modocrat
Well-known member
Hoping the doors on the Cayenne don't fall off before then..
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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
2014 Porsche Cayman S PDK Sports Chrono
- Thread starter MR_Y
- Start date
MR_Y
Well-known member
I have a skidpan day in a few weeks time. I am taking my Volvo station wagon to that instead.
MR_Y
Well-known member
Here goes...
1. 991.2 GT3 RS Weisach (limited exposure)
Drove this on the track at moderate speeds. The car felt very intimidating to drive. A proper track car. You can hear everything as you apply your inputs. Only 4 laps of the track, with guidance from the instructor who was in the similar car upfront. The car may have handled harder driving, but I was not keen to push such an expensive car that has a definite wild streak to it. The instructor did ask me to push it a bit harder on the final lap. Not a car that I would buy, even if I had the money. This car needs regular driving on a track to fully appreciate it and some balls of steel if you want to really push it hard.
2. Taycan RWD base (full exposure)
Compared to the Jaguar i-Pace that I drove in 2019, this is the better electric car. It does not have that irritating regenerative braking effect when you get off the throttle. It feels more like a petrol car to drive. The Star Trek warp speed sounds are gimmicky, but help you get a feel for how fast you are driving. Throttle response is instantaneous. You press, it goes, quickly. I drove it on track and on public roads around Midrand. Even though it is RWD, on track it felt very planted and stable - I guess that the extra weight from the battery pack under the car helps with the sense of balance. Ride on rough tar was pretty good, but nothing exemplary for a R2m+ car. It does ride like a large sporty sedan. The instructor said that range is about 200 to 300km in the real world, if you drive it in a sporty manner. Not a car I would buy for SA, but makes more sense in Europe with their widespread charging infrastructure. However, a nice glimpse into the future of motoring.
3. Macan 2.0T base (full exposure)
Basically a Q5 2.0T with the same engine, outputs and performance. Feels okay if it was priced the same as the Q5, but selling it for R1m is a crazy proposal (the interior and tech is also behind the Q5 and the cheaper Tiguan when up-specced). The car does not feel like a Porsche to drive and that motor feels like the VW product it actually is. I would rather buy a Tiguan 165kw Highline 2.0T instead of this car. Those extra 20kw of the Macan are barely noticable. Very disappointed on both the track and on the road. Hell, even my Volvo V60CC feels more exciting to drive in the mid-range.
4. Cayenne GTS 4.0 V8 Turbo (full exposure)
A surprisingly good car to drive. Feels like a sporty sedan rather than a large SUV, besides for the fact that it does ride higher than a sedan. The faster you go, the more it wraps around you. Engine sounds epic and it enjoys being revved. If I had the bucks, I would definitely buy this car. It is the best of both worlds - family car and sports car. Obviously, not as sharp as a 911 on track, but still a brilliant everyday car to drive on normal roads. Bump absorption and ride quality on Midrand roads are very, very good. It may not be as quick as an X3 M or GLC63, but this car is cheaper (assuming you get one with no options), more spacious, drives well and sounds so good. Standard GTS spec is pretty generous too.
5. Boxster 4.0 Spyder (limited exposure)
Drove this only on the track. Feels quite bare bones inside (you can see they were trying to save weight, so even the inside of the folding roof has no lining, just a web of supporting material). Engine sounds good and car feels super stable when driven hard. However, I would rather get the Boxster 4.0 GTS instead of this, which is not that much slower.
6. Boxster GTS 4.0 (full exposure)
Slightly detuned compared to the Spyder and not as track focused. But, has more comfort oriented features and better insulation in the folding top. Significantly cheaper than the Spyder, with only a small drop in power, but with the same great exhaust note. Adaptive dampers keep the ride on Midrand roads quite decent. However, the interior is showing its age - not much different from my 2013 Boxster - especially, at this price point. Acceleration is not as strong as a turbo charged hot hatch in the real world (at altitude), so don't expect to beat a Golf R. But, this car is more about the driving experience, while being less hardcore than the Spyder.
Will post some pics below.
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MR_Y
Well-known member
Update - day 39 of car still being in workshop:
It has been 3 weeks since the order for the new gearbox was placed with (and approved by) Porsche Germany.
Today, I am told that Porsche Germany has NO stock of these gearboxes.
Porsche Germany is awaiting stock from the gearbox manufacturer/supplier.
There is no ETA on when the gearbox will be ready.
Porsches are great cars, but after this experience, I am reluctant to recommend them over more mainstream competitors - where parts would be more easily available.
It has been 3 weeks since the order for the new gearbox was placed with (and approved by) Porsche Germany.
Today, I am told that Porsche Germany has NO stock of these gearboxes.
Porsche Germany is awaiting stock from the gearbox manufacturer/supplier.
