CT custom order - group wisdom requested

[UKPerson]

Hello all - first post.

Looking to buy a CT Turbo. I've been reading everything I can in the forum and I've narrowed things down to the following spec: https://configurator.porsche.com/porsche-code/PRYBNSH5

I'm thinking Innodrive might not be worth it (I don't recall seeing a positive comment on the forum). I'm not sure if the Racetex B pillar will go with the interior. (Can't really tell on the configurator). I've specced the Olea leather but I'm not actually sure what benefits it provides. I also really like the look of the Two-tone Smooth, Black/Chalk Beige (Limestone in the US?). I don't know if I need the 22kW charger.

I'm looking for something very sporty but luxurious as well. I would probably keep the car for 5 years or more. I've had my Audi A8 (fabulous car) for 12 years ?.

I've not owned a Porsche before and I've never specced a new car - just bought from what's in stock. So any comments / suggestions very much appreciated!

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[DougFrisk]

As long as you have Adaptive Cruise Control you can purchase or get a trial of Innodrive through feature on demand. If you're uncertain, leave it off the order and try before you buy.

Dashcam prewiring is something I'd not order again. We installed a Fitcamx dashcam which is significantly less conspicuous and higher quality than the OEM camera.

22 KW, is something I'd avoid in the US, not certain about the UK. It depends a bit on if you have public chargers that can put out 22 KW. While you do need a charger at home, the 22 KW one is pointless apart from bragging rights. I have an 11 KW EVSE which could charge the car from zero to 100% in eight or so hours, but the reality of home charging is that we plug in every night and rarely add more than 10 KWh in a day.

 

[UKPerson]

Thank you - great call on the Innodrive. I'll definitely delete that and just spec the ACC.

For the dash cam prewiring, it's a zero cost option in UK. If you go for it, does it prevent / make more difficult adding another company's dash cam?

At the moment I don't know if I have a need for 22kW. I have a home charger that charges at 7kW ish. Are there a lot of public chargers where 22kW would make a difference?

Can anyone advise on whether upgraded leather spec is worthwhile?

 

[Jonathan S.]

My used 4CT has the Olea leather. Which is perfectly fine, but nothing special. If I didn't know, I would have thought it was just some sort of standard leather interior. Perhaps a bit softer somehow than the leather on my Audi A6 Allroad?
(IIRC, the used 4CT I test drove had the standard leather. But without an immediate compare/contrast between the two builds, I don't notice any differences.)

Your UK compatriots (and note that your user profile has the Canadian flag, which might not alert others as to your location if they skip over London, since the colored flag is more eye-catching) can fill you in the availability of 22kW public chargers.
The cost to install one at home is usually pointless. (Or is this going to be on the street given the expensive car cover?)
As others have noted, in the U.S. these are almost nonexistent.
(Even though in theory they could be useful, i.e., public chargers that cost far less than DCFC to install yet could provide a helpful charge at locations where drivers will be lingering for a couple hours for other reasons that would result in almost nothing from a typical public L2.)

Innodrive, as others have noted, you can get a trial subscription (three months free in U.S., I don't know about UK), use it for several minutes, then decide it's mainly harmful, and discontinue your trial.

Things you didn't ask about specifically but I'll comment on anyway (since that's the way these threads always work):

• Offroad Design Package = at best harmless and at worst a useful crumb catcher (my used CT has it, and seems totally pointless)
• Panoramic Roof with Variable Light Control = this was a "maybe" on my ideal spec but the consensus seems to be that it's main purpose is just another thing to go wrong
• HUD = really, no interest? (come on, give it a try!)
• Comfort Access = having the door handles extend is just so cool, like the car is happy to see me, plus the kick-to-open cargo hatch is actually super practical

 

[WuffvonTrips]

The RaceTex B-pillar just extends the standard RaceTex roof lining, so it'll look right whatever other interior choices you make.
Most options have minimal influence on resale values, so a Turbo with £25k of options has potential for a big depreciation hit.

