718 GT4/Spyder - Spec Regrets?

718 GT4/Spyder - Spec Regrets?

Author
Discussion

kmpowell

Original Poster:

3,143 posts

235 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
quotequote all
Just had word from my SA that my spec will permanently lock this coming Friday morning, first thing.

With that in mind, I was wondering if there's anybody here who ticked options(no matter how small and/or regardless of cost) which after using/seeing wished they hadn't bothered?

AND/OR, any options you didn't spec but after owning wished you had (again, regardless of size/cost)?

TIA

p.s. ignore PCCB in all of this smile

Edited by kmpowell on Wednesday 19th January 09:52

short-shift

342 posts

186 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
quotequote all
In terms of big-ticket items, I have the LWBs in my 718 Spyder which look stunning but, in all honesty, I think the 18-ways are a better fit with this car. More adjustability, can be heated, easier entry and egress.

Maybe if I had a GT4 I'd prefer the LWBs but I feel that the Sypder has a slightly different use-case (less track oriented?) that tips the balance in favour of the 18-ways for me. In either case, for me the LWBs are just too upright - and when you fit adjuster brackets, which tend to tip the seat back by a similar amount irrespective of which brand of adjuster, the seat then becomes too far reclined. Aargh...

You didn't want views on PCCBs so I won't mention that you'd be mad not to spec them, in my view.

James

Twinfan

10,125 posts

111 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
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Barring change of colour or trim choices I have virtually everything specced on my 718 GT4, the only exceptions were (and all in my personal opinion of course):
  • PCCBs - too expensive to replace, risk of damage, minimal dynamic benefit
  • BOSE - hardly use the stereo, not in-keeping with the GT car ethos
  • Homelink programmable garage door opener - not needed, car lives outside
  • Climate control panel in leather - rest of the panel is plastic, would stand out if done in leather
I would spec the car exactly the same again every day of the week and twice on Sundays, so no spec regerets here as I don't feel anything was pointless to spec. Omitting certain useful items e.g. buckets, auto wipers, climate etc is more likely to cause spec regret I guess?

Rojibo

1,746 posts

84 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
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Don’t forget the garage door opener. £250 well spent. I can’t live without it.

blackmamba

825 posts

243 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
quotequote all
short-shift said:
In terms of big-ticket items, I have the LWBs in my 718 Spyder which look stunning but, in all honesty, I think the 18-ways are a better fit with this car. More adjustability, can be heated, easier entry and egress.

Maybe if I had a GT4 I'd prefer the LWBs but I feel that the Sypder has a slightly different use-case (less track oriented?) that tips the balance in favour of the 18-ways for me. In either case, for me the LWBs are just too upright - and when you fit adjuster brackets, which tend to tip the seat back by a similar amount irrespective of which brand of adjuster, the seat then becomes too far reclined. Aargh...

You didn't want views on PCCBs so I won't mention that you'd be mad not to spec them, in my view.

James
On a GT3 but I wish I went for the headlight upgrade - I preferred the look of the standard lights but LEDs work better. On the seats, I think the buckets add massively to the experience of it being a special car and are a bit of a bargain (in the grand scheme of things).

gtsralph

1,230 posts

151 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
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Second time around I've ordered reversing camera which I really missed on the first and the GT3 that followed.

I always get best lights (LEDs are brilliant), LWBs are great (for me), cruise to keep my licence, and climate so my hot wife can be cool whereas Mr Cool (that's me) can be warmer..

981SPYGANG

426 posts

57 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
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I bought secondhand and fortunately have most options but would hate to be without Rear Camera and leather dash/extra Carbon. Love 918 seats but could easily live without ceramics………until it’s time to give it a clean!

981SPYGANG

426 posts

57 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
quotequote all
gtsralph said:
Second time around I've ordered reversing camera which I really missed on the first and the GT3 that followed.

I always get best lights (LEDs are brilliant), LWBs are great (for me), cruise to keep my licence, and climate so my hot wife can be cool whereas Mr Cool (that's me) can be warmer..
Ralph not questioning your wife being hot but I thought being hot/cold was a male/female thing with us males generally being hotter than our better halves?

Twinfan

10,125 posts

111 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
quotequote all
Rojibo said:
Don’t forget the garage door opener. £250 well spent. I can’t live without it.
Ain't that the truth hehe

DJMC

3,521 posts

110 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
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...whilst I'd never spec a car with auto wipers again, though most, unfortunately, have them as standard.

