Crown

Hi guys,

Hoping to have the 991 AWD options soon so that I can start configuring one.  

I am wondering, since 991 is more stretched lenghtwise that results a more declined rear window, I am wondering if it is a necessity to have a rear wiper ?  I don't l have (and like) and actually I don't need it on my current 997 as you drive fast enough the rear window cleans itself  

Any ideas?

just apply some rain-x on it

It ruins the lines of any 911, I wouldn't get it.

--

The secret of life is to admire without desiring.

looks really ugly on a 911, and I never found it really necesary, its not like a Cayenne's rear window.

--

That's what I think as well,  it looks ugly!

However I am wondering if I can live without a wiper on a 991 with a more flattened rear window.

Carlos from Spain:

looks really ugly on a 911, and I never found it really necesary, its not like a Cayenne's rear window.

+1  Totally agree - not necessary.  I also think that rear park assist sensors ruin the clean lines on a light coloured 911.

"Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out."

Just put rain-x on my 991, visibility is no worse than my 997.2 in the rain.

Unless you are going to drive your car in a lot of snowy conditions, I'd say skip it.

I have the rear wiper on my 997 and LOVE it !  It is practically invisible unless you are actually looking for it since it is built into the rear window and is black.  For the occasional times I use it (like parked in the rain or snow) it is useful and appreciated.  I also like the no business appearance of the rear wiper  IMHO.....

Useful when backing out of a parking spot after the car has been sitting in the rain. 

And absolutely necessary as part of the 911 as a functional tool, with function coming first and form following. From the previous responses, I am clearly in the minority (perhaps even an outlier) on this. It goes back to the 911 I lusted after when I was a kid: an early 70's Targa with a rear window wiper, with the kink in the wiper arm...

I agree 100% with Dave63 and KMM.

I didn't get a rear wiper on my 997 2S or 997 FL 4S and regret it. I will definitely get one on the 991 4S. It is much safer to have, especially backing out of a parking space in the rain or snow. I personally don't find the wiper unattractive either. 

--
997 C4S FL

I have always loved the rear wiper.  If I had my choice (I generally buy used) I would go with sunroof delete and a rear wiper!  It is a classic element. A couple of my past cars had them and you all know me an all season tires, I am always playing in the snow and bad weather.

Parking assist sensors - you could not give me a car with them.  If you need them you don't need a 911, you need a wheelchair (okay, so I feel the same about the PDK!) - an invisible packup camera might be nice.  Amazing that is not offered in the 991... maybe not.

Leawood911, agreed on all points, except maybe PDK.  I have always had manual but with seven gears, not to mention global warming, now seems the time to change. I have only driven for an hour or so with the new 991 PDK  but I was really impressed. Torque on demand without having to keep the revs high at all times with resulting awful mileage. But I'm sure I'll miss the stick. 

pnoble:

Leawood911, agreed on all points, except maybe PDK.  I have always had manual but with seven gears, not to mention global warming, now seems the time to change. I have only driven for an hour or so with the new 991 PDK  but I was really impressed. Torque on demand without having to keep the revs high at all times with resulting awful mileage. But I'm sure I'll miss the stick. 

Global warming?!? I have PDK and like it but not for eco-cuckoo reasons. A PDK car is only more economical if you drive it sedately in SC Normal. Not what these cars are made for. If you want an econo car drive one, driving a 911 as an econo car is pathetic. Sorry!

And on the rear wiper... no need.

_________________________________________________________________ 

"Dream as impractical, irrational and unnecessary as that may be... Here's to the Dreamers!" -- Porsche AG.

I drive my current manual 997.2 C4S exclusively. I'm getting 16.7 MPG combined after 40K miles. I was at more like 15.9 until fairly recently. I never stay below 3,000 RPM because there is so little torque below and nothing much happens until one is close to 4,000..

I found driving the 997 C2S PDK that even in Sports mode it dropped quickly down to around 2,000 RPM when cruising but hitting the gas it kicked down instantly and delivered plenty of torque. A whole lot faster and more efficiently than I could with my manual.

I don't get my jolies cruising at 4,000 RPM just in case I need to accelerate quickly if I could be cruising at 2,000 with pretty close to the same results. Less engine noise, less pollution and even less gas cost. Though I'm sure I'll miss the stick.

Paul

buzzinfrog:

Hi guys,

Hoping to have the 991 AWD options soon so that I can start configuring one.  

