Boxster 981 Retro fitting options - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Looking at getting a second-hand 981 shortly but there are a few options I want on the car and not all those on sale have them. Is it possible to get any of these fitted by the dealer or some aftermarket company or is it fixed at what the car comes with? Things like: Cruise Control Porsche Sports Exhaust PASM Body Coloured Roll Bar If so what sort of costs are they?

Cruise Control can be dealer fit but don't know the cost Porsche Sports Exhaust should be £1700 + VAT PASM would be megabucks if you could find someone willing to do it for you

This should give you some idea: http://content3.eu.porsche.com/prod/pag/tequipment...

Timbo_Mint said: This should give you some idea: http://content3.eu.porsche.com/prod/pag/tequipment... Great link, thanks. I didn't think PASM would be an aftermarket option anyway but asked just in case.

I had cruise retro fitted to my 981 Boxster last October by Porsche Tonbridge for £480 incl VAT. They made an excellent job of it and it looks/operates exactly the same as if fitted in production. With all the average speed cameras popping up everywhere, IMHO this was money well spent.

Rob52 said: Looking at getting a second-hand 981 shortly but there are a few options I want on the car and not all those on sale have them. Is it possible to get any of these fitted by the dealer or some aftermarket company or is it fixed at what the car comes with? Things like: Cruise Control Porsche Sports Exhaust PASM Body Coloured Roll Bar If so what sort of costs are they? I have just put my Boxster 3.4S up for sale it has Sports exhaust fitted along with most desirable extras ,also has the very rare 3rd pedal to keep your left foot occupied and a gearstick to keep you entertained the pm doesnt appear to be working on here but it is listed in the classifieds on here if of interest my number is on the ad.

Thanks b2tus, that's good to know, the average speed cameras are why I want it too, will probably try and negotiate it in on any suitable car I see at the dealer. Cheers JeffC, I am after one with the 3rd pedal, no PDK for me, but unless it's white and a 2.7 then I don't think I will have seen it as it's outside of my search criteria.

Rob52 said: Cheers JeffC, I am after one with the 3rd pedal, no PDK for me, but unless it's white and a 2.7 then I don't think I will have seen it as it's outside of my search criteria. Its white, manual mint car and very nicely specced , late 63 plate 3.4S with Porsche warranty til end of the year. I dont think Im allowed to link the car but its in the classifieds. give me a bell if of interest 07976 401888

Unless you're really set on buying a used car in a particular colour I usually reckon it's best to search for the specification you want and then just accept any sensible colour which turns up. Adding bits after the event can get pricey.

Ozzie Osmond said: Unless you're really set on buying a used car in a particular colour I usually reckon it's best to search for the specification you want and then just accept any sensible colour which turns up. Adding bits after the event can get pricey. I agree with you. My only colour stipulation was not grey and definitely not black and especially definitely not metallic black. Unfortunately there are an awful lot of grey or black cars around - guess what I finished up with....

I found a Cayman 981 S with £28k of options fitted. You name it, it had it! It was a Porsche GB launch car. 13k miles, £40k price tag. I walked away. It was Anthracite brown. Just couldn't do it!

Jeffc, found it, shame it's the S though, will bear it in mind. Colour if fairly high up the list, there will have to be compromises along the way but I don't see colour being one of them....for now

Rob52 said: Jeffc, found it, shame it's the S though, will bear it in mind. Colour if fairly high up the list, there will have to be compromises along the way but I don't see colour being one of them....for now no worries, are you particularly looking for a 2.7 Boxster? if so I would advise having a decent drive in one before you invest , I had one as courtesy car for a couple of days and it wasnt for me .

JeffC said: no worries, are you particularly looking for a 2.7 Boxster? if so I would advise having a decent drive in one before you invest , I had one as courtesy car for a couple of days and it wasnt for me . +1. The 2.7 is a terrific car when you are "on it" and perfectly ok when you are cruising - but lack of torque (and high gearing) can make it seem frustratingly gutless when you just want to drive briskly.

