981 Boxster S vs GTS
Discussion
"Drivers spec" my arse! I drive my car and the spec matches what I want it to do. All this "it must have spec a/b/c" only applies to the person writing the post IMHO. Far too much playground-style willy waving going on - my dad's bigger than yours etc 
PTV will eat brake pads on track apparently. I chose it for my car as I wanted the LSD and as a road-only user the brake pad wear is a non-issue.
PTV will eat brake pads on track apparently. I chose it for my car as I wanted the LSD and as a road-only user the brake pad wear is a non-issue.
Twinfan said:
"Drivers spec" my arse! I drive my car and the spec matches what I want it to do. All this "it must have spec a/b/c" only applies to the person writing the post IMHO. Far too much playground-style willy waving going on - my dad's bigger than yours etc
PTV will eat brake pads on track apparently. I chose it for my car as I wanted the LSD and as a road-only user the brake pad wear is a non-issue.
Your only saying that because you have the wrong suspension hahaha. PTV will eat brake pads on track apparently. I chose it for my car as I wanted the LSD and as a road-only user the brake pad wear is a non-issue.
I don't have PCCB, or buckets but would love them. Wouldn't like to replace the pads/discs though!
When people say drivers spec, in my head its getting the most focused/performant specification for road an track. For me it would be move focused towards track for others not.
at the "drivers spec" anger. Its my car, im the driver, i like the manual & LSD, so i like the spec 
FWIW, i've done track days in it - the difference between PASM & Sport Chrono settings is very apparent. In effect, with everything in normal, its boring, waaaay to competent, with Sport+/more reactive throttle/PASM harder, its brilliant. Easier heel & toe, with just the right amount of slip to make you feel like a hero, without facing the wrong way when you run out of talent ...
Yes, X73 would be lovely for a hardcore track car (as would buckets- both of which can be retrofitted easily enough), but i wouldnt be buying a Boxster for that, there are imho, far better cars out there for that, this is very much a road car/compromise. As it happens, i actually find the standard PASM setting far better for road use, the harder option is well, too hard for our cr4ppy roads. Diff & PTV wise, no problems with rear brake pad usage at Goodwood, but you could feel the LSD making itself apparent on the exit of corners, the PTV is weird, the way it pulls towards the apex is very akin to how an LSD works in FWD.
I've fitted Quaife's to all my previous Clio 1*2, Mini R53 & R56 track cars and the difference is massively apparent on track as well as road. With RWD, i dont drive to that level of commitment/stupidity on the road to really notice the difference, well not in the Boxster anyway, it has too much grip compared to power. An e90 M3 without a diff would be terrible, just like a C63 in fact lol.
Re: PCCB, whether on Porsche/BMW or any other mainstream brand, yes the calipers are pretty, but there are usually better aftermarket options out there for hardcore track usage. I experienced a small amount of fade toward the end of the day at Goodwood, but a change to something like Carbon Lorraine RC5+ or similar (no idea what is available for Porsches tbh) would solve that problem.
Edited by Sir_Dave on Wednesday 24th October 13:18
Sir_Dave said:
at the "drivers spec" anger. Its my car, im the driver, i like the manual & LSD, so i like the spec FWIW, i've done track days in it - the difference between PASM & Sport Chrono settings is very apparent. In effect, with everything in normal, its boring, waaaay to competent, with Sport+/more reactive throttle/PASM harder, its brilliant. Easier heel & toe, with just the right amount of slip to make you feel like a hero, without facing the wrong way when you run out of talent ...
Yes, X73 would be lovely for a hardcore track car (as would buckets- both of which can be retrofitted easily enough), but i wouldnt be buying a Boxster for that, there are imho, far better cars out there for that, this is very much a road car/compromise. As it happens, i actually find the standard PASM setting far better for road use, the harder option is well, too hard for our cr4ppy roads. Diff & PTV wise, no problems with rear brake pad usage at Goodwood, but you could feel the LSD making itself apparent on the exit of corners, the PTV is weird, the way it pulls towards the apex is very akin to how an LSD works in FWD.
I've fitted Quaife's to all my previous Clio 1*2, Mini R53 & R56 track cars and the difference is massively apparent on track as well as road. With RWD, i dont drive to that level of commitment/stupidity on the road to really notice the difference, well not in the Boxster anyway, it has too much grip compared to power. An e90 M3 without a diff would be terrible, just like a C63 in fact lol.
