No news-good news in the reliability department since the replacement of the RMS (Rear Main Seal, located between the engine block and the gearbox. There has not been recurrence since, but since the problem seems more prevalent on north American cars for mysterious reasons, european air must have been the cure. The car has been trouble free otherwise. The clutch has had a tendancy to studder when warm since new, and rear brakes still sound like a freight train at times, no change there. The interior still squeaks occasionally in right A and C regions, unacceptable when new, tolerable now that the car has miles under the belt. The Tire Pressure Monitor has drifted and now shows values 0.3 bar (4.3 PSI) lower than reality. Warnings are annoying, but ttttdifferential indications are still valuable, and the system has already warned me of two flat tires before I would found by myself in unpleasant ways. Good marks to alcantara used on the steering wheel, seats and levers, not a hint of wear. Oil consumption is negligible, about 0.1L per 1000km.

My first set of Pirelli PZero Corsa System lasted 12’000km (7500mi) including four track days at Infineon, Thunderhill and Laguna Seca. The second set got retired early after a puncture in Hockenheim and an emergency replacement with Bridgestone RE050s miraculously available on location. I replaced them prematurely after 7500 km with another set of Corsa Systems for the 2010 trackday season. I haven’t had the opportunity to try more aggressive rubber (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup, Pirelli Corsa or PZero Trofeo). I paid between 2100 and 2400 CHF for sets of Corsa Systems, a reasonable price for these dimensions and performance level.

Brakes are to be looked after carefully. Their endurance is beyond criticism, you can beat them up dawn to dusk without a hint of fading, but their wear matches the car’s pace. Rotors develop hairlines around venting holes, but these never got critical. Front rotors got replaced after 22000km (13600mi) with GT3 Cup equivalents (800 CHF + VAT), front brake pads had given up 2000km earlier. It is the rears that need attention. Insufficient thickness, significant brake bias and Traction Control devour rear brake pads: barely 15000km for the first set (OEM), 6000km with the second (Pagid). Partial remedy comes from not using Traction Control on dry pavement.

GT3s are delivered with a very conservative set-up with high ride height and neutral axle adjustments. Being disturbed by track-out understeer, I asked for more front end bite without making the rear too edgy. Ride height dropped, about 2 degrees front and 2.5 degrees rear of camber, with corner weights adjusted. Since the car is entirely adjustable, all it takes is an experienced mechanic. Result ? No idea. Without a direct, before/after comparison, it is very difficult to gauge differences, my learning curve running in parallel with progressive adjustments of the car. My only certainties are that the car is now properly tuned for track use with a neutral balance, and that the front splitter clearance is even worse than stock.