Deciding on CPO Taycan Options

[joefig44]

Note I'm in Canada (not the USA), so there's just less used Taycans to choose from here.

Looking at leasing a CPO Taycan 4S (or GTS) and some of the available vehicles have varying options I'd like to find out if are worth it if I'm never going to track the car and basically just use it as a daily driver. I'm also just planning a 27 or 39 month lease and not looking to buy at all (just see where EVs are at in 2-3 years.

I'll also be coming from a 2015 Audi S4 (with sport differential), so not sure some of the performance options would be missed anyways as from what I understand even a base 4S drives and handles far better than my S4.

Firstly, all say that all vehicles available have PB+, PASM, pan sunroof, surround view,

PDCC - most cars are spec'd without it, but one 2022 4S has it and a couple GTS's have it. Will I miss this?

PTV+ - some GTS's have this, almost no 4S have it.

RAS - another rare option on 4S or GTS, but a couple have it

Burmeister vs BOSE - is it a big jump up in sound quality? - almost all cars have BOSE, but two have BM

Power Steering Plus - most have it, some do not - what does it feel like to drive without it? Is the steering heavier or something?

Unless I want to buy new, there's zero used Taycans available that have all of the options listed above.

Surface coated brakes - is this worth it to simply prevent the brake rotors from looking rusted? again, only keeping the car for 2-3 years.

Power charge port - couple don't have it - how much of a big deal is it to manually lift the charge port?

ACC - I don't daily commute, and I like to drive - do I need this?

HUD - never had a HUD, is this a must have?

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[SergeyIndy]

Well written post to seek inputs with clear background and intent.

PDCC - I have it and drove others without it, cannot tell much difference with car having low center of gravity and perfectly balanced side to side. This only actively corrects lateral movement. No big loss in a daily driver.

PTV+ - This one I always spec living in a place with record number of round abouts, but for mostly straight roads, and no sharp turning at speed, this is not a lot of value. No big loss in a daily driver.

RAS is universally praised for its function of maneuvering the car in tight spaces and smoother lane changes at speed, but that would not be an eliminating factor when looking at otherwise well optioned Taycan. Nice to have in a daily driver.

Power Steering Plus is standard in the US so I do not know what it would be like without it. I would assume the steering is heavier at low speed with no additional assistance that this option provides.

BM vs. Bose - I would say that Bose is surprisingly good. I have BM but would be just fine with a Bose.

Surface Coated Brakes do have no rust or dust but for your use regular brakes are actually better for short term ownership as we have reports that these start to chip in time with very costly replacement.

Power Charge Port - I have it and I like it for the looks, most would say Manual is better and you get better Cd and range given open wheel well vents.

ACC does not seem like a lot of value to you. ACC equipped Taycans first gen (J1.1) can still get additional assistance options for purchase called FOD (function on demand) such as ALK and Innodrive in US and Canada per latest forum evidence.

HUD is minimal value as the info is redundant to the main screen.

 

[Taycan4S_UK]

I picked up my 4S 2 months ago. Here is my take.

essential:
• Larger battery
• 360° view camera (it’s a wide car)
• Rear-axle steering (will power steering plus I believe.)
• Sport Chrono package
• 150kW DC charger
• 14 or 18 way seats
• ACC
• 20” wheels
• Sport sound (I use it in areas where there are people or kids - helps them become aware of your presence)

Nice-to-have:
• Ambient lighting
• Matrix LED headlights
• Power charge ports
• 21” wheels
• Heads up display
• 18 way seats

 

[Flying ace]

Note I'm in Canada (not the USA), so there's just less used Taycans to choose from here.

Looking at leasing a CPO Taycan 4S (or GTS) and some of the available vehicles have varying options I'd like to find out if are worth it if I'm never going to track the car and basically just use it as a daily driver. I'm also just planning a 27 or 39 month lease and not looking to buy at all (just see where EVs are at in 2-3 years.

I'll also be coming from a 2015 Audi S4 (with sport differential), so not sure some of the performance options would be missed anyways as from what I understand even a base 4S drives and handles far better than my S4.

Firstly, all say that all vehicles available have PB+, PASM, pan sunroof, surround view,

PDCC - most cars are spec'd without it, but one 2022 4S has it and a couple GTS's have it. Will I miss this?

PTV+ - some GTS's have this, almost no 4S have it.

RAS - another rare option on 4S or GTS, but a couple have it

Burmeister vs BOSE - is it a big jump up in sound quality? - almost all cars have BOSE, but two have BM

Power Steering Plus - most have it, some do not - what does it feel like to drive without it? Is the steering heavier or something?

