PDLS - Xenon or LED

[RT964]

Starting my search for a 991.1 GTS and am putting together my "ideal" spec and am wondering if it's worth holding out for one with the LED lights over the standard Xenon PDLS ?

[Cheib]

We have the Xenon PDLS on my wife's Boxster and LED PDLS+ on our Cayenne....the Boxster's lights are very good and give very good illumination on full beam. They have a more defined edge to the beam pattern than the LED's but the LED's have a brighter/whiter light. Both are excellent for lighting up dark country roads.

With a 991 GTS there are other things I'd be prioritising on spec.

[Taffy66]

woollyjoe said:

Cayenne and Boxter have very different starting points affecting comparisons... namely height of lights. More light reaches further ahead and definition.

I'd be genuinely surprised the lights would be brighter given laws limit both and the extent of how advanced the Xenons are. I think colour is main difference as both are "active".

Honestly, on a 991 - the difference is colour and cosmetic. Oh, and economics - less energy, longer lifespan etc with LED. In terms of driving usability... doubt you will notice.

On my current Porsches, the Sport Turismo has LEDs PDLS and the GT3 plus Cayenne has Bi-xenom PDLS..I see no real improvement on the LEDs,only as Woolyjoe quite rightly points out the LEDs have a whiter light but IMO very little improvement in illumination.
If weight concerns you then the LEDs are about 5Kg heavier than the Bi-Xenoms.

[Koln-RS]

I was told that LEDs are quite a lot more money and add quite a lot of extra weight, for limited benefit.

Perhaps worth considering if you do a lot of night time driving and/or your night vision is marginal.

[Green1man]

https://youtu.be/Bqv9GdiFQUg

[Secret director]

Cheib said:

We have the Xenon PDLS on my wife's Boxster and LED PDLS+ on our Cayenne....the Boxster's lights are very good and give very good illumination on full beam. They have a more defined edge to the beam pattern than the LED's but the LED's have a brighter/whiter light. Both are excellent for lighting up dark country roads.

With a 991 GTS there are other things I'd be prioritising on spec.

This...... when speccing the T there are other things I preferred to waste, sorry invest , my money in....

Went for the Xenon dynamic lights with the black look..which I think are standard on the GTS....... love the dynamic and plenty ‘white’ enough.... I’m impressed with them...

I like the 4 pin side lights as well... Look better than the halo in my opinion, but each to their own...

For the £1770 or so asking price , you can screw up the car with a glass roof....!

[RT964]

Cheib said:

We have the Xenon PDLS on my wife's Boxster and LED PDLS+ on our Cayenne....the Boxster's lights are very good and give very good illumination on full beam. They have a more defined edge to the beam pattern than the LED's but the LED's have a brighter/whiter light. Both are excellent for lighting up dark country roads.

With a 991 GTS there are other things I'd be prioritising on spec.

Thanks Cheib, out of interest, what are these other things that you'd be prioritising on spec ? I've looked at the thread on this, but as it's 175 pages long, my life is too short to plough through all of that

[Cheib]

RT964 said:

Thanks Cheib, out of interest, what are these other things that you'd be prioritising on spec ? I've looked at the thread on this, but as it's 175 pages long, my life is too short to plough through all of that

Must have's for me are the GTS elements....so the Alcantara interior is an absolute must. Some people spec a leather steering wheel with the Alcantara pack.

Seats are something people get exercised about. I like the 18 ways but lots of people like the standard seats.

Where you do need to be a bit careful are on things that you think should be standard but aren't so

Cruise Control
Automatically Dimming Mirrors
Heated Seats
Reversing Camera/Park Assist
Smoking Pack (finished the centre console off but can be retrofitted)
Bose
Online Services (can't remember what this does on the 991.1 but you shoudl check/find out)
Cruise Control
Mobile Phone Module

Not sure what the view on the Sunroof is ? I've seen some people claim it ruins the handling on the .2. Can't comment to be honest and not sure if it's a must for re-sale but I am sure someone else could comment.

I'd avoid low spec cars even if they're cheap...you'll know about it when you come to sell.

[RT964]

Cheib said:

Must have's for me are the GTS elements....so the Alcantara interior is an absolute must. Some people spec a leather steering wheel with the Alcantara pack.

Seats are something people get exercised about. I like the 18 ways but lots of people like the standard seats.

Where you do need to be a bit careful are on things that you think should be standard but aren't so

Cruise Control
Automatically Dimming Mirrors
Heated Seats
Reversing Camera/Park Assist
Smoking Pack (finished the centre console off but can be retrofitted)
Bose
Online Services (can't remember what this does on the 991.1 but you shoudl check/find out)
Cruise Control
Mobile Phone Module

Not sure what the view on the Sunroof is ? I've seen some people claim it ruins the handling on the .2. Can't comment to be honest and not sure if it's a must for re-sale but I am sure someone else could comment.

I'd avoid low spec cars even if they're cheap...you'll know about it when you come to sell.

Great, thanks. Pleased that most of those are on my "ideal" spec list anyway. I'd prefer a sunroof as I like the way it brightens the interior and I don't think my driving is at a level where I'd notice/need the extra rigidity that comes from having the full tin top. Colour-wise, Carrera White is top of the list, closely followed by Carmine Red and GT Silver. Black is a possibility. Interior would be GTS Alcantara with the red stitching, and the Sports Plus seats with memory pack (which I think means the 18 way version ?). Gearbox-wise, would have to be the PDK, not interested in the manual as this will also need to do some daily driving in nasty traffic.

Also, can you get Car Play in the Gen 1, or is that only in the Gen 2 ?

[Twinfan]

Car Play is Gen 2 only I think.

Yes, memory seats are 18-ways.

[Cheib]

Twinfan said:

Car Play is Gen 2 only I think.

That's correct

[RT964]

Cheib said:

That's correct

Thought as much, thanks for confirming.

[RT964]

woollyjoe said:

I think you should look at most GTS examples as there aren't many.

My list would start with a manual though.

Definitely want PDK. Tried the manual and didn't like it. Tried the PDK and loved it. Each to their own

[SSJ197]

RT964 said:

Great, thanks. Pleased that most of those are on my "ideal" spec list anyway. I'd prefer a sunroof as I like the way it brightens the interior and I don't think my driving is at a level where I'd notice/need the extra rigidity that comes from having the full tin top. Colour-wise, Carrera White is top of the list, closely followed by Carmine Red and GT Silver. Black is a possibility. Interior would be GTS Alcantara with the red stitching, and the Sports Plus seats with memory pack (which I think means the 18 way version ?). Gearbox-wise, would have to be the PDK, not interested in the manual as this will also need to do some daily driving in nasty traffic.

Also, can you get Car Play in the Gen 1, or is that only in the Gen 2 ?

RT964. My car available if interested PM me. Mega Spec £20k options.

[RT964]

SSJ197 said:

RT964. My car available if interested PM me. Mega Spec £20k options.

Thanks for the mail - will take a look and ping you tomorrow with any questions.

[Nick981]

I’ve gone for the rear wheel steering amongst other things.
The heated seats are standard in the GTS (in the U.K. at least)