Buying a new Boxster 2.9 - which options are worth considering?

[Ianblackburn]

I know most of the options are a personal choice, but does anyone have any thoughts/experience on some of the options listed below.

I am going for manual rather than PDK I think, but what about:

PASM £1008
Sports Chrono Package £520
18 or 19 inch wheels (how does it affect handling)
Multiple function stressing wheel £481-620
Standard sound package (£380), Bose sound system (£880)
PCM with satnav (£1904)


Or should I just go for a S with no options?

Cheers

Ian

 

[daro911]

ORIGINAL: Ianblackburn

I know most of the options are a personal choice, but does anyone have any thoughts/experience on some of the options listed below.

I am going for manual rather than PDK I think, but what about:

PASM £1008
Sports Chrono Package £520
18 or 19 inch wheels (how does it affect handling)
Multiple function stressing wheel £481-620
Standard sound package (£380), Bose sound system (£880)
PCM with satnav (£1904)


Or should I just go for a S with no options?

Cheers

Ian

I would suggest you drive both cars back to back and then which one suits you most bhp wise should be very apparent

Personally I always have a lower spec "S" as I do like using the torque of an engine far more than the rev limiter []

Either choice is a very wise purchase IMO as I eagerly await my sixth Boxster as soon as the 988 is available

 

[London987]

as per my 2005 's' car if i were spec'ing it today

PASM £1008
its good, i'd rather have it than not, lowers the car 10mm, improves handling but is quite a hard ride on 'full' setting on our bad roads...i wouldn't put this at the top of the list but i hear its now much better?

Sports Chrono Package £520
faster throttle response, sport button, this does make a difference, a definite yes, never used the little dash clock though

18 or 19 inch wheels (how does it affect handling)
19 inch on mine - work well with the PASM but to be honest, harder ride again, not sure i'd bother

Multiple function stressing wheel £481-620
sports wheel is nice, i never use the buttons on multifunction wheels - the stereo isn't that far away so would be a no

Standard sound package (£380), Bose sound system (£880)
i have the plus package, not sure the bose is that far away from it, wouldn't bother with BOSE myself

PCM with satnav (£1904)
ties in with the sports chrono so you get lap times if that's your thing. the other benefits are you can set the interior lights, aircon and a couple of other minor things to the key. the satnav updates are released very infrequently, if you are getting it just for that i wouldn't bother. the hands free phone is good. again you can get better versionsof these from halfords, more a case of how often you will use it and whether you think it will have a 2k affect on resale. this one's up to you....for me i probably would but i woud rather have PASM and a few more driver/interior things instead.

hope this helps

 

[uknick]

Metallic paint

£380 sound package. In the Cayman I find the this is good enough, once the speakers bed in. Its not great but I test drove one with BOSE and could not hear any sigtnificant diference.

Climate Control.
CD/DVD Changer (try to get this for free as it is dealer fit, or it was a couple of years ago)
Heated Seats
Sports Chrono Plus, unless that is what you meant
and, for something completely unfunctional, Porsche Crest on headrests (seems like a lot for a couple of badges, but I think it adds to the appeal of the car)

Or, one one of the new "packages", they offer a set of options at a reduced price.

ETA: But, if you are serious about buying new, get to the Silverstone Porsche Driving Experience and ask to sample cars with the options you want back to back.

 

[Hoopster]

Buy an S with heated seats - all the options you'll need. [8D]

 

[Mark_Bennett]

You need the wind deflector. I think it still comes with Bose, but if you decide against Bose (which doesn't seem very good in my limited experience) then don't forget to add the deflector to the spec.

 

[spyderman]

Agreeing with Mark, I would consider the wind deflector as a must-have, together with the Sound System (adds speakers in the doors). I also wouldn't buy one without full leather interior. And if wanting PDK, Sport Chrono is a must, although I wouldn't ask for it on a manual. The country-specific option packs offer a slight discount if going for multiple options.

I would not go for a basic S over a well-spec'd 2.9 - remember you're buying it for you, not the next owner.

 

[Rotorhead]

the heated seats [8D]

 

[nwhear]

Heated seats!

 

[Black80XSA]

Ian - i can only comment from my expereinces of 20k miles / 4.5 yrs in my MY06 987S, and i know the suspension is a bit different these days and wheels/tyres in some guises are lighter too.

PASM - everyones idea of what is acceptable and what is a hard ride is different. As a general statement though 19" wheels need PASM to soften the ride. The lower suspension of PASM also makes them look better visually compared to the wheelarch (arch to tyre gap). Sport setting on PASM is only for full attack mode, its far too harsh to drive around at urban type speeds on the UKs pock marked road surfaces. In comfort mode it does give a very good ride even with 19" wheels. Porsche designed the 987 car around 18" wheels - i think these and the standard suspension are a good general set-up and a low cost option in the long run compared to replacing expensive 19" tyres and PASM damper units.

