Tim and his
Porsche 911 GT3 RS

We at Elferspot Magazine are always happy to talk to Porsche enthusiasts from all over the world about what sparked their passion for sports cars from Porsche. After all, it is often precisely these stories that connect us enthusiasts and lead to many friendships over the years. This time for the Elferspot Porsche Talk: Swiss-by-choice Tim Steness.

Hello Tim! Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. We became aware of your account on Instagram, or rather of your gorgeous GT3 RS. First a very simple question: Who are you?

First of all, thank you very much for the interview, it is a great honour for me to talk to you about my passion for cars in general and in particular about my love for Porsche models of every generation. Your magazine and website is an “ode” to Porsche and its drivers. A really great format, be it on Instagram, where I follow you with passion, or your extremely good website. Chapeau, Markus.

The move to Switzerland brought the contrast. Pass roads, wonderful mountains and lakes. What more could you want?

So, enough praise, now let’s come to me. Who am I? My name is Tim and I am 36 years old. I live with my girlfriend in Thurgau/CH. I work in the fashion industry for a premium manufacturer and at the same time an excellent employer. I moved to Switzerland 9 years ago. Originally I come from the Lower Rhine, which means flat area. I think the highest elevation in the immediate vicinity is about 50m high, it washes you away when the sea level rises. So, everything is very flat and there are few bends – not necessarily a paradise for car enthusiasts. The move to Switzerland brought the contrast. Pass roads, wonderful mountains and lakes. What more could you want?

Thank you very much for the kind and praising words. Of course I’m very pleased and I’m happy to pass on the praise to my great team. Back to you. How long have you had this enthusiasm for cars?

This intense passion for cars and motorbikes runs in the family. Starting with my older brother, a Porsche driver, and of course, as with many, my influential father. His first car was a Mercedes 190 SL (W 121 II) in dark blue, and he did karting on the side. My father also had an Austin Healy 3000 MK III, and my grandfather had a car dealership. So I am genetically predisposed.

My grandfather had a car dealership. So I am genetically predisposed.

I started out focusing on motorbikes and completely rebuilt them in my parents’ garage. Ducati Cafe Racer/Kawasaki Bobber/KTM Enduros/Panigale Supersport. My first car was a brand new BMW Z3 3.0i Coupe. It was a great car and my pride and joy. Surprisingly, I drove it for 11 years, now it has much shorter intervals and I exchanged it for my first Porsche 911 997.1. The Porsche was clearly a step above and then my Porsche passion really took off. Later, I also got a Jaguar F-Type S, which had the best V6 sound and the worst workmanship. I then swapped both cars for my second Porsche. A white 991.1 GT3, my poster car. Brutal, hard, honest. Then I swapped again, for a new Aston Martin New Vantage, the one with the AMG engine. That was also because I’m an incredible James Bond fan and wanted to have a Bond car for once. My Aston had the same equipment as the DB10 from the film SPECTRE.

As already mentioned, you currently drive a Porsche 911 GT3 RS from the 991.2 series. How did this acquisition come about?

I swapped the Aston Martin Vantage for my current black 2018 Porsche 991.2 GT3 RS after six months. Why? I just had to go back to Porsche, and then straight to the best possible upgrade to my previous white GT3 991.1 from back in the day. The thing is so incredibly fast. Every time I take it out, I wonder how you can pack so much race car into a road-legal production car? The amazing thing is its practicality and suitability for everyday use. With this thing, you can easily drive to the discounter for your weekly shopping without any problems. The boot is big enough, the bumps on the driveways don’t bother you. The PDK gearbox is so precise and fast, it’s really incredible. For me, the GT3 RS is currently the quintessence. I love this car.

You mentioned the Aston Martin Vantage earlier. When you compare your Porsche with the Aston Martin, what do you think are the biggest differences between these two sports cars?

From my point of view, even though it is the sportiest Aston, it is more like a wonderfully elegant Sport Gran Turismo. The finish and feel is outstanding. The sound is terrific. Scratchy, brash and vehemently booming. The Vantage looks incredibly good and you always have that James Bond feeling. For me, an Aston Martin is already in a higher premium league. The perfect gentleman driver. The problem with the Aston is the value retention. An Aston Martin is usually bought new. That’s why the price of used cars falls relatively sharply.

I simply have more confidence in a Porsche. Since I have a well-equipped garage with a lifting platform, I dare to work on the Porsche much more than on any other car.

I simply have more confidence in a Porsche. The Porsche Centre only wants to see a street racing car like this come in for servicing every 24 months. The designers and engineers change the shape of the 911 model marginally and concentrate on the perfection of details. Since I have a fairly well-equipped garage with a lifting platform, I dare to screw on the Porsche much more than on any other car. You can also get the dismantled parts back on. Nevertheless, if I could, I would want to put both of them in the garage.

How often do you drive your 911?

My girlfriend and I drive it relatively often, actually almost every weekend. We also take part in round trips and experience the surrounding passes.

So your wife shares your passion for sports cars?

Oh yes, I absolutely infected her. She is a fashion designer and loves aesthetics. She now recognises cars by name earlier than I do. Her own car development alone is telling. From the Seat Ibiza III to the Mini Cooper S (R56) to the Mini JCW (F56) and most recently to the current Mercedes G350 (MY 2021). Thank goodness she shares the enthusiasm with me. Like me, she is a Petrol Head and even knows most of the Jeremy Clarkson sayings.

What was your best moment with your Porsche so far?

For me, it was definitely our first Bernandino Pass drive together in a Porsche 997. A wonderful experience. I can highly recommend it.

Are there any other Porsche models on your wish list?

I would really like to build a Porsche 911 for the Safari with my brother. That’s definitely on my wish list.

Dear Tim, thank you very much for the interview. It was a lot of fun.

I thank you!

© Blekoshots. Thanks to Bleko for these wonderful pictures.