First Porsche - long time coming

[andrewkendall]

After many years of procrastinating I finally just walked into my local OPC and bought a Boxster 718 GTS 4.0. Ever since Tom Cruise said those immortal words in Risky Business, I was on the hook.

Wanted to look at new and configuring, but told there's no guarantee of Porsche filling customer orders now the books are almost closed on this model. As luck would have it, they had a 10 month old Carmine Red GTS with PDK and only 2,200 miles. Took me all of 5 mins of the road test to decide....

Overall pretty chuffed and looking forward to many dry and sunny days ahead. Having taken a beating from the midlands up to York last weekend it behaved perfectly but is now filthy
Few photos attached....

Spec wise it's about perfect I'd say although would be looking to get the smoker pack cover for the silly hole in the centre console. Otherwise, can't fault it. A real analogue experience with nice clicky buttons. Suppose the only real gripe is the weak Xenon headlights, but suspect there's a set of bulbs to fix that.

Glad to finally be part of the club

 

[Scrounger]

Welcome to 718 ownership Andrew. Very nice Boxster you have there.

The 4.0 is a stonking engine and only gets better the more miles you put on it. Headlight wise, you've got the most powerful Bi-Xenon that is available on the 718 having PDLS. The only upgrade on those on build is the LED which are pretty expensive. As a regular darkness driver, the PDLS are pretty good. Admittedly not as good as LEDs but we are comparing apples and pears there.

I wouldn't worry too much about the smoking package. Adding the small cover isn't as easy as you'd think and as a result can be expensive. Have a look for a phone holder that fits into the hole. There are some on ebay/Amazon if you look. Also some members on Rennlist and the 718 forum have produced holders for about £150.

I'd recommend getting some Zunsport grilles for the front radiators. They can be/are stone magnets and replacements can be expensive. PCGB have a discount code somewhere on here and the grilles are relatively easy to fit.

PPF is also an option for you to look at but you need to weigh up the cost of having it done vs the amount of driving you'll be doing and at what time of year and the long term cost of a potential front end respray if/when the time comes. Also, some insurers will not provide cover if you have PPF installed so it's worth a phone call to them as part of your decision making.

One other recommendation would be to get a 4 wheel alignment done at a reputable Porsche specialist local to you. You'll be surprised how much the alignment will be out and a change to fast road setting will transform how it handles. I'm sure that owners in the Solihull area will be able to offer suggestions. Also check tyre pressures. Mine were all over the place when I picked it up when new.

Finally, get out and enjoy it. These cars love to be driven. If you have any questions please ask away. We're here to help.

Dan

 

[andrewkendall]

That’s great intel Dan, thx.

I plan to live with it and not rush in to making any rash decisions any time soon. Easy to get carried away.

The grilles are sitting in the garage waiting to be fitted. Saw these on petrolped - a no brainer. Even with the low mileage, the rads have taken artillery.

The OPC ceramic coated the car, so no PPF unless I have it removed first. Will see how the paint holds up. I may indulge in a track day now and then, but only for fun. Mostly brisk touring on open roads.

Interesting tip on the alignment. Would be keen to know of any specialist in the West Midlands that offer this service. I had my MX5 aligned through BBR and it certainly made a difference.

Cheers

 

[BrianJ]

Was that the one in Solihull? My ideal spec. Looked at that for ages on the web, wrestling with my common sense. If it was, thanks for buying it and taking it off the market! Enjoy your car, and the club.

 

[gpm993]

Hi Andrew

Welcome to Porsche ownership & the club. Fantastic looking Boxster and great colour choice

 

[Wollemi]

Great Boxster, Andrew and welcome to Porsche and to PCGB.

Scrounger (Dan)'s advice is good, but if you really want it the smoking package is available as a genuine Tequipment accessory, the price includes fitting at your OPC. Mine came without, and for a while I thoughts id get it done, but I stopped noticing it.

The Bi-Xenon PDLS are adequate, but not as bright as the LED alternative, but changing would be expensive. But it might we worth trying LED Xenon replacement bulbs. We fitted some to my wife's Lupo GTI which still had the original Xenon bulbs from when she bought it new in 2002. We got some LED replacement bulbs from Xenons Online who were really helpful, and this has transformed her lights. I've thought of getting some for mine which like yours has the PDLS Bi-Xenons.

Let me know if you do this and how it works out for you.

Enjoy your car

 

[andrewkendall]

Was that the one in Solihull? My ideal spec. Looked at that for ages on the web, wrestling with my common sense. If it was, thanks for buying it and taking it off the market! Enjoy your car, and the club.

Yes it was. I have to say it was a very quick decision and hadn’t been looking for some time. As you say, a great spec and although I was initially put off by the colour, I wouldn’t want anything else now. If it was a daily maybe I’d look at something more subtle, but when opening the garage there’s nothing like a flash of red to get the heart racing. There’s a blue one down at Tewkesbury but not keen on the wheels and the additional spec wasn’t worth travelling for imo.

 

[BrianJ]

Yes it was. I have to say it was a very quick decision and hadn’t been looking for some time. As you say, a great spec and although I was initially put off by the colour, I wouldn’t want anything else now. If it was a daily maybe I’d look at something more subtle, but when opening the garage there’s nothing like a flash of red to get the heart racing. There’s a blue one down at Tewkesbury but not keen on the wheels and the additional spec wasn’t worth travelling for imo.

Haha! I bought my current 981S from them 2 years ago. I traded a grey one and didn’t want a red one either, but I agree with you. Mine’s Guards; Carmine is quite cultured by comparison!

 

[stephen.robins]

Andrew,
I love the car and the colour is fantastic. I got my first Porsche two months ago and I absolutely love it but one day dream of having a GTS 4.0.
Like you, if I had seen that in the showroom I would have bought it!
Enjoy the car.
Steve

 

[andrewkendall]

Andrew,
I love the car and the colour is fantastic. I got my first Porsche two months ago and I absolutely love it but one day dream of having a GTS 4.0.
Like you, if I had seen that in the showroom I would have bought it!
Enjoy the car.
Steve

Thanks Steve

 

[MrDemon]

nothing wrong with those light, they are a big cost upgrade, and not the 20w base xenons. plus some of it is LED. I have no issues with these lights, and Have have 2 718 one with these and one with full LED's.

i'll go out tonight see which is better but I have not noticed any difference. It is the free 20W xenons which are not great the ones without the washers.

some even like the four-point LED daytime running lights, on the xeons better as they are smaller and imo cooler looking.

 

[andrewkendall]

I guess it depends what your used to and I’m sure I’ll live. My regular is a Volvo and the LEDs standard on that thing are epic.
It's not my intention to drive it so much in these conditions anyway. My fault for buying a sports car in February . Next year it will be tucked away in the garage.......maybe.

 

[MrDemon]

not sure the Porsche LED will match these crazy SUV lights which imo should be banned and might well get banned.

10 years a go we would have all killed to get hi power xenons on our 987's !

I'll def do a side by side on my two cars at some point to show you hi power xenons vs LED.

I am 54 and very fussy about needing more light at night.

 

[Cobydog]

Lovely looking car and welcome.

On my 3rd GTS now and absolutely love the car.

Very interested in the wheel alignment comments and 'fast road' setting - anyone else had this done to their 4.0 ?

 

[MrDemon]

just go oem to get it straight then max out the adjustment on the front top mounts and make sure it's not got Pzero's.
my cars on rails.