Cayman S Black Edition - First Porsche...

[Phoneix]

DoubleSix said:

Surely you've found a (very) quiet stretch of road and explored the other side of the camber to see if your 5% lock reverses?

That's the plan tomorrow...

[thegoose]

Phoneix said:

Yes, I need to find someone in the North West who is good with things like this as I'm sure OPC will just say buy new tyres and get geo alignment done which may not necessarily solve the problem.

Danny at Unit 11 in Warrington
Mike at Sports and Classic (moved from Knutsford to Nether Alderley now)
Rob at Hartech in Bolton
Robin at Ninemeister in Warrington

I would use any of those guys, and definitely before handing it over to an OPC, where you don't know who will be working on the car and can't have a direct conversation with them. What you need is a consultation with an expert who can then tailor the set up to your requirements.

[DoubleSix]

Totally.

OPC is the last lace I'd be going even if it meant a little wait.

[Phoneix]

thegoose said:

Danny at Unit 11 in Warrington
Mike at Sports and Classic (moved from Knutsford to Nether Alderley now)
Rob at Hartech in Bolton
Robin at Ninemeister in Warrington

I would use any of those guys, and definitely before handing it over to an OPC, where you don't know who will be working on the car and can't have a direct conversation with them. What you need is a consultation with an expert who can then tailor the set up to your requirements.

I agree, I like getting to know someone personally. But Hartech said three weeks minimum and Mike has just had a kid so he's not at the garage much, left my number twice but no one has called me back. Didn't know about the others so I'll give them a shot.

Thanks.

[Phoneix]

DoubleSix said:

Totally.

OPC is the last lace I'd be going even if it meant a little wait.

Just seen the video of your Design Edition, looked awesome, almost perfect spec too. Also see you have a 130i, considered buying it rather than the Black Edition but I don't think I'll ever have the chance to own a two seater sports car like the Cayman again (no kids, etc) so went for it. Did a lot of research on 130i, planned to add Birds Dynamic package and maybe sports exhaust too. In fact, might even go for it as my next car/2nd car. How do you find it after the Cayman?

[S5V8]

I would take it here to Revolution in Brighouse. They too have an excellent reputation.

http://www.revolution-porsche.co.uk/

I would give Russ a call as they will help you out over the phone with free advice and are very helpful.

[bingles]

Phoneix said:

....It's No 336. It's a beautiful looking thing, my last car (BMW 135i) was black on black on black too, but the Cayman is something else. My sis "It looks like the batmobile".

What's the spec on yours? How long have you had it? ...

I agree, Batmobile kind sums it up... My CSBE is a manual, I'm not sure what was standard on this car, but over a standard CS it has the following:

PCM with Extended Nav, Bose, Sports Chrono, Heated Seats, Sports Exhaust, Multifunction Steering Wheel, Bi-Xenons, Auto Dimming Mirrors and Rain Sensor, Climate Control, Embossed Head Restraints. I'm sure there is other stuff, but I can't remember it all!!! :-)

I've had it about a year now and have completed about 10k. I've loved every mile... I've got to be honest that I don't think I've ever noticed the car pulling on a camber - You might need to get an alignment done. Good luck mate!

[Phoneix]

S5V8 said:

I would take it here to Revolution in Brighouse. They too have an excellent reputation.

http://www.revolution-porsche.co.uk/

I would give Russ a call as they will help you out over the phone with free advice and are very helpful.

Thank you. I'm glad to find there's a fair few specialists within 30 mins of me.

[Phoneix]

bingles said:

I agree, Batmobile kind sums it up... My CSBE is a manual, I'm not sure what was standard on this car, but over a standard CS it has the following:

PCM with Extended Nav, Bose, Sports Chrono, Heated Seats, Sports Exhaust, Multifunction Steering Wheel, Bi-Xenons, Auto Dimming Mirrors and Rain Sensor, Climate Control, Embossed Head Restraints. I'm sure there is other stuff, but I can't remember it all!!! :-)

I've had it about a year now and have completed about 10k. I've loved every mile... I've got to be honest that I don't think I've ever noticed the car pulling on a camber - You might need to get an alignment done. Good luck mate!

Thanks mate. Hopefully I'll be loving every mile soon.

That's a good spec, I really wanted Bose and Sports Exhaust, think I'll add the exhaust if I do (hopefully when) I fall for it. I'm really glad I got Sports Chrono too, from what I read most people didn't think it added much but I reckon it makes a world of difference, mainly the throttle response aspect. Makes it feel like a proper sports car, far more reponsive.

[DoubleSix]

Phoneix said:

DoubleSix said:

Totally.

OPC is the last lace I'd be going even if it meant a little wait.

Just seen the video of your Design Edition, looked awesome, almost perfect spec too. Also see you have a 130i, considered buying it rather than the Black Edition but I don't think I'll ever have the chance to own a two seater sports car like the Cayman again (no kids, etc) so went for it. Did a lot of research on 130i, planned to add Birds Dynamic package and maybe sports exhaust too. In fact, might even go for it as my next car/2nd car. How do you find it after the Cayman?

