My 718 CGTS 4.0 PDK

[Boomer_Zoomer]

Following a 5 year hiatus from Cayman ownership, during which I had an interesting dalliance with an Alpine A110 Legend GT, I am delighted to return to the Cayman fold with a 3 year old low mileage CGTS 4.0 PDK.

Earlier this year I had been looking for a Cayman R PDK but was unable to source an example which met my exacting standards of presentation and ownership history.

Whilst browsing the Porsche Approved listings I came across this one owner, 9700 miles example for sale at OPC Aberdeen. This dealership being the nearest to where I live in the Highlands, provided a strong appeal as it is my "local" official Porsche Centre. An appointment was duly arranged for an appraisal and test drive.

I hadn't owned a normally aspirated flat-six Porsche since selling my 2012 CR manual for a 718 CS PDK in 2016. Needless to say, following my hour long solo test drive on familiar roads around Aberdeen, I was truly smitten with the car, especially the wonderful rev-soaring 4.0 engine. The car has an acceptable spec for my purposes, including 18-way Adaptive Sports seats, Alacantara steering wheel and trim, reversing camera park assist, and the all important Michelin PS4S tyres. I found the sales team at Aberdeen very cooperative and a deal was agreed with collection of the car arranged for the following week.

I had my first drive on largely empty Highland roads yesterday and what a joyous experience this was. The PDK gearing is slightly shorter than the manual gearbox versions, with the prodigious torque from the 4.0 flat-six making rapid progress on the flowing, winding, undulating, roads that are a welcome feature of the north Highlands.

It's early days yet but I am hopeful, nay confident, that I have chosen a good example of this exciting sports coupe. I have already noted the on this forum the posts regarding issues with GPF and dynamic engine mounts. My sincere wish is that I do not suffer such maladies with this particular car.

I shall continue to post updates of my ownership experiences with this car, and tales of my touring exploits. This is my sixth Cayman, ranging from a 2008 2.7 5-speed manual, to the deceptively fast 2019 718 2.5T GTS with PCCB.

I shall consider rejoining the PCGB following the publication of the 2025 track day calendar. If Knockhill circuit is included, I shall renew my membership.

Meantime, I shall get myself fully acquainted with this wonderful dynamic sports coupe.

Brian.

 

[ralphmusic]

Brian,

Welcome back to the Cayman fold.

Ralph

 

[kitchens]

Welcome back and look forward to your posts

 

[Scrounger]

Welcome back Brian. I'm sure you'll love the 4.0. No GPF issues that I'm aware of on the 4.0 however you may notice the oil consumption is a little more than you'll be used to and I'm sure you'll do the usual things, 4 wheel alignment, Zunsport grilles etc.

My 4.0 is currently sat on just a smidge under 18000 miles and it just keeps getting better.

look forward to hearing of your adventures.

Dan.

 

[AndrewT]

I'm pleased to see you've started a new thread Brian, I look forward to seeing your reports here!

 

[BrianJ]

Welcome back to the fold Brian. Many people have enjoyed and benefited from your informed jottings here, long may it continue.

 

[Motorhead]

Indeed Brian, it’s great to hear that you’re back in a Cayman once again … even the Demon Dave rates the 4.0L GTS - with PDK no less - very highly!

We all look forward to you frequenting these pages with news of your journeys in the new car.

Jeff

 

[Boomer_Zoomer]

Only little more than a week into ownership I'm already loving this car. Those readers who have followed previous jottings on my Cayman ownership history covering 5 previous models of this marque, may recall that I awarded joint first place to the 987.2 Cayman R Manual, and the 718 Cayman 2.5T GTS PDK. Thus far, I would say this CGTS 4.0 PDK is a very strong contender for usurping the previous "winners" by a comfortable margin. Two aspects are at the forefront of this prediction.

Firstly, the 4.0 flat-six engine is a glorious power unit, and when mated to the PDK gearbox, provides a seamless flow of harmonically pleasing acoustics with prodigious power delivery over a wide rev range. From past experiences of the 718 I choose to drive in Sport mode all of the time. My reasons for this are three-fold. 1. Sport mode activates all the internal engine oil pumps, and allows a uniform warming of the engine oil during first drives. 2. Sport also deactivates the stop-start and cylinder bank cut-out function. 3. Sport mode also allows gearing choice to be more in keeping with smooth progress in urban and built-up locations by remaining in 3rd gear rather than shifting into 4th, 5th, and 6th prematurely. Manual gearbox Porsche drivers would not choose to shift into high gear ratios in built-up areas with the resultant engine labouring at low speeds. Savvy PDK drivers are no different in this respect.

The second appealing aspect is the 18-way Adaptive Sports Seats fitted to this car. In my opinion, for my light frame, these seats provide electric adjustments to the seat height, side bolsters, thigh supports, and lumbar support that forms like a cocoon around the body holding it firmly but comfortably in place for all driving conditions. They also have the advantage of being easier to get out and in of the car compared to bucket seats. Sadly, when you get to a certain age this matters.

