Cytoboy

My 06 997S is my first Porsche, coming out of an E46 M3. The M3 was plagued with a drivetrain "slopiness" including a 1st to 2nd gear shift "Thumping" sensation that was supposedly normal in all cars, manual or SMG-equipped as mine was.

Driving my Porsche home from the dealer, I found myself with some room to move on a cloverleaf-type tight radius freeway off-ramp. As I accelerated through the turn, I felt "rubbery" sensation, that had me inspecting the tires immediately and checking air pressure. It felt like tire sidewall flex or something. I never felt as if I was to lose traction, and I don't believe the stability control system kicked in at all.

Is this the phenomenon that everyone is talking about here? Should we be worried about an engineering defect?

OCBen

Yeah, that's a better way of describing what I was trying to say. ... Just waiting for those who experienced this to chime in!

Paul523

Thanks, I really enjoy Slate. Seeing it in the flesh for couple of weeks now, it's a highly metallic mix of pewter and bronze. As with Porsche paint, lots of complex colors within depending on lighting conditions, in my opinion Slate compliments the chiseled 997 curves even better than 996. I had thought it was a pretty subtle color--maybe only appreciated by myself & a handful of porsche disciples-- but half a dozen people have mentioned the color. Just put first coat of wax on yesterday after letting the factory finish cure for couple weeks, now I can snap some pics. Cheers.

ultimate

First P-car (an S), but never felt anything particularly unusual, especially something that would be "scarry" or cause hesitation - I've pushed it pretty hard too.

I'm hoping someone from Excellence sees this thread - the article mentions the engineers interest in this subject, but I was disappointed that they did not follow up with the engineers in any way. Unfortunately, this is an example of the type of thing that often disappoints with an otherwise fine magazine.

Truble10

My favorite Porsche color! I wish my 996tt was slate instead of seal. It seems like every other Porsche on the road here is seal. I loved seal when it came out but now there are just way too many of us on the road. I want slate!!!

Ray G

I'll try to describe what I felt. I'm pretty sure PSM didn't activate. It happens mid-corner in fast sweeping type turns, with the outside loaded up a bit. I think I was going around 50-60 mph. It might require a small hump or camber change in the road. It feels like suddenly the rear end steers a little. It's a soft "rubbery" feeling - a side-to-side movement. It may just be the rear suspension loading up and gripping. The rear suspension has a bit of dynamic steering designed in. I think Porsche started that with the 993.

I also drove PASM and non-PASM Boxster S and felt a similar thing, although less extreme.

I think this may be by-design. The 997 and 987 grip more than the previous generations, and that rear suspension movement may be part of the reason.

It's strange, but when I drove my 997S on the track, I don't remember feeling it, but I may have been too focused on other things.

Finally, I was driving my GT3 around a hard corner - rear end loaded up, and it almost felt the same. This may be just the result of the rear taking a set in a hard corner. The 997 suspension may allow a little more of it.

I wouldn't worry about it, or cancel your order(s). Think of it as yet another 911 "character" trait. The corning grip and general handling on the 997 is fantastic; even better than a 996.

996toomey

Thanks Ray G

Paul523

Good description, Ray. It is surprising that even your GT3 exhibits hints of same. I was tearing it up pretty good this weekend again in 997S coupe (Pirelli pzero's) but still can't say I felt any moment of pronounced change in lateral suspension forces like soft bushings or a sideways 'smoosh' .

I'm extremely happy with Slate Grey, looks fantastic on the 997 curves. The color has a little bit of Aston Martin vibe to it-- if that makes any sense.

Sort of a funky green bias background in these pics, but it does show one of Slate's many varying hues, depending on ambient light.
Should have decent pics in a few days, my usually reliable Canon SLR is killing batteries as soon as they are installed , camera in for service; these are very grainy evening shots using my wife's old cam w/ 800 speed film.






....my 'abstract' sidewalk shot

rss997

Alright, I'll chime in here......My car is NON pasm with H%R lowering springs and a much more aggressive alignment done by a Porsche suspension specialist....

I have felt the same thing as well with aggressive cornering around town with PSM on.......With sport chrono in sport mode and psm off i dont feel it do that at all.

I had an ex-pro Porsche driver drive my car at our autocross and he said that my car hooked up and was way easier to throttle steer than another PASM car with stock suspension set up.

We were at 10 10ths around an auto x track that you can hit 90mph at....He had the back end in and out at will and pretty much throttle steered around most of the track. I was in awe of what my car can do in the hands of a pro. No rear end bounce at all.........

Moral of the story here: get your cars alignment done by a pro so you get rid of the crappy set up from the factory. I feel that at stock ride height and psm on you will get alot more of the bounce like they said in the mag....

Hope that helps!