718 Cayman GT4 is here – at long last.!

[Motorhead]

Without a front lift option I'm sure that front splitter damage is inevitable Ralph, no matter how careful you are. It's probably cheap enough to replace, although we're talking Porsche parts here.!

DO NOT FIT FRONT PLATE ?? As far as I know that's illegal, although I presume a stick-on plate is permissible as long as the lettering type, size and spacing meets legal requirements?

Jeff

 

[Twinfan]

Stick on is not legal either - a number plate has to be the correct material as well as font and size.

 

[ralphmusic]

Jeff,

On the 996 & 997 GT3 models I think the cost was around £120 for a new splitter, most people kept a spare.

Front plate can be stick on although need to adhere (pun intended) to DVLA regs on reflectivity, font size, height of plate, and show dealer/BS details. I was talking to a new owner who said the 111mm legal height was a small problem as it means the top edge is over a double curve (L/R and Up/Down).

(Corrected plate height to 111mm)

 

[ralphmusic]

Stick on is not legal either - a number plate has to be the correct material as well as font and size.

This company is DVLA registered and supply legal stick on plates. You need to provide scanned copy of V5C and driving licence before they'll supply any (inc stick on) plates.

 

[Twinfan]

I stand corrected - thanks Ralph

 

[ralphmusic]

Being a sad soul with too much time on my hands, I compared some details of my 981 Cayman S (CS) to those of a 981 GT4 (GT4.1) and 718GT4 (GT4.2). All info from saved configurator specifications.

Length CS = 4380mm, GT4.1 = 4438mm, GT4.2 = 4456mm

Width CS = 1801mm, GT4.1 = 1817, GT4.2 = 1994mm (latter without mirrors folded)

hmmm, maybe need a wider toy box (wife's name for garages) but the mirrors look very similar.

Most surprising, the 718 GT4 is now 12k miles/2 years between services, way lower than the 981 GT4's 20k miles/2 years. I wonder whether this is in response to the new engine, 981 in-service experience, or simply to conform with GT products e.g. 991.2 GT3RS is 12k/2 years?

 

[Twinfan]

Interesting - I hadn't noticed that. Won't affect me, I don't do more than 6k/year but it may be annoying for some...

 

[Brian_Innes]

Cheers Brian. As this may be the only time I'll ever get to spec a GT car for myself I'm going "big". It's only money and you only live once, right?

Absolutely Dave. Go for it!

As a first timer with PCCB on my current GTS, I can wholeheartedly recommend them over iron brakes. On track days they can overheat if you have big high-speed stops per lap, as I found out at Knockhill this year (I wasn't hanging about), and the front pads do wear surprisingly quickly with track use. With only public road use, the pads will last a looooooong time.

PCCB would definitely be my choice again. There are also discernible handling and steering feel benefits with PCCB as well.

Brian

 

[Twinfan]

GT PCCBs are bigger than those you have Brian. GT steels are 380mm all round, PCCBs are 410mm front and 390mm rear. I've drive the GT4 at PEC with PCCBs and thought they were good but not massively different from steels, although I didn't do a back-to-back with the same car(s).

With on-the-road costs my 718 GT4 has come out rather expensive, so I need to sit down with Mrs Twinfan and ensure we're good to go financially. Spec lockdown is 3 December but I'm going into my OPC before then to finalise everything. Build completion is currently looking like early Feb for an early-mid March delivery.

 

[Brian_Innes]

Good luck with your spec David. Exciting stuff!

Check-out Power Steering Plus on the option list. I've found it a really worthwhile option with EPS. It's not all about low speed manoeuvring assistance. PSP also adds extra steering feel at higher speeds. I like it.

Brian

 

[Twinfan]

It's not on the GT4 option list Brian, I guess the GT department didn't think it was needed.

 

[Brian_Innes]

Ok David. That's probably due to Porsche applying the PSP software as standard.

Going back to the PCCB topic. I've had the experience of sampling PCCB versus iron brakes on a back to back basis. My 718 CS has the same chassis spec, wheels and Michelin tyres as my GTS. Also extensive track day experience with both cars.

