2014 Porsche Cayman S PDK Sports Chrono

[MR_Y]

As it stands, I am inclined to wait it out, get the car fixed properly and then sell it to a non-franchised dealer - only if I get a price that makes it worthwhile.

Deep Google searching on overseas forums shows that these cars are quite reliable (the frequency/likelihood of issues is quite low), but if you do have an issue, it can be a big one that needs a major fix.
In statistics, we call this a "tail event" - low likelihood, but very high severity. Think about a dormant volcano exploding after 50 years of being dormant - it is an unlikely event, but the impact is severe when it happens.

Even before COVID, according to the forums, Porsche accident parts and engines can take months to arrive. With no parts distribution centre in SA, we are at the mercy of the Abu Dhabi (middle man) Porsche office and their allocation process.

I guess the same holds true for Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and Jaguar too. With BMW and Merc, while there are some exotic/special cars in their portfolios, I feel that their local offices have more clout in getting feedback from Germany and can expedite matters - there is no middleman.

On a personal note, I may be moving to another province (in a slightly remote area, but with good roads) next year, so I may need to get a car that is supported by a larger dealer footprint. The Supra is top of my list, since it can be maintained at most (if not all?) Toyota dealers. If BMW made a Z4 coupe, that would be another consideration. The Audi TTS or used RS are very competent, but I will not settle for less than 6 cylinders and those Audis are more hot hatches than proper sports cars.

For now, my Volvo still puts a smile on my face - especially, when I give warm (320, C200, etc.) German sedans, with cocky drivers, a scare at the TLGP....

 

[TurboLlew]

As far as I know, Jag and McLaren can be problematic as well (because of the factory), but Ferrari and Lamborghini have very high availability. The price for this is of course the price these parts come in at LOL. Someone I know had an insurance claim of 80K for his Lambo windscreen for instance... The complaints are normally around diagnostics costs, convoluted repair processes but not parts availability.

That said, this is not limited to high end cars: Had a mate who waited 4 months for a mirror and door on his Renault Meg RS... another who just couldn't get parts for his cheap and cheerful Jap shopping trolley and ended up selling it because he was so fed up... Even personal experience waiting ages for parts only for the wrong ones to arrive and have to wait all over again (Subaru, Honda)

This has been a very surprising thread for me to read to be honest, first with the issues with the car/dealer and then the mysterious method of repairing side shafts to track down the issue, now finally the parts availability. I have gone from very pro-Porsche to quite lukewarm. It isn't the parts availability itself that I find to be a problem but rather the approach. Would I really want them to send my GT3 RS or Turbo S side shafts to some random shop to be refurbished?? They aren't charging you 'make a plan' rates when you're ticking boxes at exorbitant prices, yet you should be happy with a very poor 'make a plan' diagnostic process and even worse outlook in terms of time. Say what you will about literally every single other manufacturer (Fiat or Ferrari) with a motorplan option: they don't repair anything: they will replace with new parts (to the degree the Techs get laughed at for being part swappers and not real mechanics). I had always assumed this was the case with Porsche as well. This sounds like such an amateurish operation. How do you go to a client and say "we will take a part off of a car in stock somewhere but don't worry, you will have a warranty as though it is a new part" ermmmm WHAT? We have railroaded people out of the forum for doing similar stuff with private workshops...

Same approach with the courtesy car: You're being awfully accommodating having just come out of a very dodge sounding one into another that is due for service immediately (and to top it all off they tell you not to worry about it??).

Wishing you lots of luck and patience. I would be very upset already.

 

[tman]

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.

While reading this all I could think is, why is any of this your problem.

With the amount of cars sold to the SA market and the footprint and size of dealerships for Porsche locally this sounds like a convenient BS excuse.

You are essentially paying a premium to drive a courtesy car.

 

[MR_Y]

As far as I know, Jag and McLaren can be problematic as well (because of the factory), but Ferrari and Lamborghini have very high availability. The price for this is of course the price these parts come in at LOL. Someone I know had an insurance claim of 80K for his Lambo windscreen for instance... The complaints are normally around diagnostics costs, convoluted repair processes but not parts availability.

