delirium

I am buying my first used Porsche. Can anyone tell me if PSm is necessary? The car I am interested in does not have PSM on it (I dont think it does at least).

PSM is an option right? Should I pass on a car that does not have PSM? I currently drive a bmw that has DSC and I feel safe w/ it and think it would help with a car as fast as a C2!

What do you guys think? Please help!

Thanks!

lowside67

my C2 cabrio has the basic traction control and it's already excellent, i cant imagine needing any more intereference, i usually drive with it off.

man_of_ice

It depends, doesnt it?

I have lots of snow, and its standard fitted on the C4. This winter the PSM has already kicked in _a lot_ of times to save my ***. So I would not buy one without it.

If I would live in a sunny area, then no - no need.

fast1

It depends upon the driver. If you have attended peformance driving schools and regularly track your car, PSM isn't necessary. Most of the drivers that I know who fall into this category, routinely disengage PSM on their cars because they believe it takes away from their driving pleasure.

On the other hand, I believe that drivers who don't fall into that category, can greatly benefit from PSM equipped cars. An inexperienced performance car driver can take a PSM car and drive it hard with little fear of losing control. Moreover, in slick driving conditions PSM can help you to maintain control of your car.

Palting

PSM is just another safety feature. It is like ABS or seat belts. It is not "necessary", that is, until you need it. When you need it, it can be life saving. You'll appreciate it if you go into an exit ramp a little bit faster than you intended, or hit an unexpected puddle of water in a fast corner, or if you have to do sudden manuevers in the rain to avoid an accident.

Can you have a car without it? Certainly. Cars have been without it for decades. Is it a good idea to have it? Absolutely. All new Porsches now have it as standard, and all upscale cars now have versions of it. Buy the car if you really like it and the deal is right. But, a car that has it would be a better car to buy.

Moogle

nope

kilrgt

As others have stated, if you drive it in the snow 100% yes, if the car is never in snow, then no. I think it depends on your driving style as well, ask your self this if your current car has it, do you use it?

ZBlue996Kam

It is definitely not necessary.

However, I would prefer to have it.

Nick Crooks

I don't have it on my '04 and did not see it as a critical option. I think you go with the best car and price you can find and should not make PSM a deal-breaker. Having said that, PSM or not you must respect these cars and their power.

The_Phantom

Not necessary, but one of the best options for a 911.

Ray S

I have one Porsche with it (996), and one without (986). Do you need it......no.

Is is nice to have in bad weather? Yes, it provides a nice safety net.

IMHO, Porsche needs to do two things to make their PSM system perfect.

1) Make it 100% driver defeatable.
2) Provide a multilevel system so that the driver could select different levels of slip that the system would allow. I.E. (Standard, Sport, and Race modes).

leedav

I don't have it, and even on a watered autocross course the car was great. I have no intention of driving it in the snow though.

Orient Express

PSM is not necessary, but it is like the "hand of god" that will keep you from bending your car in extreme circumstances.

I have it on my 996, and sometimes I turn it off, because it keeps me from doing any sort of drifting etc. The 996 is very controllable in most circumstances, but it is good to have it for the unexpected situations.

I also have it on my wife's Audi, and in bad weather, it has saved our butts several times.

gravedgr

The best thing I have found out about PSM so far is that it is MUCH less intrusive than some other systems. DSC on the BMW's (in particular, my M3) is very bothersome - cutting power entirely in some cases. For instance, going to work, there is one light where the turn is off-camber. Any application of power at all here results in rear-tire spin and oversteer - the DSC would kick in, cut power, and then reapply full power once traction was re-established, ending up with a jerky go - no go - go situation. Same thing with full throttle take-offs - any tire spin and DSC cuts all power, then reapplies it making for a very jerky launch.

I have drifted the back end slightly with PSM on and it gently manipulates throttle to regain traction but it never just kills the power.

DCP

I attended a BMW autocross event a couple of years ago where they left the stability system on. Just dreadful. You had to wait a three count for power out of a corner. Probably great on the street in everyday driving, but no good when you are trying to have fun. I have not autocrossed my 996 to see whether there is a difference, but I have yet to come across a circumstance where I was swearing at PSM. Give it time, though, I probably will.

As for the original poster, I would much rather have PSM than not. I agree its not necessary, but it is a nice safety net which does not spoil the fun of every day driving.