JeffC said: no worries, are you particularly looking for a 2.7 Boxster? if so I would advise having a decent drive in one before you invest , I had one as courtesy car for a couple of days and it wasnt for me . Initial thoughts are 2.7 due to cost to buy, insure and spec, stretching myself for this as it is. Over the coming few weeks I plan to visit the local dealer and blag a test drive in both if they have them in stock., got no interest in the pdk. It will be used for everything from weekend toy, daily drive on the nice days and a couple of track days a year....I have a 3.0v6 TDI Audi if I want a torquey drive, 500nm covers that point I'm after a buzzy, higher revving drive (if that makes sense) Thanks for the pointers so far, any other tips welcome

Rob52 said: JeffC said: no worries, are you particularly looking for a 2.7 Boxster? if so I would advise having a decent drive in one before you invest , I had one as courtesy car for a couple of days and it wasnt for me . Initial thoughts are 2.7 due to cost to buy, insure and spec, stretching myself for this as it is. Over the coming few weeks I plan to visit the local dealer and blag a test drive in both if they have them in stock., got no interest in the pdk. It will be used for everything from weekend toy, daily drive on the nice days and a couple of track days a year....I have a 3.0v6 TDI Audi if I want a torquey drive, 500nm covers that point I'm after a buzzy, higher revving drive (if that makes sense) Thanks for the pointers so far, any other tips welcome just to reply , I get what your saying about revs, I have a Honda race car with a close ratio gearbox so my view with a revvy engine you want to use the top end revs to get the most out of the driving experience, but the Porsche doesnt work that way or not in the uk on the roads as with a manual box legally you can only use 1st gear at the red line as the manual does 83 in 2nd gear and thick end of 120 in 3rd !!, I have also driven a PDK 2.7 and I didnt gel with that either although I found the ratios are much better but the lack of power somewhat diluted the driving experience for me. I find with the bigger engine you have enough midrange to short shift and get use out most of the gears , I rarely rev mine out and can still make quick progress on lanes without trying and the noise with the sports exhaust on is something else ! The S also gets the bigger brakes / red calipers and when I was looking for my car they seem to be more sort after and hold better residuals, hardest bit I found was finding a white manual that had spec I was fixed on Sports exhaust, heated seats , bigger wheels Bose and Nav and that took some finding as they were nearly all PDK or billy basic if manual. As suggested above see if you can get an extended test drive of both engines and see how you get on, its certainly a Good time of year to buy one as prices rise quickly once spring comes and continue to do so over summer.

JeffC said: just to reply , I get what your saying about revs, I have a Honda race car with a close ratio gearbox so my view with a revvy engine you want to use the top end revs to get the most out of the driving experience, but the Porsche doesnt work that way or not in the uk on the roads as with a manual box legally you can only use 1st gear at the red line as the manual does 83 in 2nd gear and thick end of 120 in 3rd !!, I have also driven a PDK 2.7 and I didnt gel with that either although I found the ratios are much better but the lack of power somewhat diluted the driving experience for me. I find with the bigger engine you have enough midrange to short shift and get use out most of the gears , I rarely rev mine out and can still make quick progress on lanes without trying and the noise with the sports exhaust on is something else ! The S also gets the bigger brakes / red calipers and when I was looking for my car they seem to be more sort after and hold better residuals, hardest bit I found was finding a white manual that had spec I was fixed on Sports exhaust, heated seats , bigger wheels Bose and Nav and that took some finding as they were nearly all PDK or billy basic if manual. As suggested above see if you can get an extended test drive of both engines and see how you get on, its certainly a Good time of year to buy one as prices rise quickly once spring comes and continue to do so over summer. Very much agree with the thrust of Jeffs argument. Personally I'd try PDK (lower gearing helps on 3.4 too), keep with 19" wheels for a better ride (and/or look for PASM), avoid PSE, and wouldn't bother about Bose - but they are all things to try if you get the chance and make up your own mind.

All good points and will put them in the pot when I take a drive of them both. PDK is a definite No. Got the S-Tronic on my Audi. Hateful thing for driving spirited, hateful thing for driving in general. Great for towing though.. Much prefer a 3rd pedal and stick And before anyone says yes but its better on the Porsche, Autos have no interest for me a sporty car, manual all the way that's one definite that will not change. God gave me 2 legs, I want to use them both JeffC - I'm guessing yours doesn't have Cruise from the blurb and pics? Those that say avoid PSE, why? Is there some detriment to it or is it just a personal taste on the noise? I think a PASM equipped car will be well out of my budget. Just a couple more weeks then hopefully I can get the time to visit the dealer and find out for myself, although I hate dealing with car salesmen Edited by Rob52 on Friday 19th February 08:50

I like your thinking on the auto the pdk is very good but that echos my thoughts no cruise on mine, was on my wish list too but I had to compromise on something and I have actually got used to not having it, new Spyder doesnt have it either and tbh dont think I will bother getting it fitted , as suggested above though if a deal breaker £480 ish to get it fitted at OPC likely to be cheaper at specialist. on the PSE its the one thing I wouldn't compromise on !! all my Porsches have had it and I have mine turned on all the time unless Swmbo is in the car with me dunno where you are located but if you fancy a road trip feel free to try my car, im in no panic to sell and if it doesn't go in the next week I am likely going to put it away and re advertise in the Spring when the market and prices pick up.

