981S - Page 1 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Funny situation. I’m considering moving to an M2 from a fully loaded 981 Boxster S. But I test drove one the other day and couldn’t get over how cheap feeling it is. It drives incredibly well, and the N55 is a delicious engine. I do experience brake fade in my 981 when pushing very hard. But otherwise the car has been solid. It’s definitely a buy and drive car - nothing needs doing on it to make it perform. But the Porsche tax is real. Don’t bother getting one with full PSH - let someone else pay high prices. £700 a year warranty, £1300-1700 services, £2k+ for brakes all round. Everything you replace needs a Porsche logo on it.

I’ve used my base 981 Cayman on track and I only really felt the pedal going soft after about 20 mins on track. They are pretty stout cars and can handle abuse. From memory the S had larger brakes so I imagine it will cope even better.

Agreed the strengthened N55 is a great engine and enough for the road. If you do go for it I'd definitely change the springs and dampers as I found the standard set up somewhere between a pogo stick and a church pew, though the Boxster was next level in terms of compliance, even compared to the M Performance set up quite soft. I have a very good local garage who I'm sure can do the maintainance. To be fair I haven't put stellar miles on the OG but most of them have been pretty hard and its never had an issue. I am definitely not bothered about warranty and garage queen cars as its going to get used in the same way, with the caveat I change oil every 4000 miles. I thought about a manual but I must admit the DCT is impressive and my short drive in the PDK steers me in the same direction. I think the only concern would be the active engine mounts if fitted. Deviation said: Funny situation. I’m considering moving to an M2 from a fully loaded 981 Boxster S. But I test drove one the other day and couldn’t get over how cheap feeling it is. It drives incredibly well, and the N55 is a delicious engine. I do experience brake fade in my 981 when pushing very hard. But otherwise the car has been solid. It’s definitely a buy and drive car - nothing needs doing on it to make it perform. But the Porsche tax is real. Don’t bother getting one with full PSH - let someone else pay high prices. £700 a year warranty, £1300-1700 services, £2k+ for brakes all round. Everything you replace needs a Porsche logo on it.

TheOctaneAddict said: I’ve used my base 981 Cayman on track and I only really felt the pedal going soft after about 20 mins on track. They are pretty stout cars and can handle abuse. From memory the S had larger brakes so I imagine it will cope even better. Yes I believe they are bigger. My usual road route is brutal on brakes.

I track my 981 CGTS and the brakes definitely fade and not after a huge amount of abuse either. The original brembo pads felt a bit better, but once they wore out I got them replaced and the Indy used Textar pads instead. Apparently these are OEM too, but f k me they won't last 5 hard laps at Bedford before the pedal goes completely to the floor with 0 braking (appreciate it's a hard circuit on brakes due to 4 stops per lap from >120mph). Even at Brands, which is nowhere near as tough on brakes, they can start to go long after 20-30 mins. If you've raced in the past, you're probably going to be pretty handy, so would recommend better pads and fluid. I've looked into it and apparently that is all that's needed in these to move the 'failure' issue onto the tyres (assuming you're running PS4S grade rubber and not Cup2s or something). You don't need to bother with bigger discs. PS: Great car overall though. Engine is not super fast, but it's pleasantly quick with great response and epic noise. Loads of lateral grip and you've got to be getting a serious shift on to get it moving around. Edited by rawenghey on Tuesday 29th October 09:33

I've done Snetterton and Thruxton in mine which is a stock car and it felt great considering it's a non-GT product. But then I'm not a tame racing driver and spend a max of 20 mins out on track in one go. I think you'd have to be driving at dangerous/irresponsible levels to notice any brake fade on the road imo.

My post is directed at the owners with more committed driving styles given the right conditions. I currently have an F87 which i initially hated before fitting the M Performance coilovers which really do transform it given the right road based settings. Its a second car, used exclusively on the road. Ive had Porsches in the past including a 964RS, which I tracked and then raced before they became collectors items then went on to race some more serious kit. I'm no longer interested in track days but I am lucky enough to live near some great roads which I know intimately. Ive never had a mid engined car and the 981 S seems a logical choice given they dont have the same potential for expensive engine issues compared to earlier water cooled flat sixes. I know the Cayman is slightly more focused, but it would nice to take out madame on suitable days for a leisurely cruise. I had a brief drive of a Boxster 981S with PDK, Chrono plus, PTV etc and was struck by the composed ride and clean, linear steering response. I am leaning in this direction given the fact it certainly felt like the body shell was plenty stiff enough for hard road use. For those whom have used their cars in anger how do the brakes fare with hard use, with say Pagid competition pads ? I have to accept the fact of tyre and pad life under 3000 miles with the F87, actually under 2000 on the rears. There is no free lunch when you use the potential of a car.. ' Edited by hooch500 on Tuesday 29th October 19:23

I will probably stick with road based rubber and full race pads given road pads are usually tragic for press on driving, the exception being the 964RS which had phenomenal brakes. I actually enjoy wet driving so the type 1a tyres are out as aquaplaning is never enjoyable. To be fair some of the UHP tyres now are very good, especially compared to the past, might go up a size on the fronts and dial out the toe given most road cars are set up to understeer. I agree flat sixes sound great, the RS had a cup bypass exhaust which used to terrify man and beast.. Thanks for your input.. rawenghey said: I track my 981 CGTS and the brakes definitely fade and not after a huge amount of abuse either. The original brembo pads felt a bit better, but once they wore out I got them replaced and the Indy used Textar pads instead. Apparently these are OEM too, but f k me they won't last 5 hard laps at Bedford before the pedal goes completely to the floor with 0 braking (appreciate it's a hard circuit on brakes due to 4 stops per lap from >120mph). Even at Brands, which is nowhere near as tough on brakes, they can start to go long after 20-30 mins. If you've raced in the past, you're probably going to be pretty handy, so would recommend better pads and fluid. I've looked into it and apparently that is all that's needed in these to move the 'failure' issue onto the tyres (assuming you're running PS4S grade rubber and not Cup2s or something). You don't need to bother with bigger discs. PS: Great car overall though. Engine is not super fast, but it's pleasantly quick with great response and epic noise. Loads of lateral grip and you've got to be getting a serious shift on to get it moving around. Edited by rawenghey on Tuesday 29th October 09:33