I need to do something to my 04 Targa to make it drive like a Porsche, with a more planted feeling. This is a daily driver, no tracking anticipated.

I have read all the hundreds of posts on this, and it still leaves me confused. Would like to lower the car a little, but not too much with city driving hazards.

RoW M030: Not sure this will give me all I want, but its the least expensive option which helps. Slight lowering should be perfect.

X74: Sounds very good, but seems to be the most expensive. May lower the car a little too much.

PSS9: Sounds very good, also more expensive, and non-OEM for possible warranty issues. Also doesn't come with bigger stabilizers so if needed they would be additional cost.

I have an email in to Gert and hope to talk with him later.

Any quick advice would be appreciated.

 

If you are not going to the track, I think the PSS9s would be a waste.

If you can afford X74, get it! If it is anywhere near the feeling of our GT3, you will love it. The fact that your Targa does not have a Turbo-nose will make it easier to traverse driveways.

For me, RoW 030 works because it handles better and rides better than the US 030 while not being too low. Having a GT3 around made it a no-brainer.

 

Thanks, Elton. I just hung up the phone with Gert and my conclusion is definitely to go with X74 ... if I can afford it. He is awaiting a large shipment of X74's and when they come in (hopefully a little later this month), he can offer a better price than shows on his website now.

I would still appreciate your comments re RoW 030 versus stock and whether it dropped your car at all (I understand it may or may not lower the car, depending on not sure what).

Also, I spoke to West End today - very nice - and plan to use them when I install. Thanks for the reference.

 

Let me start by saying that base suspensions are very compliant. Nice, but not me. US 030 is definitely stiffer and more "nervous" over road irregularities. I don't know if it was the alignment, but I felt I had to make more corrections while driving.

RoW 030 does lower the car (advertised at 20 mm front and 10 mm rear). My 40th seems lower than my 986 S, but maybe because it started 10 mm lower than a base Carrera? Regardless, IMO, the key is alignment and I had West End put the most agressive camber in the front as possible, at the expense of tire wear. The ride is more compliant (not as much as the base), and has better on-center feel. For the record, it has been debated that the RoW is stiffer than US 030, but I have not found this to be the case. There were many of us who just swapped springs on their US 030 Boxsters and reported back that RoW is more compliant.

Here is a bigger pic:



Good night.

 

I have X74 in my 40th. I agree with Elton's comments above as they are concise but right on.

Getting rid of the US suspension will be the best thing you'll ever do for the car. After its done you'll understand why the cost is irrelevant.

I can't comment on ROW MO30 vs. X74. I can comment on X74 vs. GT3 and Modena (they live next door). X74 is firm but linear until you get to the bump stops (ignore any of the progressive vs. linear discussions you find on the boards). Feels very much like the Modena. GT3 is a bit looser at first and allows you to plant the car better. For normal driving the X74 is more graceful in its action.

My limited experience with LA roads would suggest a 4 x 4 with a custom air suspension. Any quick transitions/bumps will be very firm with X74. They actually will be less harsh than what you have now but I would think the MO30 is a more gentle approach if you drive into town.

If you need more info email me.

 

Frankly, I've found suspension advice to not be very useful unless you have a common basis for comparison. The best way to figure out which suspension is right for you is to find people that have a car with the suspension that you can rid in, or better yet, drive.

Based solely on your comments in your first post, I suspect the RoW030 is a good fit for you. The X74 is quite low; I scrape the front spoiler on my 40th all the time with the stock suspension, I can't imagine what it would be like with X74. Even the 20mm drop of the RoW030 will give it a good scraping.

I had RoW030 on my Boxster S and loved it; it is going on my 40th 911 next Friday

 

jcnesq - where are you in LA. I am in Simi and have the X74 on my C4 cab if you want to see it and take it for a spin.

 

CLL ACAB - Many thanks for the offer. I'm in Glendale / downtown LA and don't get out your way often, but I will keep it in mind. After talking to Gert and reading the comments on his site (CLICK HERE ) (these are probably all from various rennlist threads), I am convinced I WANT X74!! The only reason not to would be if the ride height is so low that I would constantly be hitting things - what is your experience? I don't care about a "comfy" ride, I want the car to handle like its supposed to.

 

I scrape a little, but not because of the X74. The X74 dropped my car 1 1/2 inches in the front and 1 inch in the rear. However, I also changed out my bumper to the TT with the lower lip. The plastic touches once in a while, but that's OK because that's what it's there for.

You won't be disappointed with the X74.

Dave

 

I think for your driving needs I would go with the M030, drops the car decently and you maintain the same ride.

 

CLL,

Mine has the same lip. I put a row of wide flange pop rivets spaced 2"apart along the bottom edge of the spoiler. You can't see them but they take any scrapes. However, they must also have some other esoteric properties as I have yet to scrape since they've been on (1,000 miles).