GTS Ride Quality with or without Active Ride

[dcp10]

The difference in tuning on the GTS is much less than the difference between running 20" wheels and 21" high performance with the dynamics package.
That's where the massive difference is.

Thanks for all the useful feedback.

One problem with the GTS is that it isn't possible to specify Active Ride without the Dynamic Package. Yes, the latter might be what I need to get the ultra-crisp steering, but it also compromises the low-speed ride I.M.H.O.

Here's my corresponding GTS configuration + Active Ride :- (*)
https://porsche-code.com/PTPSIEH5 @ £136K (ouch!)

Interestingly, having just gone back into one of my saved 4S configurations, I find that I can add Active Ride without having to add the Performance Handling pack. So maybe that would be a compromise:-

4S with 21" wheels + Active Ride ?

https://porsche-code.com/PTKQHBG9 (Black Edition @ £122K **)
https://porsche-code.com/PTF6MTD3 (Regular Edition @ £126K)

I'm not sure if I'll lose the crisp steering though - and I would miss the greater power of the GTS.


(*) I do prefer a leather interior; is it heresy to order a GTS without the GTS interior?!

(**) I hate the black trim around the side windows - but one can't get the "Black Edition" pricing without it, sadly

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[prj]

Thanks for all the useful feedback.

One problem with the GTS is that it isn't possible to specify Active Ride without the Dynamic Package pack. Yes, the latter might be what I need to get the ultra-crisp steering, but it also compromises the low-speed ride I.M.H.O.

That's not true at all. You don't have to check the dynamic package to get active ride. Works in your configuration as well. Just uncheck the dynamic package and then check active ride.

I'm not sure if I'll lose the crisp steering though - and I would miss the greater power of the GTS.

Black edition 4S is the best bang for the buck.
If power is a problem get our tuned module and you have 940 PS. There is no hardware difference between a GTS and a 4S on J1.2, it's only software.

(*) I do prefer a leather interior; is it heresy to order a GTS without the GTS interior?!

No, but if you like leather interior go for the 4S Black edition imo.
Also consider the comfort seats instead of the 18 way seats, they are a lot easier to get in and out of and are still plenty sporty.
The extra adjustment is only the side bolsters anyway. I had the 18 way on my Turbo S and I specifically took the 14 ways with massage on my new car.

On the leather seats I would recommend at least speccing ventilation, on the alcantara/fabric ones you can do without.

 

[dcp10]

That's not true at all. You don't have to check the dynamic package to get active ride. Works in your configuration as well. Just uncheck the dynamic package and then check active ride.

OK, my confusion was that the "Active Ride" is included in the "Dynamic Package", so that unchecking the latter also removes the Active Ride.

 

[prj]

OK, my confusion was that the "Active Ride" is included in the "Dynamic Package", so that unchecking the latter also removes the Active Ride.

Yes, you can just add it back. Tbh if ride comfort is important but you also want the 21", I'd get the 4S Black edition.
The GTS IS turned stiffer in both the normal and the stiffest setting. So if you get an identical 4S (no dynamics package, but 21") then the GTS will be a little bit stiffer in normal suspension setting.

The facelift 4S is plenty quick, if you feel that you need more power you can always tune it to have basically the same power as the Turbo S.

The reason to get the GTS is if you're a fan of all the design, alcantara interior and so on, which is unique to the GTS. Sounds like you're leaning more towards the leather though and comfort is important, which is the polar opposite of what the GTS provides.

 

[dcp10]

Thanks for the helpful feedback!

The extra adjustment is only the side bolsters anyway. I had the 18 way on my Turbo S and I specifically took the 14 ways with massage on my new car.

- As a small person, I love that you can fold the side bolsters inwards for better grip - so definitely 18-way sport seats for me!

On the leather seats I would recommend at least speccing ventilation, on the alcantara/fabric ones you can do without.

- I use A/C all the time, so not sure I need the ventilation. The only time I've used ventilated seats was when driving a Mustang Convertible through the Arizona desert - I found the sensation really weird, as if one had had - ahem - a little accident.

- Or maybe does the ventilation also improve the seat heating?

 

[prj]

- As a small person, I love that you can fold the side bolsters inwards for better grip - so definitely 18-way sport seats for me!

As long as you test drove them and they were fine, then good.
For me I had the bolsters always in the outermost position, so all they did was making getting in and out more of a pain than it already is.

- I use A/C all the time, so not sure I need the ventilation. The only time I've used ventilated seats was when driving a Mustang Convertible through the Arizona desert - I found the sensation really weird, as if one had had - ahem - a little accident.

