2020 => 2025 4S configuration advice

[WalterG]

Hi All!
I've had a 2020 4S since Sept 2020 and have really enjoyed it, putting just over 40k very fun miles on it. But the problems have mounted and now the main wiring harness has failed so the car's in having major surgery to replace that (under warranty fortunately).

I'm thinking it's time for a 2025. I'd like the additional range, PAR, plug&charge, hopefully supercharger access, and the refinements in the 2025. This time I'm going to build custom so I get what I want and would appreciate any feedback on this build. I've decided to stay with the 4S because I value the range over the additional HP in the GTS and Turbo. I'd love to get 300 miles for some common trips I do (mostly highway at 75ish mph). In winter now I get about 220 and in the summer I get about 260. https://porsche-code.com/PSQJY444

Any advice / input on these would also be appreciated:
- Seats. I have 14 way comforts now, and am thinking of adding massage to help with the long drives. Anyone have experience with them? I tried them in the showroom but it's hard to tell with such a short time in the seat.
- Side mirror paint. I currently did not spec the side mirror in body color paint because I'm worried it will just get dinged up with our salt/gravel filled roads in Massachusetts. Anyone have experience with body color side mirrors in this kind of environment?
- Anyone with 2025 4S's and 20" wheels getting 300 miles reliably?

Thank you!

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[trycan]

Your build is pretty similar to mine. 4S with Active Ride is the way to go.
I went with steel roof and haven't missed having glass over my head.

I have 21" wheels, but last the road trip I took when temps were warmer indicated to me that I could have squeezed the last few miles to get 300 mi from a full-charge.

I have body color side mirrors and they seem to be holding up fine so far this winter. I drive mostly around town though, and the occasional trip out to Rt 2 / 128. 4-months but only 3,000 miles so far.

 

[WalterG]

Your build is pretty similar to mine. 4S with Active Ride is the way to go.
I went with steel roof and haven't missed having glass over my head.

I have 21" wheels, but last the road trip I took when temps were warmer indicated to me that I could have squeezed the last few miles to get 300 mi from a full-charge.

I have body color side mirrors and they seem to be holding up fine so far this winter. I drive mostly around town though, and the occasional trip out to Rt 2 / 128. 4-months but only 3,000 miles so far.

Thank you! I'm looking forward to PAR for sure.

 

[Trogdors_Peasant]

We love the massage in our 14-way seats. Won't spec another one without it.

(its far better then the massage in my 2022 SL seats)

 

[SergeyIndy]

I drove a 2025 RWD in Ice Grey with just now Standard Air suspension and it was a delight. I did not want to try my senses in the 2025 4S as in to say the RWD was that good in handling and comfort.

21-inch Aero Design Wheels are so good looking in person and efficient, so recommend that over the 20".
Black/Chalk Interior goes well with Ice Grey (I have it on my 2023)
14-way + Massage is the way to go for long trips. All my Passengers cannot get enough of it.
Mirror Base in Gloss Black is my choice vs. Body Color of the entire mirror to replace black plastic
HD Matrix are an overkill with no functional benefit over standard Matrix unless you are going for the look
Thermal Glass is the way to go since it is thicker and more solid for no frame doors
No Night Vision Assist?

 

[WalterG]

I drove a 2025 RWD in Ice Grey with just now Standard Air suspension and it was a delight. I did not want to try my senses in the 2025 4S as in to say the RWD was that good in handling and comfort.

21-inch Aero Design Wheels are so good looking in person and efficient, so recommend that over the 20".
Black/Chalk Interior goes well with Ice Grey (I have it on my 2023)
14-way + Massage is the way to go for long trips. All my Passengers cannot get enough of it.
Mirror Base in Gloss Black is my choice vs. Body Color of the entire mirror to replace black plastic
HD Matrix are an overkill with no functional benefit over standard Matrix unless you are going for the look
Thermal Glass is the way to go since it is thicker and more solid for no frame doors
No Night Vision Assist?

Thank you!

