My 2019 718 Cayman GTS PDK

[Brian_Innes]

Graham,

I appreciate your endorsement of my comments on the 718 S v GTS comparison.

In less than 14 days hence, my 718 CGTS leaves my Highland home for the final time. It's going to be quite a significant occasion given the fact that this is really goodbye to the Cayman experience for me. Everything in life has to end at some point.

The urgency with which Porsche Centre Chester are keen to have the car returned to their premises for sale, makes me think a buyer may already be standing by.

I do hope so.

Some lucky owner will get one of the best set-up examples of this model available. This particular car has been superb and trouble-free in every department.

Brian

 

[Brian_Innes]

Thanks Brian & Wollemi. Do you happen to know when the GPF came in please? Am I right in thinking a GPF equipped model would be better than a non GPF model With respect to ecu map and sound. Thank you.

Paul,

It's my understanding that the GPF fitment started in September 2018 as an EU directive.

A GPF Cayman or Boxster GTS has smaller exhaust mufflers and larger pipe diameters upstream in the system. I would definitely say a GPF car is a better buy.

Brian

 

[PHB1969]

Thanks Brian & Wollemi. Do you happen to know when the GPF came in please? Am I right in thinking a GPF equipped model would be better than a non GPF model With respect to ecu map and sound. Thank you.

Paul,

It's my understanding that the GPF fitment started in September 2018 as an EU directive.

A GPF Cayman or Boxster GTS has smaller exhaust mufflers and larger pipe diameters upstream in the system. I would definitely say a GPF car is a better buy.

Brian

Thanks Brian - I will see what’s available.

Cheers

Paul

 

[paulne3]

I have ordered a new GTS 4.0 at Porsche Newcastle this afternoon and mentioned the grills. They said they had not seen an example of a radiator being sufficiently damaged to be leaking so it is basically a cosmetic issue. Interestingly they also confirmed the uprated steering has no effect except at low speeds.

 

[Wollemi]

I think most Porsche Centres tell people that the Power Steering Plus has no effect deception at low speeds. They are not necessarily correct. The originator of this thread for one will tell otherwise.

 

[Brian_Innes]

Graham and Paul,

Having driven 718 Cayman and Boxster models both with, and without PSP, in my perception steering feel is enhanced at higher cornering speeds with PSP.

To quote the Porsche configurator information on PSP "Speed-sensitive power-assisted steering system. Also reduces steering effort during manoeuvring and at low speeds".

Steering feel appreciation is subjective from one person to another. Some drivers will not notice any difference, but I do. As road speed and cornering loadings increase, so does the feel at the steering wheel rim. Not BS, just fact based upon my long experience with the model.

Brian

 

[Brian_Innes]

This week I expected to be waving a sad farewell to my 718 CGTS. The driver due to be despatched from Porsche Centre Chester to collect my car, had to call off after being confined to his home following his partner's confirmation of contracting the coronavirus. I am currently awaiting developments as to what happens next.

On the positive aspect, at least the part exchange deal is done, deposit paid, and order placed for my new Macan Turbo. It only remains for me to be patient until my new car arrives, hopefully in June. Of course nothing is certain in these unprecedented times.

Last Saturday I took the 718 CGTS for what I considered to be my final drive into the empty Highland roads north of the Dornoch Firth. I shall miss the scalpel-sharp precision of the Cayman and the low, planted feeling of the chassis. The car is so well suited to the environment where I live, it could have been designed specifically for roads such as these. There are no motorways up here, and only a precious few miles of dual carriageways. That's the way I like it, and that's the way the 718 Cayman GTS prefers it.

A few photos follow for auld lang syne.

Brian

 

[Brian_Innes]

Near Spinningdale east of Bonar Bridge

 

[Brian_Innes]

Same location, different angle.

 

[paulne3]

Brian

That is interesting and the use of the word “also” would tend to support your view. It is odd that the dealers don’t seem to want to push it as anything other than a low speed system. I think I read elsewhere that the assisted steering can be retro fitted by a dealer at a similar cost to the option. Do you know if that is correct ?

Paul

 

[Wollemi]

It’s my understanding that it can indeed be retro fitted as it is merely a software change. I also think it can be removed if desired.

When the Porsche Centres re-open you can ask them to confirm this.

 

[Brian_Innes]

Graham and Paul,

It is also my understanding that PSP is a software application which can be retro-fitted to the 718 Cayman range.

Can I also reiterate, that I noticed a marked improvement in the steering feel on my 2019 718 CGTS compared to my previous 2016 718 CS which had an identical steering wheel, chassis, road wheel, and tyre specification. My opinion is based on the back-to-back comparison I personally experienced.

It is my assumption that during the factory summer shut-down in 2018, when the Gasoline Particulate Filter directive was due to come into force in September of that year, the Porsche factory R&D team grasped the opportunity to tweak several of the ECU programmes on the 718 2.5 4t models. This included the fuelling and throttle programs to account for the GPF and exhaust muffler modifications. I also strongly suspect they tweaked the PASM, PSM, and PSP thresholds affecting suspension, stability controls, and importantly, PSP steering controls as related to road speed and cornering loads. I can only report on the differences I experienced between the two models. It was quite clear to me that incremental improvement had been achieved. This was noticeable both on road and track.

As previously reported in this thread, I also considered the PCCB option on my GTS further enhanced the steering and suspension improvements accrued by the tweaks to the ECU programming.

To be fair to the OPC sales staff, It would be unrealistic to assume that all sales and technical staff at Porsche dealerships would be up to speed with all incremental comparative technical adjustments. It sometimes takes the owner's own experiences comparing models to identify these subtle differences.

