It's a gradual thing. You're probably not noticing it as it will degrade over time. It's not instantly recognizable when you install the springs. I didn't really start to notice how bad mine had gotten till I tried to follow Luis95993 through some high speed corners. Day to day city driving it wasn't all that apparent. Once I started really pushing it, scary and unpredictable to say the least.

I went through this same dilemna when I got my car. People (mostly Rennlisters) tried to steer me away from springs. I didn't want to spend the money and I wanted the car lower. About a year later, the handling started to suck and I ordered the bilsteins. So that was a grand wasted that I could have put towards the PSS9's. I would gladly pay the extra money for the PASM feature. Talk about a win win situation. Seriously upgrading handling and the option to soften the ride up a bit at the touch of a button. If it was a $10K car, I might have to think on it a bit. With what these cars cost, why not?

Go over to Rennlist and ask about doing just springs. Being that Rennlist is the anti-bling forum, you'll get the straight scoop on springs.

The 997 PASM has been an interesting anomoly as until recently, there were no options available. It was kind of weird seeing droves of people putting springs on their brand new Porches. My guess is that the spring installs will really start to drop off now that PASM cars have alternative proper options.

 

So did you get a PASM failure warning when they started to go?

 

how much do the H&R springs lower the car? is it same for S and non S?

 

This is the truth...if you want the bling just through on some lowering springs but if you still want the car to handle properly then you will need to spend some bucks and get the proper shocks and springs to work with the car and especially PASM. I am getting into autox and track days and from those in the know I've spoken with I will just leave my car at the stock height and work on my driving.

 

i'm with you. i've asked the wifey for a new helmet for my bday... can't wait!

lemansz20, since you don't keep your cars long, and you're primarily concerned with the looks rather than the handling, seems springs are the right choice for you. you also have a non-S/non-PASM car, so you're riding pretty high. i think if i were concerned primarily with looks, lowering it would be my top priority too.

 

Installed Techart springs on friday evening, and tested on track on saturday. Still early to say but the initial feeling so far is much better handling. The car feels more stable and balanced. Much of the understeer is gone.

Ride comfort is almost the same and the look is much better. Very happy that I choosed the Techart spring instead of the H&R because I think the car is low enough now.

The future will tell how the shocks will react to the new springs, but I guess the Techart with only 15 mm lowering will be easier with the shocks then the H&R which lower 25 mm. Will anyway go for the PSS9 when the shocks are finished.

 

I love racing on the track guys dont get my wrong, but I have a 350z thats being turned into more of a race car now and it has twin turbo and will be the beat up car for that. I think springs is a better choice for me as i love the car b/c of the quality and look, and im gonna put 20's so the ride is gonna suck anyways haha. thanx for your opinions guys, so I guess the end result is that the h&r's lower the car the most for springs? I just ordered them 2 days ago so will see what happens.

 

had techart's on my 997 c2 (non-pasm) and it did an ok job of lowering it but it was hardly an aggressive look. the h&r cars that i have seen look much lower than what i had. having said that, if scraping/bottoming out bother you, consider the Techarts instead.

regards

 

I am going to do the same thing... When I was getting ready to do the springs, the PSS9 kit wasn't available and I didn't want to ditch PASM. Now, instead of replacing the PASM shocks/springs, I'll put the coilovers on and retain PASM functionality.

FWIW, my car's handling feels much better over stock and the ride hasn't suffered one bit.