I test drove a 997s and an M3 yesterday and found the m3 to be a better handling car. The PSM was kicking in very early on the Porsche and the car was not very stable with a tremendous amount of oversteer. Being that I have waited years for the 997s, I am fairly dissapointed at its performance. Is it possible that an M3 handles better than a 911?

 

I had an 02 m3, 04 996 and 05 997S

997S is better handling. Did the car have Sport chrono, if so, sport mode loosens the PSM up. I have yet to have it kick-in in Sport mode, and I have driven to the extremes that my M3 would have lost it.

Just my .02

 

No, it's not possible and calling the car "not very stable" is utterly ridiculous.

 

Dude, I think you are smokin somethin. My 997S with sports chrono handles like it is on rails and I have yet to feel any intervention by the PSM when pushing it to the extremes. I'm talking about taking 25mph turns at 60! "Stable" is an understatement for this car.

 

I wish I was smoking something! I was doing 120 (sport mode) on a slight bend and I was practically on two wheels. However, it's very good to hear that news from an M3 owner. How about the speed? Will the C2s crush the beemer? Please detail your handling experience further. I would really appreciate it. Thanks.

 

Also, I drove a Boxster S with 18" Tech Arts for three years. The 911 does not come close. I would love to be wrong because I've waited a long time for the 997. Somebody prove me wrong please!

 

3 things might have affected your performance.

1) You're not used to the way a 911 handles - you can't drive it like a sedan - you need to be slow in, late apex, power on early. An M3 understeers so you muscle it around the corner. Do that in a 911 and it will first understeer so badly that you back off which is when it will start to oversteer. All of which make the car more entertaining than the M3.

2) Where are you? If the temperatures are around 40F or lower and the car is on regular (summer ) tires you will be getting a lot less grip than you might want as the tires don't get hot enough to grip properly.

3) Did you check tire pressures? Dealer cars are notoriously bad for being either way under or way over on tire pressure, and often not consistent corner to corner. Tire pressures make a BIG difference to the way a 911 handles.

If you had Sport Chrono and had that on the sport setting then the back will loosen up a LONG way, which is scary if you're not used to it, but a helluva lot of fun if you are. But being almost on 2 wheels doesn't make any sense as PASM in the sport setting would have stiffened up the dampers considerably.

You might prefer the Boxster as it has much more neutral handling than the 911, and there's nothing wrong with that.

 

Chef,
You just summed up my whole experience as if you were there. Thats exactly what it was. First, slight understeer. I'd loosen up and then a great deal of oversteer. It was pretty damn scary. The dealer was sweating bullets. Does the C2 have better handling than the Boxster in any respect?
I have been driving a CL500 for a couple months. That explains the sedan part.

 

I think 911 requires more skill and practice where as M3 or Boxter are more neutral and easier to drive. Once you get some practice, you'll know how 911 can really outperform. I would not get a M3 over 996/997 let alone a 997S.

 

The trick with the 911 is to plan the corner. You can't just arrive at it and then decide what to do, as you might in a Boxster or M3.

You need to pick your apex, brake in a straight line, and you'll probably find you're going slower than you think you should. Aim past the apex and begin to smoothly apply the power. If you've judged the corner right you should not need to back off.

Committment is keeping the gas pedal nailed to the floor and not lifting (all that weight in the rear gets loose otherwise). You have to have faith in the car that it will push you round the corner and not push you off the road. and it won't try to push you off unless you back off.

The car has absolutely STAGGERING levels of grip, when you drive it as it likes to be driven. Get hesitant, back off, brake, reapply the gas and it will go all schizophrenic on you, as you've experienced.

But don't discount the effect of low temperatures and off tire pressures.

My suggestion would be to go back and try again, but to check the pressures first (don't accept bs from the sales guy, do it yourself), and importantly change your technique to the way that suits the car.

There was an article in EVO recently where an experienced driver and "novice" drove the 997 and 987 back to back. It makes very interesting reading and I think you would find some comfort in what it says.

The 911 is much more challenging to drive well than a Boxster or M3. If after all that you still don't like it, try something else. Not everyone likes the 911's way of handling, nor should they have to.

Cheers!

 

You just changed my mind back to the 997s. That sounds really exciting and challenging. I will take your word for it, but if I become roadkill in a couple months, it's your responsibility to wipe me off the pavement. Now I'm really looking forward to the challenge of driving my childhood dream. Thanks boss.

 

Try the new technique slowly at first so you get a feel for it, then increase your speed.

Will be interested to hear what you think.

Best of luck!

 

you got it bro.

 

Judge,
Read the Road and Track comparo from last month. It said once you get used to it the car handles great. The harder he pushed the better it felt. But it even took time for a race car driver to get used to it.

 

Here is some real world data:

1. Straight line - I personally smoked an M3 in my 997S last weekend from dead stop, from 65 to 120, by several car lengths.

2. Handling - 997S hands down. What's this 120 on two wheels? I have changed lanes on a curving highway at 130 mph with grace.

The thing about the 911 is that the nose is light and the steering os very communivative. Any undulation in the road, and you will feel it through the wheel. You are probably not used to it.