718 Cayman Pictures Thread
Discussion
ikonic said:
Looks great and well done for choosing the best colour and manual! 
Spec looks excellent and very complete too.
What are your first impressions? Everything you expected it to be and then some?
Thanks ikonic.Spec looks excellent and very complete too.
What are your first impressions? Everything you expected it to be and then some?
First ownership impressions formed during 80 miles of rain-soaked driving around and about after pickup from OPC on a miserable day weather-wise yesterday, on a mixture of all roads from city roads, country lanes, A roads, B roads and motorways.
Most things thus far I'm extremely happy with. A couple of niggles which I'll point out.
Interior
The cabin and interior feels compact and purposeful. Everything around the driver is where it should be. The switches feel both robust and expensive.
The seats and driving position are first rate. I went with the sports seats plus, 2-way electric. Firm, supple, good back-support. Steering wheel fully adjustable in all 3 dimensions. Very low seating position which I'm very much still getting used to, but it certainly feels 'right'.
Stalks do exactly what I want them to do. Wasn't aware that there is a 4th stalk which controls the display screen in the right-hand binnacle in the dash, to the right of the tach. Very easy using this to swap between the different display modes, from Mini-nav to G-force to entertainment media to track timers to car status. Mostly kept it on the display with the engine and oil temps, oil and boost pressures. Had great fun watching the turbine boost pressure build up and seeing that translate to the road.
PCM is first rate, and feels like a significant step up from the BMW I-Drive I'm used to in my previous M235i. Touch screen is definitely where we should be in 2017
Interface is pretty slick, quick, intuitive and not too fiddly. Am still figuring out the Jukebox and media settings, and have used up a chunk of the 40GB internal drive with my tunes. Playlists are proving difficult but that's kind of expected with differing formats and compatibilities.
Sport-Tex leather I'm not impressed with. Looks and feels a little cheap. Main reason I went with it was for the contrasting stitching around the cabin, which looks great, but the touch and feel of the sport-tex itself is a bit meh. Full leather much nicer somehow. Will see if I get used to it.
Drive
Perfect. Superb. Awe-inspiring. Lots of other superlatives and no hyperbole.
The car feels supple and light, through both gentle, sweeping curves at speed or with more vigorous turn-ins. Haven't pushed it at all hard yet though so very much still first impressions here. Yet certainly felt like my confidence increased throughout the day in the corners, especially considering what a wet day it was.
I know exactly where the car is in the corner, and feel that I can put it exactly where I want it to be. The M235i was pretty good in this regard, the M and M-Lite BMWs are excellent machines dynamically, but the 718 really felt like I'd levelled up and was managing the same roads with far greater ease. Astonishing to me. Really feels as if I am in a thoroughbred Sports car.
Left the PASM untouched so only on default pliancy. Wasn't aware of too much firmness through the 20" rims at all at this setting. Low speed over speed bumps, small potholes, shifting left to right, braking into corners and accelerating out, the active suspension was never upset or did anything untoward. Soaked up all that was asked of it, and held the car firm throughout. I'll try the PASM on firm setting on my next outting.
Gearbox-wise, the manual 'box is absolutely terrific, and not just because I'm so pleased to be out of the ZF-8 auto with its too-many-gears and constant flappy-paddling and back into a manual with a stick and clutch, which I've missed terribly.
With a short throw and brisk change this is easily the best manual I've ever had the pleasure to shift.
The clutch has the right feel; not so light it feels jittery and twitchy, and not so heavy it feels cumbersome. It's a goldilocks clutch.
Only niggle drive-wise is the electronic parking brake. I may get used to it, but throughout the day yesterday it felt unwieldy and unnatural. Have yet to trust it. And still getting used to the auto-hold function, and how I need to use that in concert with the parking-brake (if at all!).
Engine
What the heck! What the bloody hellfire is this thing!!? This loud, mad, gruff, harsh, burbling, barking mechanical lump of insanity?!
When I was busy signing all my money away in the OPC and chatting to my sales exec, one of the other staff fired up the car next to me to drive it out of the showroom and into the bay ready for me to drive away. I almost burst out laughing in shock! I didn't recall the sound being quite like that when I had my test drives last summer. Perhaps I just never heard the engine from outside.