Our pothole filled roads and constant construction have me reluctantly going with the 20s. As it is I keep tires as 40psi and still have had tire damage (but so far at least no flats). The 21s look awesome but I’ll just get a flat the way i drive with our crazy roads.
The mirror base in black looks great.
‘I’m confused about the headlights and will ask the dealer for clarification. From this compare page in the configurator I thought I’d need the HD option to get PDLS, Auto-high beams, and cornering lights.
From what I read in this forum over the years, I was planning to skip thermal/sound isolating glass because of the difficulty with toll readers and potential weaker cell signal. I’m driving often in New Hampshire where coverage can be pretty weak to begin with. My family will make me sell the car if their coverage is weak because of the windows lol.
I would love to add night vision but sensor location in the front will mean certain doom for it on our rock/salt filled roads of Massachusetts.

 

[W1NGE]

Hi All!
I've had a 2020 4S since Sept 2020 and have really enjoyed it, putting just over 40k very fun miles on it. But the problems have mounted and now the main wiring harness has failed so the car's in having major surgery to replace that (under warranty fortunately).

I'm thinking it's time for a 2025. I'd like the additional range, PAR, plug&charge, hopefully supercharger access, and the refinements in the 2025. This time I'm going to build custom so I get what I want and would appreciate any feedback on this build. I've decided to stay with the 4S because I value the range over the additional HP in the GTS and Turbo. I'd love to get 300 miles for some common trips I do (mostly highway at 75ish mph). In winter now I get about 220 and in the summer I get about 260. https://porsche-code.com/PSQJY444

Any advice / input on these would also be appreciated:
- Seats. I have 14 way comforts now, and am thinking of adding massage to help with the long drives. Anyone have experience with them? I tried them in the showroom but it's hard to tell with such a short time in the seat.
- Side mirror paint. I currently did not spec the side mirror in body color paint because I'm worried it will just get dinged up with our salt/gravel filled roads in Massachusetts. Anyone have experience with body color side mirrors in this kind of environment?
- Anyone with 2025 4S's and 20" wheels getting 300 miles reliably?

Thank you!

I always go for body coloured mirrors (all Porsches) never had a scratch / mark in 22 years - we put salt and grit on our roads too. Not impossible to get flying debris but 99% of the time you will be just fine and unlucky otherwise.

300 miles is not a reliable or realistic proposition in UK on either of Taycan J1.2 or Macan EV (my Macan EV 4S demo achieved a paltry 2.3 miles / kWh over 126 miles - same battery as the J1.2) - 218 miles (way short of the WLTP / EA). Car has 300 miles on it so still learning but I was taken a back if I'm honest and so I still can't make my regular return trip to Edinburgh on a single charge at any time of year which would be my measure - (252 miles return trip).

 

[SergeyIndy]

@WalterG, I agree with all your points.

- 20-inch choice understood
- Mirror Base in Gloss Black - you can see it from the car every time you drive
- HD Matrix - I was not right about it as it appears only HD Matrix has PDLS, but Auto High Beam is on both
- Thermal Glass - got you on this one, I have it for the thickness and no issue with reception, but I do not use toll devices, so agree, if that is known to impact both then it is a no go for you
- NVA - agree, this is known to be hit by rocks

 

[warnergb7]

I have the thermal insulating glass on mine and really like it and the quietness of the car., I have had no issue with mobile phone (cell) signal at all. As for toll reader, yet to try. But my last car (Audi Q7) had the same sort of glass, probably even thicker and the toll reader worked just fine. But you have to stick them on the black dotted areas to the side of the rear view mirror.

 

[Detect]

I stopped using transponders for tolls and sign up via license plate # on EZ Pass MA and NH websites. Easier.

 

[W1NGE]

@WalterG, I agree with all your points.

