I'm not really after a cushy ride, but the roads where I live are not great, so ride quality is a consideration. I keep reading that the power difference between the S and non S is more apparent on paper than on the road. People on the forum that have an S disagree and people that don't seem to agree with this view.

In any event, the last 996 I drove with 18's had a poorer ride than the 997 I drove with 19's and PASM. I was pretty impressed with the ride of the C2 with 19's and PASM and was just wondering how much quieter and less firm the ride is with 18's.

 

Tire pressure will make a bigger difference than the diameter of the wheel. Instead of changing from 19s to 18s drop 3 psi in each of your tires from the factory recommendations. Then come back and write about the ride.

 

+1, I run 33f-39r for the street and the ride on my PS2's 19" is just fine...it's a sports car and is not going to ride plush with 18's or 19's.

 

Thanks guys. I'll try one with 19's and adjust the tire pressure. I'm sure the 18's would be a bit more compliant, but if the difference in ride can be accomplished by lowering the TP a bit, perhaps that is the way to go.

 

That is 33f/39r cold tire pressure. You will find this info in the owners manual.

Just so you know on the track I run 38-40 hot all around. Drove home and adjust the pressure cold this morning and cold they were 30 cold all around. I run the higher pressure like the manual says for normal street driving to help in tire wear and to help protect the rim from any pot holes/uneven pavement. I never run the extreme high load pressure in the manual as the tires are really slick then.

 

I've owned a 996 with 18", 997 non S with 19" and now the 997 S. The 997 S with PASM and 19" is the best overall ride balance in my opinion