On the open road, depending upon traffic density, I find a blend of Sport in D mode, with manual shifting override via the paddles, when overtaking or during more spirited progress an appropriate choice. I am fortunate in having some of the best driver's roads in Scotland, particularly during the winter and spring months, when the hoards of tourist SUV's and motorhomes are absent. It is a pure joy to drive a car such as the CGTS 4.0 in relatively traffic-free cross-country routes.

Later this week the car is booked in to independent tyre specialists GT Tyres, Forres, for a full geo reset. I have my own particular preferences for camber and toe settings derived from tried and tested experiences on both road and track with my previous 718 Caymans. I shall be interested to see the before adjustment settings on the Hunter rig. From the feel of the car so far on rural roads, I suspect toe and camber on the front axle will require significant adjustment. We shall see.

More to follow in due course.

Brian.

 

[Wollemi]

Wonderful to hear that you are back in a sports car, and even better to be back in a Porsche. I am so glad too to find that you are loving the GTS 4.0; obviously I am unbiased but I do think it is a truly exceptional car. I shall very much look forward to your perceptive and insightful comments as you discover more about your new acquisition.

 

[MrDemon]

great news Brian, I love mine and rate it in my top 5 owned cars from 120+ cars now.

I have oem settings at the rear and -1.7 camber at the front (possable on the SPASM cars) , it's pretty perfect at that. Zero under steer ever on PS4S's.

Then only negative for me is modern pads are dire on all cars now, but saying that it's taken me a year to buy some 2500 pads for it and I have still not fitting them but looking forward to the extra bite the 2500 will bring to the car.

The only mod I have done is fit the 4RS shifter and add the front camber, and of course will fit my new pads soon.

4.0 NA tick , PDK tick, 18 ways tick what a great sports car.

 

[turbo jonny]

Hi Brian , great to see your saga continues. I have been fancying one of these since I saw the review on Harry's Garage and may soon be in a position to buy one. Your PDK musings will be interesting as I was thinking manual but keeping an open mind.

 

[Boomer_Zoomer]

Thank you all for your kind messages of support regarding my return to the PCGB Cayman forum community. It's so good to be back to Porsche power and real driving pleasure.

It's now 700 miles up since I took over ownership of this superb CGTS 4.0 PDK, and I can honestly say I am enjoying it more and more with every mile driven. Following 9 years of owning turbo-charged sports cars, this is a welcome return to driving an atmospherically-charged large capacity engine. Firing up this engine produces a bark from the exhaust that sets the tone for the driving experience ahead. This is one cracker of an engine. The throttle response is instantaneous, the prodigious torque and soaring rev range, all contribute to the joy of controlling the volume of the flat-six harmonics situated behind the driving seat. I know it may seem early days to say this, but such is my enthusiasm for this car that I am already voting it as the best of the 5 Caymans I have the pleasure of owning over a period of 16 years. This atmosphere engine has required a reversion to the driving style derived from past experience of such engines gained over some 35 cars in total number. BTW Mr D, I am in awe of your total of 120+ cars.

In my considered opinion, although other opinions are available, the PDK gearbox is the perfect match to this 4.0 engine. As stated previously, I choose Sport mode as the default every time I drive this car, as I have done with 718 PDK's in the past. From my previous experience with both my 718 2.5T PDK Caymans, I would venture that Porsche R&D people have done their homework with distinction on this 4.0 GTS PDK. The skilful mapping of the gear ratio choices is exemplary on almost every occasion, whether it be in urban or winding rural roads. In towns the PDK in Sport mode selects the exactly the same gear I would choose had I been driving a manual gearbox car. Likewise, on winding rural roads when traffic conditions allow, the PDK will seamlessly switch between 3rd and 4th cogs as if it were telepathically connected to my brain. It is as if the car learns to adapt to your driving style through AI or some such other black magic means. This PDK mapping is so astonishingly good, the manual interventions via the paddles that necessarily arise now and then, are not so prevalent as I have previously experienced with PDK Caymans. When road and traffic conditions allow, I revert to the full manual mode using the paddles to swap cogs when the mood takes me. This is pure driving bliss in my opinion.

I am very fortunate living in an area of Scotland with an abundance of wonderful open sighted, winding roads that follow the contours of the land. There are very few dual carriageways in my locality and absolutely zero motorways. My driving miles are all on A, B, and unclassified roads. Driving on these roads, away from the tourist season convoys, brings an added justification for owning a car such as the CGTS 4.0 PDK. Thankfully, my part of rural Scotland has not had the proliferation of 50 mph rural road speed restrictions. There are some such zones, but they are currently in the minority. The joy of driving within the legal 60 mph speed limit safely, on these winding, undulating, Highland roads is an experience becoming almost extinct in other parts of the UK. My plan is to make the most of this rare opportunity whilst I still can.

