I agree and thanks for further confirmation that this is not just me.

 

85? That's ridiculous.

If I ever order a 991 it will be without a sunroof since I never use mine and it's a pain to detail around.

With my under powered 997 base and my so-so drivers skill I still hit near130 on the straights I at NJMP. I guess ear plugs would help.

But how does this effect the aerodynamics of the car, if at all?

 

Hi Buckwheat - I will be at Thunderbolt in June and I will let you know. Can't use earplugs or will not hear the instructor.

As for aerodynamics, with just one window open, the car was undulating at 92. It does seem to also depend a little what direction the wind is blowing - hit a curve and it went away - and I was blown away instead by the PDCC - in my 997, with my meger skills, I would have been backward in a ditch, or at least thanking you know who that I was not. I think with PDCC, you can't make this car go...right up to the moment it does! I am convinced that this car will forgive most everything. But if you finally push it over the line, ther will be no warning - it will just go. I plan to never get near that.

 

Would agree with you, that could be an easy fix (if there is something like that)
but just wondering what Porsche test drivers reported and why it was not remedied. I assume these guys are not keeping to the USA speed limits while doing their job. BTW , pop-out back windows would be awesome I think, please provide it also for the 996 and the 997....

 

I run my car at the track around 2-4 times per month and have experienced the buffeting. Here is my take. Note my car does not have moonroof so I cannot use that to vent. Up to around 70mph car is OK with windows down. Starting around 75-80mph a violent buffeting begins. This gets much worse as the speed gets higher. I have had it up to around 140mph with the windows open and it's unbearable. To put it into perspective I'm not sure "buffeting" really conveys the sensation properly. To me buffeting has always meant excessive wind noise and some turbulence of the airflow around the car. With the 991 there is an oscillating pressure wave that you feel in your ears and head that is both uncomfortable and annoying as you get into triple digit speeds. You actually feel it more than you hear it. The first time it happened I lifted off the throttle in a "WTF is that" moment. Rolling the windows partially up does help but the effect is still present.

I've been in MANY cars on the track at speed and this is the only car I have ever experienced it in. It really is a big OOPS on Porsche's part. Not sure how/why this snuck through their extensive testing. It's a simple thing that just shouldn't be this way.

That being said, I really do love this car and have enjoyed it both on/off track immensely. Fortunately my home track will let me run with windows fully up so problem solved for most of my use. I'm going to Sebring this coming Saturday and I know it will be windows down. Should be interesting, hope my eardrums don't pop...

 

This sounds like a major issue. I think I can put my order on hold and may do so. While I probably won't be running 140+ with open windows, if Porsche is forced into a design modification, however small, it could be detrimental to resale values for the early cars. Assuming, of course, that there is no retrofit.

 

I would buy the car again. So good in all the other ways. I hear if you crack the moon roof the effect is much better. This is likely inherent in the shape of this car and I doubt any fix if any would occur until 991.2 at the earliest. Just buy the car and deal with it.

 

I would have to agree if what AG991 says about it happening at 85 is true; and I have no reason to doubt him.

If you don't track your car the chances of say hitting 120 is pretty slim and yes you can live with it. But it you track your car this is a big red flag.

If you don't track your car and you get buffering at 85 I know it would drive me crazy as a DD.

It not something I just want to live with with a 100K+ car.

 

this is great info mom3nth...thanks for such detail.

i am really surprised by this and very disappointed. I was considering trading in my boxster for a base 991 with little options as a DD and sometime track car and keeping my 997.1.

this has sure put these plans on hold for now.

 

AG,

your running with NNJR? I haven't run with them yet but I hear good things. Have fun. I might join you.

Will be interesting to have your feedback.

 

It's hard to believe that this just came up. I am in no way questioning the detailed and consistent reports of the 991 owners on this thread but I would like to know how this got through Porsche engineering and testing. Didn't they do airflow models on the new body? What about all the "experts" who have written and recorded detailed tests for their publications? Further, what about our own 6speeders? We've had considerably more discussion on topics like human psychology and electric handbrakes than we have on a car that is annoying to drive at 85 MPH with the windows open.

 

I’m sure this has already been tried, but can anyone report that they opened the air conditioning to external input (not re-circulation) and turned the blowers on high to see if the issue is mitigated at all?

ChuckJ

 

I'll try this Wednesday night at the track.

 

It would be great to meet you and buy you a beer. I think the signup is this Friday.

 

Great. I will look forward to reading the results.