My new 982 718 Cayman S PDK

bandido · Apr 1, 2017

If you are trying to give a third person a lift back from the -

town

pub

station

airport

it's surprising how handy back seats can be (I'm six foot and I've curled up in the back of a 911 for 3/4 of an hour. Was it comfortable? No. Did I get where I was headed? Yes. Were the sound effects good? Yup-better than for the driver.

And in the interests of fairness you will see from my avatar that (for different reasons) I prefer the mid engined cars over all, I just wouldn't want the 911's practicality to be dismissed)

Brian_Innes · Apr 3, 2017

Before deciding on my 718 CS PDK I had a very useful test drive session with both the new 991.2 911 models. Yes, the engine sounded better than I expected, even with the twin turbos stifling the exhaust note. Flat-six harmonics are always easier on the ear whether turbocharged or not.

Practicalities? Well that is where the 911 hit the buffers for me. I rarely have passengers so an extra two seats are not an issue. Besides, I have a Abarth 595 Competizione 180bhp with 4 perfectly useable seats when that rare need arises.

Folding down the rear "seats" in the 911 results in a very awkwardly accessible carrying space. Also cleaning the inside of the rear window is a complete and utter PITA.

With the Cayman I have a handy hatchback for access to the rear luggage space and to the bulkhead shelf which supplements the front luggage compartment. Access is easy, and a suit carrier sits so nicely on the bulkhead shelf leaving the rest of the rear luggage space free for jackets, camera bags etc. Also, with the Cayman, items stored in the latter space are hidden away from prying eyes, unlike in the 911 if the rear seats are used where your stored items are in full view.

Mid-engined Porsches tick the boxes for me. No bobbing front end when pressing on, a delicate, precision feel to the handling balance, a smaller footprint for my Highland roads, an agile and grippy front end for the dips and crests on the roads I enjoy.

Don't get me wrong, the 911 is a great car. If I were in different circumstances and could afford it, I would run a 991.2 GT3 alongside my 718 CS PDK. In my real world mid-engine Porsches do it for me. Practicality-wise and the rest.

Brian

Brian_Innes · Apr 10, 2017

I have almost finished compiling an article entitled "The Real 718 Cayman S PDK" which I am hoping to have published in Porsche Post mag soon.....provided my writing is up to publication standard that is! The purpose of this piece is to attempt to provide readers with an honest and entertaining appraisal of this controversial new Cayman, compared to my three previous six-cylinder Caymans which I have owned over a period of 9 years.

In this regard, I have booked a private 2 hour track test session at Knockhill on 26th April with Rory Butcher. The purpose of which is to compare the track performance of the 718 CS PDK with my previous Cayman R manual, while the memories of it's track performance are still reasonably fresh in my mind. Tyres will be the stock Pirelli P-Zero N1 as factory fitted on my 718 CS PDK on delivery.

My previous CR had a variety of different tyres fitted over the 4 years and 30k miles of my ownership, e.g. PS2, P-Zero, Dunlop Sport Maxx, Toyo R888, MPS Super Sports, MPS Cup 2's, so I know what to expect in the grip department. I am still awaiting availability info for the Michelin PS4S tyres from my local supplier. Hopefully these tyres will become available before the Anglesey and Knockhill PCGB track days I have entered, so a meaningful comparison can be also made between the latest version of P-Zero, and the PS4S on the same car.

It promises to be an interesting exercise.

Brian

AndrewT · Apr 11, 2017

BJ Innes said:
I have almost finished compiling an article entitled "The Real Cayman S PDK" which I am hoping to have published in Porsche Post mag soon.....

I look forward to reading that article, I've enjoyed reading your reports on your 718 both here and on the Cayman Owners Club forums. Keep them coming.

Steve Brookes · Apr 11, 2017

Brian, that sounds like it will be a fun day at Knockhill. It will be a real treat to have Rory put it through its paces! [

]

Brian_Innes · Apr 11, 2017

You bet! I am really looking forward to it. By all accounts, so is Rory Butcher!

I'll be reporting back with a summary on how the test session went.

