A911Dream

Hi All,

If anyone has experience with both the PSS10 RS version and the PSS10 standard version, can you provide feedback on the ride / firmness differences?

I have a set of "new to me" RS edition and I am trying to determine the potential difference in ride quality of this version versus the standard. I've ridden in a 964 equipped with standard PSS10s and it was perfect.

The RS purchase was a mistake on my end so would appreciate any feedback before I decide to keep or sell. My next step will be to purchase F/R Rennline Monoball strut mounts - I have erroneously purchased OEM F/R strut mounts that I will definitely be selling shortly.

My car is a 100% street driven, spirited road car. All bushings have been refreshed and new H&R sways added. Currently running B6/H&Rs. The PSS10s were to be the final piece of the suspension rebuild.

Thanks for any insight or help.
Chris

Odin

I’ve ridden with PSS10 since 2014. It was much more comfortable and much more refined than the 24 yr old stock M030 sport suspension. PSS10 can be turned up to bone jarring stiffness. I can’t fathom why anyone would feel the need for an RS version of the PSS10. I have enough play with the ordinary 10 settings.

A911Dream

Thanks Odin.

I completely agree. Unfortunately, I wasn't aware that these were RS units and it wasn't my intention. I don't need any stiffer than what regular PSS10s offer and the ability to lower to RS (or below) is not important to me either.

But, I own them and I've brought them into Canada so I am trying to determine if I continue this journey, add Monoballs to the refresh or if I cut my losses and sell them. Someone out there will get a beautiful set of PSS10s RS for a great deal - I've had them refreshed, inspected and dry ice cleaned so they're almost perfect.

jeff33702

I thought the only difference in the RS kit is that it fits the RS top mounts? Is that something that can be upgraded?

mby

They are different, indeed:

• RS: https://shop.bilstein.com/files/Guta...M4-Y602A00.pdf
• non-RS incl. Turbo: https://shop.bilstein.com/files/Guta...M4-Y591A00.pdf

Odin

I think Jeff33702 is right. Reading your TÜV certificates, it’s the same suspension, just made for different cars. Surprised then it fit the 964 of TS.

mby

From my reading, both main and auxiliary springs are very different (see p. 11/12).

-nick

I can't speak for the Bilstein kits, but I run the KW V3 RS kit. The only fair comparison would be a back-to-back ride in a similarly setup car and using the same rebound/compression settings, which is pretty rare. I can say that I run the compression & rebound (separately adjustable on the V3) at almost full soft on the street and it's firm but reasonable. I expect that full soft on the non-RS kit is much softer (do the regular kits get floaty?)

Even with compression & rebound being adjustable, that isn't the whole story on ride quality and there are likely other differences with the RS damping. Not only could the extreme soft/hard settings be different, but there are also high vs low speed damping, gas pressure, etc. Since the PSS kits adjust compression & rebound simultaneously, the RS kit could likely have different ratios compared to the non-RS too.

Anyway, I consider the KW RS kit far from "race car brutal" on the street in the soft settings but it's undeniably "firm". Though Boston roads can make my E class suspension feel firm too With the compression & rebound cranked up for events it's a very different story- you'll know if you drive over anything taller than a penny.

ps- I like the Ground Control front monoball mounts if you're looking at the options. They allow for caster adjustment, dialing in the strut travel, and are the only innovative design out there. The others are all simplified copies of the factory RS mounts, with varying quality.

pps- you could try contacting Bilstein for shock dyno plots of the RS and regular kits. You never know what they might have lying around!

A911Dream

I truly appreciate all of the input. Thank you.

Nick, while not a direct comparison, I would think that the Bilstein and KW RS versions have to be similar in spring rates and valving.

Part of my attraction to PSS10s (non-RS) initially was the ability to fine tune (up or down) to get exactly the ride, responsiveness and feel as the part of my suspension refresh. It is somewhat concerning that your street set-up is set at the softess setting - no room to go down from there. In your application, I understand you can ratchet it up for DE or track events. My car is 100% street application only.

So, this feedback has been very helpful and potentially steered me away from Monoball expenses and installation costs which could deliver an outcome that is too stiff (and non-adjustable). Might be a different decision if I already had the correct mounts and I was turning the wrenches myself.

Again, I appreciate each of taking time to respond.

Chris

mby

I run PSS10 in my C4 and it works extremely uncomplicated, current setting for street use is 2 (front) and 5 (rear) which gives a comfy ride while decreasing understeer; from what one hears, Walter Röhrl used 3/7 for streets and 5/9 for racing on his RS (with the RS version of PSS10, of course).

I wouldn’t hesitate to buy it again and the ability to change both settings (rebound and compression) with one click-wheel to sensible combinations is a huge plus for everyday use for me!

Odin

I run 6 front, 7 behind, but I track mine regularly and haven’t got access to a lift

jeff33702

Wanted to bump this to get clarity. What about the PSS10 RS version makes it only fit the 964 RS and not a C2?

FVD states that it only fits the EU 964 RS and not the "RS America" which would include the C2 in US.

mby

This is Bilstein's perspective:

• https://shop.bilstein.com/files/Guta...M4-Y591A00.pdf for the 964 and Turbo but not RS and
• https://shop.bilstein.com/files/Guta...M4-Y602A00.pdf for the RS

You can read more about the RS America, which is based on the C2 w/ M030, here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsch...ra_RS_variants

jeff33702

I know what fits the RSA will fit the C2. FVD only mentioned the RS America because it has RS in the name and apparently there is something about the PSS10 RS kit that makes it only fit the ROW RS (or so they think) - which is what I'm trying to get to the bottom of.

PSS10 RS kit is a little less expensive, which is interesting.

-nick

The fitment issue is that RS struts are made to be paired with RS monoball top mounts. The top of the strut shaft is different and not compatible with the rubber c2/c4/rsa mounts. There are more details in other threads if you want to search through.