 

[RAHRCR]

My advice is to buy used…especially if you plan to keep for 5 years. A first gen (2024) Taycan in 2029-ish will be very dated. In general, I would find it hard to justify spending premium money on the first gen from this point forward. These are great cars (no doubt) but harder to justify as the years tick by on the current gen….we are now at year 5.

 

[UKPerson]

My used 4CT has the Olea leather. Which is perfectly fine, but nothing special. If I didn't know, I would have thought it was just some sort of standard leather interior. Perhaps a bit softer somehow than the leather on my Audi A6 Allroad?

Your UK compatriots (and note that your user profile has the Canadian flag, which might not alert others as to your location if they skip over London, since the colored flag is more eye-catching) can fill you in the availability of 22kW public chargers.

The cost to install one at home is usually pointless. (Or is this going to be on the street given the expensive car cover?)

Things you didn't ask about specifically but I'll comment on anyway (since that's the way these threads always work):

• Offroad Design Package = at best harmless and at worst a useful crumb catcher (my used CT has it, and seems totally pointless)
• Panoramic Roof with Variable Light Control = this was a "maybe" on my ideal spec but the consensus seems to be that it's main purpose is just another thing to go wrong
• HUD = really, no interest? (come on, give it a try!)
• Comfort Access = having the door handles extend is just so cool, like the car is happy to see me, plus the kick-to-open cargo hatch is actually super practical

---

Thanks for detailed feedback and thoughts ?

Interesting you don't recall anything special about the Olea. Unless others chime in with more positive comments, I might drop and go for the 2 tone.

I'm currently in Canada staying with my in laws. But normally live in London. Canadian flag was automatic. Not sure how to change it.

Car will be on the driveway. I have the 7. something charger in any case. So maybe 22kW is an unnecessary (and expensive) option.

Re Offroad design package - it adds ride height option. Does this offer any benefit? Reason I want to go for CT over ST is that I want the most comfortable ride and I've heard that CT is the best riding variant.

Pano with VLC - I love the thought of this. Not sure if it's worth it. Definitely a nice to have toy rather than essential. Anyone have any thoughts on what value this will add?

HUD. On forum I've read that it adds an unattractive plastic housing and only duplicates the info directly beneath. So I figured not worth it. Open to reconsidering if it adds value.

Comfort access - I was concerned about security. A lot of Range Rover thefts in London because of remote key. I thought this would reduce theft risk. (Probably wouldn't reduce insurance costs though). Again, open to reconsidering on this.

 

[UKPerson]

The RaceTex B-pillar just extends the standard RaceTex roof lining, so it'll look right whatever other interior choices you make.
Most options have minimal influence on resale values, so a Turbo with £25k of options has potential for a big depreciation hit.

Thanks - good to know on RaceTex.

Yes, I appreciate the options won't help too much with resale. I'd be hoping for a good deal given the current situation / large amount of stock at dealerships / facelift model on the way, (but whether this is possible on a new order I don't yet know). It will be a company purchase which does sweeten things quite a bit.

By the way, if you do a custom order, do they upgrade the model year depending on delivery date? I was reading something that suggested this might be the case (and that certain options may become unavailable) but I can't remember where. So, if I made a custom order next week, and the facelift comes out in a couple of months, would I be ordering the old MY or the facelift? I'm guessing the old...

 

[UKPerson]

My advice is to buy used…especially if you plan to keep for 5 years. A first gen (2024) Taycan in 2029-ish will be very dated. In general, I would find it hard to justify spending premium money on the first gen from this point forward. These are great cars (no doubt) but harder to justify as the years tick by on the current gen….we are now at year 5.

As it's a company purchase I believe I have to buy new in order to get the (substantial) tax benefits. If I could find a similar spec I'd be delighted to buy something they have in stock. I'm sure I'd get a great deal that way too. But it looks to be impossible to find cars without privacy glass, electric charge cover and on 20 inch wheels, as well as having a good chunk of the options I'd ideally like. I would compromise on some items but I"ve yet to find something that I'm happy enough with.