Brian

PS: I see my signature shows the 718 Cayman S PDK as a 2019 model. That is incorrect. This should read 2016. My current 718 Cayman GTS PDK is 2019.

I haven't yet discovered how to change this.

 

[AndrewT]

PS: I see my signature shows the 718 Cayman S PDK as a 2019 model. That is incorrect. This should read 2016. My current 718 Cayman GTS PDK is 2019.

I haven't yet discovered how to change this.

You need to edit your signature in “Forum Details” which is under “My Forum Settings”, so many things are difficult to find on these forums but I suppose if it was too easy everyone would use them

This link should give you a short cut...... https://www.porscheclubgb.com/my-account#ForumSettings

 

[Brian_Innes]

Thanks for your help Andrew.

I got as far as forum details, but the list of previous cars is greyed out. I clicked "Edit" but this only referred to changing my user name. I can add another vehicle but no facility to edit the existing vehicle list. Grrrr.

I gave up in disgust.

Brian

 

[Scrounger]

It’s my understanding that it can indeed be retro fitted as it is merely a software change. I also think it can be removed if desired.

When the Porsche Centres re-open you can ask them to confirm this.

You can have it retro fitted

https://content3.eu.porsc...A9ED47C1257D8C004BD824

 

[Motorhead]

Thanks for your help Andrew.

I got as far as forum details, but the list of previous cars is greyed out. I clicked "Edit" but this only referred to changing my user name. I can add another vehicle but no facility to edit the existing vehicle list. Grrrr.

I gave up in disgust.

Brian

Brian,

Aren't the details included in your Signature, which you can Edit?

Jeff

 

[Brian_Innes]

I've tried everything. But I can't seem to get access to editing my signature details. Grrr.

Anyway aside from that detail, we are all currently experiencing extraordinarily difficult times. This Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in global personal liberty restrictions beyond most people's imaginations. Certainly the most stringent measures in peacetime Great Britain.

May I offer my very best wishes to all contributors to this particular thread. I have many friends on this forum whom I have had the pleasure of meeting personally. The sparring controversies we have enjoyed over piston counts and turbo v atmosphere engines seem so superfluous now. I am not being in any way political here when I say that "we are all in this together".

I am old enough to recall the typhoid outbreak in Aberdeen in 1964. It all resulted from an industrial size tin of infected corned beef from Argentina which was dispensed by a supermarket via a slicing machine in a high street supermarket. This resulted in a typhoid epidemic in the city which locked us all down for 3 months.

We got over it.

This current Covid-19 crises is on a completely different scale. People are dying in ever increasing numbers. We all need to take heed of government and medical advice to self-isolate and keep social distancing procedures. That is easier for some of us than for others less fortunate. The main thing is to look out for one another. This thread has a big following. A fact which continues to surprise me more and more with each passing week.

To all my friends on the forum up and down the UK, I wish you all the very best of health and please stay safe. We have lots to look forward to!

Brian

 

[Brian_Innes]

Today I received an email from the Goodwood Festival of Speed confirming the July event has now been called off. Existing ticket holders will be able to use their tickets for the rescheduled event intended to be held later in the summer or early autumn. Whether that will be at a convenient timing for me is unknown at present.

This regrettable, but not unexpected development, has triggered the cancellation of all my hotel and accommodation bookings to the west country shires and Wales.

In accordance with the "stay at home" directive, my 718 CGTS is resting in the garage with the C-tek charged plugged-in. I have no idea when it will now be collected by Porsche Centre Chester as all OPC's are closed for the foreseeable future. The previously advised delivery date for my new Macan Turbo was to have been June 9th, but this is now almost certain to be pushed back now that the factory has shut-down production in Germany.

I have also cancelled the Abarth MOT scheduled for next Monday. DVLA have granted a 6 month extension period to MOT's expiring after March 30th 2020.

Hopefully, these unprecedented times will pass before too long.

Brian

PS: The eagle-eyed will have noticed that I have amended the dates of the 718 Caymans in my signature. What confused me was the greying-out of the signature block when clicking on "Edit". Even though the signature block appears in grey, it can still be amended. A bit counter-intuitive in my opinion, but all's well that ends well.

 

[Brian_Innes]

While the nationally imposed self-isolation of both myself and my 718 CGTS continues, I have been missing what should have been an ideal chance to enjoy the deserted Highland roads of the far north. At least I had the pleasure of the drive to Bonar Bridge a couple of weeks ago before the travel lockdown. Glad that I did!

At the end of last week I received an email update from OPC Chester, who are now closed, advising me that my factory order for the Macan Turbo is still on the cards for early June delivery. I'll not build up my hopes for this but I'll keep my fingers crossed. I was also informed that as soon as the travel lockdown is relaxed, OPC Chester will despatch their driver to collect my 718 CGTS. I'm hoping it's already sold to a new owner. It's all fuelled up ready to go.

What to do now there is no Porsche driving?

Last week I started redecorating my home. I've always done my own painting and decorating and this seemed like an ideal time to do it. Luckily I had already bought all the paint and materials last November before we had even heard about coronavirus. It's 12 years since I last painted. Time has taken its toll on my stamina however. That, together with the awkwardness of a weak grip in my right hand, makes the job a lot more difficult and time-consuming that it did all those years ago.

Still, it's satisfying work when the results are worth the effort. Much like working on my car.

Stay safe all.

Brian

 

[Motorhead]

When you've finished there Brain, you're very welcome to come and do my decorating.! []

Jeff