That said, this is not limited to high end cars: Had a mate who waited 4 months for a mirror and door on his Renault Meg RS... another who just couldn't get parts for his cheap and cheerful Jap shopping trolley and ended up selling it because he was so fed up... Even personal experience waiting ages for parts only for the wrong ones to arrive and have to wait all over again (Subaru, Honda)

This has been a very surprising thread for me to read to be honest, first with the issues with the car/dealer and then the mysterious method of repairing side shafts to track down the issue, now finally the parts availability. I have gone from very pro-Porsche to quite lukewarm. It isn't the parts availability itself that I find to be a problem but rather the approach. Would I really want them to send my GT3 RS or Turbo S side shafts to some random shop to be refurbished?? They aren't charging you 'make a plan' rates when you're ticking boxes at exorbitant prices, yet you should be happy with a very poor 'make a plan' diagnostic process and even worse outlook in terms of time. Say what you will about literally every single other manufacturer (Fiat or Ferrari) with a motorplan option: they don't repair anything: they will replace with new parts (to the degree the Techs get laughed at for being part swappers and not real mechanics). I had always assumed this was the case with Porsche as well. This sounds like such an amateurish operation. How do you go to a client and say "we will take a part off of a car in stock somewhere but don't worry, you will have a warranty as though it is a new part" ermmmm WHAT? We have railroaded people out of the forum for doing similar stuff with private workshops...

Same approach with the courtesy car: You're being awfully accommodating having just come out of a very dodge sounding one into another that is due for service immediately (and to top it all off they tell you not to worry about it??).

Wishing you lots of luck and patience. I would be very upset already.

From what I see, if you have the Porsche Preowned Maintenance Agreement, then "refurbished parts" can be fitted by the dealership, at their discretion, but they have to make you aware of this.

Chatting to the local Porsche Club guys, you can see that many of them with older cars are not fans of the stealerships- especially, when there are great non-franchised workshops out there who go the extra mile for great service (Cafe 9 being one).

 

[ChrisPy]

WoW. I was actually contemplating buying a Carrera 991.2 GTS as a daily to replace the F80. After reading this, I really don’t think that would be viable.
Such a pity that the brand is tainted with stuff like this. I am a staunch supporter of the Porsche brand and have set it as my benchmark but they need to improve this.

 

[MR_Y]

Update on the courtesy car:
The oil change is being done and the rear tyres are being replaced on Saturday.
I guess they realised that will be a really long-term courtesy car, while I wait for my gearbox...

Update on the issue:
I contacted the dealer principle at Umhlanga today (they sold the car to me) and explained the situation. I will have a call later to discuss options if an ETA on the gearbox cannot be secured in a reasonable timeframe.

While this saga has been a rollercoaster, I am not too upset by it.
As long as I am not paying for anything (okay, maybe the "opportunity cost" of not enjoying the car in the interim)...

 

[TBP88]

Dunno, I'd be pissed that my cayman (a sportscar) is being replaced with something a far field from it (cayenne? Eugh). I'd at least want something similar; an older 911/boxster. For the rest, I suppose it's just how it is. At least as you say it's not costing you anything in real terms.

 

[MR_Y]

Update (hot off the press)

As I posted my update above, I received a call now from the dealership workshop that Germany has invoiced the gearbox. Apparently, they somehow received the required ZF gearbox stock today. The workshop manager tells me that the gearbox will arrive in SA in 10 working days and then fitment will occur thereafter.

I told him this sounds too good to be true and asked how did this suddenly happen, when ZF said they had no stock yesterday. No explanation provided - stuff just happens?

Anyway, I am not holding my breath. Let's see what actually happens in 10 business days....

Edit: I have been referring to the part as the gearbox. I now learn that it also includes the LSD and other diff componentry as well.