This is the closest I've seen:

https://finder.porsche.com/gb/en-GB...parkassist-incl-surround-view&order=price_asc

It's a 4S rather than a turbo. Has privacy and electric charge cover, plus 21 inch wheels.

 

[agurkas]

I feel really good that my CT has all the charging options. I didn't think it would make the difference, but having the freedom and ability to charge faster is worth it.
HUD - initially, I did not want it. But then I saw how to customize it, and now I rarely look at the dashboard. It's a very useful feature.
InnoDrive - my window sticker does not have it listed... but somehow, the build sheet does. I did not pay for it, but looks like I have it. I used it. It is worthless. PilotAssist2 in my Volvo is much better.
Variable Light Control on Sunroof - I don't see how it is worth anything. Also, what sun in UK you will need to block? (sorry, I had to . In AZ, if you have money to burn, maybe.
Offroad package - I don't think it is worth putting on.
Massage seats - just not that good. The Porsche ones felt like the Volvo ones I have. You use 1st month or so, but then the novelty wears off.
Get heated back seats. I did not get that, and my daughters are already complaining because we have it in Volvo.

Lately, I have not been a fan of RaceTex (be it seats or trim) or anything but base leather interior. I care about durability. I don't want to see my seats wrinkling, creasing, etc.

 

[UKPerson]

I feel really good that my CT has all the charging options. I didn't think it would make the difference, but having the freedom and ability to charge faster is worth it.
HUD - initially, I did not want it. But then I saw how to customize it, and now I rarely look at the dashboard. It's a very useful feature.
InnoDrive - my window sticker does not have it listed... but somehow, the build sheet does. I did not pay for it, but looks like I have it. I used it. It is worthless. PilotAssist2 in my Volvo is much better.
Variable Light Control on Sunroof - I don't see how it is worth anything. Also, what sun in UK you will need to block? (sorry, I had to . In AZ, if you have money to burn, maybe.
Offroad package - I don't think it is worth putting on.
Massage seats - just not that good. The Porsche ones felt like the Volvo ones I have. You use 1st month or so, but then the novelty wears off.
Get heated back seats. I did not get that, and my daughters are already complaining because we have it in Volvo.

Lately, I have not been a fan of RaceTex (be it seats or trim) or anything but base leather interior. I care about durability. I don't want to see my seats wrinkling, creasing, etc.

Thanks for the feedback - really appreciate it!

I do like the thought of having all the charging options but it's quite expensive. I'll check whether there is much in the way of 22kW charging in the UK. If it's not common, I'll delete it.

HUD. That's interesting. I'll definitely take a look at this. What info can you configure it to display?

Innodrive - yes, will drop this.

VLC sunroof. Well... perhaps the UK isn't the sunniest of all places! ? Anyone got anything positive to say about this option?

Offroad package - any benefits at all? Does the extra height help with the comfort of the ride?

Massage - this is for my wife. I don't care at all but she would really enjoy them.

Heated back seats - standard on UK cars.

RaceTex - do you think you need the B pillar covered? Watched a review where the materials used were complained about. There is also an option to use the same seat leather to cover them.

 

[agurkas]

Thanks for the feedback - really appreciate it!

I do like the thought of having all the charging options but it's quite expensive. I'll check whether there is much in the way of 22kW charging in the UK. If it's not common, I'll delete it.

HUD. That's interesting. I'll definitely take a look at this. What info can you configure it to display?

Innodrive - yes, will drop this.

VLC sunroof. Well... perhaps the UK isn't the sunniest of all places! ? Anyone got anything positive to say about this option?

Offroad package - any benefits at all? Does the extra height help with the comfort of the ride?

Massage - this is for my wife. I don't care at all but she would really enjoy them.

Heated back seats - standard on UK cars.

RaceTex - do you think you need the B pillar covered? Watched a review where the materials used were complained about. There is also an option to use the same seat leather to cover them.