Thanks. I was very sad to see the Cayman go tbh. But a child and monster mortgage meant a shift of priorities. Still, I used the Cayman as a daily for three years and took her on couple of big tours too. I really got to know that car and it made a big impact in that it drew me further into understanding my driving - such a rewarding car to push once you gel with it.

The 130i is a great little go kart that is far more practical than it has any right to be. Perfect for a petrol head with a baby! But obviously no comparison to a Cayman dynamically.

So in summary I did the same as you: enjoyed the two seater while I could!

[jonm01]

Vibrating steering wheel is probably just unbalanced front wheels? I have 19's and PASM and its perfectly comfortable.

[Oso]

Sorry coming to this a bit late but hope I can help. I think you have a lovely car there and this issue should be easy to fix without much spend.

I have a 987 S with the Spyder wheels - same as yours. These have slightly less offset than other 19" OEM options and so the car runs a slightly wider track than standard. This plus the low profile rubber makes the car particularly sensitive to the geometry being out. I am pretty sure getting a suspension specialist to look at the geometry will do the trick - this should only cost you £200-300. I would defo stick to the factory recommended settings. If you want to do something slightly more aggressive you can use the Spyder settings which I know from experience work well.

You mention also going for some 18" rims. I have a spare set of OEM 18s which I use for winter tyres and the car is more compliant and composed on those (but less responsive) so it depends on personal taste really. The black Spyder wheels do look great (just don't kerb them - they're a nightmare to refurb)!

A new set of matched tyres would also make a difference and make sure they are properly balanced ideally with a Hunter road force balancer. If you are new to Porsche it may help to know that Porsche recommended tyres are all 'N' rated which means they have been tested for grip/wear etc and should allow you to make sure you have rubber with similar characteristics even if you don't replace all tyres at once. The PS2s are good tyres. I personally find the Bridgestones the best of the recommended tyres - they are more progressive on the limit and much better in the wet.

Other things to check are that the dampers are still working well and the bushes are ok (not sure the mileage but given age of the car and it's under warranty if any issues here although they are consumables you might get a contribution from Porsche to fix). Last thought is a buckled wheel - most good alloy refurb guys will be able to fix at a sensible cost.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[RUSTLE]

Phoneix said:

Just seen the video of your Design Edition, looked awesome, almost perfect spec too. Also see you have a 130i, considered buying it rather than the Black Edition but I don't think I'll ever have the chance to own a two seater sports car like the Cayman again (no kids, etc) so went for it. Did a lot of research on 130i, planned to add Birds Dynamic package and maybe sports exhaust too. In fact, might even go for it as my next car/2nd car. How do you find it after the Cayman?

I have a Cayman s and a 130i (with the full birds kit) Not a bad fleet, however having got the Cayman only a few weeks ago the 130i isn't getting much attention. I just got my Cayman wheels balanced after some vibration on the french motorways at easter. I factor in at least one alignment per annum as it drives me mad if a car doesn't track properly. As stated above, sounds like a combo of geo, wheel balance, and tyres.

[Phoneix]

I apologise for the delay in updating this thread but I thought I'd wait until I'd got it looked at sorted.

I took it to Porsche Wilmslow and then Revolution Porsche, both reported tyres and an alignment issue so I decided on four new tyres and got the alignment done.

Happily, I can report that all three issues are sorted. The biggest difference is in the high speed stability, it's more comfortable on general driving also. I've taken it out on a couple of my favourite roads in the past week, on those winding roads over the moors you can see what the Cayman hype is all about. It makes you feel like a better driver than you are because you're getting away with doing things you wouldn't dream of in another car. In fact, in terms of handling and balance I struggle to see how the car could be improved, thought I've never driven the Cayman R and I'm sure the GT4 is another level.

My favourite thing is the way it hooks up around a corner, it doesn't even have to be going that fast but the feeling of the balance and car in your hands and underneath you is delightful. The other thing I really like is the way the car gets better the more you push, it gives you more information and gets sharper. I'm sure the limits of it are far above my driving ability.

It's an amazing car, however it's not perfect, but is any car? I plan to give a more detailed review once I've spent more time with it.

Thanks for all your help and comments folks.

[Phoneix]

RUSTLE said:

I have a Cayman s and a 130i (with the full birds kit) Not a bad fleet, however having got the Cayman only a few weeks ago the 130i isn't getting much attention. I just got my Cayman wheels balanced after some vibration on the french motorways at easter. I factor in at least one alignment per annum as it drives me mad if a car doesn't track properly. As stated above, sounds like a combo of geo, wheel balance, and tyres.

If you ever plan to sell your 130i let me know, the other option I'm considering is the Golf GTI Mk5. I think I'd prefer the BM straight six (even now I miss the sound of my 135i) and handling of the 130i, though the looks are putting me off.