Need to Improve the Ride

[RandallNeighbour]

Ed, the car's just not designed for bad roads and gridlock traffic. There's not much you can do to improve the ride to make it really comfortable.

I've been to HK many, many times (both the island and the Kowloon side) and while there I saw a number of high-end exotics (Porsches, Ferraris, Maseratis, etc.) and wondered why on earth they'd be using those cars as daily drivers!

Buy a Lexus as your DD and leave the Porsche in the garage for very early morning drives in the twisties I found in your part of the world

[BYprodriver]

First thing to do is check your tires air pressure. Factory spec is 29psi front & 36psi rear. I would drop to 28psi front & 32psi rear this alone will make a noticable difference. Changing to smaller wheels & tires will make a big improvement in ride comfort & the car will feel more nimble handling wise. I consider my S funner to drive with 17" than 18". Consult with Tire Rack to find a tire with soft ride & minimum width wheels for softer ride. You can obtain a Major improvement in ride comfort thru changing tires &/or wheels. Don't forget air pressure is key as well.

[Opposite Lock]

Thanks for the replies.

Randall, it never ceases to surprise me as well. There are very few places in HK where you can let rip in those cars. I live in Shek O, Island South, and the Shek O road is a fantastic drive. But there are roadworks almost every kilometre! I'd buy a more suitable DD if it made sense, but I don't have a garage. The only parking here is the beach car park and it's a no-no to have two cars parked there.

BYprodriver, I've tried lowering the tire pressures and it seemed to help. But I don't want to go too much below the recommended pressures. Do you how low I can safely set them?

Cheers,

Ed

[RandallNeighbour]

Ed, the drive up to the observatory or whatever it's called on HK island looked like a blast.

Now as to having more than one car and a garage, it appears you are doing well financially to own a Porsche in HK... no small financial feat there. You just need to make more money to purchase a home with a 2 car garage.

We're all pulling for you. We know you can do it. Then you will have room for a Lexus DD and the box for weekend fun.

[BYprodriver]

I am sure you can run 27 & 30 but watch for uneven treadwear.

[Opposite Lock]

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Ed, the drive up to the observatory or whatever it's called on HK island looked like a blast.

Now as to having more than one car and a garage, it appears you are doing well financially to own a Porsche in HK... no small financial feat there. You just need to make more money to purchase a home with a 2 car garage.

We're all pulling for you. We know you can do it. Then you will have room for a Lexus DD and the box for weekend fun.

Ummm...yeah, right. Have you seen the cost of houses here recently? There's a three-bedroom pad in Repulse Bay in the paper today going for US$8 million, almost US$3,500 per square foot! It does have two garages though.

Not sure about the Lexus. I tested a VW Polo with 7-speed DSG a few weeks ago. European Car of the Year 2010. Sweet, and very suitable for the roads here.

BYprodriver, thanks again for the advice. I'll give it a go.

[RandallNeighbour]

I fully realize a home on HK island with a two car garage is astronomical. I was just joking around with you

I do think that if you did your homework you could find someone to rent you garage space for the boxster and pick up a more comfortable DD... of course, all this has to do with your income level. This in and of itself would be a very expensive option, and one I would never be able to afford personally.

BTW, I run 29 all the way around because of my coilover setup and I've seen no unusual wear problems.

[Pat]

In addition to keeping an eye on uneven treadwear at lower pressures, I would be concerned about bending wheels. The lower the air pressure the great the likelihood of bending a wheel, ceteris paribus. Just food for thought.
If I were you I would ensure the stock suspension is in good condition and use soft-sidewall tires. Moving from 18s to 17s would help, but not a ton. The difference in sidewall height between those two (assuming proper tire fitment) is pretty minimal.
18" sidewall height is about 3.7"
17" sidewall height is about 4.16"
That's a difference of about 12%

[paulmartin483]

I have used to Lexus RX for traviling.It was so expensive but It has so cool.I have used to travell in my sweet country and It has run on road as like butter and sound like spring checked.I like it this movement.It give nice average.I love it.