Sports Chrono - hate the timer on the dash, its useless as stopwatch / laptimer. The sharper throttle response is perhaps a good thing for those who want the extra racers edge on an s model but the normal throttle is fine and adding this to a 2.9 erodes the price gap to the better performing 3.4S engine.

MF Steering wheel - i have the low cost option sports wheel without buttons and i prefer its simplicity, both when i used the car daily and now that its a garage queen.

Sound Packs - the basic set-up is pretty pants for the price of the car. The Sound Plus pack improves the sound quality to an acceptable level. BOSE is an expensive option, it is different but not necessarily better (all depends on how much you like bass and surround sound). I have BOSE and its good 90% of the time, but occassionally it sound very false in reproduction. Do not compare the BOSE in a Porsche to one in an Audi, the two seem a million miles apart in performance!

PCM - i have a basic TomTom and it trounces PCM in terms of ease of operation, for a 15th of the cost. I also have Co-Pilot live on my iphone and thats better than PCM. Neither are integrated, but you'll never get more than £300 extra for a PCM car when trading in. You also have to factor in that Porsche charges over £300 for each map update !!!

Heated seats - useful on chilly summer nights, essential in th winter.

Wind Deflector - yes please, too much buffeting at motorway speeds without.

Crested head rests - if you plan on leaving the car parked with the roof down, then absolutely yes - really lift the look of the car and the interior.

Half leather vs full leather - the plastics of the 987 cars are such that full leather is a bit of a luxury and not essential. A lot of people can only tell the difference by looking for the row of stitching down the centre console. Half leather must be added to the 2.9 as a minimum.

At the end of the day a lot depends on how long you plan to keep the car - people will justify lots of expensive extras over a long ownership period, even if they are of limited use. The latest 2.9 engine isn't a million miles away in performacne to my 3.2S and is more than adequate for UK roads.

The bare minimum you'd need to add to the S model would be Sound Pack, wind deflector and heated seats - add on metallic paint and you're looking at £44k for a basic spec S.
On a 2.9 you could have the the same sound pack, heated seats, wind deflector, half leather seats and 18" wheels and still have near £6k in your pocket (ie externally the same looking car). I'd then go for the Comfort package (to get crested head rests, upgraded air con, dimming mirrors,xenon lights etc etc etc) , park assist (rear parking sensors) and coloured wheel badges. That'd still come £4k less than the basic S.

Thats the dilemna we all face - far too many options. Go drive the 2.9, decide whetehr its enough for you and spec one up. Drive the S alongside it and you'll be tempted to go with the S - whether you really need it or not !!

 

[berty987]

Personally I would opt for a short shift and PSE (sports exhaust) the two options give a much improved experience to driving the car. The multi function wheel is worth speccing if you decide on a PCM , it not only allows the volume but also map zoom , audio mute and easier selection of track titles when using an i pod or USB. The advantage of the PCM is it does give a more integrated feel to the stereo , is less likely to get stolen and allows USB control and telephone operation with the correct add ons. Its also a better unit than the standard radio in terms of sound. If they still offer the option , the sound packet plus is better than standard speakers but not as expensive as Bose.

Sport chrono , PASM and 19 " wheels are expensive extras I have on my own car , which I wouldn't personally spec on a new car. The PASM rarely gets used in sport mode and the lower ride height does more to damage the underside of the bumper than give benefits in handling. Sport chrono gives a sharper throttle response but you can get the same from an ECU remap and a few Hp extra to boot. 19" tyres are a magnetude more expensive than 18" tyres and can be difficult to obtain as manufacture is sporadic.

The XPA stering wheel or sport wheel is worth hte money if you have larger hands as it gives a better feel from being thicker. If speccing a PDK then make sure you order the paddle shift wheel its SO much better !

 

[chrisH]

Its always a compromise but having been through this myself I would go for the "S" definitely as then you get better brakes, part leather as well as the extra torque and power. Fuel Con is no different unless you drive on the limiter.
Also for me Climate and Rear Park Sensors are essential, Multi Function wheel is nice to have. PCM 3 not worth paying the 2k for when 90% of the time I now where I'm going.
For me if I was ordering from scatch I would tick PASM and Sports seats as much better ride and comfortable seats are factors when you're over 50!
Chris

 

[Ianblackburn]

Wow - some great advice there - thanks to everyone.

I'll let you know how it pans out after the test drive.

I am tending to basic rather than S because I'll get better optioned car, and still more fun than I could properly handle.

I agree with most re the PCM - might look at getting SmartNav moved from my existing motor - it's an excellent service and much cheaper than the Porsche option.

Heated seats and wind deflector seem essential - so they are on the list; as is upgraded sound (but maybe not Bose - will check it out if possible in the showroom)

I think 18" wheels is the way to go for me - in fact the more I look at it I think Black80XSA has pretty much summed it up for me in the last but one paragraph - many thanks!

One last question - does the soundpack have an ipod/iphone/aux connector?

