My 718 CGTS 4.0 PDK

[JohnCRS]

Brian, I did wonder about filling the cross brace gulleys in with polyeurethane or similar, so that crud cannot lodge there. I suppose the other way would be to wrap them.

(Just a point to note, if you do refinish them in any way, there is a possibility that after refitting, the bolts may work loose and need re-tightening, in the same way you never paint wheelnut to wheel surfaces.)

 

[Brian_Innes]

Update on the chassis component corrosion.

I have had the car inspected on the ramp by Aberdeen OPC who supplied the car. They agree that I have a case to answer bearing in mind the age, and low mileage of the car in question.

Photographs were taken of the corroded components and a report will be sent to Porsche for consideration. Whatever the result of that, Aberdeen OPC are currently considering a goodwill offer to replace all the corroded parts. I'm currently awaiting the decision on that.

Regarding future protection, I am planning to purchase a Lanoguard rust protection product to spray the exposed vulnerable components after fitting. This, together with my own previously successful car care diligence, should maintain the underside of my car from further corrosion during my period of ownership.

I'll report back with the news from my OPC in due. course.

Brian.

 

[turbo jonny]

Well I finally sold my 964 WTL and am in a position to get a gts 4.0 and it would be a PDK in the end. Partly due to your good reports guys but mainly due to not being able to part with my 986 Boxster S manual. Its all I need on the moorland roads here in Weardale where I enjoy manual driving. So it would be our 981 Boxster S PDK if my missus will let it go !

 

[Brian_Innes]

Turbo Jonny, you'll not be disappointed with the CGTS 4.0 PDK.

If buying used, based upon my experience detailed earlier, make sure you check the underside of the car on a ramp before buying.

I made the mistake of not doing this as my CGTS 4.0 had only 9700 miles recorded since September 2021. I wrongly assumed the underside would be as pristine as the rest of the car.

I'm still awaiting news from the OPC regarding the component corrosion on the rear underside.

Brian.

PS. I've tried to update my previous car history on my posts page. Despite adding the CGTS 4.0 PDK to my profile garage, it does not appear on the history of cars list.

 

[Motorhead]

Brian,

Currently your post is showing 3 previous cars. Are you trying to add your other Caymans to the list?

I wonder if your being shown as an Active Member rather than a full PCGB Member has any bearing on it? If you’ve rejoined the Club then maybe a note to Admin will resolve the issue?

Jeff

 

[Brian_Innes]

Thank you for your helpful comment Jeff.

I have now emailed a note to the Membership Manager confirming I have rejoined the Club as a Full Member.

Hopefully that will resolve the issue.

Brian.

 

[Brian_Innes]

Update on chassis bracing bars corrosion.

The feedback from my OPC regarding the chassis bracing bars corrosion has been less than positive.
In an emailed response, the service advisor having shown a "master technician" the photographs of the rusty bars, I was told that this was a normal level of corrosion on a car of this, 2021 vintage, and it would be another 15 years before replacement would be deemed necessary. Furthermore, they said, replacing the bars would be pointless, as they in turn would rust over within a short period of time. It was also revealed that the service technician who originally inspected my car on the ramp and took several photographs of the corrosion, is no longer employed with the OPC. No record of my original enquiry on this topic exists apparently. I am currently awaiting a response to my emailed reply expressing surprise and disappointment regarding the outcome of my enquiry. Work still in progress on this topic.

On a happier note, I had a very enjoyable drive to Glen Strathfarrar near Beauly. This location is a little known "secret glen" which has a gated entrance to a service road owned by the hydro-electric generating company. The 17 mile dead-end single track road leads to a hydro-electric dam. It is a wonderfully peaceful location set amongst glorious scenery.

The CGTS 4.0 PDK continues to impress. This is the first normally aspirated Cayman since my long lamented Cayman R manual was sold in 2016. Turbo engines need a particular technique to spool up the turbo for instant throttle response. Not so with the 4.0L. The sharp, raucous, instantaneous throttle response is very gratifying, even more so with the accompanying flat-six sound track. In the short time I have owned the car, its driver appeal is outstanding, particularly on the rural roads in my Highland locality. I'm loving every mile.

The car is now due the major 4 year fixed price service. This work will be done asap prior to the forthcoming touring season.

Brian.

