My 2019 718 Cayman GTS PDK
- Thread starter Brian_Innes
- Start date
Steve Brookes said:
To be fair and balanced Steve I know several people who have had Rads go and some of these have had replacements fitted under warranty, again something that does not seem to be consistent between OPC's.
It may also be worth Brian asking if the OPC won't sanction Grills will they cover replacement Rads while the car is under warranty.
I have a 2016 981 Cayman GTS and like you Brian wanted to fit motorsport grilles but have been too nervous whilst it was under warranty. With that expiring in April, I have plans to remove the front bumper and fit grilles from behind much like Clive has done on his 997
https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=613041
I also enjoy track days and am interested in what wheel alignment changes you have in mind for your Cayman? I’ve also swapped Pirelli’s for a set of Michelin’s at the end of last year but not done a track day with them yet. Both tyres and pads all round we’re needing replacement at 10K miles.
Phil
https://www.porscheclubgb.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=613041
I also enjoy track days and am interested in what wheel alignment changes you have in mind for your Cayman? I’ve also swapped Pirelli’s for a set of Michelin’s at the end of last year but not done a track day with them yet. Both tyres and pads all round we’re needing replacement at 10K miles.
Phil
Oddly with the issue of fitting grills, you can do it within the factory warranty but not on extended cover. Logic being during the 3 year factory warranty period, Porsche have to prove causal relationship to failure from modified part. As 'everyone and his dog' on forums agrees there is no effect (else why fit them), I can't see why people don't fit them.
Brian_Innes
Member
Philthechip said:
I am awaiting a response from my OPC regarding the grill and warranty issues. I asked the question whether or not a punctured radiator caused by stone damage would be replaced under warranty if no protective grills were fitted.
Regarding the wheel alignment settings, I shall be posting before and after values on this thread following the work scheduled for February 22nd.
Brian
I don't have a current Porsche new car warranty document (not the extended warranty, which is different). If you read the new car warranty terms, does it include design and manufacturing defects, or just manufacturing? If it includes design, then I think you could reasonably argue that the absence of protective grilles is a design defect which should enable you to get the damaged items replaced or to fit grilles.
Brian_Innes
Member
Zunsport Grills
Today I received an official response from OPC Chester to my two questions on the fitment of Zunsport protective grills.
Just to reiterate, my questions were;
1."In the event of a stone impact puncturing a front radiator causing a loss of fluid, would the replacement parts and labour be covered by the manufactures warranty?"
2. Would Porsche Centre Chester agree to fitting the Zunsport grills to my car?"
The response below was very much as expected.
"I have spoken to my workshop manager regarding the two questions you have asked and unfortunately a stone puncture is something that is not covered by the warranty.
Also we are unable to fit the radiator grills as this fitment is not Porsche approved and we are not allowed to fit this."
Bearing in mind the type of driving I do and the predominately rural road touring mileage, I am fearful of having stone hits on the front radiators resulting in a loss of cooling fluid and a breakdown recovery event. My touring activities often involve remote locations where mobile signals are not always reliable. I could effectively be stranded with no alternative but to abandon my car at the roadside while organising assistance. That prospect, however unlikely, does not appeal.
The evidence thus far of driving only a total of 1100 miles on UK roads in the winter, is that stone hits on the front radiators of the 718 Cayman GTS are a frequent occurrence. The stone impacts compress the fragile aluminium grill matrix, and over time, will reduce the cooling efficiency of the radiators. Probably to a greater extent than the negligible airflow restrictions of the Zunsport grills.
I am already monitoring the engine fluid temperatures closely, and I shall continue to do this. My thinking at present is to bite the bullet, (pardon the pun), and fit the three Zunsport front grills as protection against being stranded at the roadside. After fitment, if engine fluid temperatures show any discrepancy from the previous "open grill" values, I shall reconsider the situation.