Cheers

Ian

 

[Mark_Bennett]

ORIGINAL: Ianblackburn



... might look at getting SmartNav moved from my existing motor - it's an excellent service and much cheaper than the Porsche option.

Sadly that will probably invalidate your warranty if it's wired in [&:]

Can you use it "non-fitted"? (like a TomTom) - that would be OK.

 

[Ianblackburn]

ORIGINAL: Mark Bennett

Sadly that will probably invalidate your warranty if it's wired in [&:]

Can you use it "non-fitted"? (like a TomTom) - that would be OK.

Ouch - didn't realise that. Though SmartNav only has a speaker and a mike to a call center so may be ok - I'll check with the dealer. Failing that I can use some unfitted device like my phone (or iPad? now that might be interesting...)

 

[berty987]

If you can live with looking a cheapskate with a tom tom in a 40 K motor , then the tom tom is the way to go.[]. Try sports seats before ticking the box as unless they are the full adaptive (electric seat option) some find the shoulder supports too constrained and actually more uncomfortable than standard on a long journey. Park sensors are a "nice to have" particularly if you live in town or park on the street. Anything that isnt porsche fitted originally or as a dealer option will invalidate the warranty so check on the CD head unit regarding connectivity to i pod and USB. I know the PCM has USB connectivity and can have bluetooth added as an aftermarket fit by the dealer without the need for the full phone module. Heated seats and a wind deflector are a must particularly if you plan to drive with the roof down in the Uk with less than ideal sunny weather. The soundpack is just an upgrade of the speakers and addition of an amp, i dont think you get any extra connectivity.

I can only speak for my personal experience , I have an S model with PASM, PCM, Sport Chrono Plus, PSE exhaust, Tel module, Dension USB/Ipod adapter, Multi function wheel, Techart padded steering wheel, 19" wheels , 5mm wheel spacers, Full electric memory seats, Bose sound upgrade, Xenon headlights, Climate upgrade, wind deflector and full leather trim with heated seats and short shift gearlever.

Of the options fitted currently , the only ones I'd spec from new would be PSE, short shift, padded wheel and a sound upgrade rather than Bose, with a USB interface and wind deflector. All the other add ons are expense you can live without and dont really increase your enjoyment of the car. The 2.9 is very close in performance to the 3.2S I have currently so i'd have no issues with a 2.9L engine. Having driven with other boxster owners I can vouch a well driven 2.5 986 is capable of keeping up with a 987 3.2 S in virtually all situations. Under normal driving conditions you wont notice the difference in brakes between the S and standard. I also prefer the black instrument dials of the standard to the silver of the S. As to colour , personally I like the solid colours of White or Red in the new model , though paint to sample is only marginally more than metallic I believe. If you want to make a statement on individuality without loading the car with options , the exterior colour is one way to do it, or have the car vinyl wrapped which protects the paint underneath whilst giving a unique colour or finish , black works well as a base colour for a wrapped car as the edges dont look awkward where the wrap ends.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Actually, I'd say that the xenons are an essential, unless you spend all your time driving around town...
The difference between them and normal bulbs is incredible.

 

[Black80XSA]

I'd agree with Mark that the standard headlights are not great for quick progress at night on unlit sections, although fitting better bulbs such as Osram Nightbreakers or Philips Extreme Plus does help. The standard headlights are better than those of the previous 986 cars though.

The comfort pack offers quite a good selection of items for its £1700 - not sure what the overall saving is but looks a good option

Seats - i've got sport seats and find them fine, much prefer them to the standard ones without the additional shoulder support. I tried a demonstartor with the adaptive seats and had severe cramp and pain with them - the bases just weren't wide enough for my hips. If you are slim build then the ability to tighten the side bolsters migth be of use, but its an expensive option IMO.

And berty is correct, for use in the UK a 2.9 is more than enough - even my old 2.7 986 Boxster wasn't embarrassed by well driven 996s, until my nerve ran out and sense prevailed lol!!

The range of options is a minefield, but does give the flexibility to build a posing machine, a comfy boulevard cruiser, or a driver focused car with every performance aid ticked.

 

[jdpef356]

ORIGINAL: Hoopster

Buy an S with heated seats - all the options you'll need. [8D]

ORIGINAL: Hoopster

Buy an S with heated seats - all the options you'll need. [8D]

Another thumbs up from the hot seat![]

 

[Black80XSA]

ORIGINAL: jdpef356

ORIGINAL: Hoopster

Buy an S with heated seats - all the options you'll need. [8D]

ORIGINAL: Hoopster

Buy an S with heated seats - all the options you'll need. [8D]

Another thumbs up from the hot seat![]

No offence but spec an S like that and everyone will think you could only just afford an S and the used Market expects many more options (ca £5-6k being typical) so you'll not get a decent offer come resale/part ex.

You'd never get the cost of those extras back but buyers will always look at better spec'd cars with more miles for same price or pay a bit more for them. I'd never buy a used s in base spec; personal view but I'm probably not alone.