997 Carrera 3.6 a bit 'better' than the 997 Carrera S 3.8?

[scoobysnacks2]

With regards to gen 1 cars, there are a couple of articles I've read recently that indicate the standard Carrera 3.6 may be a better option than the Carrera S 3.8 if using only on the road (not in outright pace on a track).

In the most recent issue of GT Purely Porsche they say they prefer the feel of the standard non PASM suspension as it's purer and more direct. I’ve also read many times that the sports setting on the PASM suspension is too hard on most roads and the non PASM suspension sits between the two PASM modes. Does that make it the ideal compromise?

They go on to say that the 3.6 engine is freer revving and encourages you to work the gears a bit more, so 3.6 cars are more fun to drive and a purer 911. In addition to this, the latest Autocar states that the 3.6 is less likely to suffer IMS issues, which sounds like a big plus to me (if true?). Finally, with regards to reliability, it seems that cracked cylinders and bore scoring might also be a bit less likely in the 3.6 due the lower torque of the engine and thicker cylinder walls?

I’d be really interested to hear all your thoughts on the above, as I’m currently considering getting a 997 Carrera…

[mollytherocker]

I think Chris Harris said as much in terms of driving enjoyment. I have only driven a 3.8 myself so cant comment.

Your comments on engine reliability sound logical and plausible but not sure if its that simple?

[scoobysnacks2]

Any more thoughts on this?

[Arenki]

I've got a S with 19" wheels, and I must say, with PASM turned on it does get a wee bit on the crashy side.

I did drive a Carrera 4 997.1 and I would probably agree with the suspension being a bit more compliant, but I think the one I drove was on 18"s. Not sure how much difference the wheel size makes on a car like this. I guess it would boil down to preference. I've never tried comparing to the two but in the real world, I cannot truly imagine there's that much difference in pace.

[Scockers]

Problem for me is that non-pasm cars sit too high.

Suspension is certainly more compliant but they look like they are on stilts.

[Scockers]

Double post

[robinh20mrv]

I have a had a quite a few Porsches now and without a doubt the best one is my 997 C2S Gen 2, its just lovely to drive though its not been on the track yet : )

[scoobysnacks2]

There was a sports suspension option for the gen 1 Carrera S that lowered the car by 20 mm, deleted PASM and added am mechanical LSD. Seems quite rare to find cars with this though...

[Raitzi]

scoobysnacks2 said:

There was a sports suspension option for the gen 1 Carrera S that lowered the car by 20 mm, deleted PASM and added am mechanical LSD. Seems quite rare to find cars with this though...

With gen2 it was called sports pasm so you would get pasm with LSD car always.

[Magic919]

When looking for Gen 2s I only found the odd manual car with SPASM, no PDK. No idea why.

[Nano2nd]

I personally wouldn't run an 997 without an OPC warranty, the the reliability does make much difference, considering the small difference in price and big difference in torque and possibly spec, it's a no brainer... If your camparing gen2 nonS with a gen1 S I would be more tempted to learn towards the gen2, though I'd really what PDK if a daily driver

[RiccardoG]

I drove both 3.6 and 3.8 when I was looking last year. Personally I didn't feel that much difference during the odd 30 minutes that I drove each car. I suspect its the kind of difference you notice once you're used to the 997, so, for instance, now that I've had my S for over a year I would feel the difference against the non-S.

For me in the end the red brakes, Litronics and 19" wheels (all standard on the S) made the 3.8 more appealing and I didn't really want the 3.6. Granted, a 3.6 is cheaper to buy though and if all you want is to have a 997 Carrera then its a great car.

FWIW, the 3.6 I looked at had had one bank of the engine rebuilt by Porsche under warranty.

[mollytherocker]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I agree unless the car is particularly underpowered but that depends on the character of the car and its application!

[RiccardoG]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I think we are in agreement. What I meant is that, a year ago, either the 3.6 or 3.8 felt sufficiently more powerful than what I was coming from (Honda S2000) for my perception not to lean one way or the other. But now, after one year of the 3.8, I'd probably notice the difference to the 3.6.

[Dr mojo]

There was a sports suspension option for the gen 1 Carrera S that lowered the car by 20 mm, deleted PASM and added am mechanical LSD. Seems quite rare to find cars with this though...


I have this on my C2S as well as PCCB. Fantastic handling and really grippy but very firm for normal town driving.