Porsche 718s buying advice and any changes between 2016 to late 2017

[CaymanChr15]

HI
The car I plan to buy will be 2016 to 2017 . I wish to have as a must PDK , PASM and or Chronopack ,Sports Exhaust Parking sensors, max mileage 25000 nice to haves Bose sound system heated seats . I am happy to buy privately and would have car checked over before any purchase. My question is there any changes in the 718S from 2016 to late 2017 and what extra option would people suggest if I have missed any. I will use it mostly for fun and some road trips. I am not sure about all the steering wheel options so any guidance would be appreciated. I don't have an iPhone and usually use google maps for navigation and speed cameras. I don't plan to track the car but I do like the ideas of PASM only due to that fact it lowers the car. I plan to keep the car for sometime .
In summary questions
Optional extras that might be worth looking for
Steering wheel or seat options
PASM or lowering springs
What services are expensive either by year or mileage
Any important prechecks I can ask for other than service history or anything to look out for buying a 3 to 4 year old car?
Any upgrades between launch and late 2017
Regards and thanks in advance Chris

 

[Motorhead]

Hi Chris,

Welcome to this part of the forum. I've run an older 987.2 Cayman S for more than 10-years, so unfortunately I can't help with your 718-specific questions but I'm sure other contributors will be more forthcoming.

If you're buying from a Porsche dealership the car will have been checked thoroughly and well-prepared. It will also come with a comprehensive 2-year after-market warranty which will cover most important items, most importantly the engine and transmission which are very expensive to replace (£10k+). There are also plenty of very reputable Porsche Independents who sell and service the cars, so you should be confident purchasing a car from them because there will be a degree of come-back if you run into problems within a limited period. If you're buying privately then I think a PPI is essential for some peace of mind.

On the options front, ridiculous as it may seem on a premium vehicle, be aware that things like cruise control, climate control, dipping and folding mirrors and parking sensors/cameras are options, and it's always best to seek them out in the spec in my opinion. I always think leather adds to the interior quality, and I like the sports seats in my Cayman, but try before you buy. I think that the standard bi-xenon lights are OK but I'd recommend the PDLS if you can get it. The PASM set-up on the 718 has I believe moved on considerably from the earliest version I have on my 987.2, so you should be OK there, and may be advisable for a 20" wheel set-up. Everything else is, I think, down to personal choice - colour, wheel size, etc.

Happy Cayman hunting..!

Jeff

 

[SpyderDavid]

The 4 year service is an expensive one (particularly at an OPC) so ideally you need that to have been done or factored into your price - if it’s due then an Approved Used car will have had it. Check the tyres on a car of this age - good make, matching and preferably N rated. I guess you also need to see what state the pads and discs are in - depending on the enthusiasm of the previous owners these may be due. Discs seem to be made of cheese these days. Buy on condition and history not just mileage or price or toys or you’ll end up spending money post purchase.

 

[S_Keenay]

Hi,

I have a 2016 718S which I’ve owned since new with 16,000 miles that ticks most of your boxes.

If you’re interested please private email me for more details.

 

[CaymanChr15]

Sent PM

 

[Dick Dastardly]

As far as I recall there was very little difference between the 2016 and 2017 models. I took delivery in Nov 2016 to avoid the January 17 price increase and the change in RFL applicable to first 5 years ownership. I think that after the price increase satnav was standard. In terms of options if you want to go for PDK then the sports chrono is a good choice. If you are looking at 20 inch wheels then PASM is advisable. The sport wheel is nice as it a bit smaller and looks nicer. If you are buying secondhand then it will depend on what is available and virtually every car is different. You will find that Porsche charge for stuff that is standard on the most basic supermini such as rain sensors, DAB radio etc. cruise control is useful if you want to tour the car in Europe and for average speed cameras in the Uk, it is not standard but can be retrofitted for about £500.

various leather interior options help to lift the interior. sport seats plus are a good option, fully electric seats are nice but an expensive option. Heated seats are not standard but once you have them you never want a car without it.

Good luck with your car purchase.

 

[Dylan1]

I would agree with all the above

now on porsche number 14

alwayd go for sports seats plus or 18 way adaptive ( very expensive)

sports chrono and PSE always good with PDK

pdls xenons as standard not good enough for me

heated seats folding ext mirrors and Bose

pasm

anyrhing else unnecessary

good luck

 

[Buddy]

I'm on my 6th Porsche and the Cayman S I drive is similar spec to Jeff's ( Motorhead ) apart from the gearbox as mine has PDK but I also have and like the auto dimming mirrors very useful when you have a truck or SUV behind you but it also brings with it the auto wipers mostly a good to have extra but occasionally not as quick to respond as you may wish.

 

[Dean_G]

Hi Chris, I have a 17 plate (manual), daily driver until Covid 19 and average approx 15k per year mikes. Bought from an OPC with a number of pre-owned options. Personally I’d stick with OPC for this age range plus you should get the 2YR OPC warrant. PASM an absolute must. PDSL / auto dim rear view mirror / rain sensors - make for an easier drive in winter evenings. The 2 things I didn’t think I’d value as much as I do...(1) heated steering wheel. Godsend In winter as I mainly park on drive. (2) auto door mirror option. The rare occasion I garage the car (it is now) - just makes life easier. I initially wanted BOSE, DAB, Auto Aircon. I don’t have any of these and don’t miss them. As a model, its a joy to drive. all the best with your sourcing.