 

[BrianJ]

Hi Brian, interesting about the diagonal braces. When it was 8 years old, I took my previous 2013 981 to a well-regarded independent in Cheshire for its service - first time I had used an independent. When I collected it, they told me they had never seen such a rusty car underneath, singling out the diagonal braces as an example. That was a bit of a shock because based on my previous 986 and 987 I thought they looked quite normal for an 8-year old car that by then had probably done about 40k miles, including salty Peak District roads. Shortly afterwards the power steering failed and it went to my local OPC for repair. Whilst there, I asked them to comment on the condition of the underside (without giving them any pointers). They immediately sent me a video from the technician giving me a commentary on the complete underside. I had half expected them to find all sorts of corroded things to replace but no - and the diagonal braces were described as "having a bit of surface corrosion which is quite normal". In comparison yours do look rather worse for a much newer car and although somewhat unsightly, probably just cosmetic.

 

[Motorhead]

Disappointing that it is, I can’t say that I’m surprised by the dealer’s response Brian.

15-years before replacement will be countenanced! Isn’t that when you can no longer have the Porsche Extended Warranty?

Jeff

 

[Brian_Innes]

I appreciate your feedback Brian and Jeff.

As I said before, I've not seen this level of corrosion on the chassis components on my previous Caymans despite living on the coast in the north of Scotland. Diligent care and maintenance, drying the car and brakes properly after washing, and avoiding driving during winter when salty, slushy roads prevail have kept my cars pristine. above and below.

I'll decide on the best remedy for my purposes soon. Even if only for the cosmetic appeal.

Brian.

 

[phil24]

Hi Brian
As a fellow 4.0 GTS with PDK owner, I've been following your exploits with great interest. Like you, the 4.0 isn't my first Cayman; previously I had a 3.4S.

You often mention the flat 6 soundtrack that accompanies your 4.0 adventures and I agree that the engine sounds quite good when under load (although I suspect some of the induction "howl" which dominates the cabin has been acoustically enhanced to cover the restrained output from the tailpipes).

However, on the overrun or under braking, all I hear is an unpleasant whine (fuel pump? cam drive?) and nothing other than an undramatic change of pitch as each downshift engages.

Compared to the zing and rasp of the 3.4 (a car without GPF) the 4.0 is an aural disappointment.

 

[MrDemon]

my 718 Spyder did the whine noise and was pretty quite, my 2024 GTS 4.0 does not whine and fake sounds or not it's sounds really nice on WOT.
I am really happy over the sound vs an older 718 4.0 I had. It's no 981 GT4, but the GTS 4.0 now sounds better than a 718 GT4 imo. (again fake noise maybe but who cares)

A PDK 718 GTS 4.0 is ni on perfect for a Sports car sub £100k. My only issue is the modern brake pads are poor with little bite, and I have still not managed to fit my DS2500 yet.

 

[Brian_Innes]

I have also noticed the whine on over-run on my CGTS 4.0 PDK.

Agree with Mr D, enhanced acoustics or not, the engine on full song is mega enjoyable, despite the strangling GPF's. Whenever I get the chance on an empty Highland road I let it sing full contralto.

Brian

 

[Brian_Innes]

I have the 4 year major service booked at the end of the month. Among my special requests to the service team will be to report on the GPF oil ash readings. The previous owner covered very low annual mileages, and according to my information, the car was not exercised to the same extent it is under my ownership. My driving style is decidedly sporty, with frequent use of the PDK paddle shift to down change to lower gears for maximum acceleration during overtaking on the predominately single carriageway roads in my locality. When road conditions and traffic densities allow, I use the full rev range through the gears to burn off any soot accumulations arising from previous journeys.

I also deploy the lower intermediate gears engaged in built-up areas with 30mph and 40mph zones.
I prefer to use Sport mode exclusively rather than default Normal mode in these circumstances, which always favours engaging the highest gear possible in these urban speed limit zones. I prefer the enhanced driver control derived from engaging lower gears.

I shall await with interest as to the results of the GPF oil ash readings at this major service in a few week's time. My previous 718 2.5t Caymans of 2016 and 2019 MY's had no issues with either dynamic engine mounts or GPF failures. I'm hoping this continues with my GTS 4.0.

BTW, I agree with Mr D's comments on the OE brake pads.