Don't compare PDK with Audi offerings. They're in a different league.

mr pg said: Don't compare PDK with Audi offerings. They're in a different league. I think you will find a number of previously "dyed in the wool" manual drivers (like me) who wouldn't even have tried PDK if there had been a manual demo car, and who, to their astonishment, were blown away by PDK. Regarding PSE others with manual cars talk of a drone at motorway speeds in the "quiet" mode, again something to listen out for. The pops and bangs in noisy mode are a matter of personal taste and divide opinion.

Bose I have Bose in my 981 and once you're on the move it is hardly impressive. I'd happily live without it. PDK I have this in mine and I think it is impressive. It is way better than any other automated gearbox I have ever experienced BUT the only true flappy paddle car I've ever driven in anger was a F360. PASM I do not have this and the standard dampers work well enough. I had PASM on my 997 S and found the sport setting way too hard. I'd imagine on a track the Sport setting would come into it's own. 20 wheels I have these and am looking to downsize. Although bear in mind that the tyres for 19 and 20 are basically the same price - give or take around £15 per corner - even the 18 tyres too. If you're planning on some track days then maybe you'd want a second set for track work. In which case buy which ever car and get a second set of wheels. I think serious track work eats the tyre edges and you really need tricky suspension parts to alter the camber to stop this or at least have some stiffer track tyres. I guess it depends on what you want from the car. Mine is for day to day pottering only and I have 2 other cars.

I have a pretty much standard manual Boxster S with Bose and cruise control added. It's bloody wonderful!

ATM said: Bose PASM I do not have this and the standard dampers work well enough. I had PASM on my 997 S and found the sport setting way too hard. I'd imagine on a track the Sport setting would come into it's own. . PASM on a 981 is not like that. In Sport it's perfectly useable so long as the roads aren't really bad - I use it most of the time. Normal is really comfortable when cruising, but stiffens up when you get sporty.

Even inside my Cayman 981 2.7, with the windows closed, I think the noise it makes with the standard exhaust and Sport tail pipe is fabulous. I certainly wouldn't want it any louder, but then I'm of an age where the comfort of my PASM outweighs any thoughts of showing off. In a Boxster the standard set up would give a much louder note of course, roof down. I rarely used S-Tronic in manual in my previous TTS but PDK is far more useable and enjoyable, even using the stick for faster changes than I could do in a manual. Edited by DJMC on Friday 19th February 11:42

bcr5784 said: ATM said: Bose PASM I do not have this and the standard dampers work well enough. I had PASM on my 997 S and found the sport setting way too hard. I'd imagine on a track the Sport setting would come into it's own. . PASM on a 981 is not like that. In Sport it's perfectly useable so long as the roads aren't really bad - I use it most of the time. Normal is really comfortable when cruising, but stiffens up when you get sporty. I'm currently telling myself I do not need to upgrade to the sports suspension setup. As a retro fit it is simple enough - and on topic which from me is surprising.

DJMC said: Even inside my Cayman 981 2.7, with the windows closed, I think the noise it makes with the standard exhaust and Sport tail pipe is fabulous. I certainly wouldn't want it any louder, but then I'm of an age where the comfort of my PASM outweighs any thoughts of showing off. In a Boxster the standard set up would give a much louder note of course, roof down. I rarely used S-Tronic in manual in my previous TTS but PDK is far more useable and enjoyable, even using the stick for faster changes than I could do in a manual. Edited by DJMC on Friday 19th February 11:42 I'm not convinced that the Sport tailpipe affects the noise - it's just a (ever so slightly) more elegant version of the standard (S) tailpipe in stainless steel. Can't say I've done a back to back comparison though. Mine has it but I'm not sure why it's so popular.

bcr5784 said: I'm not convinced that the Sport tailpipe affects the noise - it's just a (ever so slightly) more elegant version of the standard (S) tailpipe in stainless steel. Can't say I've done a back to back comparison though. Mine has it but I'm not sure why it's so popular. It does away with the single oval pipe of the base model. Actually, the first car my Porsche OPC lent me to test drive, for a day and a bit, was a base 981 Boxster with the Sports tail pipe. I recall now that the noise was fantastic. I dare say PSE is louder, but to me the standard sound was just right.

DJMC said: It does away with the single oval pipe of the base model. True - but doesn't explain why it is so popular on the S (like mine).