Boxster 4.0 GTS: anyone regret speccing- 20mm?

[Boxsterjon]

I suspect it will be a few months until I get to freeze the spec for my Boxster 4.0 but the biggest decision will be whether to go -10 or -20 on the suspension. I will use the car on the track four or five times a year but mainly for road trips (not a daily driver).

Ideally I would prefer - 20 but I had a really bad experience with a Z4 with really harsh suspension which gave me backache, something I’ve never suffered from before or since. I had to get rid of it after 6 months but that wouldn’t be an option with the Boxster.

I completely understand that S-PASM is way better than what I had on my Z4 but my risk averse attitude says go for -10 to avoid any possibility of a costly and heart (or back!) breaking mistake.

It seems that owners have been very happy with whichever option they have selected (and I guess we all like to believe we have made the right choice).

But is there anyone out there who regrets speccing -20mm suspension because it has been too firm? Or anyone in the -10 camp who secretly wishes they’d gone for -20?

Go on, be honest - this is a big decision!!

[Slippydiff]

Highly subjective. But if it is that important to you, I’d suggest you ask your dealer for a test drive in -20 spec car, either a used example or a demo. Failing that, ask on here if someone would be kind enough to take you out in their similarly equipped car.

[Haribo Lecter]

Slippydiff said:

Highly subjective. But if it is that important to you, I’d suggest you ask your dealer for a test drive in -20 spec car, either a used example or a demo. Failing that, ask on here if someone would be kind enough to take you out in their similarly equipped car.

Agreed, try it before you buy it. Im sure the dealer can sort something.

[OPOGTS]

Cayman rather than boxster but I spec’d the 10mm for worry of firmness.

I’m glad I did as I find the 718 firmer than my previous 981 GTS and borderline of what’s acceptable for me for everyday use.

But per above, everybody’s different and there are plenty of people who think the opposite!

[Boxsterjon]

OPOGTS said:

Cayman rather than boxster but I spec’d the 10mm for worry of firmness.

I’m glad I did as I find the 718 firmer than my previous 981 GTS and borderline of what’s acceptable for me for everyday use.

But per above, everybody’s different and there are plenty of people who think the opposite!

Interesting. I currently drive a 981 GTS and for me, the ride is perfect, even in Sport.

[bcr5784]

Boxsterjon said:

Interesting. I currently drive a 981 GTS and for me, the ride is perfect, even in Sport.

As I understand it Porsche deliberately made the suspension stiffer on 718 than the 981. Not sure why, I thought they got it just right on the 981 with PASM (-10mm) - great low speed ride in Normal, Sport perfectly useable on decent roads. Ground clearance well judged too - just (but only just) enough not to be a pain over speed humps and the like. So as has been said try before you buy would be a good idea.

[Fnumber1user]

Non issue IMHO - factory spec is -20 and its only stiff if you select sports on suspension button. YMMV.

[Shiverman]

Boxsterjon said:

I suspect it will be a few months until I get to freeze the spec for my Boxster 4.0 but the biggest decision will be whether to go -10 or -20 on the suspension. I will use the car on the track four or five times a year but mainly for road trips (not a daily driver).

Ideally I would prefer - 20 but I had a really bad experience with a Z4 with really harsh suspension which gave me backache, something I’ve never suffered from before or since. I had to get rid of it after 6 months but that wouldn’t be an option with the Boxster.

I completely understand that S-PASM is way better than what I had on my Z4 but my risk averse attitude says go for -10 to avoid any possibility of a costly and heart (or back!) breaking mistake.

It seems that owners have been very happy with whichever option they have selected (and I guess we all like to believe we have made the right choice).

But is there anyone out there who regrets speccing -20mm suspension because it has been too firm? Or anyone in the -10 camp who secretly wishes they’d gone for -20?

Go on, be honest - this is a big decision!!

Where do you live John - as Slippy said maybe someone can give you a passenger ride?

Personally I’ve liked the PASM -20 on 911’s but haven’t tried it on the 718. I didn’t like the X71 on the 981 GTS though. Felt more harsh and crashy

I’ve got a 718 Spyder that is firm but still pretty compliant and not harsh so I think you’d be happy with -20

I have a 718 with -20 arriving in the next week so if you’re not too far away, I’d happily give you the passenger experience to help with your decision.

[130R]

I have no issues with -20 and would spec it again. It's a very small difference compared to -10

[Boxsterjon]

Thanks for the advice so far.

