wicked vibration through-out entire car

[mach schnell]

So, just got back from Phoenix and had a terrible drive back!

At first I thought maybe it was just the road, but after about 50 miles, I determined, naw it's definitely the car. At any rate, the entire 340 or so mile trip I had this wicked vibration (almost like a stutter) through the entire car- I felt it in the steering wheel, the dead pedal, the floor board and could even see the passenger seat vibrating like crazy (could feel it for sure when I put my hand on the seatback).

Some of you may remember that I posted a thread a while back about a very fine, rapid (almost machine-like) vibration I'd feel in the gas pedal between 3k and 4k rpm's, which the dealer said they couldn't feel. Well, I'm wondering if this little demon has grown into something worse!

I didn't hit anything, didn't run over anything and didn't change anything on the car after arriving in Phoenix. Drive there was perfect - no car-wide vibration and the car actually sat for the day until I came home today.

Of course, first thought is tire out of round or unbalanced, but seems a bit random to just happen!

Any thoughts as to what this entire vibration is? I'll tell you, I felt like I was driving an 82 Camaro and pushing it to go 85mph rather than a Porsche that should feel fluid at 80mph (actually I'd expect the damn thing to feel fluid at 145mph). But I'll tell you, it felt frickin unstable even at 85mph! I'm not too happy right now!!

[TriGem2k]

Originally Posted by mach schnell

So, just got back from Phoenix and had a terrible drive back!

At first I thought maybe it was just the road, but after about 50 miles, I determined, naw it's definitely the car. At any rate, the entire 340 or so mile trip I had this wicked vibration (almost like a stutter) through the entire car- I felt it in the steering wheel, the dead pedal, the floor board and could even see the passenger seat vibrating like crazy (could feel it for sure when I put my hand on the seatback).

Some of you may remember that I posted a thread a while back about a very fine, rapid (almost machine-like) vibration I'd feel in the gas pedal between 3k and 4k rpm's, which the dealer said they couldn't feel. Well, I'm wondering if this little demon has grown into something worse!

I didn't hit anything, didn't run over anything and didn't change anything on the car after arriving in Phoenix. Drive there was perfect - no car-wide vibration and the car actually sat for the day until I came home today.

Of course, first thought is tire out of round or unbalanced, but seems a bit random to just happen!

Any thoughts as to what this entire vibration is? I'll tell you, I felt like I was driving an 82 Camaro and pushing it to go 85mph rather than a Porsche that should feel fluid at 80mph (actually I'd expect the damn thing to feel fluid at 145mph). But I'll tell you, it felt frickin unstable even at 85mph! I'm not too happy right now!!

I get the 3-4k vibration in my car as well. Dealer claims they dont feel anything or its the road.....

I have had 2 set of wheels and maybe 4set of tires and it did it with all of them...Still cant figure it out. MNBoxster suggested it could be an alignment issue which i wouldnt doubt but i havent had the time to take it to get realigned

Do you have any aftermarket suspension work done????Because i do....

[mach schnell]

TriGem - no aftermarket work to the suspension, yet and no wheel spacers. However, this vibration is almost what I'd think would occur with a crappy pair of wheel spacers. So, maybe while my car sat in Phoenix, the crappy wheel spacer fairy came and installed a set of makeshift spacers on my car, unbeknownst to me!

I think I'm gonna start adopting the service/dealer mentality when I see patients -
Patient: I'm bleeding out of my eyes
Doctor: I don't see any blood those are just red tears! Stop your crying! - here's your bill for $1000

Porsche owner: my (expensive, non-domestic, supposedly non-****************ty made) car has this vibration
Porsche Service: I don't feel any vibration - hey, how did my soda get shaken up while I test drove your car - hmmm go figure. Anyway, here's your bill for $2000 and yes, we did charge you $15 per minute for that rental car, which by the way wasn't a Porsche!

[Ronzi]

It's possible you could have lost a balance weight from one of your wheels. This can cause a sudden onset of severe vibration.
It is more common on steel rims that use clamp-on weights, but not unknown on alloys where the weights are attached with an adhesive.

[RandallNeighbour]

I hate to say this, but if you rule out tires or wheels or wheel balancing, you should look at your suspension and motor mounts. That's gonna hurt the wallet, but may be the source of your teeth-rattling vibration.

Keep us posted so we can all learn about what to do when this happens to us!

[mach schnell]

The stuttering nature of the vibration really gave me the sense that it was originating in the suspension or drivetrain, rather than from the wheels/tires. Especially with how unstable the car felt.

I agree with you Randall, that if it is a suspension or motor mount issue that could be high dollar, but as my car is new with only 4000 miles, I'm expecting the cause and repair to be 100% covered by Porsche. If not, I'll gladly drive the car through the showroom window for them! (Anyone remember that old Discount Tire commercial where the old lady throws the tire through the store window?)

I'll stop by the dealership either on Mon or Tues to begin the process of:
Me: there's a vibration
Dealer: no there isn't
Me: Uh, huh
Dealer, na uh
me: uh, huh, stupid
dealer: na, uh, i'm telling you called me stupid
10 minutes later - Fox news - an unidentified man drove off with new 911 from a soCal Porsche dealership and has been spotted driving along southern california freeways yelling - see, this one doesn't vibrate!!!!!!!!!!!!!