PCCB on a like-for-like basis provides significant benefits to the skilled driver apart from the enhanced stopping power. If you are paring back on options, the one I would not choose to delete is PCCB.

Just my experience as a motorsport driver.

Brian

 

[Motorhead]

Being a sad soul with too much time on my hands, I compared some details of my 981 Cayman S (CS) to those of a 981 GT4 (GT4.1) and 718GT4 (GT4.2). All info from saved configurator specifications.

Length CS = 4380mm, GT4.1 = 4438mm, GT4.2 = 4456mm

Width CS = 1801mm, GT4.1 = 1817, GT4.2 = 1994mm (latter without mirrors folded)

hmmm, maybe need a wider toy box (wife's name for garages) but the mirrors look very similar.

Most surprising, the 718 GT4 is now 12k miles/2 years between services, way lower than the 981 GT4's 20k miles/2 years. I wonder whether this is in response to the new engine, 981 in-service experience, or simply to conform with GT products e.g. 991.2 GT3RS is 12k/2 years?

Ralph,

I suspect the GT4.2 width with mirrors folded is about the same as as that for the GT4.1, although I don't think that the 981 had electric folding mirrors(?). Not much that can be done about the length without the use of a hacksaw I'm afraid.! If the front splitter is ~£120 I suppose it's considered a disposable item.

I guess you could be right about bringing the GT4 service intervals into line with the other GT products, and I doubt many GT4s will be used as daily drives anyway. I would have thought it too early to assess fully the durability of the n/a 992 Evo engine and maybe Porsche are just being ultra conservative just in case, since it's possible that they haven't done quite so much durability testing on the GT4/Spyder than they would have done with the mainstream cars?

Dave,

I'm sure you're looking carefully at the punitive new car vehicle tax and possible 'Brexit' tax in your calculations if you're expecting a March/April delivery date. []

Jeff

 

[Twinfan]

Yep indeed. However, I'm scheduled for an early-mid March delivery so I may just squeeze in OK!

 

[981TC]

Decided on spec finally. http://www.porsche-code.com/PL6E79B9

 

[Nick_USA]

I believe that Nick Pike (NickUSA) has a GT4 arriving on these shores soon, so hopefully he'll be sharing his impressions of the new car with us here.

Jeff

Soon, very soon (hopefully this week). Though, I have had my PEC day, which has made every remaining waiting day almost unbearable.

 

[Motorhead]

Decided on spec finally. http://www.porsche-code.com/PL6E79B9

That looks very nice Jose. The Aurium wheels work very well with the GT Silver bodywork.

Very surprised though that on a £93k car you’ve not included climate control. Who wants to be fiddling with temperature controls these days?

Jeff

 

[ChrisW]

From a service perspective I can't see that 12k is much different from 20k ... there is no way that I would want such a car to run 20k on the same oil ...

PCCB's ... my colours are firmly nailed to the mast. I honestly believe that the car flows better and offers less inertial resistance to inputs such as breathing with the road and rolling on the steering lock ... which enhances the steering feel.

In fact, I believe that it enables me to feel the difference between MPSS and MPSC tyres ... I believe I can feel the extra flex in the tyre sidewall of the PSS which apart from the greater grip in the wet and cold, helps me to read the point where the tyres are going to slip.

Or, you could buy steels and at some stage fit a set of Surface Transforms which really are the business and will massively reduce the cost of brake consumables. Disks are easily changed !

Happy choices ...

I will be at the RS trackday at Oulton on the 6th March for anybody who wants to see how they roll

 

[981TC]

Jeff

thanks for the feedback, my current car does not have it and Ive never missed it.

 

[Motorhead]

Good to hear that you're happy with the standard a/c set-up Jose.

I think it's ridiculous that items like climate control, cruise control, electric folding mirrors and auto dimming mirrors are options on a premium vehicle, but Porsche clearly see this as a way of making lots of extra profit.

Jeff