987S Gen 2 manual v 981S PDK

[Trevor Routledge]

Well after having the misfortune of someone hitting my Boxster S from behind causing minor damage but necessitating a new rear bumper, I used Accident Exchange who guarantee a like for like replacement. A brand new 981S with PDK in Agate Grey Metallic arrived.
I'm not normally a fan of dark colours on sports cars (my last 3 Boxster's have been a 2003 986S in speed yellow, a 2007 987S in guards red & finally a 2009 987S Gen 2 in speed yellow) but this looked stunning & I would definitely recommend it.
So what are the differences between the Gen 2 987 & the 981?
In a word - everything! It really is a complete redesign with every single part being analysed & improved.
When the 981 first arrived on the scene I must admit it didn't rock my boat. It looked a bit bulky and I wasn't convinced of the side air vents or the squarish headlamps; however after spending a week with it I have to say I'm a convert. It does seem to be more masculine in style compared to my 987 which appears to be more delicately styled which I suppose is aimed to widen its appeal.
The dash and especially the centre console are superb and the feel of improved quality is immediately apparent. The doors close with a much more solid clunk. The chassis is much stiffer and I really don't think you need PASM. The wheelbase is extended meaning there does appear to be more interior space and the ride seems much more composed.
The rear boot has been redesigned (I know this by the fact my golf clubs fit much more snugly and a 48 pack of toilet rolls from Costco now necessitates having to split the pack open!! It's not much but it makes a difference).
I've reserved my last comments for the PDK gearbox - what a box. The changes are seamless and yes it will always try to get into as high a gear as soon as it can but that's no bad thing, at 80 mph it is sitting at about 2200 rpm in 7th gear so the noise levels are much reduced. If I was in the market for another Boxster, I would definitely be looking at the PDK equipped car now. Porsche Centres, my commission is 10%!!

 

[dereksharpuk]

I have done a few miles so far and these are my initial impressions, having owned 2 previous Boxsters:

1. Incredibly economical. It is quite possible to get 38 mpg overall. More on a long run!
2. PCM still not as good as info-suites in other quality cars.
3. I agree, PASM not required. Ride quality and handling excellent.
4. The wind deflector in mesh is inferior to the previous perspex version.
5. With the 2.7 PDK you need to rev it to get any performance. My 2.0L Audi Q3 PDK has far more torque low down, but it is a turbo diesel.
6. The looks are great.
7. The cheap seats (non leather) are fine.

Overall, a great car and incredible value for money compared with a 991 Cab.

 

[mnk303]

ORIGINAL: dereksharpuk

I have done a few miles so far and these are my initial impressions, having owned 2 previous Boxsters:

1. Incredibly economical. It is quite possible to get 38 mpg overall. More on a long run!
2. PCM still not as good as info-suites in other quality cars.
3. I agree, PASM not required. Ride quality and handling excellent.
4. The wind deflector in mesh is inferior to the previous perspex version.
5. With the 2.7 PDK you need to rev it to get any performance. My 2.0L Audi Q3 PDK has far more torque low down, but it is a turbo diesel.
6. The looks are great.
7. The cheap seats (non leather) are fine.

Overall, a great car and incredible value for money compared with a 991 Cab.

Ditto everything there I did go for nearly every option which I did not need, but have to say it ticks everything I need from a sports car . Have had a 991 several times and while a lovely car and certainly slightly quicker it is just not worth 30-40% more IMO of course.

 

[BartyB]

I had a 981 Boxster S on loan for 4 weeks whilst my car was in for some warranty work and like you Trevor I was unconvinced initially. The electric parking brake drove me to distraction and I can't help thinking that that it will be a right pain to fix when it goes wrong. The electric steering seemed to lose some sensitivity for me too. The PCM is basic and whilst OK on a poverty spec Kia it has no place in a £50k premium sports car. It should include a rear facing camera, incorporate voice control for the comms functions and it needs a decent processor to enhance the graphics.

On the plus side, the extra legroom is welcome, the PDK gearbox is a joy to use and I agree with Derek that the new model seems to be noticeably more frugal when it comes to fuel consumption. What surprised me was how good my 986 felt when I handed back the 981. The 986 whilst ultimately not quite as quick, although still no slouch, definitely feels more raw and sports like.

 

[dereksharpuk]

ORIGINAL: BartyB

The electric parking brake drove me to distraction and I can't help thinking that that it will be a right pain to fix when it goes wrong.

I'm not sure what the fuss is about the electric handbrake. Why on earth have a whopping big lever getting in the way of what young lovers do in sports cars

Once you are used to modern technology one will accept it. After all, where is the manual ignition advance and retard on a 986?

 

[Dylan1]

I agree(as always derek[])

the electric brake was no big deal after a while-however the friggin annoying mesh wind deflector was really a pain compared to the current 987 i have-much more difficult to see through and that is something i didnt get used to in the month i had it

cracking little car though .great fun and a big step up in build quality from 986 then 987

 

[dereksharpuk]

Yes, the handbrake you can get used to, but the mesh wind deflector is very much a retrograde step. Standby for after-market production!

 

[BartyB]

I accept technology when it proves to be reliable and better. Sadly the facts don't seem to support the case that electronic / automatic parking brakes are better for the consumer. As one who has experienced the joy of having to disconnect and reconnect the battery in order to release a 'frozen' electronic parking brake at a busy junction in the pouring rain on the way to an important new business pitch you may see why I'm less than enthusiastic about this particular 'technical advance'.