I live near Birmingham so if there is anyone within an hour’s drive with - 20 who would be happy to take me for a spin, I would gratefully take you up on it.

[CardiffTam]

I stuck with -20 on my CGTS 4.0 and for me the ride is fine. Did a 1000 mile trip around the Lakes in the summer and no aches, pains or grounding. Just back from a 500 mile trip to Cornwall and again all fine.

[Shiverman]

Boxsterjon said:

Thanks for the advice so far.

I live near Birmingham so if there is anyone within an hour’s drive with - 20 who would be happy to take me for a spin, I would gratefully take you up on it.

I’m about an hour south of Birmingham.

[nick28]

We had a 981 GTS for 4 years and now have the 718 4.0 GTS - both with the standard -20mm suspension.

Didn't even enter my head to spec it otherwise. Its nigh on perfect.

I've had a number of GT Porsches (RS/GT3 & GT4) at the same time to compare against - all were definitely firmer

[Porsche guy]

nick28 said:

We had a 981 GTS for 4 years and now have the 718 4.0 GTS - both with the standard -20mm suspension.

Didn't even enter my head to spec it otherwise. Its nigh on perfect.

I've had a number of GT Porsches (RS/GT3 & GT4) at the same time to compare against - all were definitely firmer

Not sure I'd attest to that comment, I use my 718 GT4 as a daily, and it's far easier to live with than a .2 RS.

I'd certainly spec -20mm if I were in the market for a GTS

Edited by Porsche guy on Saturday 6th November 14:02

[L.Len]

I’ve got -20 on my 25 edition boxster and it’s perfect imo. I’m 20mile south of Brum

[nick28]

Porsche guy said:

nick28 said:

We had a 981 GTS for 4 years and now have the 718 4.0 GTS - both with the standard -20mm suspension.

Didn't even enter my head to spec it otherwise. Its nigh on perfect.

I've had a number of GT Porsches (RS/GT3 & GT4) at the same time to compare against - all were definitely firmer

Not sure I'd attest to that comment, I use my 718 GT4 as a daily, and it's far easier to live with than a .2 RS.

I'd certainly spec -20mm if I were in the market for a GTS

Edited by Porsche guy on Saturday 6th November 14:02

? My comment was that (all) the GT cars were firmer than the GTS - and I also ran a couple of them as a daily

[Stunters]

I'm another one with -20mm on a GTS 4.0 (mine is a Cayman) and I find it fine on the road, both in spirited weekend use and daily urban use. The damping, in particular, is excellent. The ride is a tiny bit firm on a very undulating B-roads but its way better than the 981 GT4 that I sold to buy the GTS.

I did have a 987.1 Cayman S with PASM (-10mm) on 18"s for many years and the ride on that was lovely, but the GTS 4.0 is a more serious proposition. I drove the -20mm demonstrator on two separate occasions for about 2.5 hours in total but there wasn't an opportunity to drive a GTS with -10mm.

Given that you will be taking it on track occasionally I would definitely spec -20mm in your position.

[NS13]

Had my GTS Boxster for 18 months with 7000 miles mixed between touring in Scotland and Europe and use as a day to day. -20mm isn’t an issue on road at all unless you stiffen suspension via PASM when it is a bit harsh. I have a Gt3RS gen 2 from new which I adore and the Boxster is a fantastic daily and very useable. -20 is fine unless you live in a city with liars is speed bumps. You’ll hear loads about gearing but the reality is the 4.0 is so torquey that unless you want to recline in every gear it isn’t really an issue.

[NS13]

Redline rather than recline.

[Wollemi]

I’ve done 10,300 miles in my BGTS4.0 and never once thought to regret having the -20mm.
The ride is uncannily good, probably one of the most remarkable features of the car is how good the ride is and yet still has such control and flat handling.
(My previous Porsche was a 987.2S with standard passive suspension and the GTS4.0 is like a luxury saloon for ride comfort compared the that car)

I recently did 1500 miles in a 718S with standard passive suspension and the ride comfort in that car was significantly and noticeably worse than my car, despite my car having much sharper handling.

I honestly don’t see what the point of the -10mm option is. Perhaps just for Americans who want a bit of wallow for Boulevard cruising?

Even if you were not taking the car on track, the -20mm option is spot on.
Porsche engineers have got this one just right.