Re: PCCB, whether on Porsche/BMW or any other mainstream brand, yes the calipers are pretty, but there are usually better aftermarket options out there for hardcore track usage. I experienced a small amount of fade toward the end of the day at Goodwood, but a change to something like Carbon Lorraine RC5+ or similar (no idea what is available for Porsches tbh) would solve that problem.
Edited by Sir_Dave on Wednesday 24th October 13:18
Sport+ auto blips so I guess you mean Sport for no auto blips so you can do it yourself? PASM did work for me i found it too soft on the road.
The GTS is more of a road car for me also, but still want to that track esq feel to it, if its solely for track I would use a race car, even road track cars are too compromised I find. Like i said I'll see how it is on track regarding the diff no doubt more noticeable. Yup i have had Quaife/Kaaz diff's to my FWD road & race cars but just don't feel like the Boxster needs it. I was thinking of doing get the Boxster on track next year often, testing a Radical SR3 RSX at Silverstone so will probably be put off taking the GTS on track and want an SR3.
I've used RC5 pads also, loved them combined with good heat treated discs and SRF for 40 minute stints and no fade. GTS gave me fade around the NC500 so I would expect to get fade on track, seen Pagid do their RS range for the GTS. I did have a look for CL pads but couldn't find anything.
Twinfan said:
testdrive_tv said:
PDK is drivers spec by your definition then.
Touche....
Suspension / Chassis, Brakes, Buckets seats, etc all give that more focused ride on the road but the track would be a common place for them. If i was in it for the lap times yes PDK for sure.
I have PDK and PASM and find it superb for my weekend blasts.
For that 1% where I can, manual and X73 would be better.
My next car will be one of GTS with manual/X73, GT4 or F90 M5 Competition.
I saw a GT4 this morning, out doing what I was doing in my GTS.....my wife thought the spoiler looked quite chav!!!
For that 1% where I can, manual and X73 would be better.
My next car will be one of GTS with manual/X73, GT4 or F90 M5 Competition.
I saw a GT4 this morning, out doing what I was doing in my GTS.....my wife thought the spoiler looked quite chav!!!
I'm not convinced that the X73 passive suspension is a "better" option in any circumstance. It's fixed rate and lower, so predictably the same at all times, but it can't adjust to road surfaces to increase grip or driving style to firm up or increase comfort.
It's just different IMHO.
It's just different IMHO.
Edited by Twinfan on Wednesday 24th October 21:26
When touring the west coast of Scotland recently I had the opportunity to drive my car (PASM) back to back with a standard chassis car both on 20s and p zeros.
The standard car was good enough but pasm was better on those surfaces, more settled for sure. If x73 is akin to pasm in sport it wouldn't be ideal on the roads I enjoy which are local to me. I would like to try a car with it fitted to feel what the thicker AR bars are like before discounting it as it also looks great on the 981.
The standard car was good enough but pasm was better on those surfaces, more settled for sure. If x73 is akin to pasm in sport it wouldn't be ideal on the roads I enjoy which are local to me. I would like to try a car with it fitted to feel what the thicker AR bars are like before discounting it as it also looks great on the 981.
testdrive_tv said:
Where on the nc500 did you manage to fade your brakes Jay, was your pedal stuck down because of the heater issue?
I'm not sure where mate, I was following the leader and part of a 9 car group. We are going back up next year, doing about 1000 miles, 570S, V12V, DBS, R8 V10 P, all much faster cars so I have to work hard as these buggers can drive. But its loads of fun and the X73 was great, only on a few bits did it feel too harsh. A GT4 in the group was more compliant in a really bad section for road. NC500 is the best road trip in Europe imo. In fairness to JK I had brake fade once driving through the Peak District and that was at low speeds mainly due to the hills and steep descents (yes I am aware of engine braking.) Now I know 911R sets brakes alight for his own amusement but that was f
king scary.
Damn shame about the Evo- those roads look superb and it was still on my to do list..
king scary.Damn shame about the Evo- those roads look superb and it was still on my to do list..
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 25th October 17:35
TBKBABAB said:
This seems to have gone somewhat off topic from my original post and reminds me why I don’t often post on social media/forums.
But thanks to those who did give some useful replies.
I don’t blame you - unfortunately moderation is non existent on PH. But getting back on topic, I would have thought you would have more chance finding an ideal spec car with a Boxster S rather than a GTS simply because there are many more around. If I recall correctly there were less than 400 GTS imported and the vast majority were PDKBut thanks to those who did give some useful replies.
Edited by TBKBABAB on Thursday 25th October 18:39
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