When I finally did get into the seat in the bay and fired her up ready to go, I actually did laugh. There is nothing on this planet I've heard that has that sound. It's utterly peculiar, and I utterly love it. The sound of this F4T has had all sorts of adjectives thrown its way since its release, some good, most not, and comparisons made to other cars past and present, from air-cooled beetles to bug-eyed Scoobys and many in-between. It has elements of these other cars, but is not quite like any singular one of them, more like many of them added together, then builds on them, to give one enormous, massive, huge belly-full of character. It's like the Brian Blessed of the engine world, it shouts at you and doesn't care.
As I pulled out of the bay and onto the road I immediately wanted PSE on and Sport mode engaged to get more volume and noise behind this incredible character. I became intoxicated by it. So very harsh and gruff, it really sounds like it wants to crawl out of the engine bay and chew your leg off.
And does this character extend to the way it pushes the car down the road? Christ does it. Turbine comes in quickly at low to mid range and shoves you rapidly down the tarmac with an almighty punch. The delay, or lag, before the turbine spools, was quite prominent. Moreso than I remember from my test-drives. Yet somehow that just added to the character of this incredible engine. If the lag were not so prominent, then nor would the thump in the back as the turbine ramps up be so prominent.
I can certainly understand some folk not getting on with the lag. It is present, there is no escaping it. So if it annoys you then it will always remain a niggle I suppose.
It is a component of the forced-induction, and, for me, it is, partly at least, the forced-induction which gives this engine its special character.
I spent a happy couple of hours in the rain, playing with acceleration from low-revs, keeping revs on-boost, playing with deceleration to come off-boost and back on again, finding the sweet spots of this engine.
Remarkably different from the 3.0l twin-scroll turbo lump I'm used to in the M235i. The twin-scroll delivery is so much more subtle, the thump in the back more like a nudge. Performance stats between the M235i and the 718CS are not too dissimilar, but there is a chasm of difference in terms of delivery. The harsh bark of the F4T in the 718CS eggs me on and encourages me and pushes me in a manner that the larger straight-six of the beemer doesn't.
~
In summary, waking up this morning, I feel lucky and privileged to see the 718 CS outside. It feels very special.
Edited by Tim bo on Tuesday 21st March 09:57
Thanks, excellent write up.
Really interested in your comments coming from the BMW (I'm coming from a M135i). Funnily enough, I never gelled with the BMW. Great engine and ZF box, but I always found it a wallowy mess in the corners. You're definitely right about the Cayman being a step up and am getting a manual for the exact same reasons you suggest!
Agree the parking brake will take some getting used to although I've been playing around with the "hold" function on our Macan (obviously pdk but similar principle as manual) and am actually finding it pretty good to use.
I take it you like it then, Tim_bo. 
Fulsome praise for engine too. I must try one of these for myself.
And respect for using the word 'pliancy'. I think some journo years ago used 'compliance' and it's been used unthinkingly ever since. Compliant with what? Some instructions or something?
Fulsome praise for engine too. I must try one of these for myself.
And respect for using the word 'pliancy'. I think some journo years ago used 'compliance' and it's been used unthinkingly ever since. Compliant with what? Some instructions or something?
Great feed back Tim bo...........can't wait to pick mine up this Thursday.
Just back from Silverstone & first time I've come across the "Hold" function, thought it will be very useful.
I've 18way electric seats, so will really help an oldy like me getting in/out as is lower than my drive.
Getting a tad excited now...........
Just back from Silverstone & first time I've come across the "Hold" function, thought it will be very useful.
I've 18way electric seats, so will really help an oldy like me getting in/out as is lower than my drive.
Getting a tad excited now...........
Maxym said:
And respect for using the word 'pliancy'. I think some journo years ago used 'compliance' and it's been used unthinkingly ever since. Compliant with what? Some instructions or something?
Heh 
Not sure if I made it up but wanted to refer to differing levels of pliant, so pliancy seemed fitting.
Tim, great write up thank you. Very interested in your comments as my spec is very very similar to yours.
