New Macan S vs GTS?

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Wolands Advocate

Original Poster:

2,493 posts

215 months

Friday 19th November 2021
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Having decided that a Macan is the only suitable replacement for my current car for a variety of reasons, I am now trying to decide between an S or a GTS as I gather from the dealer that once you put a deposit down you cannot change the spec until it goes to build but not the version.

I suspect you will all tell me that the answer is obvious - get the GTS...but being new to the world of Porsche bear with me!

I've had the PCP numbers run for me on an S and a GTS specced to my liking (which comes to about £67k on an S and £74k on a GTS) and they are practically identical thanks to the anticipated higher residuals on the GTS version.

I'm pretty sure the S (subject to adding sports exhaust, sports chrono and air) is all the car I need, having tried the old 385bhp GTS (basically same engine as new S) and the old 400bhp Turbo, plus I maybe the only one but I don't much like the black plastic front of the GTS or the fully clear rear lights on the GTS.

But equally it seems financially more sensible for once to get the more expensive car - ie a relatively lightly optioned GTS rather a kitchen-sink S. Plus on the basis of this possibly being the last combustion-engined new car I get to buy, the devil on my shoulder is saying go for the full monty version...

Thoughts?

Edited by Wolands Advocate on Saturday 20th November 11:26

Wolands Advocate

Original Poster:

2,493 posts

215 months

Friday 19th November 2021
quotequote all
Air on the S is a given - my father has a 2020 Macan S and his one bit of key advice was that the air suspension is a must (his has it). On the GTS, I’d go for the option that allows you to go for the “normal” air without the GTS- specific ride height drop.

Wolands Advocate

Original Poster:

2,493 posts

215 months

Sunday 21st November 2021
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tyrrell said:
If buying on PCP it’s a no brainier to go for the GTS as the GFV is so much higher, usually the S is around £60 a month cheaper than a GTS, then look at all the spec you get as standard with GTS and for me the £60 a month more is worth it, both great cars.
This is my thought. Also if I am to be tempted out of my current car (and spend knocking on for double what my current one cost) then perhaps it needs 440bhp and the sharper drive to get past my general SUV reservations…

Wolands Advocate

Original Poster:

2,493 posts

215 months

Sunday 21st November 2021
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Far Cough said:
When we were looking last year we did alot of research. The "S" seemed to be the sweet spot in the range with residuals and specc`ing one new to almost GTS levels. Yes the Turbo and GTS are marginally faster but it makes no difference with a dog on board who does not appreciate sporty driving !!!

There is a big difference with the front of the car with the GTS being more rounded. We preferred the normal look with the lower chin spoiler so plumped for a brand new S with air suspension and all the toys thumbup
How is the experience so far?

Wolands Advocate

Original Poster:

2,493 posts

215 months

Sunday 21st November 2021
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I was told last week by two different dealers that lead times are the same for both models.

Wolands Advocate

Original Poster:

2,493 posts

215 months

Monday 22nd November 2021
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Audis5b9 said:
Thats interesting... which ones?

I spoke with Mid-Sussex, Tonbridge, Portsmouth & Guildford and all said mid 22 for an S and mid 23 for a GTS
Mayfair and Hatfield

Wolands Advocate

Original Poster:

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215 months

Friday 3rd December 2021
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I really like those alloys but Porsche seems to have removed them from the Configurator for the S, meaning you have to go for the GTS to get them.

Wolands Advocate

Original Poster:

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215 months

Monday 30th January 2023
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Just by way of holy thread revival, I ended up getting the GTS and took delivery on Saturday. Was a year from order to delivery, and fortunately I got a finance quotation at the time of ordering, so they honoured an APR of 6.4%. At the time I thought that was daylight robbery, having paid 2.9% for my previous BMW - now it looks less obviously outrageous!

Anyway, haven't had a chance yet to drive the car further than back to my house, but it looks and sounds very good for an SUV (never darkened my driveway with an SUV before).

Wolands Advocate

Original Poster:

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215 months

Monday 30th January 2023
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elitedetailer said:
They drive amazing but they really do like to guzzle the fuel!
Yes, coming from six years in a BMW 440i which was astoundingly economical on a run given the level of performance on offer, I’m not looking forward to that aspect.

Wolands Advocate

Original Poster:

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215 months

Wednesday 1st February 2023
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And here it is on collection day. Very pleased with my choices. I think if I could change anything now I have it, it might be the brake callipers - think the red is a bit shouty - perhaps a more muted shade would have worked better, but it’s not a biggie.


Wolands Advocate

Original Poster:

2,493 posts

215 months

Thursday 2nd February 2023
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Thanks. I can tell my wife thinks it’s a bit “flash Harry” compare to my last car…

Wolands Advocate

Original Poster:

2,493 posts

215 months

Saturday 4th February 2023
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Being in my mid-40s, I can still cope…but yes for the first time I looked at them and thought “hmm”…

Wolands Advocate

Original Poster:

2,493 posts

215 months

Friday 10th March 2023
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Mark V GTD said:
Is there any love for the base model? I’m thinking about a white one with just a few extras.
I test-drove a Gen II Macan S, so 340bhp and no sports exhaust, and thought it was really rather dull. The performance felt adequately strong without ever feeling interesting, and I simply couldn't hear it, no matter what provocation you gave it. My wife would doubtless have thought it perfect.

I then tried a friend's Gen I GTS, so 355bhp and sports exhaust, and despite that being only a marginal difference in power, it just felt much more fun and interesting - it added all the snap, crackle and pop missing from the S I tried.

So I can only imagine that the base 2.0 is basically a posh run-around for Chelsea nannies.

Wolands Advocate

Original Poster:

2,493 posts

215 months

Saturday 18th March 2023
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mikey k said:
Yep surprising how little difference.
For me the handling differences would have pushed me to a GTS. But the green S I've landed has all the GTS suspension options so I'm happy.
I don't like the pedal in normal, but in sport or sport + it's mapped differently and works well. So Sport Chrono is a must as well as the PASM air suspension.
That car did look very nice. The right wheels and I would have loved a green one. However, buying new it meant going for PTS which cost £5.5k more than standard metallic, which I couldn’t justify.

Wolands Advocate

Original Poster:

2,493 posts

215 months

Sunday 2nd April 2023
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I went for the “normal” air on my GTS based on several reviews I read. I have no complaints so far about either the handling or the ride quality. Both seem excellent. Obviously it’s an SUV but despite 21” wheels it cushions London speed humps way better than my last car, which was a 4-series on 19s with adaptive suspension.