Edgy01

Simple answer: No. the car is already 10mm lower with the PASM. Since it is standard on the Carrera S vice the Carrera the best visual check is a Carrera next to an S. Regardless, you're going to have a tough time seeing 10mm.

Dan

gpjli2

Thanks Don. I have found the limiter in second gear during some spirited driving on interesting roads . Makes me feel dumb but does not worry me. I will try it in both modes to see how it feels different. Re "The Money Shift": never had the pleasure

gpjli2

I think the S is lower than the standard car but do not believe sport changes ride height. Mjones or some of the other guys may know for sure.

gpjli2

Sorry. Meant for k_diver.

ronmart

I've been a supporter of Sports Chrono for quite a while, but I'm starting to lean towards the dark side more recently.

Like others have said, you can feel the difference! However, you feel the difference because less effort from your foot causes the throttle to respond quicker so you go faster - up to a point. If you are a smooth driver who doesn't just smash the pedal on every gear shift, then you'll notice a difference. If you are a pedal smasher, you won't see a difference.

There are two negatives I've noticed with Sports mode:

The first is that the increased throttle response early means you end up with a dead zone in the last 20% of the pedal travel and I don't like that feeling.

The second is that it can make stop and go traffic a little more jerky as it is hardER (NOTICE I DID NOT SAY HARD I SAID HARD-ER) to go smooth at slower speeds.

When I had PSE connected I LOVED the sports mode because of the better exhaust note and the increased throttle response so it just felt like a new car. However, I find that now that I have pulled the PSE cable and it is on all of the time I almost never push the sports button anymore. I prefer the smoother throttle mapping you get with Sports off, and the fact that if I have the pedal pressed 80% of the way and I floor it then I still get more power (versus a dead zone with sport mode on).

To me the biggest advantage of sports mode is that you get a relaxed PSM (noticed I said PSM as in stability management, not PASM). This allows the back end to get thrown out up to 18 degrees before PSM intervenes. This is very noticable on the track and especially the wet skidpad, so I do prefer this. With PSM totally off the car will happily let you do a 180 or 360 so there's no middle ground without the sports button. To me, this is the biggest advantage of this feature and is why I'd still get it if I were to do it again.

Is it worth the money? NO. Is the increased throttle response a gimmick? IMHO, Yes. Is the wart ugly? That's subjective, but I like it and I get lots of postive comments on it. Is the timer portion of Sports Chrono feature worth it? It would be if it had a better mechanism for switching to a new lap as many features for this (especially the graphing) are very cool.

If you have the money, I'd definitely recommend getting it but if you don't then don't lose sleep thinking you are missing out on a must have feature.

Coochas

I have some of the same feelings Ron. I now no longer ever have the Sports mode on in city driving. It is definitely a 'jerkier' ride in stop n'go conditions,...and the few times I have stalled my car have all been in Sport mode.
I do like having the button though,...I would have been just as happy with the "Sports Plus" package instead (hint hint, Porsche marketing, are you reading this?).

icon

mpg picked up any???

Coochas

Just came back from VT, averaged over 20 mpg for 700 miles including lots of back roads driving.

MMD

Nice review Ronmart. Thanks

mdrums

Doesn't the Sport Chrono package also contain the memory for seats, A/C and other things?

thanks, Mike

frayed

I find the change in throttle mapping to be irritating. Very non linear and difficult to make fine thottle adjustments when hard charging. Initially enamored with it, I now find it tiresome.

ronmart

Yes, it unlocks the individual settings which is Porsche's form of extortion. Although, I've been told that you can get your dealership to set any of those settings for you without Sports Chrono if you request it. You just can't do it yourself and tinker with them.

texas911

I use the sport button on the track, I think it works great. Its more for a dual mode setup. More relaxed on the street but more aggressive on the track. Best of both worlds and relatively cheap as Porsche options go.

synergy

The Sports Chrono IMO is a great feature. The settings it gives you for the headlamps, doorlocks and other personal settings are worth the money alone...

Besides, when my wife says, "only 10 minutes honey" when I am waiting for her at the mall I can show her the real time on the sport chrono stop watch!

OCBen

I'm glad you guys are being forthright about your experiences with the altered throttle map and are confirming what I had said all along about the inherent shortcomings with this gimmick.

It's also too bad that Porsche decided to package some features and personal settings into the Sport Chrono option, such as daytime running lamps! ... For crying out loud, what do these little convenience settings and features have to do with a so-called Sport option??? ... Seems to me, and I've said it before, that this was not one of the brightest ideas to come out of their marketing dept. And I wouldn't be surprised if they abandon this is subsequent model changes.

The whole package idea - the take it all or take none at all - is so unlike Porsche, which prides itself in offering ultimate customization and personalization, and smacks of those pre-packaged options offered by lesser manufacturers. .... Reminds me of those bills pushed through Congress stuffed with pork. If only we had line-item veto power.