This is a recap of a recent episode of *Welcome Home, PORSCHE*, our live-streamed radio show.
Tune in during your commute, on your way to school, or in the car as a companion for your next drive.
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Topics and Highlights

Starting the Stream and Changing the Setup [00:18]

• This episode was streamed using a different computer, switching from a MacBook Air to an iMac. The camera setup also changed from an Insta360 to the iMac’s built-in camera.
• Viewers commented that the colors looked better, praising the iMac camera’s image quality.
• The background was an AI-generated garage image.

This Week’s Topic: What’s the Best Porsche Engine? [05:30]

• Mina’s pick: the engine in the early 992.2 Carrera T. It’s responsive, well-balanced, and easy to drive, with a naturally aspirated feel.
• Hiro’s pick: the 3.0-liter turbocharged engine in the 992 Carrera, which is exceptionally easy to live with. He also likes the turbo engines in the 997, which he feels deserve more recognition.
• Many viewers nominated the naturally aspirated engine in the 991.1 GTS. It delivers an impressive sound and, as a 3.8-liter naturally aspirated engine, the most power of any in its generation.

What Makes the 964 Carrera 2 Engine Special [12:58]

• The 964 Carrera 2 engine topped the comment rankings on Porsche 919 days.
• The 964’s engine feels remarkably smooth and free of roughness, with a particularly appealing ability to rev cleanly through the low and mid ranges.
• That said, when fuel economy and maintenance costs are taken into account, modern engines have a practical edge.

The GT3 Engine’s High-Revving Character [15:36]

• The hosts shared an experience of revving a Spyder RS to 9,000 rpm. At 6,000–7,000 rpm, most cars would be approaching the redline—but this engine keeps pulling.
• Its ability to keep building power right to the limit is a big part of the appeal.
• For everyday driving, though, some felt the 991.1 S engine offers a better balance.

Turbo Engines in the 997 and 996 Generations [17:53]

• The turbo engines in the 997 and 996 are especially compelling, with one host describing them as feeling like “GT3 engines with turbos.”
• They deliver strong power high in the rev range and have a different character from modern turbo engines.
• They use the GT1 block, which could make them increasingly valuable over time. For reference, a road-going GT1 recently sold for ¥2.8 billion.

Could the 991.1’s Naturally Aspirated Engine Be the Sweet Spot? [29:00]

• If they had to choose just one 911, the hosts’ conclusion was the 991.1 Carrera S: an all-around performer with an excellent balance of capabilities.
• It has plenty of power and torque for easy urban driving, but it’s also rewarding when revved. As a naturally aspirated engine, it delivers power smoothly.
• Several viewers also said they were considering a 991.1 with the naturally aspirated S or GTS engine for their next Porsche.

Managing Engine Noise in Residential Areas [19:19]

• The 991’s naturally aspirated engine can be loud on a cold start, which calls for extra consideration in residential neighborhoods.
• One way to be considerate is to set off soon after starting the engine and keep idling to a minimum.
• One viewer even sold their 992.2 Carrera 4 GTS after a neighbor complained. In densely populated areas, renting a parking space away from home may be another option.

The Appeal of the BMW M3 Engine [42:00]

• One viewer called the E46 M3’s inline-six the ultimate engine, praising its six individual throttle bodies, sharp response, and silky-smooth character.
• Its behavior changes noticeably depending on whether Sport mode is enabled. In Sport mode, the engine revs freely, without hesitation.
• The hosts also recalled a much-loved E36 318is, which was a standout car when they bought it for ¥320,000.

Memories of the E36 318is [42:42]

• During a financially tight period after starting a business, one host sold an Audi TT and bought an E36 318is for ¥320,000 through Yahoo! Auctions. They took the cash to Yokohama and paid for the car in person.
• They kept driving it until it would no longer start and the sagging headliner and general wear showed just how much it had been used. They considered buying another one three or four years ago, but passed after finding it didn’t match their memories.

V8 Engines in the Cayenne and Panamera [44:40]

• The Cayenne and Panamera V8s share an engine between the Turbo and GTS models, but the tuning is different.
• After experiencing the Panamera Turbo’s V8, the GTS can feel overly detuned—the engine has more potential to give.
• But if you haven’t experienced the GTS V8 in the Turbo, it’s still an engine you can be perfectly happy with.

Choosing Between Macan Trims [53:33]

• A viewer asked what to focus on when comparing the Macan GTS and Macan S.
• Power and sound are the main differences. The GTS in particular has a more dramatic exhaust note than the other trims.
• How you drive matters, too. The GTS comes into its own at higher speeds, while the S or base model may feel easier to manage at lower speeds around town. Even the Macan S offers more than enough power for driving in Japan.

How to Stop Wiper Chatter [49:09]

• Water-repellent windshield coatings can cause wipers to chatter. The problem was particularly bad on the 964—so bad that it sounded as though the motor might burn out.
• The hosts recommended a product called “Molybdenum Coat.” Spray it onto a makeup cotton pad or tissue, then wipe down the rubber wiper blade.
• Leave it to dry for five or six minutes, and the chatter should stop. It worked on the 964 and lasts for about a year. Applying it with a brush or toothbrush may help it last even longer.

Test-Driving the 991.2 GT3 RS [56:59]

• The hosts test-drove a 991.2 GT3 RS in Crayon, with its front suspension lowered by 8 mm.
• It felt distinctly different from the GT3 Touring. At very low speeds, the suspension moved more freely than the GT3’s and did a better job of soaking up small bumps.
• The RS models seem to use particularly good dampers, with the Spyder RS showing similar characteristics. Ride comfort was surprisingly good. A full review is planned for a future blog post.

What Do You Want from the Next 911? (Next Week’s Topic) [60:48]

• Next week’s topic will be “What do you want from the next 911 after the 992.2?”
• It probably won’t be called the 993, but what features and qualities should we expect from the next generation of 911?
• Viewers were invited to think about it and share their ideas.

Right-Hand Drive vs. Left-Hand Drive [61:26]

• A viewer asked whether a Porsche is better with right-hand or left-hand drive.
• Hiro’s preference: if he had the choice, he’d want all his cars in left-hand drive. Since he’s right-handed, he prefers to use his right hand for the center-console controls, including the navigation system, climate controls, and gear changes.
• With a right-hand-drive car, those controls fall to the left hand, which feels less natural to him. It ultimately comes down to personal preference.