Based on my experience with an electronic parking brake on an Audi A6 and judging by the mass of negative comment on the VAG forums, the electronic parking brake systems fitted to VAG group cars have several niggles mostly involving a failure to auto-release which often requires re-calibrating. Of course that's fine when the car is under warranty but not so when the manufacturer's warranty expires since these systems need to be re-calibrated/re-set with the maker's diagnostic systems. I can adjust my 986's parking brake, change the pads and discs myself with simple tools without the cost and waste of time needed to take it to an OPC or having to buy an EPB service tool. And unlike an electronic parking brake, the manual parking brake is unlikely to ever immobilise a 986 or require a £1000 actuator replacement after 5 or 6 years.

What I think it boils down to is the 986 and 981 are very different cars with Porsche appearing to aim the 981 at a subtly different buying segment. In my view the 981 has moved a long way from the basic enthusiasts car the original Boxster concept was. Soon there will be nothing that is customer servicable on any car. All I know is that if I was to drive a 981 I'd make sure the 10mm spanner was in my tool roll at all times []

 

[dereksharpuk]

ORIGINAL: BartyB

All I know is that if I was to drive a 981 I'd make sure the 10mm spanner was in my tool roll at all times []

The solution is not to carry a 10 mm spanner, but a mobile phone. And of course change your car every 2 years, or less in my case []

Seriously though, I am on my second Audi with an electronic parking brake and TOUCH WOOD, have not had a problem..................... But I do take your point... KISS is important... Keep It Simple Stupid.

 

[flat6]

I thinks cars will become more of a throw away item which is a shame. What I mean by that is people will become more & more uncomfortable with keeping them until older & outside of warranty. What will happen when these new cars are 10 years old & can no longer be covered by OPC warranty. People will be less inclined to take them on as used cars, with component costs that are disproportionately high compared to the used car value & more of such components that require replacement when they fail (Ok there may be alternative suppliers of warranty but warranties will go up in line with increased cost risk of these cars).

We have to move with the times but it will be interesting to see what happens to these cars in 10 years - not just Porsches. The mindset will swing more towards sticking to newer cars & not keeping them until old, as is happening already. That is not to say that the latest cars are less reliable, just that its a more frightening proposition if they do go wrong.

 

[fbr]

A few comments on the 981 handbrake, wind deflector and PDK gearbox.

The main problem with the electric handbrake is the counter intuitive on/off sequence. You have to push it for on and pull it for off, although the latter problem is obviated by the drive off release function (on the PDK). Engaging the handbrake and lifting of the foot-brake oddly restarts the engine but even more curiously the engine stays off if you engage the gearbox Park function instead. The auto stop-start function is frustrating in stop-start conditions as when joining a roundabout or other slow moving traffic streams where it has the tendency to cut the power to just as you pause before to pull away.

The rear view with the wind deflector is very poor, although the deflector is effective at minimizing the draft. Top down the 981 is relatively draft free on the move, in snow showers and at much higher speeds in the absence of snow. Look at either the P-9 site for links and comments for clear plastic replacement screens or the German Windschott site for TUV approved toughened glass ones.

Minor problems aside I'm very happy with my overall experience with the 981. The PDK is excellent to drive as an automatic (but without the 'slush') and even better in the manual mode. It could be my imagination but manual paddle shifting seems smoother than with the sequential stick-shift. The coasting function is essential to obtain the stated economy and is a bit like driving a racy hybrid. This can be irritating with relaxed driving on gentle corners when you need a little engine braking at the point just before you actually brake. It can be switched in or out by selecting an additional up or down manual gear change with either paddles or gear stick. Under more brisk driving conditions this requires an additional 'non-changing gearshift' and it is better kept off or engaging one the sport modes which turns it off anyway. Interestingly one can still coast in sport mode by pulling both paddles back simultaneously. Brisk driving in auto requires more firm (and hence later) braking into corners to encourage prompt downshifts for appropriate rev matched gear selection on exits, some passengers can find this unsettling.

Ride comfort is excellent and it's difficult to see how this has been achieved with no compromise in the handling. I still notice (and marvel at) this every time I drive the car. Town or country, rough or smooth uphill or down it is the best all round sports car I've driven.

Sorry to go on!

FBR

 

[dereksharpuk]

ORIGINAL: flat6

I thinks cars will become more of a throw away item which is a shame. What I mean by that is people will become more & more uncomfortable with keeping them until older & outside of warranty. What will happen when these new cars are 10 years old & can no longer be covered by OPC warranty. People will be less inclined to take them on as used cars, with component costs that are disproportionately high compared to the used car value & more of such components that require replacement when they fail (Ok there may be alternative suppliers of warranty but warranties will go up in line with increased cost risk of these cars).

I agree. We have a mind set that we should part exchange cars (& houses). But no one thinks of part exchanging their fridge or toaster. We throw them away! Same perhaps with cars eventually. []

 

[BartyB]

ORIGINAL: dereksharpuk

But no one thinks of part exchanging their fridge or toaster. We throw them away!

Unless it's a Dualit toaster given as a wedding present in the 1970s which has outlasted 3 marriages. The damn things are virtually indestructible but they do make brilliant toast (unlike SWMBO). And you can still get spares for them![]

 

[dereksharpuk]

ORIGINAL: BartyB

ORIGINAL: dereksharpuk

But no one thinks of part exchanging their fridge or toaster. We throw them away!

Unless it's a Dualit toaster given as a wedding present in the 1970s which has outlasted 3 marriages. The damn things are virtually indestructible but they do make brilliant toast (unlike SWMBO). And you can still get spares for them![]

Don't totally agree [] I have a Dualit toaster and it does not brown toast evenly.. .And it cost twice as much as my Boxster []

But it has outlasted two marriages.................

 

[rob.kellock]

3 marriages is just greedy.

2 is more than enough for me []