I am leaning toward the Sport-Tex for the deviated stitching but mainly I would prefer Alcantara but that's not available on the S so thought the Sport-Tex would be a good alternative. Are they comfortable? I find the leather 2-way seats tend to be a bit thin and hard when compared with the 18-ways. Also, as I'm pretty likely to be hit by the price increase it has made me question whether there is anything I could do without so have been re-thinking the sport exhaust. On my PEC day I had a car with it, but I was concentrating so much I can't really remember whether there was a big difference in having it on or off. Would you spec it again? I was surprised at how angry the engine sounds from outside and I like it, but is it enhanced significantly by the sports exhaust?
I am leaning toward the Sport-Tex for the deviated stitching but mainly I would prefer Alcantara but that's not available on the S so thought the Sport-Tex would be a good alternative. Are they comfortable? I find the leather 2-way seats tend to be a bit thin and hard when compared with the 18-ways. Also, as I'm pretty likely to be hit by the price increase it has made me question whether there is anything I could do without so have been re-thinking the sport exhaust. On my PEC day I had a car with it, but I was concentrating so much I can't really remember whether there was a big difference in having it on or off. Would you spec it again? I was surprised at how angry the engine sounds from outside and I like it, but is it enhanced significantly by the sports exhaust?
andywalton said:
Tim, great write up thank you. Very interested in your comments as my spec is very very similar to yours.
I am leaning toward the Sport-Tex for the deviated stitching but mainly I would prefer Alcantara but that's not available on the S so thought the Sport-Tex would be a good alternative. Are they comfortable? I find the leather 2-way seats tend to be a bit thin and hard when compared with the 18-ways. Also, as I'm pretty likely to be hit by the price increase it has made me question whether there is anything I could do without so have been re-thinking the sport exhaust. On my PEC day I had a car with it, but I was concentrating so much I can't really remember whether there was a big difference in having it on or off. Would you spec it again? I was surprised at how angry the engine sounds from outside and I like it, but is it enhanced significantly by the sports exhaust?
To be honest Andy, I've not tried or sat in the 18-way seats, so can't compare I'm afraid. At roughly £2k more for the 18-way over the 2-way, I personally felt this was too big an expense. Other folk who have specced the 18-way tend to say they're excellent seats however.I am leaning toward the Sport-Tex for the deviated stitching but mainly I would prefer Alcantara but that's not available on the S so thought the Sport-Tex would be a good alternative. Are they comfortable? I find the leather 2-way seats tend to be a bit thin and hard when compared with the 18-ways. Also, as I'm pretty likely to be hit by the price increase it has made me question whether there is anything I could do without so have been re-thinking the sport exhaust. On my PEC day I had a car with it, but I was concentrating so much I can't really remember whether there was a big difference in having it on or off. Would you spec it again? I was surprised at how angry the engine sounds from outside and I like it, but is it enhanced significantly by the sports exhaust?
So far the 2-way are perfectly comfortable for me, but I don't usually find much discomfort in car seats, so I make a poor guinea-pig in this regard.
The Sport-Tex I'm still ambivalent about. My immediate reaction on seeing and touching the actual sport-tex material which makes up the main surface area of the seats was that it was the same material as you would find in a 1990s Japanese car. Just didn't seem to fit in with the excellent materials and textiles that make up the rest of the cabin. May be a personal thing, I've not heard a single complaint or similar comment from others who have specced it, so I guess it could just be down to tastes. Regardless, the contrasting white stitching is fabulous, so does make up for my indifference to the seat material.
PSE, well, this is probably the wrong time for me to be commenting on it. I've just been out for a 45 min blast in the spring sunshine, windows right the way down, in Sport mode, with PSE firmly and definitively set to angry (suitable word, Andy). Once warmed up, this F4T gets incandescent. I didn't get any real chance to test the overrun sounds yesterday in the rain, but I certainly did today. I'm being careful during run-in to keep below 4k revs, but even lifting off in 2nd at 4k revs the sound of the exhaust snarls and bangs and barks. And it is indeed very loud. No subtlety nor elegance nor smoothness here; it's very coarse and uncouth. I find it wonderful, and I've become hooked.
So because of this sudden addiction, I've not actually been able to switch off PSE to try to do a sober and reasoned comparison of the differences between PSE on/off, Sport mode, Sport plus etc. I suspect that PSE exaggerates and amplifies the sound rather than alter the timbre or pitch. Quantitative rather than qualitative in nature, then. For those (plentiful!
