Options to think about when upgrading to a 981?

[daz05]

I wish the 3.4 had some mid range torque!

[Davey P]

Not sure how much my view counts around here, given that mine is a Cayman, but I'd say don't get too bogged down with a massive list of options. Upgrading to a 981 will feel like a massive jump, regardless of the options list. Mine is pretty basic, not even got reversing camera or sensors, and just a bog standard head unit (which never gets switched on, because I'd rather listen to the glorious engine than the radio), so I guess it could be classed as a "base model". However, it's a fantastic car to own and drive, with a beautiful slick manual gearchange, and the 2.7 engine is more than fast enough for normal road use.

Best advice - Go for one with fully documented history from a main dealer or independent Porsche specialist.

Good luck in your search mate 👍

[Nobbie]

34 minutes ago, Davey P said:

Not sure how much my view counts around here, given that mine is a Cayman, but I'd say don't get too bogged down with a massive list of options. Upgrading to a 981 will feel like a massive jump, regardless of the options list. Mine is pretty basic, not even got reversing camera or sensors, and just a bog standard head unit (which never gets switched on, because I'd rather listen to the glorious engine than the radio), so I guess it could be classed as a "base model". However, it's a fantastic car to own and drive, with a beautiful slick manual gearchange, and the 2.7 engine is more than fast enough for normal road use.

Best advice - Go for one with fully documented history from a main dealer or independent Porsche specialist.

Good luck in your search mate 👍

You’re right, your views count for nothing now you’ve gone to the dark side😛

I’m lucky in that all the cars I drive have been fairly basic, so most options are a nice to have, but this has been useful to see what other people value and why. One useful point is the Sport design steering wheel. That would be a must have with a PDK for me as the paddles made such a difference on my 986. I’m sure the PDK doesn’t need my input, but it’s going to get it anyway.

My 986 has only been driven by me as it frightens the wife, especially with the dronemaster exhaust. I can see the 981 being used for a few long trips, maybe even a tour of the continent, so this will also be a consideration.

TBH, I suspect one of the biggest factors will be colour as I love a nice bright car. Last three cars have been red, yellow and blue, but there are always wraps such as the lovely one on @ATM’s car.

Had a look on Copart, but not sure if they really provide great value anymore with all the charges compared to the risk you’re taking on. I’ll keep an eye out though.

[GTSMarky]

Well I originally had my heart set on an Exige 380S in Sky Blue with a carbon pack..  That got kyboshed and I ended up with a Black BGTS - I would never had gone for a black car if this car wasn't presented to me in my time of weakness.

...that was all over 6 years ago and my BGTS has been and still is ace.

I guess what I'm saying is be open to what might appear in front of you.

Having owned the car since 2017 what I particularly like are:

PDK

3.4 NA Motor & PSE

GTS Interior

981 dynamics as a complete piece of excellent engineering

You'll be unlucky to find a bad one!

[ATM]

26 minutes ago, Nobbie said:

TBH, I suspect one of the biggest factors will be colour as I love a nice bright car. Last three cars have been red, yellow and blue, but there are always wraps such as the lovely one on @ATM’s car.

That's paint

[CMA]

1 hour ago, Nobbie said:

One useful point is the Sport design steering wheel. That would be a must have with a PDK for me as the paddles made such a difference on my 986. I’m sure the PDK doesn’t need my input, but it’s going to get it anyway.

Something to note, this can be retro fitted, so of you find the perfect car without it you can add it later

[ATM]

14 hours ago, daz05 said:

I wish the 3.4 had some mid range torque!

You need to swap out for a 3.8 motor, or get a lower final drive ratio. 

[mneil]

27 minutes ago, ATM said:

You need to swap out for a 3.8 motor, or get a lower final drive ratio. 

Or some decent headers with sports cats and a remap, made the world of difference to mine🤗 and cheaper than the new diff from RPM.

[moospeed]

3 hours ago, mneil said:

Or some decent headers with sports cats and a remap, made the world of difference to mine🤗 and cheaper than the new diff from RPM.

Apologies if it's a stupid question but I've read somewhere that the "official" reason the 911 engine in the 981S doesn't make as much power is due to the location and limitations on the intake/exhaust.   Sounds partially feasible but more likely that Porsche down-tuned it a bit via software to not interfere too much with their halo model cars.

