The definitive discussion: adaptive air suspension worth it or not?

[Cyberdriver888]

Hi guys i have searched this forum and others regarding this subject. I have posted this thread in the UK section as our road are notoriously bad and probably the worst in first world europe. For those that have compared the base and adaptive air suspension what are your thoughts?. Did you notice a significant difference between the two on our battered pot hole riddled roads?

Thanks in advance

I have it and love it. Gravel mode is actually a big surprise to me. The car completely changes driving experience and becomes a completely different car. When in gravel I can do countryside pothole roads in high speed and silky smooth. Not worried about if the car can handle it. Not sure if the adapt. Air susp. Adds to this experience but a big nice surprise with gravel for me.

Sponsored

 

[W1NGE]

Thanks ?

I‘m thinking ahead to year 4 of the lease. I know that 1k a corner is typical with air suspension?

Extend the warranty with Porsche -£1.5K

 

[jontybutts]

Drove one with steel springs today, dealer loaner whilst mine was in for two recalls. The air on mine is worth every penny, really settled and smooth even on Devon roads. The worst thing about the loaner was the colour……Black…..glad to give it back, utterly dull.

 

[Archimedes]

I wouldn't even be able to exit my driveway without the air suspension raised. I've accidently tried...

 

[Fish Fingers]

I wouldn't even be able to exit my driveway without the air suspension raised. I've accidently tried...

I think that answers the OP's question right there.

It may not necessarily be your drive. But you will come across times where lift is needed.

It is a low car with a long wheelbase.

 

[gusone]

I have coils and 21 inch wheels and the drive is very comfortable pottering around South East London. That's with the sports chassis constantly selected as well. That said if you are 4 year leasing it's only £32 a month. I personally spent that on other things.

 

[f1eng]

sports chassis constantly selected as well.

Well with springs presumably the only thing the sport setting does to the chassis is is stiffened dampers, all other characteristics (ride height, different spring rates) need the air suspension.
I almost never drive in a town, on the test drive I had the ride was the biggest and unexpected outstanding characteristic, but I haven’t tried one with springs.

With the vehicle dynamics experience I have I would expect the versatility of air suspension for UK roads is worthwhile.

 

[RPSRPS]

Hi guys i have searched this forum and others regarding this subject. I have posted this thread in the UK section as our road are notoriously bad and probably the worst in first world europe. For those that have compared the base and adaptive air suspension what are your thoughts?. Did you notice a significant difference between the two on our battered pot hole riddled roads?

Thanks in advance

Well worth it. Had it in the 2017 Macan GTS I traded - was the smoothest ride going without sacrifice performance, Made sure to get it in my wife's Volvo XC90 and in my Taycan. The Porsche system is way beyond the Volvo's by the way.

 

[MadCan]

Just as a side note, I know some manufacturers have reliability issues with air suspension (Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes etc), do Porsche have a record of such issues?

sorry to deviate away from the main theme of this discussion.

45,000 miles on an air suspension Macan and not a single issue. Upside was incredible tyre longevity (42,000 miles on all 4 corners) despite spirited, mainly A road, driving. Very little town driving though.

 

[captainlk]

How steep is too steep that you need to raise the car and how did you all figure that out?

I went over some speed bumps in a Turbo S on my test drive and it was fine but when I get my car I don't just want to try steeper and steeper things until it bottoms out.

Sponsored