 

[MR_Y]

Dunno, I'd be pissed that my cayman (a sportscar) is being replaced with something a far field from it (cayenne? Eugh). I'd at least want something similar; an older 911/boxster. For the rest, I suppose it's just how it is. At least as you say it's not costing you anything in real terms.

After they fit the new tyres on the Cayenne on Saturday, I am going to unleash that V8 and get my satisfaction from those new tyres

 

[TurboLlew]

Update (hot off the press)

As I posted my update above, I received a call now from the dealership workshop that Germany has invoiced the gearbox. Apparently, they somehow received the required ZF gearbox stock today. The workshop manager tells me that the gearbox will arrive in SA in 10 working days and then fitment will occur thereafter.

I told him this sounds too good to be true and asked how did this suddenly happen, when ZF said they had no stock yesterday. No explanation provided - stuff just happens?

Anyway, I am not holding my breath. Let's see what actually happens in 10 business days....

Edit: I have been referring to the part as the gearbox. I now learn that it also includes the LSD and other diff componentry as well.

This sounds more like it... You can't have no stock for 6 months on one of the most popular DCT gearboxes around.

 

[///M Individual]

Great news MR_Y!

I am sure will enjoy the Cayenne S V8 in the interim.

I certainly enjoyed the 324kw 2018 Cayenne S (E3) - 2.9 V6 TwinTurbo I fetched for my relative recently.

 

[CK4LIFE]

That's good news indeed...crossing fingers all goes well...in the mean time, enjoy the V8

 

[MR_Y]

This sounds more like it... You can't have no stock for 6 months on one of the most popular DCT gearboxes around.

The Umhlanga dealer principle told me that she contacted the Pretoria dealership early this morning.
I am not sure if that call expedited stuff all round, somehow.
It seems strange that so much can change in 24 hours.

Anyway, I am going to get non-franchised dealer (Fouche, Dadas, etc.) valuations on the car, after all is fixed and working correctly.
If the offers are decent enough to me, I have my eye set on the Supra (a slightly used one).
If the offers are insufficient for me to step into a Supra, then I will extend the Plan next year and keep on trucking, with fingers crossed.

 

[MR_Y]

For anyone keen on purchasing an extended maintenance plan with Porsche, here is Warranty wording on reconditioned or remanufactured parts.

 

[MR_Y]

Great news MR_Y!

I am sure will enjoy the Cayenne S V8 in the interim.

I certainly enjoyed the 324kw 2018 Cayenne S (E3) - 2.9 V6 TwinTurbo I fetched for my relative recently.

The V8 is naturally aspirated and feels a bit lazy (maybe due to the Tiptronic torque converter box). It picks up its skirt after you give it some revs and the mid-range is strong.
Current fuel consumption, mix of open road and urban driving (with no traffic), driving normally, is around 14.5l/100km.
The car feels like a ship to drive.
It does wallow a bit in the bends (with normal driving, at sensible speeds).
PASM adaptive dampers can be set to 'Sport' to help with handling, but then the ride quality feels quite crap - even though it has plumpy tyres on 18 inch rims.
The 2020 GTS 4.0 V8 Turbo that I drove (20 or 21 inch rims) at Kyalami recently felt more compact to drive and lighter on its feet.

 

[modocrat]

The V8 is naturally aspirated and feels a bit lazy (maybe due to the Tiptronic torque converter box). It picks up its skirt after you give it some revs and the mid-range is strong.
Current fuel consumption, mix of open road and urban driving (with no traffic), driving normally, is around 14.5l/100km.
The car feels like a ship to drive.
It does wallow a bit in the bends (with normal driving, at sensible speeds).
PASM adaptive dampers can be set to 'Sport' to help with handling, but then the ride quality feels quite crap - even though it has plumpy tyres on 18 inch rims.
The 2020 GTS 4.0 V8 Turbo that I drove (20 or 21 inch rims) at Kyalami recently felt more compact to drive and lighter on its feet.

Post of some pics of the almost POS Cayenne.

 

[MR_Y]

Update:

Gearbox (and related components) have landed in SA yesterday.
It should arrive at the dealer workshop today, with job to (hopefully) commence tomorrow.

