718S manual transmission -any criticisms from current owners
Discussion
I have a manual 718 S and have had it for just over 3 months now. I chose it for exactly the reasons that adamishome says - driver engagement fully knowing it might not be quite as quick or convenient. The gear lever position / action is excellent as is the clutch feel so I am entirely happy with my choice. I didn't go for sportschrono and having experienced it on the PEC day with a manual would probably have gone for that purely because of the auto blip for entertainment reasons.
The manual clutch/gearbox is a fair bit heavier action than in my other car (Golf R)which I always felt was a good weight but now feels quite (too) light to drive in comparison
The manual clutch/gearbox is a fair bit heavier action than in my other car (Golf R)which I always felt was a good weight but now feels quite (too) light to drive in comparison
Only driven the 2.0 manual, but have to say it's a lovely sweet shift.
I might be imagining things, but the clutch feels fractionally lighter than the 981 I drove a while ago, although its still heavier than most cars on the road of similar power (am thinking manual M135is, Golf Rs etc.).
One thing to think of though (which almost single handed my put me off ordering manual) is the manual parking brake. Feels really unintuitive to use having to reach forward with right hand to use on hills and alike, how I wish it was just a normal handbrake!
I'm sure you'd probably get used to it after a while, but still felt annoying on the day I borrowed the 718.
I might be imagining things, but the clutch feels fractionally lighter than the 981 I drove a while ago, although its still heavier than most cars on the road of similar power (am thinking manual M135is, Golf Rs etc.).
One thing to think of though (which almost single handed my put me off ordering manual) is the manual parking brake. Feels really unintuitive to use having to reach forward with right hand to use on hills and alike, how I wish it was just a normal handbrake!
I'm sure you'd probably get used to it after a while, but still felt annoying on the day I borrowed the 718.
1964 said:
I have a manual 718 S and have had it for just over 3 months now. I chose it for exactly the reasons that adamishome says - driver engagement fully knowing it might not be quite as quick or convenient. The gear lever position / action is excellent as is the clutch feel so I am entirely happy with my choice. I didn't go for sportschrono and having experienced it on the PEC day with a manual would probably have gone for that purely because of the auto blip for entertainment reasons.
Only reason I went for the sport chrono was the auto blip. A ridiculous amount to pay just for that really, but I wanted a complete car and knew that I'd miss out if I didn't. Want all the possible magic. 
It's good to hear from someone who has run a 718 manual for 3 months and is still happy with the choice.
ikonic said:
One thing to think of though (which almost single handed my put me off ordering manual) is the manual parking brake. Feels really unintuitive to use having to reach forward with right hand to use on hills and alike, how I wish it was just a normal handbrake!
I'm sure you'd probably get used to it after a while, but still felt annoying on the day I borrowed the 718.
I've not got used to it in over 2 years... It's a PITA with PDK, but have to agree it would be significantly more annoying with a manual.I'm sure you'd probably get used to it after a while, but still felt annoying on the day I borrowed the 718.
Wife has a 981 PDK, she loves it.
We were given a manual Boxster when in went in for service last summer, I presume to try to encourage me to buy one. Sorry but the clutch was far too heavy - 50yr+ with bit of OA in hip, not exactly unusual for owner profile I'd think. Really became too much in traffic for either of us. Spoilt it entirely, could not see it as any joy in traffic.
Compared to our other manuals it was a real no-no
We were given a manual Boxster when in went in for service last summer, I presume to try to encourage me to buy one. Sorry but the clutch was far too heavy - 50yr+ with bit of OA in hip, not exactly unusual for owner profile I'd think. Really became too much in traffic for either of us. Spoilt it entirely, could not see it as any joy in traffic.
Compared to our other manuals it was a real no-no
Tim bo said:
Want all the possible magic.
the real magic is in blipping the throttle yourself 
ikonic said:
One thing to think of though (which almost single handed my put me off ordering manual) is the manual parking brake. Feels really unintuitive to use having to reach forward with right hand to use on hills and alike, how I wish it was just a normal handbrake!
have you tried Autohold?i've only had my car a couple of months and don't have any complaints to date (though i was a bit concerned before i found out about this feature). foot on brake, put car in first, let go of brake, car holds itself automatically, drive off, handbrake disengages automatically.
EDIT:
regarding the manual 'box, i tried PDK a couple of times and liked it to start with, but got bored pretty quickly and TBH i kept hitting the indicator stick instead of the flappy paddle :/
over the moon with the manual box (GTS though not 718, but i think they're pretty much the same?)
Edited by JasonSteel on Wednesday 15th February 17:37
JasonSteel said:
have you tried Autohold?
i've only had my car a couple of months and don't have any complaints to date (though i was a bit concerned before i found out about this feature). foot on brake, put car in first, let go of brake, car holds itself automatically, drive off, handbrake disengages automatically.