Unless I want to buy new, there's zero used Taycans available that have all of the options listed above.

Surface coated brakes - is this worth it to simply prevent the brake rotors from looking rusted? again, only keeping the car for 2-3 years.

Power charge port - couple don't have it - how much of a big deal is it to manually lift the charge port?

ACC - I don't daily commute, and I like to drive - do I need this?

HUD - never had a HUD, is this a must have?

PDCC - don't think it's important. Some people have opinion it is unnatural for a car not to have roll.

PTV+ - I believe ALL GTS cars have this as standard. It's the rear differential tuning, allows greater slip and locking for sportier driving. If you don't track the car or even drive it at 8/10ths, likely won't notice the lack of this option.

RAS - IMO, critical for cars based in the city. Allows easy small space maneuvers. It also assists with higher speed turns, effectively shortens the wheelbase.

Burmeister vs BOSE - I think it is. But I'm also not big into car audio, so I would say this is a nice to have, but not a must.

Power Steering Plus - heavier steering, IMO it's important, but I'm coming from BMWs. I believe all GTS cars have this standard.


Surface coated brakes - this is not a look matter. Braking perform is amazing on PSCBs. It's got a hard initial bite and stops are hard, consistent and fade free. My Taycan stops better than my 997 GT3. IMO, it's not a must have (similar to PCCBs) on a Taycan. You should expect to change your rotors/pads at about 3-4 year mark with steel brakes. PSCBs is a lifetime wear part, for cheaper longer term ownership.

Power charge port - absolutely not a priority. It's a party trick. IMO it also causes the charge door to prematurly pinch the DC bottom flap. The manual door gives you the air curtain at the rear of the fender allowing for better aero efficiency.

ACC - No, not for you. ACC is more important for long distance trips utilizing cruise control.

HUD - ugh, I am in the minority that hates HUD. It's distracting, the colors and brightness is distracting. Unfortunately MANY people love HUD, and for resale it can determine whether someone buys the car or not (if you plan to private sale). I even when as far as paying for HUD on my prior X5 build, just not to use it (and I ended up selling the car to a dealer).

Here were my lists of must haves vs nice to haves when I was shopping for a GTS ST, for your consideration:


Must Haves:

• 2+1 rear seat
• not be black nor white colors
• RAS
• Variable Light Control Roof
• roof rails (ST/CT only)
• Parking Assistance (didn't end up getting this) - must have for a city car IMO, included in Tech package.

Nice to haves:

• passenger display (didn't end up getting it, the VLC + Tech/passenger display is a rare combo)
• RaceTex interior (I'd prefer it as it's what makes the GTS unique, didn't end up getting it, though my headliner and steering wheel is RaceTex)
• ventilated seats (leather seats only)
• glacier blue light housing and rear logo
• 21 inch wheels, ideally RS Spyder in matte black since it's a GTS specific color (ended up with Exclusive Design with CF blades, which looks amazing)
• 150kw/400v booster (there's ALOT of considerations and reading on this matter, search this forum)
• PSCBs or PCCBs (PCCBs are ultra-rare, PSCBs are standard at the Turbo trim and up)
• Vegan interior (I've only seen 1 build like this. Super unique. Instead of leather inserts, it's cloth inserts. All materials are RaceTex and cloth, how cool is this?!)
• Sport chrono (standard in GTS)
• sport sound (standard in GTS)
• compass display in lieu of sport chrono clock (I was also shopping a Turbo CT, CTs only option, ultra rare and unique) - the sport chrono clock is distracting and useless IMO, I don't use it in my GT3s, i won't use it in my Taycan.

 

[Flying ace]

my guess is, depending on your must haves vs nice to haves, you'll find yourself moving towards a GTS if you want sport chrono, Race-Tex, PTV etc. If you have a short list of must haves, then you'll likely buy a 4S which is a great value. Also note, GTS tend to be $150k-$175k cars wereas 4S are $110k-$140k, which gives you an idea of approximately how many options are on these two trims (typical, there are rare outliers out there). My car came in at $178k, whereas my ideal GTS ST was $165k-$167k on the old configurator/pricing, and I've seen GTSs as high as $201k (it was a stupid unsellable build )

 

[joefig44]

Well written post to seek inputs with clear background and intent.

PDCC - I have it and drove others without it, cannot tell much difference with car having low center of gravity and perfectly balanced side to side. This only actively corrects lateral movement. No big loss in a daily driver.