Rojibo

1,746 posts

84 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
quotequote all
Same. Mine doesn’t go out in the rain let alone winter so I went for the factory delete wipers. The weight saving is essential for chasing those lap times.

bigmowley

2,087 posts

183 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
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Plus 1 on the 18 way vs buckets on the Spyder. Heated seats are an absolute must in a convertible. Then once there pop the ISOfix on so that the grandchildren are allowed out with Pops in his noisy car.
GT4 must be buckets and clubsport.

The camera is bloody useful, it’s absolutely pants by modern standards but in a Spyder essential.

In a Spyder the Burmester is brilliant but in my experience the Bose is poor. So forget Bose in a GT4 and go the whole hog in a Spyder.

Climate, cruise, wipers, mirrors etc etc etc just tick all the boxes, robbers.

The interior is a personal choice, I had extended alacantara on the doors of my GT4 but that was a waste of money as you could only see it with the doors open. Leather dash and contrast stitching are probably a waste of money on a hard track used GT4 but the market seems to deem it essential. It is essential in a Spyder though as the interior is on display so much more of the time. A lot of the carbon bits seem very superfluous to me but it’s personal choice again.

Lights I always tick the best option so I’ve no idea what the standard ones are like. The LED ones are brilliant. I might as well give myself the best chance.

That’s it really

Oh as for PCCB, it’s a yes from me just because I hate cleaning brake dust off grubby wheels. Shallow I know.

It’s easy really.


SeaBox

89 posts

199 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
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Speccing my GT4 at the moment and it’s fascinating to read what people deem essential. For me the buckets are a non starter as they are too upright for me and therefore uncomfortable, I accept they look great though. A friend with a club sport was disappointed how the harness was cut though the carpet. PCCBs yes if loads of track work but not required on the road. I had them on my last Carrera S and can be a worry if they chip, pads are much more expensive. Dual zone climate essential otherwise you’ll be moving the temp up and down all the time. Get led lights the standard xenon are adequate but not great. Colour and interior is personal taste. Parking sensors yes but camera not needed and I find it a distraction and distorted image doesn’t really let you know how much space there is. Bose is better than the standard system but not essential. Auto wipers and mirrors useful, folding mirrors not really.

Rojibo

1,746 posts

84 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
quotequote all
If you’re gonna spec sofas might as well just buy the GTS.

Whilst there may be other opinions, they’re wrong.

gtsralph

1,230 posts

151 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
quotequote all
981SPYGANG said:
Ralph not questioning your wife being hot but I thought being hot/cold was a male/female thing with us males generally being hotter than our better halves?
We are hotter than our better halves, ?? I’ll not try that line

SeaBox

89 posts

199 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
quotequote all
Rojibo said:
If you’re gonna spec sofas might as well just buy the GTS.

Whilst there may be other opinions, they’re wrong.
Funny, I was just thinking the same thing

PGNSagaris

2,992 posts

173 months

Wednesday 19th January 2022
quotequote all
SeaBox said:
Rojibo said:
If you’re gonna spec sofas might as well just buy the GTS.

Whilst there may be other opinions, they’re wrong.
Funny, I was just thinking the same thing
Ha. Me too. I’d never buy a Spyder/GT4 without buckets.

Porsche guy

3,465 posts

234 months

Thursday 20th January 2022
quotequote all
Rojibo said:
Don’t forget the garage door opener. £250 well spent. I can’t live without it.
Why do you need it, doors are supplied with a small fob.



Porsche guy

3,465 posts

234 months

Thursday 20th January 2022
quotequote all
PGNSagaris said:
SeaBox said:
Rojibo said:
If you’re gonna spec sofas might as well just buy the GTS.

Whilst there may be other opinions, they’re wrong.
Funny, I was just thinking the same thing
Ha. Me too. I’d never buy a Spyder/GT4 without buckets.
+1

Rojibo

1,746 posts

84 months

Thursday 20th January 2022
quotequote all
Porsche guy said:
Why do you need it, doors are supplied with a small fob.

I was just being an arse. I specced it to find out that it’s old tech and won’t work with my garage door, or anything that uses rolling codes.

Yes I could fit an adapter to the garage door receiver but that would be making it less secure.