Last minute Cayman GTS spec help - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Hi guys, I've had a turbulent few weeks with an OPC with regards to by allocation / build slot etc. Anyway, cut a long story short, I've finally got my Feb build and I've got to put my final spec through the system by COB today. Spec as it stands: Cayman GTS - Manual Exterior Colour - Jet Black Metallic Black leather i.c.w Carmine Red alcantara package GTS Exterior mirror lower trims painted Electric folding outside mirrors ParkAssist rear Sports suspension (20 mm lower) 20-inch Carrera S wheel Wheel Caps Smoking package Seat heating Sports Bucket Seats Preparation for mobile phone BOSE® Surround Sound System Porsche Communication Management (PCM) incl navigation module with universal audio interface Third Year Porsche Assistance Third Year Warranty Few questions: 1) I've gone through plenty of posts on here and Planet9 and I'm still on the fence with PTV - is it really worth it? I've not driven a car with it before and I'm not planning on tracking it a lot, maybe once or twice in the year max. If it's going to be superior in terms of handling and improving safety on a wet day then is it advisable? 2) Different between Prep for mobile phone and telephone module, is telephone module worth the extra and is it still connectible via Bluetooth? 3) 3rd year warranty and road assist, do you guys usually opt for this or remove it? Look forward to hearing all your thoughts... Thanks

Personally I wouldn't bother with PTV. I drove my non PTV Cayman S HARD on the road in all conditions and never missed it. I don't have it on my GTS either. Don't waste the extra money on Telephone module, doesn't bring anything worthwhile to the party. I don't bother with the 3rd warranty as I never have a car that long anyway, and I've found come trade in it didn't affect what I was offered. You can add it later for the same cost if need be. The only thing I'd add to your spec is front parking sensors, but maybe that is just because of my lazy parking!

DMC2 said: Personally I wouldn't bother with PTV. I drove my non PTV Cayman S HARD on the road in all conditions and never missed it. I don't have it on my GTS either. Don't waste the extra money on Telephone module, doesn't bring anything worthwhile to the party. I don't bother with the 3rd warranty as I never have a car that long anyway, and I've found come trade in it didn't affect what I was offered. You can add it later for the same cost if need be. The only thing I'd add to your spec is front parking sensors, but maybe that is just because of my lazy parking! I'm inclined to agree with DMC2 on the front parking sensors, especially as you're getting full PCM. I have the rear park camera too and think it all works really brilliantly together. Front sensors have proved useful driving in traffic when you are squeezed into parked cars since the sensors will activate automatically at parking speeds. I drove one hard at Silverstone without PTV, and happy that I didn't spec it, but impossible to know for sure without driving back to back - if you haven't you're probably safe not speccing it, but you do have a pretty sporty spec otherwise (manual, X73) - tough choice! I do have the phone prep, and find that a really good addition too, almost didn't spec it, glad I did, even for the two calls I've taken in the car, works ok without the multifunction steering wheel too, and you do get a ton of info on the in-dash MFD. I personally wouldn't worry about the painted mirrors with a black car, especially with the other bits of matt black trim (intakes, front and rear lips, etc). Oh, and as everything is pretty dark, I'd recommend the aluminium finish fuel filler cap - looks great in the flesh. Good luck!!

I agree with the others regarding upgrading to Front & Rear assist. This was one omission from my build, the other was DAB. It'll be great for those tight spaces and you also get the visual aid in the PCM with this option. I do have PTV on my car - I got it primarily for the LSD actually - I think sports cars should have an LSD and this was the way to get it.

Thanks guys. I'm going to get park assist front added to the spec. PTV going to have a think about today. Any more thoughts on 3rd year warranty and Porsche assist?

miskalachi said: Thanks guys. I'm going to get park assist front added to the spec. PTV going to have a think about today. Any more thoughts on 3rd year warranty and Porsche assist? Good man. I did go with 3rd year warranty and Porsche Assist. This car is my main car (7-8k pa) apart from snow and salt periods and short journeys (where I use my Jeep) and I'll be keeping it for at least two years, and if I'm changing it will likely be during or just at the end of the third year, 2017. Edited by TDT on Friday 12th December 13:24

I've got PTV on my S, as it was on it as specced by Porsche. Not sure that I've noticed it in action if I'm honest and I can be somewhat 'spirited'. A Cayman I borrowed whilst mine was being serviced did not have it and I saw no noticable difference. So I'd probably not bother if speccing from new. Another vote for the front and rear sensors mind!

miskalachi said: Any more thoughts on 3rd year warranty and Porsche assist? you can decide just before delivery ..

The telephone prep is worth it for the Bluetooth handsfree alone, plus I can BT-audio stream music from my iPhone. I've taken incoming calls at 80mph on the motorway and it's crystal clear through the Bose. I specced front/back park assist and also the reversing camera, which is a godsend reversing out of my driveway in a tight street. Auto-dipping reversing mirrors are a must for parallel parking close to curbs also. Did not spec PTV, not going to track the car. Went with the three year warranty and assist, could not be arsed extending it after 24 months. Added DAB radio because my Mrs is addicted to that 80's music channel

The telephone prep is worth it for the Bluetooth handsfree alone, plus I can BT-audio stream music from my iPhone. I've taken incoming calls at 80mph on the motorway and it's crystal clear through the Bose. I specced front/back park assist and also the reversing camera, which is a godsend reversing out of my driveway in a tight street. Auto-dipping reversing mirrors are a must for parallel parking close to curbs also. Did not spec PTV, not going to track the car. Went with the three year warranty and assist, could not be arsed extending it after 24 months. Added DAB radio because my Mrs is addicted to that 80's music channel

