Boxster S versus Boxster GTS daily driving comfort
Boxster S versus Boxster GTS daily driving comfort
Author
Discussion

Martino7

Original Poster:

13 posts

159 months

Saturday 24th October 2015
quotequote all
Can anyone who has driven both the Boxster S and the GTS please advise if there is any discernible difference in the ride quality between these two cars? One of the reasons I sold my 991 GT3 was because I found the ride much harder and less comfortable than my previous 997 Turbo - my back is not what it used to be and don't want to regret the GTS, which otherwise is my preferred choice. Thanks!

Gorsh

329 posts

125 months

Saturday 24th October 2015
quotequote all
The GTS has PASM or Sports Suspension as standard, so to compare them the S would need to be the same specification. From my very limited experience (haven't got my car yet) on test drives they will be very similar if not identical on PASM suspension, to me a pretty compliant ride too in normal mode, but each persons idea of a comfortable ride differs enormously. Haven't tried the X73 suspension as mine will be for 95% road use and the PASM fits the bill perfectly.

PorscheGT4

21,146 posts

285 months

Saturday 24th October 2015
quotequote all
Martino7 said:
Can anyone who has driven both the Boxster S and the GTS please advise if there is any discernible difference in the ride quality between these two cars? One of the reasons I sold my 991 GT3 was because I found the ride much harder and less comfortable than my previous 997 Turbo - my back is not what it used to be and don't want to regret the GTS, which otherwise is my preferred choice. Thanks!
same car and same sus !

you can spec x73 sports sus on both cars also.

bcr5784

7,362 posts

165 months

Saturday 24th October 2015
quotequote all
PorscheGT4 said:
same car and same sus !

you can spec x73 sports sus on both cars also.
On the same wheels and suspension there will be no difference. The S doesn't have PASM as standard. That said PASM in normal mode is probably the most comfortable set-up - whether S or GTS. However the GTS has 20" wheels , and the S 19s, and the car is a bit more comfortable (and quieter) on the smaller wheels. But the difference isn't huge. I haven't personally experienced X73, but from what others have said you might well be advised to avoid it.

Gorsh

329 posts

125 months

Saturday 24th October 2015
quotequote all
If the GTS is your choice it will be absolutely fine on PASM suspension. The S is pretty good on standard suspension especially on it's standard 19" wheels but the PASM is a little more compliant.

I'm sure you know your stuff, but in standard spec the cars are far from being the same so if comparing them make sure the S has the right options fitted. I would be inclined to try a GTS on PASM and take it from there.

PorscheGT4

21,146 posts

285 months

Saturday 24th October 2015
quotequote all
bcr5784 said:
On the same wheels and suspension there will be no difference. The S doesn't have PASM as standard. That said PASM in normal mode is probably the most comfortable set-up - whether S or GTS. However the GTS has 20" wheels , and the S 19s, and the car is a bit more comfortable (and quieter) on the smaller wheels. But the difference isn't huge. I haven't personally experienced X73, but from what others have said you might well be advised to avoid it.
Boxster only comes alive on X73 only way to spec it imo as it's a sports car :-)

Gorsh

329 posts

125 months

Saturday 24th October 2015
quotequote all
PorscheGT4 said:
Boxster only comes alive on X73 only way to spec it imo as it's a sports car :-)
Maybe - but remember the OP is looking for comfort.

PorscheGT4

21,146 posts

285 months

Saturday 24th October 2015
quotequote all
Gorsh said:
Maybe - but remember the OP is looking for comfort.
Buy a car with 17" wheels then on 55 series rubber :-)

Martino7

Original Poster:

13 posts

159 months

Saturday 24th October 2015
quotequote all
Either that or a volvo smile

GTS it is then! Thanks all.

bcr5784

7,362 posts

165 months

Saturday 24th October 2015
quotequote all
Martino7 said:
Either that or a volvo smile

GTS it is then! Thanks all.
The only other argument in favour of the S (assuming you prefer the spec of the GTS) is ground clearance. The splitter of the GTS is significantly lower than the S's and grounds easily as some posters here and on 911 have pointed out. If you regularly negotiate speed humps or have a sloping drive, it may be an issue for you. (It doesn't take that much of a slope for my PASM S to ground its nose).