I am wondering, since 991 is more stretched lenghtwise that results a more declined rear window, I am wondering if it is a necessity to have a rear wiper ?  I don't l have (and like) and actually I don't need it on my current 997 as you drive fast enough the rear window cleans itself  

Any ideas?

I didn't order one on my Panamera Turbo S for looks and I wouldn't order it on the 991 for the very same reason.

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche Panamera Turbo S (June 2012 delivery), Porsche 997 Carrera GTS Cabriolet PDK, BMW X5M, Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe PP/DP, Mini Cooper S Countryman All4

RC:

buzzinfrog:

Hi guys,

Hoping to have the 991 AWD options soon so that I can start configuring one.  

I am wondering, since 991 is more stretched lenghtwise that results a more declined rear window, I am wondering if it is a necessity to have a rear wiper ?  I don't l have (and like) and actually I don't need it on my current 997 as you drive fast enough the rear window cleans itself  

Any ideas?

I didn't order one on my Panamera Turbo S for looks and I wouldn't order it on the 991 for the very same reason.

+ 1 

 997.2 C2S, PDK, -20mm

+2

"Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out."

Leawood911:

I have always loved the rear wiper.  If I had my choice (I generally buy used) I would go with sunroof delete and a rear wiper!  It is a classic element. A couple of my past cars had them and you all know me an all season tires, I am always playing in the snow and bad weather.

Parking assist sensors - you could not give me a car with them.  If you need them you don't need a 911, you need a wheelchair (okay, so I feel the same about the PDK!) - an invisible packup camera might be nice.  Amazing that is not offered in the 991... maybe not.

 

+1 When I get a 911 it will have the rear wiper. I may never use it, but I like the way it gives the car a "classic" element and look.

RC:

buzzinfrog:

Hi guys,

Hoping to have the 991 AWD options soon so that I can start configuring one.  

I am wondering, since 991 is more stretched lenghtwise that results a more declined rear window, I am wondering if it is a necessity to have a rear wiper ?  I don't l have (and like) and actually I don't need it on my current 997 as you drive fast enough the rear window cleans itself  

Any ideas?

I didn't order one on my Panamera Turbo S for looks and I wouldn't order it on the 991 for the very same reason.

no functional need for a rear wiper. furthermore it looks less stylish.

Dassault Falcon 7X is the first large business jet without windshieldwipers. a kind of "rain x" rain repellant is used. Engineers & pilots know exactly why !

The 7x has plenty of help from the ground staff when backing out, Porsche is far less labour intensive, I don't have a ground crew, so I'll take the rear wiper.

Putting in my 991 C4S order today so back on the forum and saw your comments! 

At least in theory PDK is more economical because it can step down far quicker and more efficiently than someone driving manual can. I stay above 3000 RPM, and often closer to 4,000 RPM with my manual 997 C4S so that if needed the car is instantly responsive, but 90% of the time it isn't needed.

With PDK, it will put me in a higher gear/lower RPM and if I do need torque it will instantly shift down a lot more quickly and precisely than I typically could. That was my point. and no dishonor to be saving gas. Most of us tooling around in late model 911's aren't too concerned about the dollars and cents of it, but we do share a planet. 

And re the rear wiper, living in northern NJ and depending on the year, there can be a lot of snow and I'm fully in agreement with those suggesting there is no downside to a wiper clearing it from the rear window before backing up. (I like to limit my time manually cleaning the rear window come the dead of winter.)

Especially when Porsche seems to be at odds with the new US Government requirement to offer rear view video in all their cars - I thought - as of this summer. Not as another $5,000 option - for something that comes standard in a $20,000 Toyota.

I can't wait for VW to fully take over. Nor my dealer who's sales manager was vociferously bemoaning, just today, all the indignities of dealing with current Porsche management.

--
997 C4S FL

"Most of us tooling around in late model 911's aren't too concerned about the dollars and cents of it, but we do share a planet. "

I find the above comment ludicrous.

Do you really believe that by choosing PDK you are making some saintly gesture toward saving the planet,?

If you believe the planet is in peril why wouldn't you park your car and take public trans or at least buy a much more efficient car than the 991?

Personally I believe the "planet" can take of itself, as it has done over millions of years, regardless of what transmission you choose for your 991!

pnoble:

And re the rear wiper, living in northern NJ and depending on the year, there can be a lot of snow and I'm fully in agreement with those suggesting there is no downside to a wiper clearing it from the rear window before backing up. (I like to limit my time manually cleaning the rear window come the dead of winter.)

