Porsche 718 Cayman2019 - sports button vs sports chrono pac
Discussion
hi
im a bit confused with this sport button option with no chrono package. im considering buying a cayman 718 with no sports chrono package, but told it does have a sports button with sports tail pipes. What difference will I see with the sports button, the sound? or will there be other differences like difference in acceleration for example?
Also because it has sports tail pipes, does this mean its a Porsche sports exhaust (PSE) or is that completely different?
I really cant decide if to go for this, or a cayman with sports exhaust and tail pipes + chrono package. The engine sound is quite important to me and if there are better improvements over base cayman compared to above options then I will be influenced by them. Im basically after that muffled/popping sound.
Acceleration boost would also be a plus.
Finally, is the sports chrono package only beneficial with PDK?
thanks
im a bit confused with this sport button option with no chrono package. im considering buying a cayman 718 with no sports chrono package, but told it does have a sports button with sports tail pipes. What difference will I see with the sports button, the sound? or will there be other differences like difference in acceleration for example?
Also because it has sports tail pipes, does this mean its a Porsche sports exhaust (PSE) or is that completely different?
I really cant decide if to go for this, or a cayman with sports exhaust and tail pipes + chrono package. The engine sound is quite important to me and if there are better improvements over base cayman compared to above options then I will be influenced by them. Im basically after that muffled/popping sound.
Acceleration boost would also be a plus.
Finally, is the sports chrono package only beneficial with PDK?
thanks
Edited by dev2017 on Sunday 16th March 13:56
I wont be tracking it, so is it worth the sports chrono pack? I just need to find out if its a full PSE and not just the tail pipes. I checked the optional extras from the dealer and it only talks about tail pipes, but the advert refers to "switchable sports exhaust". So bit confused and not getting clear answers.
another option is a GTS, this has PSE and chrono pack, but its a manual. Will I get full benefits using a manual over a PDk??
another option is a GTS, this has PSE and chrono pack, but its a manual. Will I get full benefits using a manual over a PDk??
dev2017 said:
I wont be tracking it, so is it worth the sports chrono pack? I just need to find out if its a full PSE and not just the tail pipes. I checked the optional extras from the dealer and it only talks about tail pipes, but the advert refers to "switchable sports exhaust". So bit confused and not getting clear answers.
another option is a GTS, this has PSE and chrono pack, but its a manual. Will I get full benefits using a manual over a PDk??
If it has the PSE then there will be a button on the centre console to open/close it.another option is a GTS, this has PSE and chrono pack, but its a manual. Will I get full benefits using a manual over a PDk??
This assumes it's PSE and not an aftermarket one.
Sport tailpipes as has been mentioned just changes the look of the car. I don't believe it is even possible to get a PSE without the sport tailpipes, but it is possible to option the sport tailpipes without the PSE.
Simple answer - check the interior photos for the button and/or clarify with the selling party.
Sport Chrono - not really necessary. It is possible as an aftermarket option although the option from the factory includes the clock in the centre of the dashboard
Not sure what you mean by 'will I get the full benefits of a manual over PDK', the integration & working of the PSE is the same no matter which transmission it's optioned with
Manual over a PDK...
Each to their own.
Manual for a fun car, PDK for a daily driver most say.
PDK is quicker on a track but some say not as involving.
PDK can be driven as a manual either via the stick or flappy paddles, but you can't go from 5th to 2nd although PDK changes are lightning fast.
You MUST try both then decide.
NB. The centre console PSE button shows a twin tailpipe logo.
Each to their own.
Manual for a fun car, PDK for a daily driver most say.
PDK is quicker on a track but some say not as involving.
PDK can be driven as a manual either via the stick or flappy paddles, but you can't go from 5th to 2nd although PDK changes are lightning fast.
You MUST try both then decide.
NB. The centre console PSE button shows a twin tailpipe logo.
thanks for the information.
with regard to what I said about would I lose any benefits using manual, I meant using with Sports chrono pack and not PSE. I believe its more tailored for PDK?
re the sports button, ive attached it, and a link to the car

thanks
https://www.auto100.co.uk/vehicle-details/porsche/...
with regard to what I said about would I lose any benefits using manual, I meant using with Sports chrono pack and not PSE. I believe its more tailored for PDK?
re the sports button, ive attached it, and a link to the car
thanks
https://www.auto100.co.uk/vehicle-details/porsche/...
Edited by dev2017 on Sunday 16th March 18:42
I have a Cayman GTS (PDK gearbox) and highly recommend Porsche sports exhaust and sports chrono:
Exhaust (there should be a button) = better sound.
Sports chrono (there should be a sports plus button) = with a PDK gearbox, crazy gear changes and holds the car in the power band so good. I haven’t tracked mine yet and I use the sport plus button when I want to get silly. Combined with the sports exhaust, it’ll add legit crackles and grumbling on the downshifts etc.
The regular sports button is somewhat inbetween. I use that just for normal driving because I find the car too lazy without any buttons activated. And these are meant to be driven
The big debate is manual or PDK gearbox. If I really want to go fast, the PDK in full auto is unbeatable because you can just focus on steering and speed but obviously this removes some driver involvement letting the car change for you.
Exhaust (there should be a button) = better sound.
Sports chrono (there should be a sports plus button) = with a PDK gearbox, crazy gear changes and holds the car in the power band so good. I haven’t tracked mine yet and I use the sport plus button when I want to get silly. Combined with the sports exhaust, it’ll add legit crackles and grumbling on the downshifts etc.
The regular sports button is somewhat inbetween. I use that just for normal driving because I find the car too lazy without any buttons activated. And these are meant to be driven

The big debate is manual or PDK gearbox. If I really want to go fast, the PDK in full auto is unbeatable because you can just focus on steering and speed but obviously this removes some driver involvement letting the car change for you.
Edited by Prohibiting on Sunday 16th March 18:50
dev2017 said:
im a bit confused with this sport button option with no chrono package...
What difference will I see with the sports button, the sound? or will there be other differences like difference in acceleration for example?
The engine sound is quite important to me and if there are better improvements over base cayman compared to above options then I will be influenced by them.
Im basically after that muffled/popping sound.
Acceleration boost would also be a plus.
Finally, is the sports chrono package only beneficial with PDK?
The table published above by Johnson (from the owners manual) is very useful to understand the nuances between drive modes in the 718.What difference will I see with the sports button, the sound? or will there be other differences like difference in acceleration for example?
The engine sound is quite important to me and if there are better improvements over base cayman compared to above options then I will be influenced by them.
Im basically after that muffled/popping sound.
Acceleration boost would also be a plus.
Finally, is the sports chrono package only beneficial with PDK?
Edited by dev2017 on Sunday 16th March 13:56
In terms of sound, even without PSE, putting the 718 into Sport driving mode significantly alters the exhaust sound. It becomes more vocal (even when cruising), has obvious pops and crackles on overrun, this being the Backfire element mentioned in the above table.
Sport drive mode also raises the rev limit, engages the Soundacktor (cabin mounted artificial sound - note that my comments re exhaust sound above are based on a 718S with the Soundacktor fuse removed), makes the throttle more responsive, gives a blip on downshifting (at least it does on my PDK equipped Boxster...).
Sports Plus driving mode (that having the Sports Chrono package brings) adds PADM (Dynamic engine mounts - somewhat maligned due to some failures) which vary their stiffness for better NVH isolation and also better control of the engine / transmission mass under high loads. It also further increases throttle response, and if I under correctly there is a system akin to anti-lag to further minimise turbocharger lag when coming off-on throttle.
Hope this helps.
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