My plan is to remove the grills before submitting my car for servicing. I shall take careful precautions to protect the air intake apertures with discrete black adhesive tape so as not leave any evidence of the grills having been fitted.
Any comments on the above gratefully appreciated.
Brian
Today I received an official response from OPC Chester to my two questions on the fitment of Zunsport protective grills.
Just to reiterate, my questions were;
1."In the event of a stone impact puncturing a front radiator causing a loss of fluid, would the replacement parts and labour be covered by the manufactures warranty?"
2. Would Porsche Centre Chester agree to fitting the Zunsport grills to my car?"
The response below was very much as expected.
"I have spoken to my workshop manager regarding the two questions you have asked and unfortunately a stone puncture is something that is not covered by the warranty.
Also we are unable to fit the radiator grills as this fitment is not Porsche approved and we are not allowed to fit this."
Bearing in mind the type of driving I do and the predominately rural road touring mileage, I am fearful of having stone hits on the front radiators resulting in a loss of cooling fluid and a breakdown recovery event. My touring activities often involve remote locations where mobile signals are not always reliable. I could effectively be stranded with no alternative but to abandon my car at the roadside while organising assistance. That prospect, however unlikely, does not appeal.
The evidence thus far of driving only a total of 1100 miles on UK roads in the winter, is that stone hits on the front radiators of the 718 Cayman GTS are a frequent occurrence. The stone impacts compress the fragile aluminium grill matrix, and over time, will reduce the cooling efficiency of the radiators. Probably to a greater extent than the negligible airflow restrictions of the Zunsport grills.
I am already monitoring the engine fluid temperatures closely, and I shall continue to do this. My thinking at present is to bite the bullet, (pardon the pun), and fit the three Zunsport front grills as protection against being stranded at the roadside. After fitment, if engine fluid temperatures show any discrepancy from the previous "open grill" values, I shall reconsider the situation.
My plan is to remove the grills before submitting my car for servicing. I shall take careful precautions to protect the air intake apertures with discrete black adhesive tape so as not leave any evidence of the grills having been fitted.
Any comments on the above gratefully appreciated.
Brian
Hi Brian, I've been using Zunsport grilles since acquiring my 981 Boxster S and previously on my 987 Cayman S. I've run under a variety of conditions including continental motorways, spirited drives up Stelvio etc up to ambients of about 38degC without seeing ANY movement of ANY of the temperatures above the normal UK steady states. But having in the distant past been in automotive industry and being responsible for testing vehicles for cooling performance at the absolute limits, I can understand why Porsche would say such "don't fit grilles" just to protect themselves. When my cars have been under warranty I have always removed the grilles before visiting the OPC for service - it only takes 5 mins to remove and refit. The only marks I have found have been road grime behind the frames which easily washes off - it would take a forensic expert to determine that grilles had been fitted. My OPCs have been aware that I normally have the grilles in place and have never commented, other than to say they look good!
Brian_Innes
Member
Thank you Brian.
Very helpful and reassuring comment.
Regardless of one's own conviction on the choices available to such dilemmas as the grills present, it's always helpful to have the views of others on the topic.
Brian
Very helpful and reassuring comment.
Regardless of one's own conviction on the choices available to such dilemmas as the grills present, it's always helpful to have the views of others on the topic.
Brian
Brian
Get the Zunsports fitted. If you have an issue with anything else warranty related, or if your taking the car in for service, just remove the grilles.
My 987 near side radiator picked up a stone hit, and started leaking.
I had both sides replaced, and fitted my Zunsport grilles the following day.
If your radiators/condensors aren't covered by warranty anyway, then why not fit the grilles and at least protect yourself from a £500-1000 bill in the event of a full strike resulting in breakage of components.
Get the Zunsports fitted. If you have an issue with anything else warranty related, or if your taking the car in for service, just remove the grilles.
My 987 near side radiator picked up a stone hit, and started leaking.
I had both sides replaced, and fitted my Zunsport grilles the following day.
