if you set a budget for your car - it would be one of the last options I would click on for various reasons: Li battery, never had issues with turning radius, I don’t track, just another thing that can break, weight for something I don’t need, car handles terrific w/o it already….

detansinn

You lose a little rear end feel with RAS when you’re really pushing car. Outside of that, it’s almost all upside.

In regular use of the car, the notable difference will be turning radius at slow speeds. With that being said, it’s not like a 911 has a long wheelbase to begin with. If turning radius is a priority for your sports car experience, RAS will give you the tightest possible turning radius for parking maneuvers.

Personally, I prefer the experience without RAS. I feel like it delivers more of a classic 911 feel.

Regarding the Lithium battery, suck it up. Yeah, it’s expensive to replace in the event of failure, but it’s in car that probably cost you more than $150k. Do not go into the new Porsche 911 experience thinking that anything will be cheap — maintaining the car is part of the cost of ownership. Drive your car regularly and that battery will last a long time.

Bluehighways

I’ve not heard of any safety issues with RAS. OTOH I did not select it for two reasons: First, IMHO it adds a bit of unnecessary complexity to what really is a street car. Knowing the skill levels and the condition of most dealer service equipment. . . . doing an “accurate” four wheel alignment on a RAS car has too many negative variables in my experience. Second, is the Lithium Battery. Between its replacement cost and the issues folks have reported, it seems (to me) that the engineering behind its adoption by Porsche isn’t quite ready for prime time.

BondJ

I read a while ago, on another forum, somebody bitching they totalled their 911 due to faulty RAS. Absolutely no evidence for it. Just the fact that it couldn’t possible have been their lack of talent…