911GT3 RS 4.0 day at PEC
Discussion
What an amazing day! How I managed to actually get to sleep last night I'll never know but today was one of the best days ever and a treasured memory to keep for the rest of my life.
It started well of course. It's always a pleasure to get behind the wheel of the GTS. Drive up to Silverstone was pretty uneventful (well I hope so anyway, it's scary how fast you can get up to speed).
Arrived at PEC early, met the driving instructor guy (who was excellent as usual), had some brekky and was told that even though I was early I could go out straight away. I love those guys at PEC, they really do make an effort to ensure you have a good day!
Anyway, today was one of their special RS days but unfortunately the GT2RS wasn't available, so I got some cash back (kerching!) and got to choose any other car in the range (I went for a 991 s with PDK as I've not driven one before).
GT3 RS 3.8
Nick and I walk up to a white 3.8 GT3 RS with gold wheels. It feels instantly familiar but yet subtly different, the clutch is a tiny bit heavier, the steering wheel slightly different to the GTS and the gearbox is slightly notchier and less crisp than the GTS - I put this down to it being cold and I'm right, as the car warms up this improves significantly.
Tyres are cold as is the engine so I pull off gently and put in a few non-taxing laps. Once the oil warms up, I start to push on and the first thing I notice is the incredible noise the car makes when compared to the GTS, it also turns in faster and in general just feels that little bit sharper everywhere. As I pick up the pace, I find that it's very communicative and really great to drive but equally when we stop to have a go on the kick plate, I find it a bit of a ball ache when just sitting still with too much noise and rattles for everyday use. Kick plate performance tells me that the car is exceptionally good but (whisper it) not epically better than the GTS, which was a nice surprise for me.
GT3 RS 4.0
Next up it's the daddy, the GT3 RS 4.0. Now I'm not expecting much here because Nick (the instructor) has told me that money no object, he'd have a Cayenne diesel, trailer and the 3.8RS.
I get in and it's instantly even more familiar the the 3.8RS (it has the same steering wheel) but after turning the ignition - what a difference! From that point on it's clear that this car is in a different league!
Again the engine is cold, so I put in a few slow laps and then gently pick up the pace - my god this car is awesome - the turn-in is even sharper and the induction noise is just totally addicitve - like Thor gargling some petrol-derived nectar
At this point I start to really push on - Nick is just letting me get on with it and I'm just stunned by the car, the brakes are awesome! And on that short handling track I start to sink into brake, turn-in, trail, throttle, go over and over again. I'm in driving heaven (well almost - you really need a bigger track for that!) I actually can't get enough and Nick sensing that the tyres are a little too warm suggests some time at the low friction circuit. We go for about 3 laps round there and then I ask to go back to the handling circuit and take the car for another quick blatt - I think I'm in love! How much does a good kidney go for these days? All too soon, it's time to pull in - I take a few piccys and move on to the 991.
991 C2S
So, I walk up to this rather tasty looking (blue) 991S. Inside, it's lovely, way nicer than my car - feels like a proper luxury item! Once again I pull away gently to warm her up a bit. The PDK is totally seemless, perfectly executed! I leave the car in sports plus and go for a hoon and suddenly the car has transformed from this luxury GT into an actual sports car - no it's not as good as the GT3RS 4.0 (or 3.8 for that matter) but bloody hell it's good!
If you believe everything you read in the press you'd think that this car has s
t steering but that is absolute bullst - it has plenty of feel, no it's not the same as my car but compared to anything that isn't a Porsche or Lotus, it's quite frankly brilliant - what's different about it IMHO is this: The GTS has a kind of high frequency vibration when you drive, which you sense through the steering wheel, it's barely noticeable and I'm sure most don't notice it's there. When you get used to the car, this ever so slight oscillation provides information about the surface grip and actually becomes quite useful (because if you can't feel anything, you have no grip). The 991 doesn't have this at all, it's like it's been damped out of the car but in a corner it provides a very high level of feedback in terms of cornering grip available and as I don't notice the oscillation when focusing on a corner, I find the mid corner feedback to be identical to the GTS.
So far, so utterly fking brilliant! Now the difference comes when you really, really push it and it's at this point that I think PDCC makes it hard to understand precisely what's going on - it's never going to be an issue on the road IMHO and it's a bit of a PITA on a track but no deal breaker. When I started to really press on, I also found the seats to be crap but I reckon that's easily rectified by speccing an improved seating option - 991 S is quite simply an amazing car and the PDK deployment is outstanding - launch control is a real eye-opener this car is quick with a capital F! 
So money no object, which one would I take home? GT3RS 4.0 without a shadow of a doubt - I'd put up with it's lack of NVH and stiff ride because it's simply such a great car to drive, the best I've ever driven! Track days in it would be absolute bliss.
All to soon it was time to leave but as I stick the lowly GTS into sports mode, turn on the PSE and punch it in 2nd gear with the engine howling past 6,000RPM in second, I'm left thinking, life's not so bad, there's a lot of her big brother in the GTS - she's still one special little motor even in the company of titans!