PTV+ - This one I always spec living in a place with record number of round abouts, but for mostly straight roads, and no sharp turning at speed, this is not a lot of value. No big loss in a daily driver.

RAS is universally praised for its function of maneuvering the car in tight spaces and smoother lane changes at speed, but that would not be an eliminating factor when looking at otherwise well optioned Taycan. Nice to have in a daily driver.

Power Steering Plus is standard in the US so I do not know what it would be like without it. I would assume the steering is heavier at low speed with no additional assistance that this option provides.

BM vs. Bose - I would say that Bose is surprisingly good. I have BM but would be just fine with a Bose.

Surface Coated Brakes do have no rust or dust but for your use regular brakes are actually better for short term ownership as we have reports that these start to chip in time with very costly replacement.

Power Charge Port - I have it and I like it for the looks, most would say Manual is better and you get better Cd and range given open wheel well vents.

ACC does not seem like a lot of value to you. ACC equipped Taycans first gen (J1.1) can still get additional assistance options for purchase called FOD (function on demand) such as ALK and Innodrive in US and Canada per latest forum evidence.

HUD is minimal value as the info is redundant to the main screen.

Thanks so much - and a very well written reply. Very informative, thanks.

 

[joefig44]

my guess is, depending on your must haves vs nice to haves, you'll find yourself moving towards a GTS if you want sport chrono, Race-Tex, PTV etc. If you have a short list of must haves, then you'll likely buy a 4S which is a great value. Also note, GTS tend to be $150k-$175k cars wereas 4S are $110k-$140k, which gives you an idea of approximately how many options are on these two trims (typical, there are rare outliers out there). My car came in at $178k, whereas my ideal GTS ST was $165k-$167k on the old configurator/pricing, and I've seen GTSs as high as $201k (it was a stupid unsellable build )

Ha - I wish for those prices in CAD in Canada, but brand new we are in +$200K territory with 4S + tax and even more for a GTS.
This is why I'm looking at CPO, which are still absurdly high lease quotes:
$1800 CAD (taxes in) for a 2022 4S with 36K kms
$2400 CAD (taxes in) for a 2024 4S with 10K kms
$3141 CAD (taxes in) for a 2023 GTS with 15K kms

The funny thing is I've been tracking about 20 CPO Taycans for 1.5 months nationwide here and I think only one has sold of all of them - but the dealers are still unwilling to budge on lease cost - just sitting on all that inventory.

 

[joefig44]

Going to test drive the following two tomorrow at two different dealers (both ironically in Dolomite Silver Metallic/Standard non-leather Black interior):

2022 4S with 36K kms - has PDCC, PTV+, RAS, 21" tires, no acoustic glass, PSCB, no HUD, no GT sports steering wheel, no side skirts

2024 4S with 11K kms - no PDCC, PTV+ or RAS, 20" tires, acoustic glass, no PSCB, HUD, yes to GT sports steering wheel, side skirts. This one also has an XPEL front end and comes with winter tires (rubber only).

They're asking $400 more per month on a 39 mo. lease for the 2024 one, but the 2022 has the performance items, but like I am certainly no sport driver - I just appreciate the sport differential in my S4 and am afraid I'd be losing out not having the highest performance spec'd out on my Taycan, but maybe I'm overthinking it. Still, I'm more excited about the 2022 than the 2024 one.

And there's a third one in Volcano Grey Metallic/Black Leather that I'll have to arrange a test drive at:

2024 4S with 10K kms - no PDCC, PTV+ or RAS, 21" Mission E's, acoustic glass, PSCB, HUD, GT sports wheel, side skirts, BUT no power steering plus (the above two have that).

This one is about the same as the 2024 4S above I'll be driving tomorrow.

Edit:

Found just one more:

2024 GTS with 16K kms - no PDCC, PTV+ or RAS, 21", acoustic glass, no PSCB, no ACC nor HUD, , no GT sports wheel and no power steering plus, but it has a Burmeister & 18way seats! They are asking $250/mo more than the 2024 4S's above.

I'd love some guidance on this - what would you do?

 

[Flying ace]

no GT steering wheel on the GTS, how? I thought the all North American cars were built with the same option combos. I believe GT steering wheel were for cars optioned with sport chrono.

I would go with the 2022. The wheel styles do matter too IMO. Mission E's are the best IMO.