If your radiators/condensors aren't covered by warranty anyway, then why not fit the grilles and at least protect yourself from a £500-1000 bill in the event of a full strike resulting in breakage of components.
Brian_Innes
Member
James and Dylan,
Thank you for your constructive comments.
I'll fit the grills this weekend. Photos will be posted.
Brian
Thank you for your constructive comments.
I'll fit the grills this weekend. Photos will be posted.
Brian
As the above say, fit the grills. I've previously had them fitted to my 981 and toured Europe in the summer with them fitted many times (in Portugal we drove in temps exceeding 40c) and did not notice any problems with either water or oil temps. I now have them fitted to my 718s and although I have not yet tested them in Europe (will do this June) I don't expect to see any adverse temperature related problems. If I do I'll simply remove them from the car.
I ran my 981 with grills (home made per Lancerlot's 997 thread) in Spain and Portugal on 3 track days in >90F ambient temps and had no problems with the car's temperature, couldn't say the same for me though.
I have Zunsports fitted to my 981 GTS and renewed the warranty in October. Porsche Silverstone took photos and contacted Porsche GB for advice. The final response they got was that it was up to the centre, who then agreed to a 2 year warranty extension on my car. I think the problem is there is no consistency from different OPC's. They will not fit them for you though, but the new Zunsports are really well designed and easy to fit and look factory. Ironically after they had finished the 111point check they parked my car out front next to a GT4 with OEM grills fitted, which just makes the whole process a bit hypocritical!
I made up some grilles for my 987.1S years ago and they have now passed to Archie ( AKA Contraband ) who is still using them on his gen1, they are much finer grilles than the Zunsport on my 987.2S and no elevated temps on either car but having come from an aero engine testing environment if there is enough restriction to drop the air pressure behind the grilles then there is a drop in air temp too. As long as there is through flow sufficient to cool the rads all stays cool and there is a greater restriction in flow caused by the arch liners behind the rads so if it copes with that then grilles will have no effect on cooling anyway. Basically it is more important that the downside of the air passage isn't restricted or the fans stopped from operating and that can happen on some models when a stone gets thrown into the blades and jams the fan. Also you're in Scotland not noted for its heatwaves.
Over the past few weeks/months we have had this debate going on regarding the fitment of grilles and the legality of warranties. Are the posts regarding the fitment of 3 grilles or just 2 which would protect direct hits to the rads? Or are we including the side pod grilles also?
I would have though that overheating through the fitment of 2 grilles directly in front of the rads would cause no problems as there would be enough redirected airflow from the centre opening.
In fact I would have thought that even with 3 grilles fitted overheating would be negligible. Unless you are tracking through the Sahara.
Ray
I would have though that overheating through the fitment of 2 grilles directly in front of the rads would cause no problems as there would be enough redirected airflow from the centre opening.
In fact I would have thought that even with 3 grilles fitted overheating would be negligible. Unless you are tracking through the Sahara.
Ray
Brian,
A Vlogger likes your car...
[tube]https://youtu.be/xreBRaNH540[/tube]
A Vlogger likes your car...
[tube]https://youtu.be/xreBRaNH540[/tube]
Brian_Innes
Member
Ralph,
Thank you for posting the above You Tube clip. Always interesting to hear the Vloggers take on the 718 Cayman GTS PDK. All the previous official road tests by UK mainstream mags have been with the 6 speed manual version. The PDK optimises the 718 GTS in no small measure. Also good to hear positive comment rather than the usual chorus of dissenters.
My first track impressions are coming around soon.
Brian
Thank you for posting the above You Tube clip. Always interesting to hear the Vloggers take on the 718 Cayman GTS PDK. All the previous official road tests by UK mainstream mags have been with the 6 speed manual version. The PDK optimises the 718 GTS in no small measure. Also good to hear positive comment rather than the usual chorus of dissenters.
My first track impressions are coming around soon.
Brian
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