Just wondering which setup other members would run on their 997 C2S (with PASM):

1. Bilstein PSS PASM compatible coil-overs
2. Bilstein PSS9 or (if avail) PSS10 regular coil-overs
3. KW v3 coil-overs

I am thinking I would like to retain the PASM switch, but I am turned off by the fact that the PASM compatible coil-overs for the 997 C2S basically only have 2 settings, namely normal or sport based on the PASM button. Correct me if I am wrong, but there offer no adjustability at all to your preferred dampening (or can you actually somehow select a setting from 1-9 like on the PSS9 prior to install?). Would most of you sacrifice the adjustability to retain the PASM? Or would you just disable the PASM and get better coil-overs such as the KW v3? The car is daily driven and I take it on organized (semi-aggresive) drives about once a month. Will not see the track much, but I may go for some driving courses next year. Please state which route you would choose and why. Looking forward to everyone's thoughts and feedback...

 

So no one has any input on coil-overs? Are that many people just using springs or is it that most are spending money on cosmetics and not performance?

 

I'm going with option number 1 on mine. The PASM-compatible Bilsteins. They're sitting on the shelf in Kansas City at Imagine Auto waiting for me to get my car up there.

 

If you track the car (which you say you don't), I'd go with what my trusted Porsche race preparation shop suggests and not the forum. If you street the car (which you do), I'd leave the suspension alone. Take it from one that tracks a stock 997S very successfully - the oem suspension is extremely capable -- 1.5+ G lateral, 1.4+ G braking with PS2s, better yet with RA1s or PSCs. You may be taking a turn and think the car is close to the limit, when in fact you might only be at 50%. I was shocked at how well planted the car was the 1st day I took it to the track (understand, I've been in the Black run group for 2+ years with my previous M3, so I started off ahead of the curve and still was amazed at how much more the stock suspension of the 997S could do).

 

THanks for the feedback Ron. In addition to the handling benefits of the coil-overs, I also want to get rid of the fender gap as I plan on getting wheels in spring time as well. So for this reason I would like coil-overs as opposed to drop springs and ruining the stock struts.

 

If you don't track the car, I really don't see why you'd need the adjustability of most coilover setups. I'd go with the PSS PASM coilovers.

 

i had KW v3 on my pervious m3, and that thing rocks!!
and for its price versus Bilstein ?? your could get KW V3 for less than $2k.

KW V3 ftw!

 

Glad to give an opinion... But to spend thousands to change fender gap, have a harsher ride, be lower which will cause scraping, etc.? I guess I don't get it

 

I don't imagine the ride could be that much worse. Funny thing is that on my e46 M3 the car had a much better ride imho with the coil-overs and the handling difference was day and night. Am kinda hoping for the same thing on the 997...

 

my vote pss9's w/ PASM

 

So I am getting the PSS damptronics (pasm compatible) surprise surprise huh.

 

I highly doubt you'll be disappointed.

 

Good choice. I just saw this post and wanted to chime in. I am having my PSS Damptronic Bilsteins installed Saturday. I have a great suspension guy doing the work. He is coming in on Saturday(they are closed) to install it for me personally. Talk about customer service!

I wanted to install the KWV3's as I have had them before in my BMW M cars. Unfortunately I could not get a dealer or an aftermarket tuner to disable the PASM. Even if I had them do it I didn't want the hassle with the dealership telling me that I shouldn't have. So I am returning the KWV3's and installed the PSS Damptronics.

M32911S - in regards to the adjustability do remember that the manual adjustments in the KWV2 was rebound/compression together. But in the PASM capable systems the PASM adjust those same settings automatically for you. So instead of tweaking it for this street driving and this highway cruising it does it automatically for you. So it is not two modes of normal and sport. The PASM capable coilovers are always adapting to your driving style. So in a way thats a GREAT thing as you can never seem to get the manually adjusted coilovers right the first time around.

Good luck and I am sure you will be Happy!

 

Thanks for the input! I have been calling around on pricing and have found a great price from a few different vendors. Where did you end up getting yours from?