There is no ETA on when the gearbox will be ready.
Porsches are great cars, but after this experience, I am reluctant to recommend them over more mainstream competitors - where parts would be more easily available.
VinceM
Well-known member
What a PITA!
So sorry man, my guess is you were buying the car to enjoy it vs being in a workshop.
It’s a beautiful car, hope you get sorted out.
Are you getting a rebate on the insurance? Ie paying a monthly cover for a car not being used.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
So sorry man, my guess is you were buying the car to enjoy it vs being in a workshop.
It’s a beautiful car, hope you get sorted out.
Are you getting a rebate on the insurance? Ie paying a monthly cover for a car not being used.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
MR_Y
Well-known member
Saving about R200pm with Naked Insurance, while the car is at the workshop or being test driven.
The Extended Maintenance Plan is covering all costs of the parts/repairs/labour, so that is a plus.
Also, my deprecation is pretty much zero since there is not much mileage being added to the car.
Small consolations, I suppose, while I wait...
MR_Y
Well-known member
Coolant light came on recently.
I had to top it up (was below Min).
I asked the dealership for another courtesy car (this car is actually due for service next month).
TurboLlew
Honorary ///Member
Did they not know this 3 weeks ago?? I have to say this is not a great advert for Porsche... and on one of their most popular models.
MR_Y
Well-known member
They have a convoluted communication system on imported parts orders.
All comms have to be routed via the Abu Dhabi office.
It seems that queries (from SA to Germany and back) sit at that office.
Having the Abu Dhabi office as a middle man is inefficient and may explain some of the delay.
The SA dealerships do not have any power to fast track anything.
This is not acceptable.
I have come to terms with the fact that this process may take a few months.
MR_Y
Well-known member
Online forums say that some Porsche parts can take 6-8 months, so you could be right.
When the car is all fixed, I may consider selling it.
The market for this car is very strong and resale value on low mileage cars (especially with good specs) is quite robust. I will get my money back + some profit.
The only car that may fit all my requirements is a Supra 3.0T - However, let's see how reliability on this BMW/Toyota sports car pans out over time.
On the other hand, owning a low miler 2014 Cayman S with a brand new gearbox is still a good proposition.
Will decide later this year....
MR_Y
Well-known member
So, the dealership is giving me another courtesy car tomorrow. I am hoping it is the 2013 Panamera that they have in their workshop fleet. V8 goodness...
Apparently, demo stock is not used as long term courtesy cars, given the risk of increased mileages above "demo" level.
Apparently, demo stock is not used as long term courtesy cars, given the risk of increased mileages above "demo" level.
///M Individual
Well-known member
Pity about the waiting period bud but glad its not going to cost you a cent and at the end of the exercise Porsche will have to get the car 100%. As you mentioned you can either choose to keep the car and enjoy it for a few more years or sell it at a profit.
Really hope you get a nice courtesy car.
Really hope you get a nice courtesy car.
MR_Y
Well-known member
Update:
Courtesy car:
My 2013 Cayenne 3.0 diesel courtesy car was replaced today with a 2013-14 Cayenne S (4.8 V8) petrol model. For a 130,000km+ car, the condition is pretty good. 294kw/500Nm from a NA 4.8 V8 is quite nice. A bit disappointed that the rear tyres are already almost on their TWIs and the "oil change" service light just came on today (not ideal, I know). The dealership advised me that this is fine, for the interim (this particular car was brought in from another customer recently). I can switch to another courtesy car, when others become available. Their policy seems to be very flexible with swopping courtesy cars, when available. I won't be taking this car on long journeys, so just for around town driving is fine. Yes, I know that I am settling, but I only really need a car for running around and it gives me some peace of mind knowing that I am holding some "collateral" of theirs while my car is with them.
Gearbox order status:
The manager explained that due to COVID and other factors (Suez Canal issue, maybe?), there is a global backlog on some parts/components that are built with inputs from Eastern Europe and Asia. Porsche seems to work on a JIT (just-in-time) inventory process - which means they (even in Germany) hold just enough stock of parts. However, this stock is insufficient during a global crisis scenario (piss-poor-planning, I would say).
The gearbox is a ZF unit (according to the manager), but ZF do not have stock of these boxes for Porsche. ZF first needs to build up its stock (noting that they also have their own issues with supply of components and materials from the East) and then supply that to Porsche. Porsche then needs to work through its backlog of orders (I am not number 1 on that list, in global terms). Then Porsche (being based in Germany) needs to send my allocated box to SA (this will take +/- 3 weeks). This whole process can take many months. I was told that there is a new 911 Turbo S that has been sitting in the workshop since February, still waiting for oxygen sensors - the ETA on this is now July (5 months!).
