Restoring a 996?

[GranburyChuck]

I know it sounds crazy seeing as the cars are not that old but here me out. Several times when I have taken my 2000 996 to the dealer for repairs they put me into a Cayman. Of course it is a new car and in great condition. However, driving it just seems so much more solid than my car. I do have very few little squeaks but nothing major. It just seems that my car slams over moderate bumps whereas the Cayman goes "bump" with a muted thud sound. I can't imagine that there is that much sound deading in the new car that makes this difference. Of course I have 18" wheels while the Cayman had 17". Is this strictly attributed to new suspension? I am currently investigating replacing my stock old shocks (110k miles) with either new Bilstein HD or PSS9. It is apparent to me that a car can have good suspension response (meaning absorb the bump and not slam in the car) and still provide responsive driving (again consider the Cayman). Besides supension I am considering adding Dynamat or sound deadening to make the daily drive less instrusive (I don't track the car so not concerned about a little weight gain, the car that is)(mine is a Tiptronic by the way). I guess there are many other bushing that will give over time.

Thoughts anyone?

[ericinboca]

I know it sounds crazy seeing as the cars are not that old but here me out. Several times when I have taken my 2000 996 to the dealer for repairs they put me into a Cayman. Of course it is a new car and in great condition. However, driving it just seems so much more solid than my car. I do have very few little squeaks but nothing major. It just seems that my car slams over moderate bumps whereas the Cayman goes "bump" with a muted thud sound. I can't imagine that there is that much sound deading in the new car that makes this difference. Of course I have 18" wheels while the Cayman had 17". Is this strictly attributed to new suspension? I am currently investigating replacing my stock old shocks (110k miles) with either new Bilstein HD or PSS9. It is apparent to me that a car can have good suspension response (meaning absorb the bump and not slam in the car) and still provide responsive driving (again consider the Cayman). Besides supension I am considering adding Dynamat or sound deadening to make the daily drive less instrusive (I don't track the car so not concerned about a little weight gain, the car that is)(mine is a Tiptronic by the way). I guess there are many other bushing that will give over time.

Thoughts anyone?

So many things can affect the life expectancy of the coilovers. It is possible they could last more than 110K, but with 110K, it might be time for new ones.

The PSS9s are nice because you can adjust them to your liking, although getting to the selector means you need to either raise the car or lay on the ground to reach them. But, if you spend some time experimenting, you can dial it in the way you like it and then leave it.

I would look at the bushings, spherical bearings and the coilover mounts. All of these pieces have rubber in them that has a huge impact on how much road noise is transmitted into the car. The rubber can deteriorate over time.

Even with all new bits, a brand new car is still likely to be smoother and quieter. Just simple engineering advances and less fatigue and movement in the frame.

[carsareart]

As I recall the Cayman might be a little stiffer than a 911, I could be wrong but.....maybe. My car is an older one and before I would take on newer car payments I would put some money into replacing wearable parts. My rear seems to fit real nice into the seat of the car, kinda molded in now.......I know her squeaks and rattles....

Now one thing I did do was to cut my old floor mats and tuck them into the open spot under my seat. I can not tell if it really does any good as far as noise but I feel better.

[1schoir]

As I recall the Cayman might be a little stiffer than a 911, I could be wrong but.....maybe. My car is an older one and before I would take on newer car payments I would put some money into replacing wearable parts. My rear seems to fit real nice into the seat of the car, kinda molded in now.......I know her squeaks and rattles....

Now one thing I did do was to cut my old floor mats and tuck them into the open spot under my seat. I can not tell if it really does any good as far as noise but I feel better.

Dynamat will make a day and night difference if you apply it to the floorboards, the inside of the front and rear firewalls and the insides of the doors.

It will also give you a solid "thunk" whenever you close a door.

Regards, Maurice.

[SH-GT3]

I don't have much experience with the stock 996 suspension, but 110k generally sounds like a lot of usage. I would also have to think that some or most of the bushings should be inspected for wear and/or replacement. I just had some PSS10s installed [LINK] and the ride is much more compliant than my US Sport suspension was with ~42k on it.

[GranburyChuck]

I read your link Anderson. So the PSS10s absorb sharp impacts better and still give good cornering control? Seems like a great compromise.

[SH-GT3]

I read your link Anderson. So the PSS10s absorb sharp impacts better and still give good cornering control? Seems like a great compromise.

To me, yes. I don't have very many miles on my PSS10 setup yet, but so far I am very impressed for the ride quality while being much lower.

[PeterC4]

I had a 2000 C4 Coupe and now own a 2004 C4S Cab. I also drove a new 2009s with PASM. My 2000 was pretty much as you describe, hard riding kind of sums it up. I bought it with only 54,000 kms or so. The 996.2 cars (2002 - 2004) were different and had various revisions to engines and body structure. My 2004 cab is much softer riding despite using bigger wheels. In driving the new 2009 S, the PASM suspension makes a huge difference. in normal setting is very smooth, more like a BMW 3 series with sport suspension. In Sport mode it gets stiffer, but still does not feel as intrusive as the older cars. The bottom line is, look carefully at suspension alternatives and many can give you good advice as to what works and doesn't. A newer model year is sure to work. I think you'd find a 2002 to 2004 car more solid than a 2000 and a new model that much better still. A lot has changed in the newest cars.

Edited March 15, 2009 by PeterC4