I started shopping for a PTT 4 weeks ago and have test driven 4 different examples.

2010 with 78k miles-PTT with PCCB
2011 with 44k miles-PTT with steel rotors
2013 with 68k miles-PTT with steel rotors
2013 with 44k miles-PTTS with steel rotors

All 4 have PDCC and active air suspension; all had 20” RS Spyder wheels with Michelin PS or Pirellis.

The first 3 drove “about the same” in regard to comfort, road feel, acceleration, steering wheel feedback, seat cushioness, absorbing bumps in the road, etc. Despite year differences and mileage, the driving experience was almost identical.

Now, the 4th example is a different story. The sport and sport plus modes felt a tad bit more refined and glued to the road and almost less harsh than the first 3 examples. The “comfort”
mode on the suspension was OUT OF THIS WORLD smooth and soft in comparison to the first 3 examples. I’m talking a dramatic difference....so much so that the newbie salesman that had never ridden in a PTTS noticed the change immediately.

So, what explanation is there/could there be? Based on my research, the PDCC tech is the same. Could there be special “PTTS”’tuning to the suspension that allows for such a noticeable difference in comfort mode?

I realize tires make a difference as does concrete, pavement, asphalt, etc.....I’m not comparing that. I’m comparing the soft and smooth ride you get just by driving on quality access roads next to huge tollways. (I’m in North Texas....Richardson, Plano, McKinney area.). The PTTS felt so much softer and composed. Even driving back to the dealership, going over a road to parking lot transition was like magic....I didn’t feel the change in elevation....we are talking a 2 to 3” jump that most cars would communicate with passengers/driver via movement, feedback, a slight jingle, etc. The PTTS made it smooth as glass.

I have only driven 1 PTTS and the ride was far superior to the PTTs and the interior leather on the seats was also softer/felt more forgiving/supportive.

Am I totally crazy? Did I somehow test drive 3 PTTs that need bushings? Or have malfunctioning air ride? Or, is the PTTS somehow modded to allow the shocks to respond better to imperfections in the road? Is there any difference in seats?

Im planning a 2nd test drive on Wednesday to check out the ride again.

While I did find some threads discussing differences between PTT and PTTS, I couldn’t find anything discussing the ride comfort.

The ride comfort is of great importance to me as this will be my commuter car....52miles one way. I suspect I will set the shocks to comfort mode 80-90% of the time.

Thanks!

 

Pure guessing from me here, but on Cayenne (vehicle on which panamera electronics, engine, etc, is based of), had upgraded/beefier control arms, with joints much sturdier and heavier. This was a common upgrade for many turbo owners, replace lower control arms with Turbo S versions.
The ball joints, if made more sturdy, will change the feel of steering for sure.

 

The one big factor in the drive comfort is the air pressure in the tires. If the tires were set to factory spec, that is 44 PSI. Even in comfort mode, the ride can be a little harsh. Now, if you set the pressures for comfort mode, that is 32 PSI. It makes a huge difference. I would check the tire settings and current pressure. I normally found about 36 PSI was a good balance between day to day driving and performance. Others may weigh in on this, as well, but that was the sweet spot for the Michelin 4S in stock size on 20 inch wheels.

One other significant difference is that the Turbo S also, in addition to the PDCC option is the PASM option. If the other Turbo cars did not have that option ticked, then there will be noticeable differences in drive dynamics. It is effectively Porsche's way of delivering a magnetorheological shock like drive. Comfort driving straight and instant chassis stiffness when faced with a corner, even in comfort mode. I suspect this is what you are noticing. Combine that with tire pressure, and the Turbo S drives like a plush luxury car.

For an example reference, here is a build sheet for my PTTS. https://www.stuttcars.com/porsche/23227/

 

I don't think you could spec air suspension without pasm as well.

But yes, the tires probably made the largest difference. Porsches have a comfort tire pressure and a normal tire pressure. If the car was on comfort pressure it would ride a lot more softly, but it's also going to warn you if you go above 100mph.

 

Very good info.....I didn’t consider PASM....I will run the vins again and find out.

Tire pressure....I will check the onboard computer next time I test drive.

 

I was wondering about this, with the Turbo S having beefier front end parts....definitely helps explain the difference

 

I had no idea about “comfort” tire pressure for Porsches....makes sense though. I’m new to the Panamera world and trying to figure out what I want out the car. After driving the Turbo S, I can definitely relate to many other owner’s comments regarding “it’s comfortable/quiet/smooth/etc”. The regular Turbos just didn’t feel the same.

I will definitely check tire pressures next time

 

351 Air suspension and PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management (in comb. with PDCC)>>>>>>this is how it reads from your buildsheet

351 Adaptive Air Suspension with PDCC = 2010 Turbo

351 Adaptive Air Suspension in Conjunction with PDCC = 2011 Turbo

351 Adaptive Air Suspension in Conjunction with PDCC = 2013 Turbo, non “S”

2013 Turbo S = ?
When I run the vin through vinanalytics.com, the option is not listed. However, the center console has all of the corresponding buttons that accompany air suspension and PDCC. Under the hood, there is black reservoir with a green cap...this holds the hydraulic fluid for the PDCC, correct?

 

Any chance Panameras have PASM and/or Sport PASM?

I started researching via Google and found several articles about this. Truth to be told, the articles pertained to 911s.

I also found an article discussing air suspension automatically having PASM on Panameras.

 

Sport PASM only pertains to the sports cars. It's a 10mm lower ride height from shorter, stiffer steel springs. Panamera S models and above came standard with PASM. The Turbo S was the only model that came standard with PDCC and PTV+ which may be why you didn't see it listed as an option.

 

What really surprises me is that there was no difference in ride quality (over bumps) with the PCCBs (first car listed). Each front rotor is about 15lbs lighter than the steel ones. In theory you should feel that difference. Maybe PDCC smooths the ride ( when not turning) enough that the weight reduction has little benefit. Interesting!

 

Indeed, I didn't know I had PDCC on my Turbo S, which resulted in ordering the wrong sway bar bushings during my recent major maintenance. Couldn't find anything referring to PDCC on the original sticker. Tricky...there is so much that came standard on that car.

 

It is definitely hard to define all of the options that do and do not come with each model. The Turbo S "option" essentially ensures that all of the go fast goodies are included. I hunted for a while until I found one with the right color combinations. Some of the things I found out were standard in the Turbo S versus the normal Turbo.

• Keyless entry and drive
• Lighting - interior and exterior - the adaptive headlights are interesting as they change shape and function as speed increases or decrease and you get the four point LED DRL.
• Interior - the bi-color leather interiors
• Sport Exhaust
• Sport Chrono package ( the Power Kit Turbochargers ) - also nets you a 120k, 10 year warranty on the turbo components
• PTV+
• Sport appearance package
• Body colored side skirts and rear fascia
• The parking sensors, front and rear

I probably missed a couple more, like the 5 mm rear wheel spacers but that is so minimal. Those are the main items I see as the difference for the $40k upcharge back in the day.