twlai

finally saw a 997 within my budget, it was a base C4.
i went down there and took it for a test drive, i was somewhat disappointed.
it has the power and handling, but it was loud and raw. The tire noise
the bump, it can be a track toy, but not a good daily driver for me.
It made my mini cooper feel like a luxary car.

it was really sad for me, my dream car did not live up to my expectation.
I expected it to be a refine sport car, that is what i read, 997 is a everyday
useable sport car.

I was so upset that I cannot focus at work all day, feel like I have lost a dream,
then I went into denial. That must be something wrong with that Porsche.
So i went down to a dealer and test drove a C4S with PASM.
Boy, am I glad I did that! It was night and day different. I hear the engine
but just little road noise. And the ride was comfortable, even in Sport mode!

Now that is my dream car. I was so happy that I got my dream car back again.

Does PASM made such as difference? And does S has more noise
insulation than the base model?

Now back to my Porsche search.....

82_930

The road noise is can be attributed to the tires on the car. Did you notice the condition and brand? Worn tires are loud, so are certain brands.

LastMezger

+1. Tires make all the difference in the world in terms of ride, handling and noise. I'm a Michelin snob...love the ride on my 997.

MSR Racer

Agree with this. My car sounded like the base OP drove when I test drove if.. It had worn out Yokohama Advans in th rear. I changed to PSS and it's motoring heaven now.

X51

Hankook Ventus Evos are very quiet as well. Michelins are superb; Hankooks are half the price for a couple tenths less in performance ratings by Tire Rack.

mattyf

Another thing to note, the standard suspension on the Carrera is a bit harsher than the PASM on the Carrera S in normal mode.

Renzsport

maybe they were run flats? blech. Do they make run flats for 997?

BED997

I had the same thing happen with a car in which the dealer swapped out the original 18 inch wheels for 19 wheels - both Porsche- and it had p zero tires. Whatever they did, it was terrible to the ride. The car had some other issues as well so who knows what made it so bad. I find the ride of the C2S with michelin much better than expected.

Spokane5150

I had some RE050's that had another 5k miles left in them but the tires were so loud I upgraded to the SS Michelin and the car drove, handled and sounded better. My car isn't a daily driver but I prefer the PASM on because it feels too mushy without it.

The 911 isn't for everyone and that's why you can get an M5, M3, CTS-V, AMG, S4 or any of the other luxury hot rods in the same price range.

roadrat

When I changed from worn stock Pirellis to Michelin SS, the difference was night and day. Very well could have been the tires that resulted in the differences you noted.

jason74

The RE 050 bridgestone I took off my car were very worn and terribly loud. The new S-04 pole positions are a major improvement. Tires make a HUGE difference in ride and noise.

Also, I had a deal fall through d/t a PPI issue. It was the first 911 I had made a deal on. I was so discouraged that I nearly went with a 335i. Keep the faith. It will work out in the end.

07C4S

Drive a couple more. The first car could have been modified by a PO. I drove numerous coupes in base, S, 2wd, 4wd and also Targa 4 and Targa 4S. All stock - all had a good ride.

DDL24

I agree with most other posters, Most likely it coule be tires. One more thing to think about, tire pressure. If I let me C2 Cab tire pressure stay at the lower end, say 31-32 on the front and 35-36 rear, the car is very cushy, IMHO. But if i go the the upper range, 35-36 front and 42-44 rear, the ride is noticeably worse, bouncy. Maybe bring a tire pressue gaguge with you next time. Tire pressure makes a big difference in my opinion.

twlai

The first C4 was with 18" Michelin SS.
The 2nd C4S was 19", but I wasn't sure the tire brand.
Def. will keep looking....

thanks all.

rsabeebe

As many have said, road noise will be attributed to tire selection, tread design and tire pressure. Some tires are inherently noisy due to design. Any chance the 1st car had an aftermarket suspension? Hard to believe there would be that much difference, discounting tires, from a standard C4 and a C4S, even in sport mode. I run Eibachs with 19" lobsters and I certainly wouldn't call the ride cushy and that's not even in sport mode. The car is incredible nimble though and feels 'alive' in my hands.