- 20-inch choice understood
- Mirror Base in Gloss Black - you can see it from the car every time you drive
- HD Matrix - I was not right about it as it appears only HD Matrix has PDLS, but Auto High Beam is on both
- Thermal Glass - got you on this one, I have it for the thickness and no issue with reception, but I do not use toll devices, so agree, if that is known to impact both then it is a no go for you
- NVA - agree, this is known to be hit by rocks

PDLS versus PDLS+ is the likely distinction

 

[CraigUrch]

I live in upstate NY and have NVA, we salt our roads heavily in the winter and stone them in the summer. In 2 years and 12k of driving never had an issue with damage to the thermal camera in the nose. NVA is not perfect but it has saved my bacon on a few occasions and I highly recommend it. I also have the 20" wheels because of our potholed roads and agree with your decision on that point. Not part of the order spec but I would recommend getting at least a front PPF to protect the paint from road debris, I had the whole car done and it has saved my paint on 2 different occasions.

 

[Watchesandburgers]

Well spec'd! Here are my thoughts and comments:
1) 100% get the thicker glass. I have it on my car and it makes a big difference. I have a windshield mounted toll tag and have zero problems. Same with cell signal. It's not an issue.
2) You've spec'd several cosmetic things like the P crest on all four headrests and the P text on the center console. If you're doing that, you should consider the puddle lights. It's only $330. If you're already maxed out, switch to the P crest on front seats only to make up the difference.
3) Regarding the side mirrors, get whatever you think looks best and do a front PPF. Then you don't have to worry about rock chips, salt damage, etc.

Enjoy!

 

[SergeyIndy]

Well spec'd! Here are my thoughts and comments:
1) 100% get the thicker glass. I have it on my car and it makes a big difference. I have a windshield mounted toll tag and have zero problems. Same with cell signal. It's not an issue.
2) You've spec'd several cosmetic things like the P crest on all four headrests and the P text on the center console. If you're doing that, you should consider the puddle lights. It's only $330. If you're already maxed out, switch to the P crest on front seats only to make up the difference.
3) Regarding the side mirrors, get whatever you think looks best and do a front PPF. Then you don't have to worry about rock chips, salt damage, etc.

Enjoy!

Good feedback on the Thermal Glass.
Recommend against $330 total throw away. I have a 3rd party for a fraction of a cost DYI with many more projection options that look outstanding. Let me know if anyone wants a source to buy from.

 

[SergeyIndy]

PDLS versus PDLS+ is the likely distinction

That does not seem to be the case. The PLUS in the PDLS+ always means just Auto High Beam.
At least this is how Porsche always done in in the past for ICE models.
This is the thread that I found that seems to point out the differences more clearly:

https://www.taycanforum.com/forum/t...25-taycan-headlight-options.18825/post-290129

J1.2: Standard Matrix do have Auto High Beam but no PDLS functionality
J1.2: HD Matrix has full PDLS functionality with desired Static and Dynamic beams.

I have full Macan EV spec docs and 100% sure that both headlight setups do not have Dynamic beams, which is a surprise. My 2024 Macan GTS has full PDLS+ with Static, Dynamic, and Auto High Beams.

This is US only as we do not get Matrix functions:

High Beam Assistant is the + in PDLS+ option on other models. Standard on Macan EV.
Dynamic Cornering Light function is part PDLS option on other models. Not offered on Macan EV.
LED type has no PDLS designation. LED Matrix Design has PDLS+ designation.

LED
- Includes High Beam Assistant
- Upper: 4-point LED Daylight Running Lights with Indicators in LED fiber-optic technology
- Lower: Low/High Beam, and Auxiliary High Beam with speed-based driving light control and dynamic headlight leveling


LED Matrix Design PDLS+
- Includes High Beam Assistant
- Includes Static Cornering Light
- Upper: 4-point LED Daylight Running Lights with strongly contoured three-dimensional light signature and Indicators with strongly emphasized LED strips
- Lower: Low Beam, High-power Auxiliary High Beam, and Matrix Design Lense
- No mention of speed-based driving light control or dynamic headlight leveling but probably assumed
- Features Coming/Leaving Home animation
- Optional in Black or Glacier Blue

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