Last week I had the wheel alignment adjusted to my preferences at GT Tyres, Forres. The maximum front axle negative camber I could achieve on this particular car was limited to -1.3 degrees with zero total toe of 0.2 degrees, practically parallel. The rear axle negative camber and total toe was fine at -2.0 negative and 0.14 degrees. The car feels perfectly good with these settings and I'm happy.

I shall continue to report back on my winter touring exploits as appropriate. Thus far, I am getting 27 - 30 mpg on main route rural roads running in convoy with traffic between towns. Oil consumption is currently being monitored. I added 400ml of Mobil 1 when I took delivery of the car to bring the oil level check to the max mark. I'll be checking the oil consumption regularly over the coming months.

Brian.

 

[BrianJ]

Great that you are enjoying it so much Brian. You sound completely rejuvenated!

 

[Motorhead]

Good to hear that Brian.

Some photos of the car in the fantastic Highland scenery would be appreciated since I’ve not been up there for a number of years.

Jeff

 

[JohnCRS]

Hi Brian. Good to see you back. I can't believe it was 5 years ago that you left the Cayman fold. It sounds as though a springtime trip to the Highland should be on next year's agenda. Just have to wait and see what sort of winter we get.

John

 

[MrDemon]

It’s great you love it like I do, most people who buy GT4’s should be in the GtS imo it’s a wonderful car.
I drove the manual and as a die hard did not gel with me and the engine, the PDK really brings this car to life imo, I do drive in manual 100% of the time as while it upshifts ok, I dislike the downshifts in auto when driving slower, but I like doing it the manual way and as I do it 100% of the time the last 11 months it keeps me getting lazy with it. I have an individual mode set up which is a great option, so don’t use sports or sports plus either. I drive in normal in manual or individual in manual as I never want PASM on. The cars damped so well PASM off in the SPASM car.
which PASM did you get ?
on the plus side with PDK had a knee op and just got out of hospital today, hope to be back in the car within a week Which I would not be able to do with a manual As long as some one can lift me out of it

 

[Boomer_Zoomer]

Thank you all for your feedback. Much appreciated.

Turbo Jonny, I hope both the opinions of Mr D and myself on the PDK GTS 4.0 have been helpful in reaching your decision between choosing a manual or PDK gearbox on this wonderful car.

Mr D, I also have an Individual mode set up with Sport selected which cancels the stop-start and cylinder bank deactivation. As I didn't spec this car myself, it has the basic PASM installed. I find the damping on Normal perfectly suited to the roads in my locality. The Sport Chassis is much too firm for most roads up here. My 718 2.5T GTS had Sports PASM which was an asset on the track, but now that I'm retired from regular track day activities I am perfectly happy with the basic PASM set up.
I wish you a speedy recovery from your recent knee op, and another plus point in favour of the PDK.

It is worth mentioning again that car touring in the summer months in the Highlands is not the best time to enjoy the wonderful flowing roads. Go off-season is my advice. Another advantage; by choosing the winter months the dreaded midges are also absent. Putting it bluntly, the north Highlands have become a victim of over tourism. Inconsiderate wild camping and too many motorhomes have spoilt the enjoyment for many of us, both locals and considerate tourists alike.
Skye local council is considering a Tourist Tax to help repair the damage caused to single track roads, verges, and infrastructure. Large unsuitable vehicles are causing serious damage to the tarmac edges resulting in broken wheels and punctures. Recovery vehicles are subsequently obstructed from reaching the scene due to the single track road being blocked by stationary cars and motorhomes. How a tourist tax would be enforced and to whom is currently under hot discussion. The inescapable fact is that the North Coast 500 has become an overused route for the current standards of road infrastructure, which is a great shame.

I'll leave you with an image from last weekend taken on the B9176 Struie road from Alness off the A9 by the Cromarty Firth. This region had temperatures of up to 18c last week, a record for November.

Brian.

 

[Wollemi]

……..I have an individual mode set up which is a great option, so don’t use sports or sports plus either. I drive in normal in manual or individual in manual as I never want PASM on. The cars damped so well PASM off in the SPASM car……….

david, I’m surprised that a man of your experience an evident knowledge should have fallen into the erroneous habit of referring to “PASM off”
As I’m sure you know perfectly well, there is no way to turn the PASM off. The adaptive damping is continually working, adapting to the conditions and how the car is being driven, adapting the dampers as determined by the programming.
what the dashboard switch does is change the map for the adaptive damping program between a normal map for virtually all road driving, and a more aggressive map which only really has its place on a circuit. It’s a mode switch.
PASM (or SPASM) itself is always on.

 

[MrDemon]

As it's a button you turn on or off I tend to say I keep it off , people then know what you means as 50% people don't even know what PASM is anyway I have people think it's PADM issue or worse people think you press that button it lowers the car 20mm !

Tell a noob it is a mode switch and chat about PASM or in my case SPASM they would look at you with a blank face. So as it IS a button you turn off or on it makes more sense to say off or on, which does upset some people

 

[Scrounger]

Hi David. Great write up.

When you say 'basic' PASM is that the 10mm drop as the 'standard' drop on the GTS is 20mm (SPASM).

Dan