Huskyman

655 posts

147 months

Friday 30th October 2015
quotequote all
I can say hand on heart that the front splitter can ground out very occasionally, but in 99% of situations there is no problem whatsoever. Ride comfort is excellent on the GTS, and I have driven mine for more than 200 miles in a single stint without any problems. I would recommend a GTS over an S as they have the much nicer half alcantara seats, leather dash top and door cappings that really lift the interior.

Mario149

7,786 posts

198 months

Wednesday 4th November 2015
quotequote all
My BGTS is very comfortable, spec is bucket seats along with the standard fit PASM and 20" wheels. Tyres pressures are supposed to be 2.3 bar all round, but the manual actual says you can drop them to 2.0 bar on the 20"s for extra comfort if you like. We tried that on a recent road trip and there wasn't any real discernible difference (we were in Spain on lovely flat roads) but it did kill a few mpg off our cruise economy 33mpg vs 36mpg on the motorway, roof closed, 2 up with luggage at a GPS 120 km/h (75 mph).

Krobar

286 posts

127 months

Wednesday 4th November 2015
quotequote all
One thing to remember is the GTS fits the bumper bodykit as standard which reduces clearance quite a bit although if it wasn't an issue in a GT3 for you then should be fine in the GTS.

Martino7

Original Poster:

13 posts

159 months

Wednesday 4th November 2015
quotequote all
I had the axle lifter on the GT3 so was not an issue. Is the splitter a relatively low cost removable section that can be replaced if badly damaged, so no need to be concerned? The car is on order and being built in January...

Krobar

286 posts

127 months

Wednesday 4th November 2015
quotequote all
I think it is referred tto as the "SportDesign Package" and the configurator just says significant reduction in ground clearance.

bcr5784

7,362 posts

165 months

Thursday 5th November 2015
quotequote all
Martino7 said:
I had the axle lifter on the GT3 so was not an issue. Is the splitter a relatively low cost removable section that can be replaced if badly damaged, so no need to be concerned? The car is on order and being built in January...
The whole kit is a £1700 option on the S so I don't expect it to be exactly cheap

Gorsh

329 posts

125 months

Thursday 5th November 2015
quotequote all
Being aware of the splitter and driving accordingly on uneven ground or parking front to the kerb should mean no problem. I bet those who have broke the splitter did not take account of the fact it is lower than other Boxsters.

Furthermore, it will be better (higher) with PASM than with Sports Suspension, so for road use it's another reason to have PASM.

bcr5784

7,362 posts

165 months

Friday 6th November 2015
quotequote all
Gorsh said:
Being aware of the splitter and driving accordingly on uneven ground or parking front to the kerb should mean no problem. I bet those who have broke the splitter did not take account of the fact it is lower than other Boxsters.

Furthermore, it will be better (higher) with PASM than with Sports Suspension, so for road use it's another reason to have PASM.
I think that's a bit simplistic, I couldn't get up either my drive or my son's in a GTS - and you wouldn't say either was that steep - it's just the change in slope which causes the problem. I certainly wouldn't put up with a car that I couldn't park in my drive.

Mario149

7,786 posts

198 months

Friday 6th November 2015
quotequote all
bcr5784 said:
I think that's a bit simplistic, I couldn't get up either my drive or my son's in a GTS - and you wouldn't say either was that steep - it's just the change in slope which causes the problem. I certainly wouldn't put up with a car that I couldn't park in my drive.
Reverse up...simples!biggrin

bcr5784

7,362 posts

165 months

Friday 6th November 2015
quotequote all
Mario149 said:
Reverse up...simples!biggrin
It would make not the slightest difference - it's the abrupt change in angle from the flat part of the drive to the sloping one - and angles being what they are, it works both ways! (If I'm being pickey going backwards makes it worse - there is a bit more weight on the front and the front suspension compressed slightly more) My sons case is slightly different and without trying it I can't be sure - but the problem occurs with my S (PASM) so I'd be very surprized if reversing fixed it with a GTS. Personally not keen on reversing into main roads either.


Edited by bcr5784 on Friday 6th November 18:12