I wondered if anyone knew what the gains would be on just software changes.

[GTSMarky]

2 hours ago, moospeed said:

 

I wondered if anyone knew what the gains would be on just software changes.

Very little when there's no turbo!

[Nobbie]

Might take a look at this in the new year, sport design wheel, 20” wheels, PDLS, nice colour. Is parktronic some sort of camera system for parking? Not PSE, but can look at a retrofit. Plenty of life left at only 45k and two owners, so would be easy enough to resell if I wanted to go back to a 986. Not sure on the interior, probably have to see that in the flesh. Any thoughts?

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311224202615?sort=mileage&advertising-location=at_cars&aggregatedTrim=981&make=PORSCHE&maximum-mileage=60000&minimum-mileage=40000&model=Boxster&postcode=sk94bg&radius=1500&year-to=2020&fromsra

[ATM]

That's too nice for you @Nobbie

[Greenman]

44 minutes ago, Nobbie said:

Might take a look at this in the new year, sport design wheel, 20” wheels, PDLS, nice colour. Is parktronic some sort of camera system for parking? Not PSE, but can look at a retrofit. Plenty of life left at only 45k and two owners, so would be easy enough to resell if I wanted to go back to a 986. Not sure on the interior, probably have to see that in the flesh. Any thoughts?

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311224202615?sort=mileage&advertising-location=at_cars&aggregatedTrim=981&make=PORSCHE&maximum-mileage=60000&minimum-mileage=40000&model=Boxster&postcode=sk94bg&radius=1500&year-to=2020&fromsra

Thought you said you’d prefer higher mileage 15….so you picked a lowish mileage 12😜

if you are around over the Christmas period I can come over and we can go for a drive in mine and I’ll talk you through the extras mine has so you have an idea of what’s what (thought I suspect you know most of it).   
 

I’m around after Boxing Day till new year - though weather does look great, but let me know if you fancy.

 

 

 

[mneil]

On 12/22/2023 at 4:14 PM, moospeed said:

Apologies if it's a stupid question but I've read somewhere that the "official" reason the 911 engine in the 981S doesn't make as much power is due to the location and limitations on the intake/exhaust.   Sounds partially feasible but more likely that Porsche down-tuned it a bit via software to not interfere too much with their halo model cars.

I wondered if anyone knew what the gains would be on just software changes.

Mine was eventually on the Dyno with 312bhp at the rear wheels. Not bad for an NA engine, the 3.4 911 was advertised at 350bhp at the Crank.

[Nobbie]

1 hour ago, Greenman said:

Thought you said you’d prefer higher mileage 15….so you picked a lowish mileage 12😜

if you are around over the Christmas period I can come over and we can go for a drive in mine and I’ll talk you through the extras mine has so you have an idea of what’s what (thought I suspect you know most of it).   
 

I’m around after Boxing Day till new year - though weather does look great, but let me know if you fancy.

 

 

 

Thank Wayne, it will be good to meet up, we’ve missed you on the peaks runs. I’ll text you nearer the time.

I was playing on Autotrader to see what difference mileage made and this one really stood out of the current crop. There seems to be a big drop off in price between 80 and 100k, but selling on will always be an issue with over 100k, but if I get it for the right price and it’s a keeper then it won’t matter. Nothing seems to be shifting at the moment, so be interesting to see what happens to prices in the new year.

Edited December 23, 2023 by Nobbie

[CMA]

1 hour ago, Greenman said:

Thought you said you’d prefer higher mileage 15….so you picked a lowish mileage 12😜

And one with PADM.... 😛 

Check the age on those PZeros and the cracking, could be a good negotiation point. One is N1, cant see the other so guessing they're the same, much better than the N0 versions.

I had that style of wheel on my first one, they seem quite prone to the worm corrosion under the lacquer, another negotiation point.

Something else to check, start the car, hit the aircon max button then put your hand in front of each wheel, you should feel the rad fans blowing. The fans can be prone to stop working if some grit gets in there, normally an easy fix but again another negotiation point if one or both aren't working.

[Fizzy Duck]

PASM is really quite great, but not necessary. Especially on 19s. 
 

