[williamoss]

I am planning to buy a 968 coupe. I have located two. One is basically a 2003 standard 968 coupe with MO30 bars, and strut brace, with LSD , it is located close to where I live about 600 miles away

The other is a full MO30 1995 coupe. It is located across the country about 3000 miles away

So driving the two for a comaprison is sort of impossible.

What I want to know is the ride difference between the two if used mostly as a drive around the city car with some Drivers education thrown in.

William Moss
Tigard OR

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[jeff968]

Anyway you can drive them and compare? I hear the M030 is amazing handling but brutal ride.

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[Tom030]

I have owned a 1993 with the factory MO30 package since 1996. The ride is definately stiff even after 110,000. miles. At freeway speeds it's not too bad, over secondary roads or freeways with large expansion joints it gets your attention. The other side of the coin, with a good alignment, it's still one of the best handling production cars on the road. If you're ever in the Seattle area I be happy to let you drive it.

~tom

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[Cloud9...68]

"I have owned a 1993 with the factory MO30 package since 1996."

Wow, you're about the closest thing to an original owner I've seen. Very cool. I don't think there are any actual original owners. I was in the market for a car like the 968 when they were new, but they were just too overpriced; I bought a '93 RX7 twin turbo instead, which I had to sell when our second child was born in 1997. If only I had the foresight to have coughed up the extra dough for a 968, I might still have it today.

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[Lear35A]

I have a foctory M030 1994 coupe bought in 2000. I don't think the ride is that bad, certainly not "brutal." Frankly what I think is special about the M030 is the brakes not the sway bar.
Lance

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[Kim]

Don Hassenbein (Red Baron) is an original owner.

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[firefish]

If they are in similar condition, pick the one with LSD unless the other has a much nicer color (iyo). It is easy to upgrade a non M030 car to M030 specs (even for a lightly experienced DIYer) compared to fuzzing about with the tranny. The only used M030 parts that goes for more than pocket change on eBay are the front brakes.

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[porsche]

my first 968 was a 93 coupe with 220: lsd. this was the car that got me hooked!

I've had a couple cabs, but every coupe after that first 93 has been a factory M030.

my 2 cents, and my opinion, unless opting for a cab, I'd only buy a factory M030 coupe.

As 968 are "special" cars, the M030 optioned coupes are just that much more rare!

If you don't buy a factory M030, you'll spend yourself past the initial purchase price "optioning" your non-M030 example.

If Pete's M030 Coupe is still available at RS Barn, I can't imagine that there's a nicer available example.

Also, Pete's car is "good to go" with up-to-date service.

Porsche

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[tom968]

I'm an original owner with the M030 option. I never
thought it was a big deal. Dealers had a hard time
selling these cars when new.

The sport chassis, I feel, is stiff over rough roads.

I agree with the previous post, it's an expensive upgrade
and worth seeking.

If used as a daily driver only you may not need it.

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[firefish]

The question here was whether to chose a car with either the 220 or the 030 option. Undoubtely a car with both options is the preferred and most valuable choice but that was not the option here. I still feel that 220 is the option to pick as upgrading the rest is fairly easy. Granted, brakes can be expensive but that's about it and any of the performance options for aftermarket springs and shocks are topping the 030 both with regards to ride quality and performance whilst still retaining the torsion bars.

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[SHA-JR968]

I would go for the car with M030 bars and LSD.

Depending on the condition of the original dampers, I recommend an upgrade on Bilstein B6.

The result is a car which has sufficient handling for a track day and is comfortable enough as a daily driver.

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[jeff968]

About 20% of the M030 cars DON'T have 220 LSD.

There are a number of original 968 owners out there. Just to mention a couple in addition to Don, Marty in RI purchased her coral coupe new and Nonnie from NYC purchased her white cab new.

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[Fox944]

Personally, i'm not a huge fan of M030 cars. If you plan to do Stock class pca events or auto x, they make a great car.

However, for a daily driver...the suspension is not as composed as a standard car. Its bumpy over uneven surfaces and wanders a lot more then a non m030 car. Also if you plan to modify the suspension, you would be replacing the most of what makes the M030 different anyway.

I'm very content with my set-up. M030 Front Sway bar, Lindsey racing rear sway bar, Koni adjustable front & rear, H&R springs up front, rear ride hieght adjustment (lowest setting), D1 Sturt Brace & lower chassis brace, & weltmeister rear chassis brace. Chassis is stiff, body roll is minimal, & its much more composed over bumps & eneven surfaces then an M030 car.

I can say, the M030 cars are slightly more fun to drive as they feel more tossable and its easier to bring the rear out then with my car.

I also have an LSD & Factory Turbo Spoilers.

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[stevekat]

I wouldn't let distance deter your from an M030. I went from Los Angeles to Detroit to find mine. M030 is very streetable, really similar to what I have in most of my other cars, ie: Mazda Miata with factory 'R' suspension, etc. Ultimately, if the MO30 you are looking at has LSD, it is a no-brainer. If you plan to hold onto for long term and keep original, the M030 is a very interesting model.

My M030 does not have LSD, but I have since acquired one, not yet installed.

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[jeff968]

"I wouldn't let distance deter your from an M030. I went from Los Angeles to Detroit to find mine. M030 is very streetable, really similar to what I have in most of my other cars, ie: Mazda Miata with factory 'R' suspension, etc. Ultimately, if the MO30 you are looking at has LSD, it is a no-brainer. If you plan to hold onto for long term and keep original, the M030 is a very interesting model.

My M030 does not have LSD, but I have since acquired one, not yet installed.
"

Cool car Steve, is the last three digits of your VIN 062 or 066?

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[williamoss]

I am planning to buy a 968 coupe. I have located two. One is basically a 2003 standard 968 coupe with MO30 bars, and strut brace, with LSD , it is located close to where I live about 600 miles away

The other is a full MO30 1995 coupe. It is located across the country about 3000 miles away

So driving the two for a comaprison is sort of impossible.

What I want to know is the ride difference between the two if used mostly as a drive around the city car with some Drivers education thrown in.

William Moss
Tigard OR

Sorry I forgot to say that both cars have the 220 LSD option on them.

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[Scott Collins]

William,

Have you seen the coupe being sold by Pete Fitzpatrick of RS Barn? That is SWEET! It would cost a large fortune to do those mods yourself, and it's sorted by the best. Don't ask me to drive it for you though, or you would be buying it from me!

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[Fox944]

I must agree with Scott. Pete's coupe is outstanding. I had the pleasure of driving it and its a really well sorted Coupe. If your in the market for an M030 car, that one should be at the top of your list.

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[porsche]

Quoting from above:

"What I want to know is the ride difference between the two if used mostly as a drive around the city car with some Drivers education thrown in."

city driving & DE sessions - the M030 968 is tailor made for you, as it's truly a "livable" dual purpose ride.

Porsche

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