I think you do, especially on longer drives. Don't crank it up to the max, just set it to the first level when you're going for a longer drive. It's much more comfortable and less sweaty butt upon arrival.
The maximum setting is to quickly cool the seats when the car has been sat in the sun for a long time - it's not comfortable to keep it on max for extended period - your description is on point for that.

 

[dcp10]

No, but if you like leather interior go for the 4S Black edition imo.

Off topic, but if I were to order the 4S Black Edition, is there a third-party option to replace the black side-window trim with chrome? (The only official way is to forgo the Black Edition and add a Silver side-window trim - but that then makes the car £4.5K more expensive)

 

[prj]

Off topic, but if I were to order the 4S Black Edition, is there a third-party option to replace the black side-window trim with chrome? (The only official way is to forgo the Black Edition and add a Silver side-window trim - but that then makes the car £4.5K more expensive)

I mean the trim is a separate part and you could replace it, but it would look out of place on the black edition. That has the black accents in the cabin (unless you spec darksilver or something else), and also it has the exterior mirrors in black. Having silver trim wouldn't fit there.

 

[dcp10]

I think you do, especially on longer drives. Don't crank it up to the max, just set it to the first level when you're going for a longer drive. It's much more comfortable and less sweaty butt upon arrival.

I need a ventilated steering wheel

 

[W1NGE]

I recently took a test drive in a Gen-2 GTS equipped with Porsche Active Ride (PAR). Whilst this was great fun, I did find that in “Normal” mode the ride was a little on the “firm” side: even slightly rough around town; it wasn’t as smooth or serene as a 4S on the same route.

I'm curious as to how the low-speed ride quality in a GTS without Active Ride would compare. Would it be even firmer (rougher) around town?

My dealer initially said it wouldn't make any difference; Active Ride merely keeps the car level on sporty drives - but he's now changed his tune and seems to be trying to "upsell" this feature to me. I'm not sure I want to spend that much - hence my question about the "regular" GTS without PAR.

I found my GTS ST (21 " RS Spyders, Pirelli PZeros) with no PAR to be much more compliant overall and every but as comfortable as my 4S saloon (20", Michelin) in all use cases.

There have been issues with PAR that I've read.

Read the detailed specs on PAR to better understand it's full capability as your dealer appears to have limited knowledge.

 

[crizza]

There have been issues with PAR that I've read.

Please provide links. The only issue I've read is a possible incompatibility (hopefully software) between PAR and rear axle steering that may cause an oscillating rear: https://www.taycanforum.com/forum/threads/taycan-rws-issues.27406/

Fwiw, my 4 CT+PAR doesn't have RWS, and I've been very happy with it.

 

[Beattie]

dcp10: where did you test drive the GTS with PAR? I’m looking to test drive one. Deliberating whether to get GTS with PAR or Turbo without.

 

[prj]

dcp10: where did you test drive the GTS with PAR? I’m looking to test drive one. Deliberating whether to get GTS with PAR or Turbo without.

Since power is pretty similar I guess it's Turbo for the front end looks?
PAR is better than no PAR, and additionally GTS has the advantage of NOT having PSCB - not an issue if you're not keeping the car for more than a few years from new, otherwise it might be an expensive surprise down the road.

 

[Beattie]

Since power is pretty similar I guess it's Turbo for the front end looks?
PAR is better than no PAR, and additionally GTS has the advantage of NOT having PSCB - not an issue if you're not keeping the car for more than a few years from new, otherwise it might be an expensive surprise down the road.

I agree about Turbo front end looks. I’ll be getting it through salary sacrifice so cost of GTS with PAR is the same as Turbo without, within £80/month. It’s down to handling and benefit of active ride or performance of Turbo which is still way faster with push to pass. I currently have a J1.1 Turbo CT so performance similar to the J1.2 GTS. I do like performance and would be happy for it be quicker. That said, sacrificing performance for handling is also important . Just to through into the mix, considering the new Cayenne Turbo EV as well. Same price. More future proof in terms of battery tech and slightly more practical. Would need to drive before making final decision. But I really love the Taycan, sitting low and the way it drives. It would be hard to give up for an SUV. I also have a Boxster GTS 4.0 so get my kicks from that too.

 

[dcp10]

dcp10: where did you test drive the GTS with PAR? I’m looking to test drive one. Deliberating whether to get GTS with PAR or Turbo without.

Porsche Silverstone - though they weren’t then prepared to let me drive a GTS without PAR (which would have answered most of my questions to this forum!).

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