Fast Road Geo - CG or JZM ?

[Spy]

Hi all,

I want to get the geo done on my 996 Turbo for Fast Road/A Road driving.

I know that Chris at Centre Gravity has been the go to man for this over the last few years but JZM also offer this service now.

JZM is nearer to me so I am tempted to use them but wanted to know if anyone here has used them for Geo setup and would like to hear of your experience and thoughts on the result.

Also, if anyone has happened to you use both Chris and JZM - how do they compare ?

Thanks

[spareparts]

You will find that JZM have been doing this for many years, and CG only got into this a couple of years ago

Many will suggest it is a 'black art' when it is not. Go with the one closest and most convenient I say...

[Wozy68]

spareparts said:

You will find that JZM have been doing this for many years, and CG only got into this a couple of years ago

Many will suggest it is a 'black art' when it is not. Go with the one closest and most convenient I say...

^^^^^ This

[copperman05]

Whilst I've not used JZM I have used CG and another reputable Porsche indie for geo. Not sure what JZM offer but I doubt it will have quite the same amount of time and attention to detail as what CG put into it. My car had the full chassis tune package which took about 9 hours, its the personal setup and attention to detail that CG are famous for. The test drive, personal driving habits, setup required, type of use, suspension condition, are all taken into consideration before even a measurement or adjustment is made.

If you want a standard geo to make sure everything is pointing in the right direction, easy to get too, go for JZM.

If you want a bespoke suspension setup to you exact requirements with OCD attention to detail go for CG.

You takes your money you makes your choice....

[DiscoColin]

The main difference is that CG's approach is normally to ballast the drivers seat with the weight of the driver then geo according to how the car then sits, whereas JZM normally geo the car empty. CG is a more personalised service, so whether you want the ride height taken up for compliance over bumpy B roads or dropped as low as it will go for track work - you will get what you want and if it doesn't work for you Chris will change it (the business model is more oriented to a price to get the car set how you want it rather than labour time spent - there are many stories of Chris working deep into the night to get a car sorted for customers). This is also why if you buy a car with a CG setup on it you may love it or hate it depending upon your weight, driving style and favourite roads. Having it setup in this way also obviously means that the car will be slightly compromised if you have a passenger or instructor in it with you (unless you had it ballasted for 2 people when set up obviously). The JZM offering is more oriented around setting the geo to proven settings, which as a one size fits all approach is less personal but a known commodity.

Both are very capable at what they do, so the choice is a matter for the customer. Both have satisfied customers from having 'fixed' cars that were set up by the other for a previous owner, which rather qualifies that if you go to the right one for you then you are likely to be happy with the outcome.

Personally I have CG set mine up (as I did its predecessor) as I like the people, the service and how it makes my car drive. However - I also fully trust JZM, who look after everything else with the car (except the rubber stamp it gets from an OPC every 2 years - if I ever sell it the new owner will get a fully stamped up OPC service history and a stack of bills for all of the extra oil changes, mid year inspections, pad changes and so on from JZM).

[maximtaylor]

JZM did my ride heights and Geo in January, I can't fault their service.

They also paid very full attention to my suspension, including sending my rear dampers off to KW in Germany for overhaul.
They even asked me what kind of setup I wanted. Who would have thought it?

Obviously JZM paid no attention to detail and ignored the square tyres, bent arms etc etc.

I find coopermans post funny.

[Angelus]

JZM done my car just before I bought it, and the set up was perfect for a 996Turbo. I phoned them and asked about it once I'd bought the car, and they explained everything to me about why it was set up that way, and I have to agree with what they done. Great service.

[pork911]

copperman05 said:

I've not used JZM.......Not sure what JZM offer

If you want a standard geo to make sure everything is pointing in the right direction, easy to get too, go for JZM.

If you want a bespoke suspension setup to you exact requirements with OCD attention to detail go for CG.

You takes your money you makes your choice....

huh?

[Sandy59]

Before this ends up a JZM v GOG slagging thread, I'd say if you're tempted to use JZM as they happen to be closer to you, and with everything sounding positive so far, I'd probably go for that option as it sounds like they'll do a fine job.

Equally if you fancy a longer drive and are curious about what you read about Chris at COG, then I don't think you'll be disappointed there either.

[blade7]

Never been to JZM and I dont doubt they get it right, but geo is all CG do, all day every day. Do JZM stay after hours if the job isn't finished ?.

[meteorgt2]

Ive used both so can comment here .

I used JZM and then a month later had Centre Gravity look at the car so read into that what you will.

I have used Chris around 7 times over as many years with different cars and would never use anyone else as far as suspension Geo goes.

Chris doesnt claim for it to be any sort of black magic as others have put it, Just simple common sense along with knowing in detail about suspension and its workings.

Where Chris excells is his passion for perfection and making sure everything is absolutely SPOT ON.

It's this that has lead to him having such a successfull business and if you spend a day with him you'll know exactly what I mean.

[Spy]

Sandy59 said:

Before this ends up a JZM v GOG slagging thread....

As the OP, I agree with Sandy, I don't want my question to result in slagging one provider off to make the other look better.

Both have a good reputation, I wanted to understand the difference between the two approaches as both CG and JZM both say the setup takes 3-4 hours.

[meteorgt2]

blade7 said:

Never been to JZM and I dont doubt they get it right, but geo is all CG do, all day every day. Do JZM stay after hours if the job isn't finished ?.

They probably would but boy would you know it when presented with the bill.

Unlike Chris where I've stayed with him until gone midnight at no extra charge - He's definitely a man that knows about customer service.

[meteorgt2]

Spy said:

As the OP, I agree with Sandy, I don't want my question to result in slagging one provider off to make the other look better.

Both have a good reputation, I wanted to understand the difference between the two approaches as both CG and JZM both say the setup takes 3-4 hours.

I suppose the easiest way to put this would be as follows;

If you wanted some information on how to get the most out of your Apple Mac would you go to pc world where they know a bit about everything or would you take it to the Apple store where they specifically deal with that type of device and know everything about it?

[maximtaylor]

CG do Geo all day, JZM do 911's all day.

?

I'm sure you'd be well served by either establishment.

Edited by maximtaylor on Wednesday 17th April 20:24

Edited by maximtaylor on Wednesday 17th April 20:25

[Magic919]

This bit of the Center(sic) Gravity website is worrying.

Our customer suite allows the customer to relax in pleasant surroundings yet have a truly interactive experience whilst the car enjoys unscrupulous attention as soon as it pulls up outside.

[ontheloop]

JZM did geo, ride height and corner weighing last November for me. Good job with plenty of discussion about what I wanted to achieve. Good result too.

[puntograle]

maximtaylor said:

CG do Geo all day, JZM do 911's all day.

?

I'm sure you'd be well served by either establishment.

+1

I live in the south and therefore would happily go to JZM given their experience of 911s. I suspect they will more likely optimise your existing platform (unless there were material issues like leaking dampers).
I am led to believe that CG will more likely swap some of the suspension for new and then optimise on the new platform. This could give a better feel as you drive away, however a portion of the improvments come from the refreshed suspension (and higher parts costs). I assume this also leads to the longer hours spent on the car. Perhaps those people who have spent the midnight hours with CG can confirm whether this was for the normal service or waiting for new arms, bushes, etc, to be installed.

[V8KSN]

I took my old C2S to PARR for a fast road geo, I was very pleased with the result and their professionalism

[blade7]

puntograle said:

I suspect.
I am led to believe.
I assume