) folk who are non-plussed or entirely indifferent or just don't care about the sound, then PSE is not going to help.I'll try to approach such tests more objectively and comprehensively, or at least less one-sidedly, over the coming weekend, when the weather is currently looking good and I have a couple of long drives planned.
Edited by Tim bo on Tuesday 21st March 15:36
[quote=andywalton]
I find the leather 2-way seats tend to be a bit thin and hard when compared with the 18-ways.
Hi Andy, I had the 2-ways in my 981 and, like you, found them to be thin and hard. Due to a lower back problem I opted for the 18-ways in my 718 and they are brilliant. They are really comfortable, provide excellent support and I no longer have problems with my back after a long journey.
I find the leather 2-way seats tend to be a bit thin and hard when compared with the 18-ways.
Hi Andy, I had the 2-ways in my 981 and, like you, found them to be thin and hard. Due to a lower back problem I opted for the 18-ways in my 718 and they are brilliant. They are really comfortable, provide excellent support and I no longer have problems with my back after a long journey.
Edited by Armara on Tuesday 21st March 17:47
[quote=Tim bo]
Picked her up today. Finally.
Tim bo - Fantastic looking car!
I have the same rims and think they look even better' in real life'.
Enjoyed reading 'your first impressions' post and totally agree with your comments especially with regard to the sound!
Picked her up today. Finally.
Tim bo - Fantastic looking car!
I have the same rims and think they look even better' in real life'.
Enjoyed reading 'your first impressions' post and totally agree with your comments especially with regard to the sound!
Edited by Armara on Tuesday 21st March 17:49
Tim,
Great write up. I really do wonder if I should have ordered an S - they have a hooligan element that the base model lacks. I laughed a lot at the PEC circulating in a PDK CS with PSE, definitely the most characterful format, and must be even more fun with a manual 'box.
I've spent a bit of time pretty much excusing myself for liking the turbo 4 718s on this forum. Your write up reminds me of something, I actually love driving them. They are bags of fun and totally unique sounding. No more excuses - they are just plain good!
Liam
Great write up. I really do wonder if I should have ordered an S - they have a hooligan element that the base model lacks. I laughed a lot at the PEC circulating in a PDK CS with PSE, definitely the most characterful format, and must be even more fun with a manual 'box.
I've spent a bit of time pretty much excusing myself for liking the turbo 4 718s on this forum. Your write up reminds me of something, I actually love driving them. They are bags of fun and totally unique sounding. No more excuses - they are just plain good!
Liam
Scotty,
The "Hold" function is basically hand brake without actually applying it by hand ie: when stationary depress the brake pedal until HOLD comes up green on dash, take foot off brake & car will not move. When accelerator is depressed the car will come out of hold & accelerate. Similar to driving off - no need to manually release hand brake as it release automatically.
The "Hold" function is basically hand brake without actually applying it by hand ie: when stationary depress the brake pedal until HOLD comes up green on dash, take foot off brake & car will not move. When accelerator is depressed the car will come out of hold & accelerate. Similar to driving off - no need to manually release hand brake as it release automatically.
Cheers Alan will definitely be using that my only criticism of car is the handbrake feels very strange using it maybe I will get used to after a while. Does anyone know if you get a USB cable with the car to use with connect Im sure the demo cars I have driven had one but my car hasn't got one ?
[quote=Tim bo]
PSE, well, this is probably the wrong time for me to be commenting on it. I've just been out for a 45 min blast in the spring sunshine, windows right the way down, in Sport mode, with PSE firmly and definitively set to angry (suitable word, Andy). Once warmed up, this F4T gets incandescent. I didn't get any real chance to test the overrun sounds yesterday in the rain, but I certainly did today. I'm being careful during run-in to keep below 4k revs, but even lifting off in 2nd at 4k revs the sound of the exhaust snarls and bangs and barks. And it is indeed very loud. No subtlety nor elegance nor smoothness here; it's very coarse and uncouth. I find it wonderful, and I've become hooked.