It does work - but I could do a smoother, slicker job with a conventional handbrake, and the fact that I don't have a 6 inch hand growing out of my right kneecap does make operation of the handbrake rather inconvenient. If it was that difficult to make a mechanical handbrake work (it genuinely is with rear discs on a heavy car) - couldn't they have put the "switch" in the conventional position?i've only had my car a couple of months and don't have any complaints to date (though i was a bit concerned before i found out about this feature). foot on brake, put car in first, let go of brake, car holds itself automatically, drive off, handbrake disengages automatically.
Edited by JasonSteel on Wednesday 15th February 17:37
Mario149 said:
Honestly can't say I've ever been bothered/annoyed by the electronic handbrake. Only ever gets used when I park up. Yes it's a bit unusual but it declutters the centre console area a bit so seems a "price" worth paying.
But don't you then rely on the hill hold function? If that did as a good a job as I can, I wouldn't have a beef - unfortunately it doesn't.bcr5784 said:
Mario149 said:
Honestly can't say I've ever been bothered/annoyed by the electronic handbrake. Only ever gets used when I park up. Yes it's a bit unusual but it declutters the centre console area a bit so seems a "price" worth paying.
But don't you then rely on the hill hold function? If that did as a good a job as I can, I wouldn't have a beef - unfortunately it doesn't.
bcr5784 said:
couldn't they have put the "switch" in the conventional position?
i get what you're saying but maybe if they put the switch in a more accessible position it could get knocked by accident when you least want it, say going round a corner at highish speed? that could be a disaster.do you use/need the electronic brake a lot? i'm with Mario on this in that i don't use it enough (a handful of times a week maybe?) for it to be an issue.
JasonSteel said:
i get what you're saying but maybe if they put the switch in a more accessible position it could get knocked by accident when you least want it, say going round a corner at highish speed? that could be a disaster.
do you use/need the electronic brake a lot? i'm with Mario on this in that i don't use it enough (a handful of times a week maybe?) for it to be an issue.
If the switch was recessed (as it on some other cars - audi?) there is no danger of accidental operation. do you use/need the electronic brake a lot? i'm with Mario on this in that i don't use it enough (a handful of times a week maybe?) for it to be an issue.
The point is that if you stop at (say) traffic lights etc you have to either hold your foot on the brake, due to PDK creep (wears the clutch, sloppy and blinds the guy behind in the dark) or slip into neutral and apply the handbrake (and don't mention auto-stop/start!). I prefer to slip into neutral (pull both paddles). So I'd like either a conventional handbrake - or at very least a switch in a sensible position. Switchgear positioning is pretty poor on the 981 - and this is the worst example.
Not an owner, but I have driven a few manual 718 Boxsters and Caymans now. Only PDK for the S. On the road, it's about as good a manual shift as I've ever experienced in a mid engine car. I also find the ratios to be really well chosen. Taller than you'd expect, but there's so much torque for the weight of the car that a 70 mph plus second gear is great when you get used to it.
The funny thing is that much though I like the manual, the ratios are really inconvenient on the slower of the two handling circuits at the PEC. Loads of second gear corners, but at least one straight where you just want to be slipping into 3rd, but for not very long. I'm getting a manual because I prefer it, but if I was driving at the PEC regularly it would have to be PDK. I tend to drive more within my limits on the road, so a manual is more engaging and suits me better.
Liam
The funny thing is that much though I like the manual, the ratios are really inconvenient on the slower of the two handling circuits at the PEC. Loads of second gear corners, but at least one straight where you just want to be slipping into 3rd, but for not very long. I'm getting a manual because I prefer it, but if I was driving at the PEC regularly it would have to be PDK. I tend to drive more within my limits on the road, so a manual is more engaging and suits me better.
Liam
I agree the electronic handbrake is in an awkward position and doesn't really work that well - the one on my Golf R is in the centre console just behind the gearlever, recessed so not accidental catching and works really well - given the VW and Porsche are part of the same empire it is slighly irritating that my £30k Golf works better in this respect than my £50k Porsche ! Having said that you get used to it but it is still not very intuitive
LiamH66 said:
Not an owner, but I have driven a few manual 718 Boxsters and Caymans now. Only PDK for the S. On the road, it's about as good a manual shift as I've ever experienced in a mid engine car. I also find the ratios to be really well chosen. Taller than you'd expect, but there's so much torque for the weight of the car that a 70 mph plus second gear is great when you get used to it.
