I'm going to attempt to give a review of the X51 Carrera S Powerkit option. I understand this is a controversial and very expensive option with questionable benefits. Here is my story on why I purchased the option and my review on it.

Timeline/Thought Process to Ticking the $17,800 Box
As I began configuring my car, the X51 performance option wasn't much of a consideration. I knew it existed and had seen a few posts about it, but it seemed ridiculous being basically the same cost as buying a Honda Civic.

I subconsciously created a $120,000 max budget for my Carrera S configuration. I was back and forth on Burmester. Once I made the decision for Burmester and I broke that mental price ceiling, I began to consider getting the car exactly the way I wanted it. I had made the decision in September when I finalized my order and did not tick the X51 box.

Well, I started seeing posts pop up about retrofitting it. I hadn't realized how much was involved. I can't find the post of the guy that took photos of his kit being added after the fact. The entire motor was dropped out of the car. The stack of parts left over made me start doing more research. Even though I ordered the car September 1, I still didn't have an allocation. I had time to add it if I wanted.

Around the end of October, I still didn't have a build date. My dealer left out the fact that they didn't actually have an available allocation. I then began the search for a GT3 allocation. Obviously I didn't find one and wasn't willing to wait. It's a good thing I didn't. So the GT3 was out.

Then someone posted the attached .pdf file. The article really explains the virtues of the changes to the car with the included kit. Combine this with others that were adding it, positive reviews from those that have it, and a personal desire to have the best engineering available, I wanted it. It was mid-November, and I now had an allocation and build date. Coincidentally, the day I decided to pony up the cash was my very last day to make changes. We got the option added in the last few minutes of the last day.

Comparison
I don't have extensive seat time in a non-X51 car, so I'm not sure how useful this comparison is. If you've seen the HP/TQ graph, you know there is basically no difference until you reach about 6,500 RPM. From my memory of taking a regular S car to red line, there is a violence that doesn't exist without the Powerkit. The car just feels angrier and much more aggressive. I don't know how to better explain it.

X51 w/ 7MT
Now my lackluster driving skills were very apparent trying to manage 1st gear in 6MT E92 M3 that was darn near impossible to manage running to red line and making a proper 2nd gear shift. I wondered if I'd have similar problems with a 7MT and X51. The Porsche gear ratios and smooth shift gates make it very manageable despite the quickness to red line. I feel confident, other than the fact that I'm going like a million miles and hour, shifting at red line. I had read comments where someone said a PDK is necessary with X51. I would feel comfortable recommending my configuration to a friend.

Included Options PSE and Sport Chrono
I had already ticked the Sport Chrono package as I really wanted auto rev matching. I've been trying to learn how the heel-toe for years. I have practiced, been coached, bent pedals toward one another, tried difference techniques, worked on flexibility, etc., etc. I just can't do it. You'd think I be a good candidate for PDK. I just love the ability to rev the engine when I want and the auto rev match band-aids my weak skills. I'm sure the dynamic engine mounts add somethings too, but I'm sure I wouldn't know if I didn't have them.

The one thing I would have liked to have been able to take out of the Powerkit would be PSE. Hear me out before you completely dismiss the rest of this review. The love affair with PSE does baffle me a bit. It is certainly very good for a stock exhaust, but I'll be tearing it out and going aftermarket shortly. Why are people paying more to add PSE after the fact when there are better sounding aftermarket exhaust available. It drones a ton and is a little weak sounding at times. Again, it sounds good, but the drone/sound trade-off is a little out of balance. Too much drone for the amount of quality sound it produces. On a side note, I think the exhaust note would be much better if we got rid of the burbles after releasing the throttle. Anyway, an AWE Switchpath will be ordered shortly making the $2,950 attributed to PSE a bit of a waste of money. I know I have the button (which I don't use), but I roll in Sport Plus mode all of the time. I'm not going to take this car to a client's house, and my wife has no say in what my exhaust sounds like. This is just my opinion. Sorry to the PSE lovers out there.

Conclusion
So...now what do I think about it? I'm extremely glad I did it. I know myself and wouldn't be happy without it. I'd be looking for upgrades to try and squeeze out a few more ponies despite not actually needing any more power just to drive around town. I now have no desire to search out additional power making modifications. I feel as though the car is complete.

Is it worth $17,800, and do I get my money's worth tooling around town? Probably not, but the joy it brings me the few times I do hit red line makes it worth it.

 

Nice thread. I just realized I missed a few posts and had a bit of catch up to do!
Congrats on the M3, I am sure it is going to be an amazing daily driver (even though the 991 can be a perfect DD too).

I have had a B8 S4 too (manual) and loved it a lot in fact. I had it tuned by APR, re-did the suspension, installed a BBK etc. and it felt strong and unstoppable. The steering was a bit numb, but the comfort and torque made up for it. I eventually returned it to stock and started to use my P-car as daily driver.



I am glad you like the Powerkit. It is in fact not a bad deal when you order it at the time of your build. Not sure you need more power though. Take the car to the track and push it, you'll be amazed how fast it goes!

Keep posting and stay away from Sebring meets

 

What's wrong with Sebring? I'm was trying to get him down to Sebring in the upcoming months.
😝

 

I'm pretty sure I would like my S4 much more had I gotten the manual. The DSG experiment failed me.

After seeing your crash, I'm pretty sure I'm sterilized from the desire to go to the track. I took my E92 M3 to the track and hated it. I'm such a pansy that it scared me away.

 

He was talking about the Chrysler Sebring referenced a few posts back, not the track.

And Matt, did I read correctly? You don't like the burbles when letting off the gas?? That's one of the best parts of ANY exhaust. Maybe the PSE sounds a bit contrived (wouldn't know as my car doesn't have it), but I couldn't image my GT3 without the burbles...and all I have so far is the Fabspeed center-muffler delete. Can't wait for the new GMG headers and GMG center-muffler delete to replace the Fabspeed. I hope I get more burbles!

 

Doh!
Face palm!!!

 

It is fine if you take it easy and smoothly. It's when you are too confident that bad things start to happen. If you stay level headed and dial it at 90% instead of 100%, you can be pretty safe. Of course **** happens (like the oil spill on which I slipped, even though I should have anticipated it), but it is more the exception than the rule. Do not do it if you don't feel like trying again, but the 991 inspires a lot more confidence -and is easier on the track with the nannies on- than M3's.

That was funny

 

Finally! I ordered these suckers in late December. They came in today.

http://www.bumperplugs.com/index.php...product_id=241

Now the retirees in The Villages can stop pointing and laughing at my amber side markers. I can't believe how much better it looks. I suck at photography, so I had a hard time capturing what they look like on, but I think you get the idea.

I got home from Crossfit and couldn't wait to put them on. Shaky hands and all from being annihilated from a back to back WOD, I got the install done in about 30 seconds a side. Just don't be scared to pop them out with some pressure.

 

Very good pics, thanks!

Yep, . Here are the clear markers for the Chrysler Sebring Convertible. Just $29.95 and they come with free LED's for the license plate!


and the "DYI": http://www.chryslerforum.com/forum/c...-advice-14682/


That's why this mod is frustrating: long wait AND IT JUST TAKES 30s!!! I was just telling myself: "so what, that's it?". Air filters are a much better mod from that standpoint

 

I just busted out laughing! Thanks for that!

 

Looking good! Not that I'm biased or anything

 

I don't know what you're talking about. Those pictures came out quite good. Those lights look good to.

 

I'm sure your retired neighbors will enjoy the site of those LEDS as you drive by. You will have to get one of them to drive your car so you can see them otherwise you will never see them. Look good.

 

I really hope that no one reading this thread owns a Sebring...

 

I've had a single Valentine One radar detector for years. I have swapped from car to car using the window suction cups to mount it. I ordered a hard wire kit and figured I'd install it in the 911 the same as in my previous cars. For some reason, this time I was dragging my feet on the install. I've been driving around without a detector in the car. About a month ago I decided I'm done with all of the false alarms. It was time to start doing some research on what my next detector was going to be.

I really wanted to get the Escort Passport 9500ci custom installed unit. I decided against it because I have the M3 coming soon and definitely don't want to spend $5,000 on two custom installed radar detectors.

I stumbled upon 911Idiot's Journey thread that starts off with a Blendmount/MirrorTap install.

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...re-of-dog.html

First off, I wish I had his wit to make my journal more entertaining. Anyway, I decided to also ditch the suction cups and spend the cash for a Blendmount. I was also happy to not have to run the wires to the fuse box and use the MirrorTap system.

I finally decided the 9500ix was the answer. For some reason, I just wasn't pulling the trigger. I'm riding around without a radar detector, and I just couldn't find enough concrete information to cause me to make a purchase. Last Sunday there was a post from a Sponsor of the forum. Wouldn't you know it, they specialize in selling radar detectors. I would highly recommend you give them a call if you are unclear on Laser/Radar related issues. I got some very solid service and advice.

http://www.bestradardetectors.net/

I settled on getting the Escort Passport Max. BestRadar talked me through my options. The Max is basically the replacement for the 9500ix. For my use, the Max is what I need: less false alarms with maybe slightly reduced range over a V1 or Redline. Make sure to call them. The gave me a forum discount without even asking of $489 shipped. I ordered on Monday afternoon and had it from NJ on Thursday.

Then I had to get the Blendmount. We need Blendmount ID # POR-002 and Part Number BMX-2021.

http://store.blendmount.com/blendmou...021-p1903.aspx

I also needed a MirrorTap, or so I thought. I ordered an MT-2012.

http://store.blendmount.com/mirrorta...00h-p1654.aspx

Well...I was certain I thought this through and was ready to go. Today, I started the process. I had the mirror torn apart when I came to the realization that a MirrorTap works for an automatically dimming mirror. My car doesn't have an automatically dimming mirror! Oh well, I wasted $30. If anyone needs one, I'll sell you mine cheap.

I pulled out the V1 hard wire kit I had and used that to install the Max like I have done in all other cars. I didn't even need a fuse tap. There is a switched 5 amp open fuse that works just fine. I didn't do a DIY. Just search V1 or Escort hard wire. There a bunch of them out there. Since I had the mirror torn apart, I ran the wire through plastic trim rather than having the wire come directly out of the headliner. The bad news is that I broke two different tabs near the fuse box. I wanted to try and avoided tearing trim apart for this reason. I think it will be fine, but I hate not having things go back together perfectly.

I don't have any input on the Max yet. I haven't driven the car with it. I'll keep everyone updated on how well it works. It's supposed to eliminate most false alarms after having gone by them five times. We'll see.