Brian

 

[Brian_Innes]

phil24,

Whether it is the passage of time that has influenced my appreciation of the engine note acoustics may well be a moot point.

I am in awe of the engine sound track on the CGTS 4.0 PDK compared to my previous 3.4S and R Caymans. The latter was mildly modified on the engine induction tract with the de-snorkelling of the lefthand air intake with a hi-flow cotton air filter element replacing the OE paper filter. The CR on full song during my many motorsport events was pure joy to behold. I sometimes look back on the in-car videos of my hill climb and sprint events and relish the wail of the atmosphere 3.4 flat-six at max revs. No acoustic enhancements are necessary on the full-fat CR manual.

It is over 8 years since I last experienced the satisfying throttle response and wail of Porsche n/a flat-six engines so it is understandable that my appreciation of the 4.0 is received with such enthusiasm.
My original plan following the sale of the CR was to consider a 981 GT4, but the overs hype and flip speculators of the time put paid to that idea.

My subsequent dalliance with the 718 2.5t flat-four series engines required adaption of my driving style to counteract the inevitable turbo lag of this engine if left to its own devices. I became adept at spooling up the turbo by using the PDK manual shift in preparation for overtaking manoeuvres or when pressing on when driving open-sighted rural roads. The engine soundtrack of the 2.5t was never a strong point despite the prodigious track performance available when driven properly.

I would say in my short experience with the CGTS 4.0 PDK, that this car is the perfect compromise for a fast, eminently capable, touring car which can be comfortably used as a daily driver while being no slouch on the track either. As Mr D has noted, it is probably the best sub £100k sports car available.

Brian.

 

[Brian_Innes]

With the brilliant weather basking the Highlands in glorious azure blue skies, what better reason is there for a drive to my favourite places in Wester Ross.

Taking the A835 west from the A9 Tore roundabout, then the A832 from Garve towards Kinlochewe and Loch Maree, is a wonderful drive especially at this time of the year before the tourist masses descend upon NC500 routes. Traffic was very light as I headed further westwards, only meeting the occasional vehicle going in the same direction. Having travelled this route many times previously, I was disappointed to see an increase in the number of potholes and surface break-ups on some sections of the A832. Vigilance was essential to avoid the worst affected areas. A particularly bad section had closed one of the many cattle grids which had suffered a huge pothole, necessitating using the single file detour gate under traffic control lights. Fortunately, the majority of the route was the usual flowing, scenic, two-way carriageway following the contours of the land. Pure delight.

On a route such as this, I dispense with the auto shifting PDK and move the central gear selector to the left quadrant enabling manual gear shifting via the paddles. I find 4th and 5th gears ideally suited to this terrain with the occasional up-shift to 6th, dropping 450 rpm, on the longer straight sections. Cruising at 60-ish in 5th equates to 3000 rpm, keeping the exhaust gasses flowing nicely and thermal efficiency readings in the optimum range. Oil temperatures in the 100c - 105c, and oil pressure 2.0 - 2.3 bar. On the subject of oil, I have been monitoring oil consumption during my ownership of the car, adding 0.80 litre of Mobil 1 0W-40 ESP green top during the past 2500 miles. The oil check gauge currently shows one increment below the max reading.

A few photos from Wester Ross taken at Victoria Falls, near Loch Maree, and at Red Point south of Gairloch.

Brian.

 

[Wollemi]

NW Scotland looking spectacularly beautiful. As does the Gentian Blue; it really "pops" in bright sun. Glad that you are enjoying your GTS 4.0.

 

[Brian_Innes]

I'm incredibly grateful having such wonderful scenery and an abundance of relatively traffic free driver's roads on my doorstep. The CGTS 4.0 excels in roads such as I enjoyed yesterday.

Having been brought up on manual gearbox cars for most of my life, including decades of competitive motorsports, I have embraced the PDK alternative with enthusiasm I never would have thought possible 10 or 12 years ago. Using manual gear shifting in concert with sport chrono, on roads as I have described in these posts, provides the next best dynamic connection with engine characteristics usually associated with manual gearboxes. Had I not suffered the weak grip affliction of my right hand, I would most probably not have remained loyal to manual gearboxes anyway. So comprehensively good is the current PDK evolution, that keeping both hands on the steering wheel while shifting cogs is a significant benefit on challenging terrain as prevails in the NW Highlands.

Brian.