So because of this sudden addiction, I've not actually been able to switch off PSE to try to do a sober and reasoned comparison of the differences between PSE on/off, Sport mode, Sport plus etc. I suspect that PSE exaggerates and amplifies the sound rather than alter the timbre or pitch. Quantitative rather than qualitative in nature, then. For those (plentiful! ) folk who are non-plussed or entirely indifferent or just don't care about the sound, then PSE is not going to help.
Thanks Tim, it's great to read someone really enjoying the car and to get a bit of spring sunshine perfect ... PSE stays, I think you said it all. Turn it on and enjoy. I've just been told July build for me so another few months of thinking about changes to the spec.
How long is the run-in, is it fixed to 4K or can you push it as the miles run up?
PSE, well, this is probably the wrong time for me to be commenting on it. I've just been out for a 45 min blast in the spring sunshine, windows right the way down, in Sport mode, with PSE firmly and definitively set to angry (suitable word, Andy). Once warmed up, this F4T gets incandescent. I didn't get any real chance to test the overrun sounds yesterday in the rain, but I certainly did today. I'm being careful during run-in to keep below 4k revs, but even lifting off in 2nd at 4k revs the sound of the exhaust snarls and bangs and barks. And it is indeed very loud. No subtlety nor elegance nor smoothness here; it's very coarse and uncouth. I find it wonderful, and I've become hooked.
So because of this sudden addiction, I've not actually been able to switch off PSE to try to do a sober and reasoned comparison of the differences between PSE on/off, Sport mode, Sport plus etc. I suspect that PSE exaggerates and amplifies the sound rather than alter the timbre or pitch. Quantitative rather than qualitative in nature, then. For those (plentiful!
) folk who are non-plussed or entirely indifferent or just don't care about the sound, then PSE is not going to help.Thanks Tim, it's great to read someone really enjoying the car and to get a bit of spring sunshine perfect ... PSE stays, I think you said it all. Turn it on and enjoy. I've just been told July build for me so another few months of thinking about changes to the spec.
How long is the run-in, is it fixed to 4K or can you push it as the miles run up?
alanshaw said:
Scotty,
The "Hold" function is basically hand brake without actually applying it by hand ie: when stationary depress the brake pedal until HOLD comes up green on dash, take foot off brake & car will not move. When accelerator is depressed the car will come out of hold & accelerate. Similar to driving off - no need to manually release hand brake as it release automatically.
A ha! This I didn't know. Useful!The "Hold" function is basically hand brake without actually applying it by hand ie: when stationary depress the brake pedal until HOLD comes up green on dash, take foot off brake & car will not move. When accelerator is depressed the car will come out of hold & accelerate. Similar to driving off - no need to manually release hand brake as it release automatically.
So I suppose the parking brake isn't for your normal stopping at lights etc, but more for steeper inclines?
Will play with Hold a bit more today if I get a chance.
Scotty982 said:
Does anyone know if you get a USB cable with the car to use with connect Im sure the demo cars I have driven had one but my car hasn't got one ?
There is a USB slot in the glove box and also under the centre armerest.andywalton said:
Thanks Tim, it's great to read someone really enjoying the car and to get a bit of spring sunshine perfect ... PSE stays, I think you said it all. Turn it on and enjoy. I've just been told July build for me so another few months of thinking about changes to the spec.
How long is the run-in, is it fixed to 4K or can you push it as the miles run up?
July not too far away ...How long is the run-in, is it fixed to 4K or can you push it as the miles run up?
Manual says to keep below 4k revs for the first 3,000km (or 1,864 miles). Try to avoid short trips. And don't track the car
I had meant to ask the OPC for their added input on run-in, as opinions differ, but entirely forgot. They will be calling me this week sometime to ask how I'm getting on, so will ask then.
There are dozens of threads on PH in the Porsche section and elsewhere on run-in periods, with, of course, wildly differing opinions. Some say it's fine to rag it once you're out the door, others maintain strict adherence to the owner's manual.
I normally take a common-sense approach. Keep it below 4k for much of the advised run-in mileage. Above about 1k miles I may go over 4k revs a bit once the engine is warm, but won't red-line until the end of the advised run-in.
Avoiding short trips is difficult as I'm on the outskirts of London, but will avoid using the car if the distance is short enough that the engine doesn't get fully up to temp.