The Abu Dhabi middle man communication issue was also reiterated. There is frustration at SA level that they cannot pick up a 'phone and call (or email) Germany directly. All queries/comms have to go through Abu Dhabi first, since SA falls under the Middle Eastern/Africa region. There seems to be a blacklog of comms at this Abu Dhabi office, which confounds the whole process.
Potential next steps:
I could be waiting for 6 months+ for this gearbox. I explained my frustration to the manager and asked for alternative solutions. These were briefly discussed:
1. They could swap a gearbox from a used 981 Cayman S (of similar age/mileage), that they have in national stock. This can be done fairly quickly (the actual transplant is complicated, but getting the box would be quick). When the new box eventually arrives from Germany, it would then be installed in the donor car. The obvious downside here is that I would be forgoing a new box (that can take 6 months+ to arrive) for a used box (that can be available in a couple weeks). As a risk mitigation, the used box would still fall under full warranty as a new box.
2. They could buy back the car (the gearbox issue would not impact the value, since the new gearbox is essentially already paid for and approved by Germany). However, I expect to be lowballed here, unless I buy another car from them (which I do not want to do). They did not provide a price yet, but I will ask them next week.
3. If the gearbox takes longer than by year-end to arrive (my Plan expires then), I will not pay them for the Plan extension for 2022. We will need to discuss a free 1-year extension to cater for the fact that it was their delays that left me without a car for most of 2021.
I have a catch up with the manager again on 29 April, after he gets more feedback on the status of the gearbox and the options above.
Courtesy car:
My 2013 Cayenne 3.0 diesel courtesy car was replaced today with a 2013-14 Cayenne S (4.8 V8) petrol model. For a 130,000km+ car, the condition is pretty good. 294kw/500Nm from a NA 4.8 V8 is quite nice. A bit disappointed that the rear tyres are already almost on their TWIs and the "oil change" service light just came on today (not ideal, I know). The dealership advised me that this is fine, for the interim (this particular car was brought in from another customer recently). I can switch to another courtesy car, when others become available. Their policy seems to be very flexible with swopping courtesy cars, when available. I won't be taking this car on long journeys, so just for around town driving is fine. Yes, I know that I am settling, but I only really need a car for running around and it gives me some peace of mind knowing that I am holding some "collateral" of theirs while my car is with them.
Gearbox order status:
The manager explained that due to COVID and other factors (Suez Canal issue, maybe?), there is a global backlog on some parts/components that are built with inputs from Eastern Europe and Asia. Porsche seems to work on a JIT (just-in-time) inventory process - which means they (even in Germany) hold just enough stock of parts. However, this stock is insufficient during a global crisis scenario (piss-poor-planning, I would say).
The gearbox is a ZF unit (according to the manager), but ZF do not have stock of these boxes for Porsche. ZF first needs to build up its stock (noting that they also have their own issues with supply of components and materials from the East) and then supply that to Porsche. Porsche then needs to work through its backlog of orders (I am not number 1 on that list, in global terms). Then Porsche (being based in Germany) needs to send my allocated box to SA (this will take +/- 3 weeks). This whole process can take many months. I was told that there is a new 911 Turbo S that has been sitting in the workshop since February, still waiting for oxygen sensors - the ETA on this is now July (5 months!).
The Abu Dhabi middle man communication issue was also reiterated. There is frustration at SA level that they cannot pick up a 'phone and call (or email) Germany directly. All queries/comms have to go through Abu Dhabi first, since SA falls under the Middle Eastern/Africa region. There seems to be a blacklog of comms at this Abu Dhabi office, which confounds the whole process.
Potential next steps:
I could be waiting for 6 months+ for this gearbox. I explained my frustration to the manager and asked for alternative solutions. These were briefly discussed:
1. They could swap a gearbox from a used 981 Cayman S (of similar age/mileage), that they have in national stock. This can be done fairly quickly (the actual transplant is complicated, but getting the box would be quick). When the new box eventually arrives from Germany, it would then be installed in the donor car. The obvious downside here is that I would be forgoing a new box (that can take 6 months+ to arrive) for a used box (that can be available in a couple weeks). As a risk mitigation, the used box would still fall under full warranty as a new box.
2. They could buy back the car (the gearbox issue would not impact the value, since the new gearbox is essentially already paid for and approved by Germany). However, I expect to be lowballed here, unless I buy another car from them (which I do not want to do). They did not provide a price yet, but I will ask them next week.
3. If the gearbox takes longer than by year-end to arrive (my Plan expires then), I will not pay them for the Plan extension for 2022. We will need to discuss a free 1-year extension to cater for the fact that it was their delays that left me without a car for most of 2021.
I have a catch up with the manager again on 29 April, after he gets more feedback on the status of the gearbox and the options above.
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