nazhat

I saw a huge difference from the 2003 996 to the 2008 997S. The 996 felt like a tin can, but the 997 is a lot more solid.

texas911

Did Porsche change all 997 doors to aluminum?

ADias

Given this fuss I went to check. There is a difference if you close the car with the window up or fully down. That has to do with the frameless design. It also makes a difference if the other window/door is open or closed (internal pressure dff).

jakes dad

Damn, now I have to go out in the garage and start slamming doors.... although right now I don't recall it sounding "tinny"

Taxi?

Enjoy it while it lasts!

SARGEPUG

I noticed the same thing and it disturbes me a well!

DreamCarrera

Really, embarrassing?

I'd be willing to bet big money that 99% of the people out there do not give a sh## about the sound your door makes as it closes. I’m also sure there are many people out there who would be thrilled to deal with the “embarrassment” that you deal with every day.

I’d have to agree that you have too much time on your hands to be thinking of such trivial things. Either that or you have been reading the 993 board.

LlBr

What's funny? I just had relatives over with a Honda Pilot SUV. Talking in the driveway before they left I started testing their door (with this thread in mind somehow).

Shutting that door gives a PERFECT "thump!" Sounds like the BEST built car I ever heard! I was shocked.

Kinda tells me if a mfgr WANTS to engineer a perfect-sounding "thump" into their door sound they can do it very cheaply. Just a thought. Might have to do with the fully framed window glass?

Very eye opening: try a Honda Pilot or similar car. I'm not sure that what a car door sounds like when it's closed shut means anything quality-wise anymore.

AC911

The sound of door closing is a thing manufacturers work on... I know for at least for MB. I've seen this documentary few years ago that MB had acoustic engineers working on the door to provide that solid sound.

slicky rick

my impression on the matter is that the sound of our doors closing is really solid however there are units out there that need a bit of door adjustment, thats it.

w00tPORSCHE

I find my 997.2 door sound to be fine, befitting the rest of the quality. The 3.2 Carrera though is totally different. Who does not recognize the solid “clunk” sound of a classic 911 door. The door operation in itself is unique and distinctive. The precise springy "click" of the squeeze lever handle and the way it opens the door so smooth and clean tells you that this car is all about sheer perfection. Shutting the door will need more than a gentle nudge. That solid push (or a pull) to close the door results in a reverberating "clack"...this is indeed the first reminder that you are about to embark in a no-nonsense automotive experience.

cbzzoom

Yeah ... really a mistake by Porsche to not try harder to carry that over to the new gen, as it is one of those little intangibles that people always remember about the old car.

For those who pooh-pooh it, remember it's the first thing you experience when you get in your car, and then last thing you experience when you are done with a drive. Those are important moments that stick with you.

IMO the 997 gets those little things pretty right, I love the way the lock/unlock doesn't beep.

LlBr

I agree with you but I kind of got over it. IOW, my Bimmer is waaaaay better, more thought out as far as little details are concerned (though current model door shutting sounds kind of not-luxury).

For example Porsche AC and vents are a bottom-rung kind of thing. Bimmer has bi-level and individual settings. BMW will auto-sniff ehaust gasses from the roadway and shut out outside. P-car sucks smells in with relish. Bimmer will operate windows and features in the car for as long as you remain seated after removing the key. P-car you have 30 seconds? Lots of details Porsche just "forgot" about compared to BMW.

Not a big thing but I think Porsche "hides" behind the sports car excuse for us. Never thoroughly examined how a Panamera is set up in all it's intricacies, but it better be as "ultimate" as BMW is as far as these things you brought up and we're discussing, you'd expect that. Me too.

ADias

Bimmer is for prep-school boys, P-car is for sports cars fans. Thank goodness!

tincanman99

All those intricacies break - ALWAYS. I am not big fan of all these little things.

My Audi has them as well including the air sniffing thing that it will go to recycling if it smells dirt. I live in the Northeast, the bigger question is when is it not smelling dirt .

I could live without them and would never miss them.

I remember the first time I went for a ride in a newer generation 911, vintage 993 with a friend of mine. I was shocked at how solid the car was and how stiff the chassis was compared to just about anything I had ever been.

Every time I go play at the Porsche dealer I never fail to be amazed at how solid these cars are. They are far more solid than MB, Audi and BMW.