It started well of course. It's always a pleasure to get behind the wheel of the GTS. Drive up to Silverstone was pretty uneventful (well I hope so anyway, it's scary how fast you can get up to speed).
Arrived at PEC early, met the driving instructor guy (who was excellent as usual), had some brekky and was told that even though I was early I could go out straight away. I love those guys at PEC, they really do make an effort to ensure you have a good day!
Anyway, today was one of their special RS days but unfortunately the GT2RS wasn't available, so I got some cash back (kerching!) and got to choose any other car in the range (I went for a 991 s with PDK as I've not driven one before).
GT3 RS 3.8
Nick and I walk up to a white 3.8 GT3 RS with gold wheels. It feels instantly familiar but yet subtly different, the clutch is a tiny bit heavier, the steering wheel slightly different to the GTS and the gearbox is slightly notchier and less crisp than the GTS - I put this down to it being cold and I'm right, as the car warms up this improves significantly.
Tyres are cold as is the engine so I pull off gently and put in a few non-taxing laps. Once the oil warms up, I start to push on and the first thing I notice is the incredible noise the car makes when compared to the GTS, it also turns in faster and in general just feels that little bit sharper everywhere. As I pick up the pace, I find that it's very communicative and really great to drive but equally when we stop to have a go on the kick plate, I find it a bit of a ball ache when just sitting still with too much noise and rattles for everyday use. Kick plate performance tells me that the car is exceptionally good but (whisper it) not epically better than the GTS, which was a nice surprise for me.
GT3 RS 4.0
Next up it's the daddy, the GT3 RS 4.0. Now I'm not expecting much here because Nick (the instructor) has told me that money no object, he'd have a Cayenne diesel, trailer and the 3.8RS.
I get in and it's instantly even more familiar the the 3.8RS (it has the same steering wheel) but after turning the ignition - what a difference! From that point on it's clear that this car is in a different league!
Again the engine is cold, so I put in a few slow laps and then gently pick up the pace - my god this car is awesome - the turn-in is even sharper and the induction noise is just totally addicitve - like Thor gargling some petrol-derived nectar
At this point I start to really push on - Nick is just letting me get on with it and I'm just stunned by the car, the brakes are awesome! And on that short handling track I start to sink into brake, turn-in, trail, throttle, go over and over again. I'm in driving heaven (well almost - you really need a bigger track for that!) I actually can't get enough and Nick sensing that the tyres are a little too warm suggests some time at the low friction circuit. We go for about 3 laps round there and then I ask to go back to the handling circuit and take the car for another quick blatt - I think I'm in love! How much does a good kidney go for these days? All too soon, it's time to pull in - I take a few piccys and move on to the 991.
991 C2S
So, I walk up to this rather tasty looking (blue) 991S. Inside, it's lovely, way nicer than my car - feels like a proper luxury item! Once again I pull away gently to warm her up a bit. The PDK is totally seemless, perfectly executed! I leave the car in sports plus and go for a hoon and suddenly the car has transformed from this luxury GT into an actual sports car - no it's not as good as the GT3RS 4.0 (or 3.8 for that matter) but bloody hell it's good!
If you believe everything you read in the press you'd think that this car has s
t steering but that is absolute bullst - it has plenty of feel, no it's not the same as my car but compared to anything that isn't a Porsche or Lotus, it's quite frankly brilliant - what's different about it IMHO is this: The GTS has a kind of high frequency vibration when you drive, which you sense through the steering wheel, it's barely noticeable and I'm sure most don't notice it's there. When you get used to the car, this ever so slight oscillation provides information about the surface grip and actually becomes quite useful (because if you can't feel anything, you have no grip). The 991 doesn't have this at all, it's like it's been damped out of the car but in a corner it provides a very high level of feedback in terms of cornering grip available and as I don't notice the oscillation when focusing on a corner, I find the mid corner feedback to be identical to the GTS.So far, so utterly f
king brilliant! Now the difference comes when you really, really push it and it's at this point that I think PDCC makes it hard to understand precisely what's going on - it's never going to be an issue on the road IMHO and it's a bit of a PITA on a track but no deal breaker. When I started to really press on, I also found the seats to be crap but I reckon that's easily rectified by speccing an improved seating option - 991 S is quite simply an amazing car and the PDK deployment is outstanding - launch control is a real eye-opener this car is quick with a capital F! So money no object, which one would I take home? GT3RS 4.0 without a shadow of a doubt - I'd put up with it's lack of NVH and stiff ride because it's simply such a great car to drive, the best I've ever driven! Track days in it would be absolute bliss.
All to soon it was time to leave but as I stick the lowly GTS into sports mode, turn on the PSE and punch it in 2nd gear with the engine howling past 6,000RPM in second, I'm left thinking, life's not so bad, there's a lot of her big brother in the GTS - she's still one special little motor even in the company of titans!