Brian

Fudgie · Apr 12, 2017

Look forward to reading the article Brian! Keep up the good work on the 718 reports!

Brian_Innes · Apr 20, 2017

I see Top Gear's Chris Harris is testing the 718 Cayman S on Sunday April 23rd. Going by the trailers for the show, I suspect the car will be the press launch 718 CS Miami Blue manual version. Just bear in mind that the PDK with Sport Chrono version will be even faster on the track.

I have a great respect for Chris Harris, I can only hope he doesn't fall into the usual gramophone record of how the 4-pot turbo engine sounds compared to the flat-six.

This is is missing the point. Sound versus lap time, I know which I'd go for.

Believe me, the engine is fine. The chassis dynamics of the 718 are are step forward from the 987 and 981. (Excluding GT4).

On the engine note, it takes a while to acclimatise to the new sound, but it delivers in spades. Accessible power. I am a long-time owner of Caymans, so I know what appeals.

My track test report from Knockhill will follow next week.

Brian

Fudgie · Apr 20, 2017

I wait with baited breath for Mr Harris's report on Sunday, I too like him and have enjoyed his amusing writing style over the last 10+ years in various magazines and more recently his vid's on youtube, but fear he will be rather scathing regarding the 4 pot motor...

With regard to 'new' Top Gear I'm enjoying the latest series apart from the cringe-worthy studio segments!

Twinfan · Apr 21, 2017

BJ Innes said:
I see Top Gear's Chris Harris is testing the 718 Cayman S on Sunday April 23rd...

I have a great respect for Chris Harris, I can only hope he doesn't fall into the usual gramophone record of how the 4-pot turbo engine sounds compared to the flat-six.

This is is missing the point. Sound versus lap time, I know which I'd go for.

Lap time isn't everything though is it? Otherwise no-one would buy a '73 911 Carrera RS. It's about the package, the emotion, the looks, the cost etc etc. Many factors influence why we buy a car as I'm sure you well know. I don't drive on track so any lap time is completely irrelevant to me, and to many other road-only buyers.

BJ Innes said:
Believe me, the engine is fine.

That's your opinion, other opinions are also available [

]

Brian_Innes · Apr 21, 2017

Of course opinions differ on this topic. I entirely respect that. That's the joy of the forum.

Brian

Twinfan · Apr 21, 2017

But using the "broken record" analogy isn't respecting an opinion is it Brian? I think he will be positive about the chassis and negative about the engine, and on balance he'll say the 981 was 'better' as an enthusiasts choice. I would say that's representative of the majority of opinion across the press and forums.

However, folk such as yourself are clearly enjoying your 718 which of course is great. I think both sides of the 4-pot vs 6-pot camp get very tetchy about their preference and it's that that's getting annoying. Both sides should respect the views of the other as being just as valid. [

]

PaulJ · Apr 21, 2017

Twinfan said:
But using the "broken record" analogy isn't respecting an opinion is it Brian? I think he will be positive about the chassis and negative about the engine, and on balance he'll say the 981 was 'better' as an enthusiasts choice. I would say that's representative of the majority of opinion across the press and forums.

However, folk such as yourself are clearly enjoying your 718 which of course is great. I think both sides of the 4-pot vs 6-pot camp get very tetchy about their preference and it's that that's getting annoying. Both sides should respect the views of the other as being just as valid. []

Let's continue with the musical analogy. Florence Welch of 'Florence and the Machine' and Tom Waits are both highly respected artists with many fans all over the world. That said, only one of them has an amazing set of pipes... Bet Florence would go with the flat six. [

]

Steve Brookes · Apr 21, 2017

I'm looking forward to Chris' TG review. I'm sure it'll be both positive and negative but....that's the same for any car they review.

I can't recall a TG program review of the GT4 but I guess that's because it arrived at the time when Jeremy got sacked and we were waiting for the new TG and presenters to start? Or did I just miss it?

Fudgie · Apr 21, 2017

Chris H did a very good vid track review of the GT4 see link below:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L9-Sr8RPty4

think it's safe to say he liked it...

