First off, let's start to say that I have no experience with Porsche. I wasn't going to get PASM because though I'm a track junkie, I can't afford to track this car.

I know for many of you buying a new Porsche is like me buying a used Corvette but for me, $80K is a lot of money to pay for a car as a daily driver. Having said that, other than taking the car to a couple of DE events, it's going to be my daily driver.

I'd consider myself an aggressive driver, I love the track, taking exit ramps and hauling *** through mountain roads. Since I won't be doing but a couple of DE events, do you think it's a waste to get PASM.

I wasn't going to order it and based on many of you guys that have P experience, I changed my mind.

This is what I understand. PASM in the sport mode is too harsh to drive on the street. PASM in the normal mode is even mushier than the exact same car that doesn't have PASM on it at all. Is that correct?

If so, perhaps I should not even get PASM.

I'm not flaky and it's not a big deal but it's one of those options I don't want to go back later and wish I had.

I'm going to call my sales guy and see if he has one with PASM that I can drive. Perhaps some first hand experience will make my choice more clear.

Thanks,

Mark

 

The Cayman R has a passive suspension and I don't think PASM is even available for it. I think it works well on both the road and track, and have never found myself wishing there was a button to change the suspension stiffness.

I agree that the sport setting of PASM is too stiff for the road, unless the road is smooth. I wouldn't call the normal setting of PASM mushy, but I do prefer the feel of the passive suspension.

 

You should be aware that PASM is controlled by you and your driving. Not just by the PASM button.

This is the way it works:

In normal mode, it has a default comfort setting. However, if you drive more aggressivly, PASM will detect it and instantly stiffen up the suspension automatically.

In Sport mode, it has a default stiff setting. But if the system detects the road conditions as "uncomfortable" (e.g. a rough street), it will automatically soften up the suspension.

It means that the PASM system is actually always on and it will always adopt itself to the appropriate setting, all the time. What you control with the PASM button is the default setting it uses as a reference point.

That way, I don't think you will experience it as "too mushy" in normal setting, even if the default setting in normal mode might be softer than a car without PASM. It will stiffen up if you start cornering hard and it will be stiffer than a "non-PASM" car driven aggressively even if you leave the PASM button off.

That's the beauty of the system, it works in the background and constantly monitors the road conditions and driving behaviour.

 

Thank you for the explanation. Having said all that, if I'm not tracking the car but a few times, do you think in your opinion it's worth having as an option?

I've got quite a few that says yes but about as many saying no. Knowing myself, I probably won't mind the ride but I don't want to miss the boat by not getting it installed.

Thanks for your time,

Mark

EDIT: I just got off the phone with my sales rep. He said if it were him, he would get the chrono package before he got the PASM. He was one of the people that got to go to AL and flog them on the track. He said in previous years, the chrono wasn't as good as it is this year and without a doubt in his mind, he'd go chrono before pasm.

 

I'm probably biased here since I have PASM on my 987 and I ordered it on the 981...

But, I think of it in this way: Porsche has done a great job giving the Boxster what is probably one of the best chassies that you can buy for a relatively reasonable amount of money. It's simply brilliant.
It would be a shame not to take full advantage of it by also utilizing a great technology such as PASM.

I've only tracked the car a few times (Nürburgring ). In normal driving, I don't use the PASM button that often. But it's fun to use it since I actually feel the difference even on a normal road. I think it's worth it and it's a great feeling knowing that you can add that extra bit of geeky technology that makes a truly great car even greater. It's part of the Porsche experience, IMHO.

 

OK, that's interesting...
Sport Chrono includes the active transmission mounts now, which didn't exist before. That also hiked the price on the Sport Chrono due to that. I haven't tried a 981 with it, so we have to rely on the sales rep's word for it.

I'm getting both PASM and SC on my car, so I'm safe!

 

The sales rep is someone I've known for a decent amount of time so I'm inclined to believe him.

I'm thinking since we're only talking 2K extra, it might be worthwhile to do both and be done with it...

Besides, I'm getting I believe about a 3K discount since my body shop does work for Mr. Hendrick's personal cars and dealerships.

Mark

 

That's the spirit!
You sound like a seaoned Porsche customer already, we're all used to putting up ridiculous amounts of money for options. You'll get used to it...

My 981 is built and in currently transit to me, so I can give you a first hand impression pretty soon!

 

As far as I know, SPASM (Sport PASM) is only available on a 911, not a Cayman or Boxster.

If you are not going to do much on the track, I'd skip PASM. It makes it easier to add an aftermarket suspension if desired.

I would only add Sport Chrono to a PDK car (I would not own a PDK without it!). For a manual, I'd skip it. OK, I'd also add Sport Chrono to any turbo to get the overboost.

Just my 2 pfennig.

 

I find it funny that about half the people say it’s worth it and the other half say not. At this point, my build is 79K, I guess another 2K doesn’t make a difference....

Decisions, decisions....


EDIT:


Just for clarity, I meant SPASM as in I was having a spasm over PASM... not the sport PASM... sorry, didn’t mean to confuse anyone.

Today I talked to another person that drove the new 981’s at Alabama’s track and they too said that chrono is a NOTICEABLE difference because of the transmission mounts.

At this point, I think I’m just going to order both and be down with it. (thanks to KEDEREK)

Thanks,

Mark

 

Remember, having PASM lowers the car 10mm. If anything else, get the PASM so the car doesn't look like it's a 4x4. Oh, and NEVER take advice from a dealer or salesguy on how to option a car. They are used to giving advice to people who have NO CLUE.

 

I appreciate the advice but if I spend almost 2K for PASM, it won’t be so the car doesn’t look like a 4x4. I want it for ride control first and foremost.

If that was all I wanted to fix, I’d just buy a set of coilovers and fix both my problems. (which has crossed my mind)


Mark

 

A proper set of coilovers is going to cost you more than 2k. The ohlins on my evo were 3k. I gotta imagine its going to be about double the cost in a Porsche.

It's tough and expensive to beat OEM engineering, particularly in a Porsche. Keep that in mind.

 

Well, ya got me there... I had about 2500 in a set of coilovers with swift springs in my mind. I imagine you hit it on the head.

Okay, enough of all this talk, it’s gonna drive me nuts.... I’m ordering both. I’m done.

Thanks,

Mark

 

Good choice. You won't regret it. These are the lessons I've learned the hard way over the years...

You were probably right that standard suspension would suit your needs, but the high riding car would probably drive you nuts. Then you'd have to open a can of worms called the 'aftermarket' and find yourself chasing your tail. Again, lessons learned the hard way myself...