Relying on wipers to clear windshields of snow when starting off after a snowfall would be just asking for trouble. 

fritz

pnoble:

I can't wait for VW to fully take over. Nor my dealer who's sales manager was vociferously bemoaning, just today, all the indignities of dealing with current Porsche management.
 

pnoble:  Tell us who your sales manager is so that we can contact PCNA and get him fired!  Not for being seditious, mind you, but for being disingenuous!  Do you really think that whatever so-called 'indignities', real or imagined, the dealership is currently 'suffering' will be solved by the integration of Porsche into VW?  If anything, Porsche will have more influence in the way VW operates than vice versa!  Porsche is the engineering 'wunderkid', the most profitable division in the joint corporation (a venerable cash-cow!) and the most prestigious name in German automotive industry!  If it wasn't for the inopportune financial crisis of 2008, W. Wiedeking and W. Porsche would have been sitting pretty today in Wofsburg instead of his cousin F. Piech!   Curiously, Wendelin is now deep in a bunker somewhere in Argentina, plotting his revenge with some of the boys in exile there from the time of the Third Reich.  And Wolfgang is retiring to his estate in Zellamsee.  Dreams of world domination sometimes don't turn out as well as anticipated.  But Porsche will continue to roll ahead like the Panzer divisions of old!  I think that if your Sales Manager doesn't wise up, he might end up working at Hyundai.  But that is just a personal opinion.

Saludos, Eduardo

IMO, unless you regularly need to shift morning dew or a light quantity of snow, it really isn't needed. Rain just falls down without assistance.

Visually, IMO the car looks better without it. It is not supposed to look like a hatchback with a wiper at the back :)

997.1 C2S GT Silver/Cocoa, -20mm/LSD, PSE, short shifter, SportDesign rims, Zuffenhausen pickup, BMW Z4 2.5i Roadster Sterling Grey/Red

+1.... The rear wiper looks hideous IMHO and if anyone needs rear sensors to manoeuvre a 911, they probably shouldn't be driving one!!

"Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out."

Herr Wiedeking is in serious jeopardy at this point;

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/05/porsche-court-haerter-idUSL6E8K584M20120905

stubenhocker:

Herr Wiedeking is in serious jeopardy at this point;

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/05/porsche-court-haerter-idUSL6E8K584M20120905

Yes, I would hope so!  But he has apparently pretty crafty lawyers.  This man is the bête noire of the German auto industry and the harm he inflicted (with the consent of the PAG's board...or did they fully know?) on Porsche, its reputation and destiny - the lost the independence it fought so hard to maintain for over 60 years! - is simply enormous and maybe incalculable!  Still, I would still like to know the extend of the personal monetary losses incurred by members of the Porsche and Piech families in this financial fiasco!  There is a lesson there for all to learn from.  The complete story of Herr Wiedeking's folly has not YET been written.  When the full story is revealed and documented in a book, it will be an international best seller!

Saludos, Eduardo (Vail Valley, Colorado)

Z356:

stubenhocker:

Herr Wiedeking is in serious jeopardy at this point;

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/05/porsche-court-haerter-idUSL6E8K584M20120905

Yes, I would hope so!  But he has apparently pretty crafty lawyers.  This man is the bête noire of the German auto industry and the harm he inflicted (with the consent of the PAG's board...or did they fully know?) on Porsche, its reputation and destiny - the lost the independence it fought so hard to maintain for over 60 years! - is simply enormous and maybe incalculable!  Still, I would still like to know the extend of the personal monetary losses incurred by members of the Porsche and Piech families in this financial fiasco!  There is a lesson there for all to learn from.  The complete story of Herr Wiedeking's folly has not YET been written.  When the full story is revealed and documented in a book, it will be an international best seller!

Saludos, Eduardo (Vail Valley, Colorado)

That is a very one-sided view of the situation. If it was really that clear-cut we would not still be waiting to see whether or not any charges may be brought against him about 3 years after the event. 

As for financial losses incurred by members of the Porsche/Piech clan, I suspect that those very people would be more inclined to say that Wiedeking was the one person who was instrumental in saving the Porsche company from being sold off cheaply or even going bust in the early 1990s, as well as in building up the company's balance sheet to the extent that it could even contemplate taking over the much larger VW group.

I should mention that, though I appear to be sticking up for him here, I am far from being a fan of Wiedeking as a person. 

fritz