Edited by J-P on Friday 16th March 16:11
good write up Jean-Paul, but with respect in my experience you need a much bigger stage to get the best out of the 3.8 or 4.0 than the PEC. the 3.8 only really comes together when you get to give it it's head, whereas the 4.0 is more approachable and giving because of that extra torque. good to hear that the 991 moves the game on.
seawise said:
good write up Jean-Paul, but with respect in my experience you need a much bigger stage to get the best out of the 3.8 or 4.0 than the PEC. the 3.8 only really comes together when you get to give it it's head, whereas the 4.0 is more approachable and giving because of that extra torque. good to hear that the 991 moves the game on.
I do agree with that - the track isn't big enough for such an amazing car but blimey honestly, Shag the 4.0 is epic!I drove the 3.8RS (mostly in second) and it's an absolutely fantastic car - way better on track than mine (but not as an all-rounder), so whilst I'd have one (who wouldn't?) I'd find the compromise a pain. Whereas in the 4.0, I couldn't care less about the compromise - it's just an event in every way and the speed at which it gathers pace beggars belief!
Put it this way 3.8 to 4.0 is like C2S to GTS - lots of people wouldn't notice the difference but if you do, nothing else will do!
J-P said:
I do agree with that - the track isn't big enough for such an amazing car but blimey honestly, Shag the 4.0 is epic!
I drove the 3.8RS (mostly in second) and it's an absolutely fantastic car - way better on track than mine (but not as an all-rounder), so whilst I'd have one (who wouldn't?) I'd find the compromise a pain. Whereas in the 4.0, I couldn't care less about the compromise - it's just an event in every way and the speed at which it gathers pace beggars belief!
Put it this way 3.8 to 4.0 is like C2S to GTS - lots of people wouldn't notice the difference but if you do, nothing else will do!
fair enough you convinced me, i shouldn't have turned that one down at 155k last week then, ooopps. oh well i keep my powder dry even so. be nice to find the time to use either !I drove the 3.8RS (mostly in second) and it's an absolutely fantastic car - way better on track than mine (but not as an all-rounder), so whilst I'd have one (who wouldn't?) I'd find the compromise a pain. Whereas in the 4.0, I couldn't care less about the compromise - it's just an event in every way and the speed at which it gathers pace beggars belief!
Put it this way 3.8 to 4.0 is like C2S to GTS - lots of people wouldn't notice the difference but if you do, nothing else will do!
seawise said:
J-P said:
I do agree with that - the track isn't big enough for such an amazing car but blimey honestly, Shag the 4.0 is epic!
I drove the 3.8RS (mostly in second) and it's an absolutely fantastic car - way better on track than mine (but not as an all-rounder), so whilst I'd have one (who wouldn't?) I'd find the compromise a pain. Whereas in the 4.0, I couldn't care less about the compromise - it's just an event in every way and the speed at which it gathers pace beggars belief!
Put it this way 3.8 to 4.0 is like C2S to GTS - lots of people wouldn't notice the difference but if you do, nothing else will do!
fair enough you convinced me, i shouldn't have turned that one down at 155k last week then, ooopps. oh well i keep my powder dry even so. be nice to find the time to use either !I drove the 3.8RS (mostly in second) and it's an absolutely fantastic car - way better on track than mine (but not as an all-rounder), so whilst I'd have one (who wouldn't?) I'd find the compromise a pain. Whereas in the 4.0, I couldn't care less about the compromise - it's just an event in every way and the speed at which it gathers pace beggars belief!
Put it this way 3.8 to 4.0 is like C2S to GTS - lots of people wouldn't notice the difference but if you do, nothing else will do!
Good to see you enjoyed the day J-P. I had great fun doing the GT3RS ones on Wednesday. Drove the 997 GT2 next, but I was honestly too drained by the time I got in that. I loved the sound and the responsiveness of the GT3s. The turbo car made little sense after those two.
I went over to Silverstone OPC to pick up a roof rack. Must have spent too long looking at the GTS 997 as the sales guy got out of his seat to chat.
All credit to the PEC staff for looking after us. Even saw Gordon for a few mins on the way out.
I went over to Silverstone OPC to pick up a roof rack. Must have spent too long looking at the GTS 997 as the sales guy got out of his seat to chat.
All credit to the PEC staff for looking after us. Even saw Gordon for a few mins on the way out.
Magic919 said:
Good to see you enjoyed the day J-P. I had great fun doing the GT3RS ones on Wednesday. Drove the 997 GT2 next, but I was honestly too drained by the time I got in that. I loved the sound and the responsiveness of the GT3s. The turbo car made little sense after those two.
I went over to Silverstone OPC to pick up a roof rack. Must have spent too long looking at the GTS 997 as the sales guy got out of his seat to chat.
All credit to the PEC staff for looking after us. Even saw Gordon for a few mins on the way out.
Yes it was great fun! I spoke with Gordon briefly today too!I went over to Silverstone OPC to pick up a roof rack. Must have spent too long looking at the GTS 997 as the sales guy got out of his seat to chat.
All credit to the PEC staff for looking after us. Even saw Gordon for a few mins on the way out.
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