As a first rung 718 buyer I'd kill to have a higher end 6 pot Porsche & hopefully funds allowing I will work my way up to one, providing the somewhat under par performance in the build quality I've experienced so far doesn't put me off.

Twinfan · Apr 23, 2017

Twinfan said:
I think he will be positive about the chassis and negative about the engine, and on balance he'll say the 981 was 'better' as an enthusiasts choice.

Told you so [8D]

Brian_Innes · Apr 24, 2017

No surprises with Chris Harris's Top Gear test of the 718 CS manual. Overall, it followed the usual journalists theme of "great chassis dynamics" and "rubbish engine sound".

Believe me, as a life-time motorsport car enthusiast, I was in the same camp initially when the 718 was launched, but the many subtle, and very effective improvements to the dynamics and looks of the 982 persuaded me to take the gamble and buy one. Regarding the engine sound, all I can offer in mitigation as an enthusiast owner, is that after a while you become used to the different engine noise. In my version of enthusiast thinking, dynamics speak louder than a "parpy" exhaust note, and I don't recall CH criticising the flat-four "parpy" engine sound of the GT86 he tutors the celeb guests in every week. Sometimes journalists follow the popular path.

Engine sound is an important factor in a sports coupe, and of course I wish Porsche had chosen an existing 6-cyclinder engine rather than design a brand new 4-cyclinder unit. The twin-turbo engine from the 991.2 Carrera could have been an alternative choice for the 982. I don't for a moment believe Porsche's excuse that this engine wouldn't fit into the Cayman, but that is by-the-way and not where we are today.

In conclusion, Chris Harris conducted an entertaining review, and I was pleased to see him featuring the fuel economy issue. The 4-pot turbo uses more fuel than the flat-six in previous Caymans. In my 718 CS PDK, on the roads I use, I am only getting 27mpg on average. This makes a nonsense of Porsche's decision to manufacture a 4-pot turbo to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy. In direct comparison, my previous Cayman R manual averaged 30mpg.

For what it's worth, my final verdict on owning and driving the 982 compared to my three previous six-cylinder Caymans will follow the Knockhill track test later this week.

Brian

Dick Dastardly · Apr 24, 2017

I too found the review a little unbalanced, much as I enjoy Chris's you tube reviews I think that the top gear editorial team were looking for a story. We all know that the paper fuel consumption figures are a nonsense and in real world driving Brians figures confirm that it is less efficient than the previous model. When you start to use the turbo boost the mpg does dive but this is so of any similar engine not just Porsche. However you must factor in the improved torque and performance so the comparison is not quite so simple.

Again Harris made a valid if somewhat laboured point about emissions, but it is not just Porsche who produce unrealistic emissions. Remember it is the Eurocrats that imposed this system and Porsche have been forced down the 4 cylinder turbo route to hit their fleet emission targets. The same is true of many other car makers who are dropping N/A engines and going for smaller engines with turbocharging, this is a trend that will continue as emission targets are ratcheted down.

The noise issue has been covered in depth on this forum and elsewhere so if this is a primary requirement in your purchasing decision then buy a secondhand 6 cylinder car. As an owner of a 718s I can say that it is not as tuneful but by no means as bad as portrayed , I am running the car in so I have not yet used full revs with the sports exhaust so will see what this is like when the running in process is complete.

On the positive side he was impressed with all the other aspects of the car and had to admit that is was still the best sportscar at the price point.

TV reviews are entertaining but drive the car and make your own decision, which is what I am sure most members on this forum would do.

I will await Brian's review with interest since his experience is in the real world over a number of months on road and track.

Brian_Innes · Apr 24, 2017

Well said Dick.

The difference between journalists test reviews and those of longer-term owners is that when owning a car and driving it every day you get to experience the "bigger picture". Opinions are always subjective, and those coming from owners are no different.

My objective is to try and convey to others, who may not own a 718, or in some cases even driven one, whether the car is more fun to drive in this incarnation, compared to it's six-cylinder predecessors. I need no reminders that "Fun" is a very subjective word. Just to be clear, my CR manual was "fun" personified, and that is the benchmark I shall be judging my version of the 718 CS from.

Brian