Boxster S versus Boxster GTS daily driving comfort - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Can anyone who has driven both the Boxster S and the GTS please advise if there is any discernible difference in the ride quality between these two cars? One of the reasons I sold my 991 GT3 was because I found the ride much harder and less comfortable than my previous 997 Turbo - my back is not what it used to be and don't want to regret the GTS, which otherwise is my preferred choice. Thanks!

The GTS has PASM or Sports Suspension as standard, so to compare them the S would need to be the same specification. From my very limited experience (haven't got my car yet) on test drives they will be very similar if not identical on PASM suspension, to me a pretty compliant ride too in normal mode, but each persons idea of a comfortable ride differs enormously. Haven't tried the X73 suspension as mine will be for 95% road use and the PASM fits the bill perfectly.

Martino7 said: Can anyone who has driven both the Boxster S and the GTS please advise if there is any discernible difference in the ride quality between these two cars? One of the reasons I sold my 991 GT3 was because I found the ride much harder and less comfortable than my previous 997 Turbo - my back is not what it used to be and don't want to regret the GTS, which otherwise is my preferred choice. Thanks! same car and same sus ! you can spec x73 sports sus on both cars also.

PorscheGT4 said: same car and same sus ! you can spec x73 sports sus on both cars also. On the same wheels and suspension there will be no difference. The S doesn't have PASM as standard. That said PASM in normal mode is probably the most comfortable set-up - whether S or GTS. However the GTS has 20" wheels , and the S 19s, and the car is a bit more comfortable (and quieter) on the smaller wheels. But the difference isn't huge. I haven't personally experienced X73, but from what others have said you might well be advised to avoid it.

If the GTS is your choice it will be absolutely fine on PASM suspension. The S is pretty good on standard suspension especially on it's standard 19" wheels but the PASM is a little more compliant. I'm sure you know your stuff, but in standard spec the cars are far from being the same so if comparing them make sure the S has the right options fitted. I would be inclined to try a GTS on PASM and take it from there.

bcr5784 said: On the same wheels and suspension there will be no difference. The S doesn't have PASM as standard. That said PASM in normal mode is probably the most comfortable set-up - whether S or GTS. However the GTS has 20" wheels , and the S 19s, and the car is a bit more comfortable (and quieter) on the smaller wheels. But the difference isn't huge. I haven't personally experienced X73, but from what others have said you might well be advised to avoid it. Boxster only comes alive on X73 only way to spec it imo as it's a sports car :-)

PorscheGT4 said: Boxster only comes alive on X73 only way to spec it imo as it's a sports car :-) Maybe - but remember the OP is looking for comfort.

Gorsh said: Maybe - but remember the OP is looking for comfort. Buy a car with 17" wheels then on 55 series rubber :-)

Either that or a volvo GTS it is then! Thanks all.

Martino7 said: Either that or a volvo GTS it is then! Thanks all. The only other argument in favour of the S (assuming you prefer the spec of the GTS) is ground clearance. The splitter of the GTS is significantly lower than the S's and grounds easily as some posters here and on 911 have pointed out. If you regularly negotiate speed humps or have a sloping drive, it may be an issue for you. (It doesn't take that much of a slope for my PASM S to ground its nose).

I can say hand on heart that the front splitter can ground out very occasionally, but in 99% of situations there is no problem whatsoever. Ride comfort is excellent on the GTS, and I have driven mine for more than 200 miles in a single stint without any problems. I would recommend a GTS over an S as they have the much nicer half alcantara seats, leather dash top and door cappings that really lift the interior.

My BGTS is very comfortable, spec is bucket seats along with the standard fit PASM and 20" wheels. Tyres pressures are supposed to be 2.3 bar all round, but the manual actual says you can drop them to 2.0 bar on the 20"s for extra comfort if you like. We tried that on a recent road trip and there wasn't any real discernible difference (we were in Spain on lovely flat roads) but it did kill a few mpg off our cruise economy 33mpg vs 36mpg on the motorway, roof closed, 2 up with luggage at a GPS 120 km/h (75 mph).

One thing to remember is the GTS fits the bumper bodykit as standard which reduces clearance quite a bit although if it wasn't an issue in a GT3 for you then should be fine in the GTS.

I had the axle lifter on the GT3 so was not an issue. Is the splitter a relatively low cost removable section that can be replaced if badly damaged, so no need to be concerned? The car is on order and being built in January...

I think it is referred tto as the "SportDesign Package" and the configurator just says significant reduction in ground clearance.