The funny thing is that much though I like the manual, the ratios are really inconvenient on the slower of the two handling circuits at the PEC. Loads of second gear corners, but at least one straight where you just want to be slipping into 3rd, but for not very long. I'm getting a manual because I prefer it, but if I was driving at the PEC regularly it would have to be PDK. I tend to drive more within my limits on the road, so a manual is more engaging and suits me better.
Liam
Interesting you mention PEC, that was where my choice of PDK was cemented for my 981 BGTS. In the manual car, I'd only get to spend a couple of seconds in 3rd every lap (on either track), in the PDK it was significantly more. Given that the original track at PEC is supposed to mimic a fun B-road, it did a good job of highlighting the manual's long ratio problem The funny thing is that much though I like the manual, the ratios are really inconvenient on the slower of the two handling circuits at the PEC. Loads of second gear corners, but at least one straight where you just want to be slipping into 3rd, but for not very long. I'm getting a manual because I prefer it, but if I was driving at the PEC regularly it would have to be PDK. I tend to drive more within my limits on the road, so a manual is more engaging and suits me better.
Liam
bcr5784 said:
If the switch was recessed (as it on some other cars - audi?) there is no danger of accidental operation.
The point is that if you stop at (say) traffic lights etc you have to either hold your foot on the brake, due to PDK creep (wears the clutch, sloppy and blinds the guy behind in the dark) or slip into neutral and apply the handbrake (and don't mention auto-stop/start!). I prefer to slip into neutral (pull both paddles). So I'd like either a conventional handbrake - or at very least a switch in a sensible position. Switchgear positioning is pretty poor on the 981 - and this is the worst example.
The handbrake switch is definitely a stretch so a bit of a pain in the arse. In my Audi it was a much smaller switch in the centre console...but that caused my strange paranoia - kinda like a big red button that says, "Don't press this button" making you want to do exactly that. I was petrified of giving in to the devil on my shoulder and flicking the switch whilst driving, just to see what happened. (Yes, I am fully aware that sounds mental...!!).The point is that if you stop at (say) traffic lights etc you have to either hold your foot on the brake, due to PDK creep (wears the clutch, sloppy and blinds the guy behind in the dark) or slip into neutral and apply the handbrake (and don't mention auto-stop/start!). I prefer to slip into neutral (pull both paddles). So I'd like either a conventional handbrake - or at very least a switch in a sensible position. Switchgear positioning is pretty poor on the 981 - and this is the worst example.
I cannot think of a reason why the electronic parking brake on ANY car, is not just disabled once you go over (say) 5mph. That way it could be anywhere and the risk of accidental (or mildly psychotic) operation, is not an issue. You could drive along flicking your switch as often as you like!
PhantomPH said:
I cannot think of a reason why the electronic parking brake on ANY car, is not just disabled once you go over (say) 5mph. That way it could be anywhere and the risk of accidental (or mildly psychotic) operation, is not an issue. You could drive along flicking your switch as often as you like!
On the Porsche if you pull and hold the switch all 4 brakes are applied and (at speed) the car does an emergency stop all on its own, so to speak. Not sure whether that will reassure you in case your brake pedal breaks or give you more cause for paranoia. Would never have guessed had it not been demonstrated at the PEC. I haven't seen it in the manual.bcr5784 said:
PhantomPH said:
I cannot think of a reason why the electronic parking brake on ANY car, is not just disabled once you go over (say) 5mph. That way it could be anywhere and the risk of accidental (or mildly psychotic) operation, is not an issue. You could drive along flicking your switch as often as you like!
On the Porsche if you pull and hold the switch all 4 brakes are applied and (at speed) the car does an emergency stop all on its own, so to speak. Not sure whether that will reassure you in case your brake pedal breaks or give you more cause for paranoia. Would never have guessed had it not been demonstrated at the PEC. I haven't seen it in the manual.'Paranoia' is perhaps the wrong word....it's that part of the brain that is the devil on your shoulder. As I said, the bit that makes you push a button labelled, "Do not push". That bit of you that stands at the edge of a tall building and thinks, "Wonder what would happen if I jumped?"...just me?? Oh....ok....
PhantomPH said:
So not a complete locking of the wheels but more a controlled stop?
'Paranoia' is perhaps the wrong word....it's that part of the brain that is the devil on your shoulder. As I said, the bit that makes you push a button labelled, "Do not push". That bit of you that stands at the edge of a tall building and thinks, "Wonder what would happen if I jumped?"...just me?? Oh....ok....
Controlled yes - ABS is active so it's a balls out stop. 'Paranoia' is perhaps the wrong word....it's that part of the brain that is the devil on your shoulder. As I said, the bit that makes you push a button labelled, "Do not push". That bit of you that stands at the edge of a tall building and thinks, "Wonder what would happen if I jumped?"...just me?? Oh....ok....
Gassing Station | Boxster/Cayman | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff