Exactly! Hey, I used to 3 wheel that thing!

 

It must be the high end suspension.

 

I had the same feelings on handling, coming from an E46 M3. I was initially very disappointed with the overall handling balance, and the non-linear turn-in of the 997 chassis. I was not impressed with the steering feel either. (but I am starting to learn that there was some initial friction in the steering, and it is getting better by the mile!!) There is a lot of low speed understeer that was not sure how I could get around it. Compared to my 09 C2S, I could bend my M3 into a turn at a pretty high speed, and it felt like the front end was scribing the arc which the car traveled. In contrast, The 911 has 10 degrees of steering angle where nothing seems to happen then the next 30 degrees does everything. Once those 30 deg. come into play, there is a heartbeat where the rear tires don't seem to understand what the fronts are doing. So basically, I thought I made a mistake buying the porsche...I then spoke to a friend who has owned some nice 911 models, and he advised me that I was trying to drive the car ALL WRONG. Well, in short, he was correct.In contrast to the M3, I cannot fireball into a turn, stand the car on its nose with trailbraking, and rotate the car at the late apex. All a 911 will do with that is feel like it weighs 4 tons and slide off the course front end first if you are at 9/10th, and rear end first at 10/10ths! Several posters have noted that you have to be patient with the car in turns. that is correct, and even "taking it easy" I noted that the car was less dramatic than the M, and was 5-10% faster at any give turn. Anyway, I have learned a valuable and grateful lesson with the 911. And that is that you can't hurry love! LOL!
It will be a long time before I have any idea how to make this car go fast....

 

I came from a modded E36 M3 and a modded E46 M3, and there was no adjustment period for my 997S. The 997S has a higher level of confidence and more communicative. I've done several track days so that may be the difference. The Porsche rewards a good driver. It's all about being smooth; even to add gas; how to enter a corner, etc... The turner is much quicker... everything is better.

If you want more out of the car and enjoy it even more, a few track days is what you deserve. The car will love you even more and you will do the same.

 

Rye I have PZero's on the car now...I just put new 305's on the back as the ones that came on the car gave up the ghost 2k miles ago. Anyway they are loud at the end of their life and they lose grip, but when new I actually like them.

Dave

 

Must be the extra heat in So Cal. Anything below 70 degrees and the PZero's were like driving on marbles. I had two different cars and two different sets of these same results.

 

Very cool to see that others have had similar reflections. That initial turn in is exactly what I have noticed. I really look forward to learning the different technique and seeing what she'll do.

If the PZeros were a lot cheaper, it might be worth checking them out. AS they are nearly as much as the PS2's, doesn't really seem worthwhile to gt them.

 

I got the Pzero Rosso's... Replacement is going to be expensive. Didn't anybody tell me

 

Had to post a follow up to my own thread. Well, like everyone else, I can't leave well enough alone. Although I have the really sweet Carrera Classic wheels, I had to get another set with real tires. I just bolted up a set of nearly new turbo rims with 235/305 RE050A tires. Yes indeed, all season tires SUCK! The difference in handling and steering response is like night and day. MUCH less understeer on initial turn in and the steering response is much better. Those A/S tires howled like heck at 40 mph, not so with the RE050A's. I'm much happier and certainly not looking forward to winter when I'll need to put the A/S's back on. I think the prior owner simply didn't feel the difference or tried a budget solution where you don't want to compromise.

In respect to the turbo rims, I'll need to post pics. They look really hot on the Arctic car. Those rear rims though have some major wide body offsets. They are almost past the rear fenders. Not an issue with my car, but if it were lowered I could see potential for rubbing. I'm a bit surprised, I thought they would be more aggressive, but I didn't they'd come all the way out to the fenders. I've seen pics of them on other people's cars, but never saw a close up showing the offset. Anyway, I dig the look and the handling is incredible. The way it should be!

 

In the Winter (back East) you need proper N-rated winter tires not all-seasons.

Also... re your new Summer tires... you may need a properly done alignment.

 

Unfortunately I dont have anything else to compare them to. This is my first 997 and they came with the Pirellis not the PS2s. However I had PS2s on my 04 E46 M3 and they were excellent. I talked to a buddy who tracks his 997 at Willow Springs (yes it can be in the 90-100deg range) and he was getting the same or better track times with the PZeros than the PS2s. This is so hard to compare as driving techniques can vary wildly between drivers and one tire will benefit or take away from that style.What I thorougly dislike about the PZeros was when warn near the tread bar they are greasy as hell and so loud you sometimes cant even think.Dave

 

My best friend used to have a E46 M3 and this is correct. You can't just go into the corner as hot as a M3 because you will understeer. However, You can come out of a turn really hot as long as you don't lift.

The 911 is quite incredible once you get a good feel for it. I would also say its not as forgivable as the e46.

 

Yeah, I've heard those Pirellis get really loud when they are worn. The RE050A's are pretty new and the noise level is low, hope they stay that way for a while. Well, I can definitely to into a corner a lot harder than before and definitely exit hard. Car is really fun now.
Don't think they make N rated snow tires. At least TireRack doesn't sell them. I'm going to use the A/S in the winter, and I definitely don't plan to go out on unplowed roads.

 

My car has PS2's and I track it, and drive it close to 10/10ths. I disable PASM and tighten up the shocks and go for the more sensitive throttle response. Lastly, I pump up the rear tires to 40 to 42 psi cold. Driving it this way, I get no understeer.
In fact, it handles much better than the e46 M3 that I used to drive.
Mr. B

 

I had a 350Z before my 997 C2S, and I have to say that an FR and an RR have totally different driving characteristics! I have to agree with Larry, as usual... Porsches are a complete different breed... I feel like I was taking turns in my 350Z almost as fast as I currently am with my 997 C2S!

I know what you mean when you say there is a lot of understeer, for that specific reason instead of spending my money modding the engine I am going for Coilovers! They apparently make a huge difference, I am listening to other peoples suggestions I would suggest the same thing to you as well

You know the classic saying for Porsche: 'Slow In, Fast Out!!!'