PSE - Pros/Cons - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

I am deliberating on wether to fit PSE to my 981s. I have driven a car with PSE an it makes a great sound, but it also gave me a head ache with its droning at low speed. Also to make it really sing, I found I had to either drive really fast, or act like a youth by dropping down gear just to make it Brap. So how often - where and when do those that have it, actually use it. My car is a DD

Mine is on all the time

I have a CGTS and don't find it drones at all, although the system is different to that in a base/S due to the sound symposer. I switch to sport mode as soon as I leave the built up area where I live, switching the exhaust off in traffic queues/towns and when I approach home again.

Same here.

Never experienced this "drone" people talk about to be honest. When the roof is up, PSE tends to be off but when the roof is down, it's the second button I press after turning off the hateful start / stop function Pro - sounds really great, a must have when using the upper rev range Cons - when on and in Sport mode, it crackles and farts far too easily when at very low speeds / light throttle lifts, a bit too much IMO

Mine is on 95% of the time, only turn it off when passing horses etc on country lanes.

I had a test drive in a Boxster S (981) about a year ago, the PSE did drone when cruising on the motorway - even when it was off. When I had the chance of a BGTS build slot the standard fit PSE did concern me a little, but the car was obviously so brilliant in every other way I decided to order it anyway. As someone said earlier the GTS PSE is a bit different - it's louder for one thing when on and also sounds fabulous - even when off it sounds really good on full power and downshifts. Best of all there is no drone on the motorway with it off so I'm absolutely delighted with it. I still don't know if the one I test drove was faulty (it was a low mileage demonstrator) or if all 'S' ones drone - best if you can get a drive in one and see for yourself.

Have you considered a Carnewal conversion? Best thing I ever did to mine (987)

Had it fitted to my 981 2.7 pdk a month or so ago. It's the best £1700 I've spent on a car. It's on 100% of the time as pressing sport is the first thing I've always done in my Cayman. I just can't stand the coasting function or the "change up to 6th at 25mph" gearbox mapping in standard. The only drone I get is in 7th at 2-3k revs, it's easily fixed by switching to manual and dropping back to 6th.

etk said: Had it fitted to my 981 2.7 pdk a month or so ago. It's the best £1700 I've spent on a car. It's on 100% of the time as pressing sport is the first thing I've always done in my Cayman. I just can't stand the coasting function or the "change up to 6th at 25mph" gearbox mapping in standard. The only drone I get is in 7th at 2-3k revs, it's easily fixed by switching to manual and dropping back to 6th. Where did you get it fitted ? Is that the VAT inclusive price ?

Twinfan said: I have a CGTS and don't find it drones at all, although the system is different to that in a base/S due to the sound symposer. I switch to sport mode as soon as I leave the built up area where I live, switching the exhaust off in traffic queues/towns and when I approach home again. Sound symposer? I've heard a few mention this symposer over the year, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't have one, I have a Boxster gts and don't notice any extra sound coming from the cabin, and have never seen any official Porsche document stating anything about a symposer like BMW use. It just has a louder exhaust system, probably due to different flap function and also drops more fuel in to create the extra crackles.

Didn't think BMW used the symposer. Plenty of mention of 991 and then the 981 GTS having one.

Magic919 said: Didn't think BMW used the symposer. Plenty of mention of 991 and then the 981 GTS having one. By symposer we are talking about sound being pumped through the speakers right? BMW M models use this now, the latest M3/4 have them including the M1/235 etc. If the gts has anything it might be a pipe from the engine into the cabin, but certainly not a symposer, something having to make fake sound to enhance the noise experience, the gts has literally no need for this as it sings and barks enough as it is. For me the Boxster gts is one of the best sounding Porsches I've ever heard, it's incredible end sounds nothing like people expect a Boxster to sound, especially in tunnels. Does anyone have a Porsche reference to using a symposer in the gts then?

No, the Porsche method doesn't involve the sound system like BMW.

Magic919 said: No, the Porsche method doesn't involve the sound system like BMW. Correct. In the Cayster GTS the symposer is a feed from the air intake into the cabin, so you hear the intake 'roar' much like you do on a motorbike.

Twinfan said: Correct. In the Cayster GTS the symposer is a feed from the air intake into the cabin, so you hear the intake 'roar' much like you do on a motorbike. Does the 981 Spyder have one as well?

I don't know I'm afraid. Not sure about the GT4 either, but I don't think so. Not the kind of thing to do in a GT car.