Martino7 said: I had the axle lifter on the GT3 so was not an issue. Is the splitter a relatively low cost removable section that can be replaced if badly damaged, so no need to be concerned? The car is on order and being built in January... The whole kit is a £1700 option on the S so I don't expect it to be exactly cheap

Being aware of the splitter and driving accordingly on uneven ground or parking front to the kerb should mean no problem. I bet those who have broke the splitter did not take account of the fact it is lower than other Boxsters. Furthermore, it will be better (higher) with PASM than with Sports Suspension, so for road use it's another reason to have PASM.

Gorsh said: Being aware of the splitter and driving accordingly on uneven ground or parking front to the kerb should mean no problem. I bet those who have broke the splitter did not take account of the fact it is lower than other Boxsters. Furthermore, it will be better (higher) with PASM than with Sports Suspension, so for road use it's another reason to have PASM. I think that's a bit simplistic, I couldn't get up either my drive or my son's in a GTS - and you wouldn't say either was that steep - it's just the change in slope which causes the problem. I certainly wouldn't put up with a car that I couldn't park in my drive.

bcr5784 said: I think that's a bit simplistic, I couldn't get up either my drive or my son's in a GTS - and you wouldn't say either was that steep - it's just the change in slope which causes the problem. I certainly wouldn't put up with a car that I couldn't park in my drive. Reverse up...simples!

Mario149 said: Reverse up...simples! It would make not the slightest difference - it's the abrupt change in angle from the flat part of the drive to the sloping one - and angles being what they are, it works both ways! (If I'm being pickey going backwards makes it worse - there is a bit more weight on the front and the front suspension compressed slightly more) My sons case is slightly different and without trying it I can't be sure - but the problem occurs with my S (PASM) so I'd be very surprized if reversing fixed it with a GTS. Personally not keen on reversing into main roads either. Edited by bcr5784 on Friday 6th November 18:12

I can't think of roads I travel regularly where the slope change is enough to ground it. The main dangers are speed humps and parking nose into the Kerb. Another possibility is multi storey car park ramps - I will be extra careful in my local ones until I know it's OK. My BGTS was due to be completed build today, very excited to think in just 2-3 weeks I will take delivery!

Gorsh said: I can't think of roads I travel regularly where the slope change is enough to ground it. The main dangers are speed humps and parking nose into the Kerb. Another possibility is multi storey car park ramps - I will be extra careful in my local ones until I know it's OK. My BGTS was due to be completed build today, very excited to think in just 2-3 weeks I will take delivery! Your are missing my point - it's not (in my experience) slope changes on roads that are the issue - it's on drives (and possibly carparks?). As you point out some have issues over speed humps. But given that you haven't got your GTS yet aren't you just speculating? I am commenting on the basis of practical experience of (according to Porsche) a car (S PASM) which has significantly more clearance - but which does give rise to issues nevertheless.

No, I'm not missing your point at all - it's a valid one based on your experience which is fair enough. What I am saying is that in general day to day driving it won't/shouldn't be an issue providing you are aware of the low splitter and drive accordingly. In my case my driveway is virtually flat and non of my friends or relatives has one that would be steep enough to ground the lowest of cars. There are loads of Cayman and Boxster GTS's about and some of those have the X73 suspension which is another 20mm lower than PASM, and very few mentions of grounding issues are reported - so from that and from my own observations of the cars it is of very little concern to me. If I come across a steep driveway I can simply avoid it - but in your case it is different as your drive is steep enough to be a problem.

I can now comment on this with the benefit of over 800 miles driving my new BGTS. Normal roads present no worries at all - however, I haven't yet driven at speed on a bumpy B road where the car almost takes off at times! I have been in a couple of multi-storey car parks, must admit I was barely moving when coming down the ramps, but it never grounded. The car ferry home was another one which concerned me, but the crew guided me to one side of the ramp and watched carefully for me as I crept over it, thankfully it never grounded so I won't be as concerned next time - but the ramps are different each time with varying tide heights so just as much care will be needed. Speed humps - I always creep over them and so far only found one where the rubber blade under the spoiler just brushed it, I go over it on every journey as it's near my house - have found that if I keep near the centre of the road it doesn't touch. I'm aware of the spoiler at all times and I'm learning to recognise where I need to take extra care, but if the car is taken over ramps/bumps very slowly it's surprising what it can safely negotiate, so overall it isn't a problem - just a matter of knowing your car and driving accordingly. Incidentally - the car is FANTASTIC!! Loving it so much, and that's with keeping the revs under 4k most of the time with occasional visits to 5k but not using full throttle.

I've had no grounding issues with our Boxster GTS in over 5k miles, including my workplace where I occasionally take it, which has numerous sleeping policemen and ramps on and off dock gate roadways. Our 2006 Boxster S used to ground far more frequently at the front end. (Both cars had / have PASM).