What is the smoking package, box of cigars and a smoking jacket?

miskalachi said: Thanks guys. I'm going to get park assist front added to the spec. PTV going to have a think about today. Any more thoughts on 3rd year warranty and Porsche assist? You won't have any choice about the third year warranty - it's a non-optional option. I'd certainly go for front parking sensors - works very well and the parking display is much more helpful than just beeps. Regarding "colour" mine is Basalt Black (it was secondhand so not my choice) - but having seen both it and the non-metallic black I definitely prefer the non-metallic black. Very much a personal choice but if you haven't seen both worth thinking about. Basalt Black has a tinge of purple in some lights (which may be intentional), but isn't to my taste. My car (an S not a GTS) came with PASM and I really like it. The ride is really good (definitely better than standard - non GTS suspension) and tightens up nicely in sport. Depends what you use the car for but if it involves a lot of indifferent roads worth considering. Not sure about folding mirrors - look very flash, but the mirrors don't stick out that much beyond the bodywork anyway, and don't actually stick in that much further when folded. Again it depends on whether you park on the road or in very narrow spaces whether the odd inch or so matters. Dual zone climate? The standard aircon is a bit basic.

bcr5784 said: You won't have any choice about the third year warranty - it's a non-optional option. it is optional

Auto-Dipping Reversing Mirror is only available with Comfort entry and the 14/18-way seats if i'm not mistaken. I have it - very useful for saving on curbing your alloys. Smokers Package is an extra 12v socket and a retractable cover for the little hole in the centre console - no cost option -so why not. I did go with folding mirrors - simply because its flash i think. that in combo with comfort entry and adaptive seats makes me feel like the car is forming around me when I put the key in the ignition - childish i know - but its my toy.

TDT said: I did go with folding mirrors - simply because its flash i think. that in combo with comfort entry and adaptive seats makes me feel like the car is forming around me when I put the key in the ignition - childish i know - but its my toy. A car like the GTS is supposed to make you feel good so if the seats help with that then I would say it was a good box to have ticked.

SFO said: it is optional Well I asked about two months ago and was told by Silverstone Porsche that it wasn't.

J12KJR said: A car like the GTS is supposed to make you feel good so if the seats help with that then I would say it was a good box to have ticked. Being short and having the seat forward and up (as I am) I could certainly appreciate electric seats with a comfort entry/exit facility (It can be difficult in confined spaces). And if there are two drivers of differing heights memory seats are a boon too. Otherwise I find adjustment of the seats and (especially) the steering wheel easier manually.

3rd year is optional, was offered to remove it. If you plan to keep the car a while i would remove it. At your 2 year service buy another 2 years-cheaper than 1. Your opc should forgo the inspection fee as well at service time. Inmo the 3 year puts you out of sync with the 2 year servicing . That's unless your conscientious and drop the oil out every year! I always stuck my nose up at parking censors, but since they came along with a rear camera on a bmw i bought, I'd def get them again. Very handy given ever bigger cars and smaller parking spaces.

bcr5784 said: Well I asked about two months ago and was told by Silverstone Porsche that it wasn't. Well they told you wrong, dear fellow. I opted out of the 3 year warranty. I will buy an extended 2 year warranty after the first 24 months expire (this April coming) and benefit from the discount. That should take me nicely upto the 981 gen 2 facelift!

Twin zone climate would be a good call. Standard offering is "disappointing" and fiddly to use. Magic wipers are something that should be standard too.

Why disappointing and fiddly?

You would assume that it would be standard climate control, set and forget. It isn't. The two zone option is not an upgrade. It is the only way to get proper climate control. When you adjust the standard system (which you will need to every journey) there are fiddly switches and buttons behind the gear lever. It's not great really.

FrankCayman said: Well they told you wrong, dear fellow. I opted out of the 3 year warranty. I will buy an extended 2 year warranty after the first 24 months expire (this April coming) and benefit from the discount. That should take me nicely upto the 981 gen 2 facelift! I was in two minds whether to buy now or wait for the facelift. What's your opinion of a 4 cylinder turbo appearing as the base model, or indeed a turbo 6? It'll happen for sure, but will it be kept for the all new model after the facelift?

What do you mean for adjust every time? Doesn't it keep memory of temp level and fan? Can I keep it switched off instead?

Oh yes, it remembers the last settings and you can turn it off. Just that in the current weather you do need to adjust the settings. If it is cold to start with you need to set it near max to get any heat. It is mid engined so on a long run there is heat soak. So you need to keep turning it down. If you get in with a wet coat it will steam up unless you set it accordingly...

standard a/c is utter rubbish .. worse in a Boxster. standard a/c temp control is nothing to do with cabin or outside temperature, it only deals with how much heat/cool the system produces .. hence constant fiddling.

bcr5784 said: SFO said: it is optional Well I asked about two months ago and was told by Silverstone Porsche that it wasn't. the reason it is optional is that it is an insurance product, and just like Curry's cannot force you to buy extended warranties, neither can OPCs

SFO said: the reason it is optional is that it is an insurance product, and just like Curry's cannot force you to buy extended warranties, neither can OPCs I would have hoped that Porsche salesmen were above that sort of mis-selling - but clearly not. (Looking at posts elsewhere, it appears that others have been told it's mandatory, and had to press to get it removed - you can't via the configurator)

Thanks for all your help and suggestions guy's. Spec is now locked in and I didn't go for PTV, but added front parking and kept standard phone prep instead of telephone module. February build slot, should have the car second / third week of March 'touch wood' Can't wait!!