Fortunately, this being a proper sports car, there is the option to show proper information on the engine status on the display in the dash, so engine temp, oil temp and oil pressure are all there. It has become a real frustration with most car manufacturers now removing this info, leaving it to warning lights if something is wrong with the engine. BMW did the same, and moved engine temp display to a hidden menu option for which an esoteric access code is needed to be input to access it. Ridiculous. Another step toward removing drivers from what the car is actually doing.
Edited by Tim bo on Wednesday 22 March 07:38
Sorry post in Cayman thread but our Boxter sounds outrageous on start up. Totally get what Tim says about the anger from the engine note. The pops and bangs were great driving next to walls. And loud. We don't have PSE either.
Running in is tricky as the auto jumped to over 4k a few times on its own.
Running in is tricky as the auto jumped to over 4k a few times on its own.
Tim bo said:
July not too far away ...
Manual says to keep below 4k revs for the first 3,000km (or 1,864 miles). Try to avoid short trips. And don't track the car
I had meant to ask the OPC for their added input on run-in, as opinions differ, but entirely forgot. They will be calling me this week sometime to ask how I'm getting on, so will ask then.
There are dozens of threads on PH in the Porsche section and elsewhere on run-in periods, with, of course, wildly differing opinions. Some say it's fine to rag it once you're out the door, others maintain strict adherence to the owner's manual.
I normally take a common-sense approach. Keep it below 4k for much of the advised run-in mileage. Above about 1k miles I may go over 4k revs a bit once the engine is warm, but won't red-line until the end of the advised run-in.
Avoiding short trips is difficult as I'm on the outskirts of London, but will avoid using the car if the distance is short enough that the engine doesn't get fully up to temp.
Fortunately, this being a proper sports car, there is the option to show proper information on the engine status on the display in the dash, so engine temp, oil temp and oil pressure are all there. It has become a real frustration with most car manufacturers now removing this info, leaving it to warning lights if something is wrong with the engine. BMW did the same, and moved engine temp display to a hidden menu option for which an esoteric access code is needed to be input to access it. Ridiculous. Another step toward removing drivers from what the car is actually doing.
I hadn't realised it was as high as 1800 miles ... I had a Lotus a few years ago that needed a 1000 miles and that was painful enough, in the end I drove to Bristol twice over two weekends just to get the miles on. 1800 miles will see me driving to Scotland and back trying to keep below 4000 rpm. I presume you need to keep it moving up and down the rev range and not stay at a constant rpm which makes it even harder.Manual says to keep below 4k revs for the first 3,000km (or 1,864 miles). Try to avoid short trips. And don't track the car
I had meant to ask the OPC for their added input on run-in, as opinions differ, but entirely forgot. They will be calling me this week sometime to ask how I'm getting on, so will ask then.
There are dozens of threads on PH in the Porsche section and elsewhere on run-in periods, with, of course, wildly differing opinions. Some say it's fine to rag it once you're out the door, others maintain strict adherence to the owner's manual.
I normally take a common-sense approach. Keep it below 4k for much of the advised run-in mileage. Above about 1k miles I may go over 4k revs a bit once the engine is warm, but won't red-line until the end of the advised run-in.
Avoiding short trips is difficult as I'm on the outskirts of London, but will avoid using the car if the distance is short enough that the engine doesn't get fully up to temp.
Fortunately, this being a proper sports car, there is the option to show proper information on the engine status on the display in the dash, so engine temp, oil temp and oil pressure are all there. It has become a real frustration with most car manufacturers now removing this info, leaving it to warning lights if something is wrong with the engine. BMW did the same, and moved engine temp display to a hidden menu option for which an esoteric access code is needed to be input to access it. Ridiculous. Another step toward removing drivers from what the car is actually doing.
Edited by Tim bo on Wednesday 22 March 07:38
I do like that information screen in the Porsche, it is very good to be able to know when the oil and water temps have stabilised before you open it up.
Yes July build doesn't seem that long ... I ordered in mid-December and I think I've had three tentative dates given - March, then May and now July. I think this is down to the factory re-tooling which does seem to be dragging on and on. If it does get built in July and then arrives in August will probably want to wait for the new reg. Just seems wrong getting a new car in August.
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