Re. charging options being expensive... you are about to select VLC you barely if ever will use. Skip VLC, and get all the charging options. It is about being able to charge the fastest available way anywhere you charge. I would not have ordered US 19.2kW version... but it came with the car and to my pleasant surprise, some of the places I park, I can utilize that at full capacity. Nice... especially since those are free charging spots.

HUD - I have speed, ACC, etc info on the left side and navigation on the right side. Love it!

Massage - have your wife actually sit in a demo car for 5 minutes with it on. When I got the Volvo with it, it was just part of the package. I thought my wife would love it... she tried it 3 times and, in what is now 4 years, never used it again. Most of those massage functions are just too rough and monotonous.

Offroad package - from what I understood - just a bunch of plastic bits and Gravel mode height as default. You can get to ground clearance by selecting Gravel mode in a standard CT. There is a very good post somewhere here with a graphic comparing ground clearance between modes in ST vs CT.

Heated back seats! Fronts are standard. Are back ones standard too?

Oh, you know what else I skipped - 4-zone climate. I have kids. Touchscreen controls for vents in the back - bad idea. Physical buttons any day, every day. Same for the ability to move vents manually.

 

[WasserGKuehlt]

The offroad plastic package does not bring additional clearance; it defaults to a higher setting than standard to compensate for the clearance lost to the extra plastic cladding.

HUD, like RAS, is one of those sharply dividing features, so I would recommend experiencing it yourself rather than relying on opinions of anonymous interneters.

Racetex on lower B pillar: I’ll say that unadorned plastic in the Taycan is one of the underwhelming aspects of its interior. It’s a hard, easily-scratched slab, particularly ill-fitting at the base of the pillar. If you don’t mind the extra expense, and if you are particular about the feel and look of obscure panels, go for it.

The base leather interior is perfectly fine for me; I do believe, though, that Porsche is not synonymous with luxury (and am aware not many share that view). The only problem, as far as i can see, is that you have to be careful cleaning/treating the leather where it adjoins a textile surface; the latter could become stained, and difficult to clean.

 

[WuffvonTrips]

By the way, if you do a custom order, do they upgrade the model year depending on delivery date? I was reading something that suggested this might be the case (and that certain options may become unavailable) but I can't remember where. So, if I made a custom order next week, and the facelift comes out in a couple of months, would I be ordering the old MY or the facelift? I'm guessing the old...

The way that I think it works in the UK is that orders can usually be placed with dealers at any time (even for new models that have yet to be officially announced)- on payment of a deposit- but until the dealer has been allocated a build slot that can be filled with the order, the contract with the customer isn't tied to a particular model year or price structure, they will align with that of the build slot when it is confirmed.

 

[agurkas]

The offroad plastic package does not bring additional clearance; it defaults to a higher setting than standard to compensate for the clearance lost to the extra plastic cladding.

HUD, like RAS, is one of those sharply dividing features, so I would recommend experiencing it yourself rather than relying on opinions of anonymous interneters.

Racetex on lower B pillar: I’ll say that unadorned plastic in the Taycan is one of the underwhelming aspects of its interior. It’s a hard, easily-scratched slab, particularly ill-fitting at the base of the pillar. If you don’t mind the extra expense, and if you are particular about the feel and look of obscure panels, go for it.

The base leather interior is perfectly fine for me; I do believe, though, that Porsche is not synonymous with luxury (and am aware not many share that view). The only problem, as far as i can see, is that you have to be careful cleaning/treating the leather where it adjoins a textile surface; the latter could become stained, and difficult to clean.

Why did I just read your answer in a most posh Londoner accent...

HUD... I would like you to try one on BMW and Volvo (I can only speak to what I have used), Porsche one really surprised me.

That said, I really REALLY like base leather on Porsches. I hate the paint quality (just too soft) but their most basic leather just lasts. But something about having two kids and wanting your cars to no look beat up... I can't do RaceTex anything equivalent in other brands. Unless you go all black, even minor stains, dust, etc. is just too visible.

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