 

[McgR]

Going to test drive the following two tomorrow at two different dealers (both ironically in Dolomite Silver Metallic/Standard non-leather Black interior):

2022 4S with 36K kms - has PDCC, PTV+, RAS, 21" tires, no acoustic glass, PSCB, no HUD, no GT sports steering wheel, no side skirts

2024 4S with 11K kms - no PDCC, PTV+ or RAS, 20" tires, acoustic glass, no PSCB, HUD, yes to GT sports steering wheel, side skirts. This one also has an XPEL front end and comes with winter tires (rubber only).

They're asking $400 more per month on a 39 mo. lease for the 2024 one, but the 2022 has the performance items, but like I am certainly no sport driver - I just appreciate the sport differential in my S4 and am afraid I'd be losing out not having the highest performance spec'd out on my Taycan, but maybe I'm overthinking it. Still, I'm more excited about the 2022 than the 2024 one.

And there's a third one in Volcano Grey Metallic/Black Leather that I'll have to arrange a test drive at:

2024 4S with 10K kms - no PDCC, PTV+ or RAS, 21" Mission E's, acoustic glass, PSCB, HUD, GT sports wheel, side skirts, BUT no power steering plus (the above two have that).

This one is about the same as the 2024 4S above I'll be driving tomorrow.

Edit:

Found just one more:

2024 GTS with 16K kms - no PDCC, PTV+ or RAS, 21", acoustic glass, no PSCB, no ACC nor HUD, , no GT sports wheel and no power steering plus, but it has a Burmeister & 18way seats! They are asking $250/mo more than the 2024 4S's above.

I'd love some guidance on this - what would you do?

I think that PTV+, power steering plus and GT sport steering wheel are standard on the GTS.

strange that the 2022 doesn’t have the GT sport wheel. It comes standard with the sport chrono package. And I think with PDCC and PTV sport chrono is needed.

the side skirts usually come with sport design exterior. Also standard on the GTS. Maybe the 2024 also has the sport front if it has side skirts.

Have a look at the partial leather quite a big difference compared to smooth all leather.

Good luck

 

[tophamn]

Found just one more:

2024 GTS with 16K kms - no PDCC, PTV+ or RAS, 21", acoustic glass, no PSCB, no ACC nor HUD, , no GT sports wheel and no power steering plus, but it has a Burmeister & 18way seats! They are asking $250/mo more than the 2024 4S's above.

Be careful with your assumptions here - I think some of these features will be standard on GTS, so they don't show up on the options list!

 

[joefig44]

no GT steering wheel on the GTS, how? I thought the all North American cars were built with the same option combos. I believe GT steering wheel were for cars optioned with sport chrono.

I would go with the 2022. The wheel styles do matter too IMO. Mission E's are the best IMO.

That GTS is actually a 2022 (I misquoted it as a 2024). It has RS Spyder wheels in black, which I actually prefer.
It's steering wheel is leather (not race-tex), so I assumed it was a GT sport wheel - here's a pic of it:

I was worried that 2022 4S with the performance pkg has the 21" Taycan Exclusive Design wheels.
It's kind of a strange one as while it as the performance pkg and everything, it doesn't have a GT sports wheel since it's a 4S that has just been optioned with the perf pkg.

Also, I was worried it may have too much mileage, but I guess if I'm just leasing it for 39 months with no plans to buy out at end it doesn't really matter, right?

 

[Moman]

Must haves for the northern folks are the heated steering wheel and heated seats.

 

[McgR]

That GTS is actually a 2022 (I misquoted it as a 2024). It has RS Spyder wheels in black, which I actually prefer.
It's steering wheel is leather (not race-tex), so I assumed it was a GT sport wheel - here's a pic of it:

I was worried that 2022 4S with the performance pkg has the 21" Taycan Exclusive Design wheels.
It's kind of a strange one as while it as the performance pkg and everything, it doesn't have a GT sports wheel since it's a 4S that has just been optioned with the perf pkg.

Also, I was worried it may have too much mileage, but I guess if I'm just leasing it for 39 months with no plans to buy out at end it doesn't really matter, right?

If it has a sport chrono nob it is a GT sport steering wheel.

Are you sure about the 4S ? If it doesn’t have a sport steering wheel, it doesn’t have sport chrono either. Which would be really weird.

 

[McgR]

Must haves for the northern folks are the heated steering wheel and heated seats.

Good point. Should be standard in an EV , certainly at this price range. But in Europe it isn’t. Don’t know about Northern America. Some surprises on this forum with people who forgot to order it. Same for folding mirrors and non blinding mirrors. Also optional in Europe.

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