PSE is very aggressive sounding, with lots of pops/crackles. I wouldn’t say it’s necessary, even though it does sound nice. 
 

I think sport chrono is excellent. The PADMs work wonders in Sport Plus and make the car feel notably more aggressive when pushing on hard. But not necessary. 
 

Leather sport seats plus I would say is a required option. They are great. 
 

Extended leather is nice but can live without it. 
 

PDLS is phenomenal this time of year - you can drive the car much harder as it gets dark, as the lights are always pointing where you’re looking. Must have for me. 
 

Bose is a must have for me. It’s decent enough.

 

Auto dimming mirrors would be a must for me. The car is quite low and I frequently find myself being blinded by others - never had this issue before. But if you don’t find this a problem on yours I wouldn’t bother. 
 

I’ve always been team manual. My other car is a 135i manual and it’s great. But the 981 will do crazy speeds in 2nd, so I’m not convinced I’d have ever made use of it. PDK is blooming great in manual mode with paddles. Hence sports design wheel is a must. 

 

Not sure I could live without reversing camera - the visibility isn’t great when reversing  

 

My two cents after a week of new ownership. 

Edited December 23, 2023 by Fizzy Duck

[mr.tourette23]

Looks a decent car that, price is a little rich for a private sale imho, I like the interior, black is fine on red but I do sometimes think its a little dull, I'd like that in my car, some of the coloured interiors can look a bit lairy but I think that one is rather tasteful .. Bear in mind that car may be due the 12 year service soon which includes pdk and a belt change so you could be looking at a rather large service bill not long after buying.. Something to bear in mind, other than that it looks a well specced motor👍

 

[daz05]

6 hours ago, Nobbie said:

Might take a look at this in the new year, sport design wheel, 20” wheels, PDLS, nice colour. Is parktronic some sort of camera system for parking? Not PSE, but can look at a retrofit. Plenty of life left at only 45k and two owners, so would be easy enough to resell if I wanted to go back to a 986. Not sure on the interior, probably have to see that in the flesh. Any thoughts?

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311224202615?sort=mileage&advertising-location=at_cars&aggregatedTrim=981&make=PORSCHE&maximum-mileage=60000&minimum-mileage=40000&model=Boxster&postcode=sk94bg&radius=1500&year-to=2020&fromsra

Just get one with PSE you don't want to compromise on this.

[Nobbie]

9 hours ago, daz05 said:

Just get one with PSE you don't want to compromise on this.

I’m aware that PSE is currently not available to retrofit at the moment. Is there any downside to fitting an aftermarket exhaust and mapping to get the pops and bangs. It would be great to find a car with PSE, but it would severely limit the options, particularly at the lower end of the market and on the 2.7.

[GTSMarky]

10 hours ago, daz05 said:

Just get one with PSE you don't want to compromise on this.

I 100% agree!  

[ATM]

14 hours ago, mr.tourette23 said:

Bear in mind that car may be due the 12 year service soon which includes pdk and a belt change so you could be looking at a rather large service bill not long after buying.

If you're thinking keeper and you'll be doing DIY maintenance then these bits are just a couple of hours of your time and simple enough for anyone to do with half a brain and some basic tools.

[moonshine]

For me, essentials were PSE, Sports Plus seats, PDK with steering wheel with paddles, heated seats and PDLS Xenons, Climate control and PASM and I wouldn't have a car without  these.

Other things like leather dash, Sports Chrono, Bose are nice to get, but not essential 

Edited December 24, 2023 by moonshine

[daz05]

If you think climate control is essential in a Boxster you are doing this wrong @moonshine

[Greenman]

7 hours ago, Nobbie said:

I’m aware that PSE is currently not available to retrofit at the moment. Is there any downside to fitting an aftermarket exhaust and mapping to get the pops and bangs. It would be great to find a car with PSE, but it would severely limit the options, particularly at the lower end of the market and on the 2.7.

Only downsides, off top of head, are resale and that there don’t really seem that many options for the 981, or at least options that have been installed and recommended by uk users en mass.  If your future usage is similar to previous than I guess that does remove a bit of the concern about drone (one area the PSE manages particularly well). 

Edited December 24, 2023 by Greenman