In the meantime, I have tried to find a comprehensive buyer's guide for the 981, but nothing exists. Most of what are labelled as "buyer's guides" are just too positive on the 981 (seem to be written by Porsche fans).
I went through a few international forums and I have came up with this list of most common issues on the 981 (Boxster and Cayman). @npower this may be useful for you too.

Common 981 issues:

• Door panel warping (I have this issue)
• Headlight delamination (I had this issue)
• Windscreen washer hose breaking at front bonnet hinge (seems to be small issue)
• Cylinder 5/6 ignition coil failures due to heat (it is hard to say whether this is an issue on cars that are driven on the track, or cars that are just exposed to high ambient temperatures. In most cases, you will see an engine warning light before complete failure)
• CV joint leaking grease (seems to be after heavy track driving)
• Lower coolant pipe crack at drain plug (it is hard to say whether this is an issue on cars that are driven on the track, or cars that are just exposed to high ambient temperatures)

Interesting enough, faulty PDK gearboxes are extremely rare. So, I am in the minority.

 

[TBP88]

Yeah PDK gearboxes are meant to last for life (300 000km+) - not even meant to receive oil changes during their lifetimes if I recall correctly. Pretty insane. Sad you've had such shoddy treatment, but at least you'll have a *proper* Porsche back soon

 

[MR_Y]

Update on replacement car decision:

I received a few offers on my car. Some were R50k-100k (WBC being the lowest ) lower that what I paid, with one matching what I paid.
I was told by one dealer that while these cars are keeping their values, it is noted that they do stay a long time on the dealer floors (see Autotrader - there are few 981s that have been on dealer floors for a few months, with no drop in price). This can be attributed to the current economic downturn.
However, there is nothing out there at a reasonable mileage to match the 981 Cayman S at this price point.
Supra is closest, but I will have to pay in at least R100k over my 981 to get into the cheapest used one on Autotrader.
However, one could rationalise that the Supra still has a few years of warranty and service plan (not maintenance plan) baked into its asking price.
A slightly used M240i (2017-2018), with low mileage and decent spec, is another alternative and may leave me with some cash left over. However, as brilliant as the M240i is, it is not really a sports car. The same can be said of a Mk3 TT-S.

Let's see how the gearbox replacement pans out and if there are any other issues in the future.

 

[///M Individual]

Update on replacement car decision:

I received a few offers on my car. Some were R50k-100k (WBC being the lowest ) lower that what I paid, with one matching what I paid.
I was told by one dealer that while these cars are keeping their values, it is noted that they do stay a long time on the dealer floors (see Autotrader - there are few 981s that have been on dealer floors for a few months, with no drop in price). This can be attributed to the current economic downturn.
However, there is nothing out there at a reasonable mileage to match the 981 Cayman S at this price point.
Supra is closest, but I will have to pay in at least R100k over my 981 to get into the cheapest used one on Autotrader.
However, one could rationalise that the Supra still has a few years of warranty and service plan (not maintenance plan) baked into its asking price.
A slightly used M240i (2017-2018), with low mileage and decent spec, is another alternative and may leave me with some cash left over. However, as brilliant as the M240i is, it is not really a sports car. The same can be said of a Mk3 TT-S.

Let's see how the gearbox replacement pans out and if there are any other issues in the future.

Hey bud

Having spent the past 3 weeks daily driving my relatives 2013 Boxster S PDK, I honestly think you will not get the driving experience that you do from a Porsche on a Supra or any other car in the same price range. I think you should definitely keep the Cayman and enjoy it and maybe consider selling later when warranty expiry is closer.

If your car has PADM, please add that to the list of possible issues. The Boxster warning light came on recently and PC Umhlanga diagnosed that both mounts need to be changed. Part costs around 24k each.

Another issue I noticed on the Boxster is the windscreen seal melts and looks very unsightly like Sika was just applied. Also annoying when washing the car and the mitt/cloths get the gooey substance on it.

Both issues seem fairly common after reading up on them across various overseas forums.