Malo said: Where did you get it fitted ? Is that the VAT inclusive price ? That was at OPC Wilmslow. Fully inclusive, my Cayman already had sports tailpipes so that saved a bit. I rang around four or five centres to get the best price - well worth doing as the varied wildly, £1700-2500. Bolton gave me the best price but Wilmslow were happy to match it so I went with them as they are my local.

etk said: Had it fitted to my 981 2.7 pdk a month or so ago. It's the best £1700 I've spent on a car. It's on 100% of the time as pressing sport is the first thing I've always done in my Cayman. I just can't stand the coasting function or the "change up to 6th at 25mph" gearbox mapping in standard. The only drone I get is in 7th at 2-3k revs, it's easily fixed by switching to manual and dropping back to 6th. Surely on the motorway, where I found my courtesy 981 Boxster's PSE would drone (on or off) PDK will put it back in 7th after 8 seconds or so even if you've changed down to 6th? It gave me a headache too, roof up, and that was for just one day's driving whilst mine was in for a service. As a DD, I'm so glad I didn't have PSE. As an occasional weekend fun car I can maybe see the point of it, or if you're an attention seeker, but the standard exhaust and mechanicals combine to make a great noise anyway, in my opinion of course.

Sounds like some people have been really unlucky with their PSE. Very thankful to not have drone with mine.

My thoughts, as a current 981s owner and have driven a number of 981 Caymans. Never experienced this drone people talk about. Not saying people are wrong but are we confusing induction noise in high gears pulling from low revs? The intakes are very close to the cabin seating position. NVH is not the best and you do get quite a bit of tyre roar mixed in. Just a theory. The standard exhaust is well judged and allows you to hear the flat six in what I would describe as an authentic manner. I don't really notice a huge difference between the PSE and non-PSE cars below 4K RPM. PSE adds a lot of volume, which can be great if you're in the mood. It doesn't really change the tone/tune of the exhaust, which is great to start with. PSE can be an issue with noise limits at some UK circuits. The pops and crackles when you close the throttle are fun but a bit too obviously computer generated, if you get my drift. I tend to turn PSE off when in heavily built up areas and villages due to volume levels. Any tunnel etc. though and you get the full effect - seriously loud! My car is a manual, PSE with sports chrono. Auto rev matching with PSE on is good fun, especially if you're looking to make smooth, fast progress and/or like the attention. In short, it's loud, especially if you use all of the rev range when accelerating. Personally it's nice having the toys, but in hindsight I could live without both PSE and sports chrono. The engine spins so freely, and pedal and seating position good, that rev matching is relatively easy, compared with other cars. Ignore that if you've got PDK, as it's obviously irrelevant! A couple of friends have driven the car extensively and absolutely love the PSE. It's quite a personal choice. Try before you buy!

DJMC said: Surely on the motorway, where I found my courtesy 981 Boxster's PSE would drone (on or off) PDK will put it back in 7th after 8 seconds or so even if you've changed down to 6th? It gave me a headache too, roof up, and that was for just one day's driving whilst mine was in for a service. As a DD, I'm so glad I didn't have PSE. In manual the gearbox stays in your chosen gear - if in auto (D) you change down then it reverts to full auto after a few seconds. I too had a drone on the demonstrator Boxster S I drove, but my BGTS is no problem, plus it sounds fantastic, I even like it when switched off as the exhaust is definitely a different sound to a Boxster S.

From all I've read on here, I'm led to believe that the drone only affects PDK equipped cars since it tends to happen in 7th gear at motorway speeds (what, around 2.5k revs at 70mph?). 6th gear on my manual Boxster at circa 70mph is around 3k revs, perhaps that is the difference between drone and no drone?

Younger drivers are less likely to complain of exhaust drone, IME.

Magic919 said: Younger drivers are less likely to complain of exhaust drone, IME. Maybe, but having just driven 1,600 miles over 4 days as a driver and passenger I didn't experience anything close to what I would call a drone. By which I mean an unpleasant or grating noise. Perhaps the quality of sound varies from car to car? Perhaps there is a difference between manual and PDK? If the PSE does indeed drone in some 981.1 cars I hope they get it sorted properly for the 718 because that will be a much less pleasing-to-the-ear baseline engine note!

Heathrow said: Maybe, but having just driven 1,600 miles over 4 days as a driver and passenger I didn't experience anything close to what I would call a drone. By which I mean an unpleasant or grating noise. Perhaps the quality of sound varies from car to car? Perhaps there is a difference between manual and PDK? If the PSE does indeed drone in some 981.1 cars I hope they get it sorted properly for the 718 because that will be a much less pleasing-to-the-ear baseline engine note! At motorway cruising speeds in a non PSE PDK car in 7th gear (just over 2000rpm at 70, 3000 rpm at 100mph approx) the exhaust on my S is inaudible (or drowned out by tyre roar). However drop down into 6th and cruise in that (as you are forced to in Sport) and the exhaust is quite audible and (for me) and I'd prefer to do without it over long distances.

I can vouch for the drone on PDK Caysters. My 2014 981 Cayman S PDK loan car with pse droned badly from new over 6 months and 7 k miles. And I am both used too and like 'loud' cars btw. This noise has not been experienced with my 991 GT3 (PDK S), 981 GT4 and 981 Spyder. The Spyder in particular has a particularly vocal exhaust but it never drones or is too intrusive.

Anyone tried the Akrapovic? Looks like it costs 5k but have heard them on other cars and was impressed.