Crown

After much consideration, we confirmed the order for our new GTS today. This forum (and particularly RC's review) have helped our thinking.

The spec is quite basic, as I had a price limit. For whatever it's worth, this is what we chose:

          0Q     White exterior

          TW     2-Tone Lthr Black/Titanium Blu                

          5TL    Interior package Black high-gloss          

          1NP    Wheel Hub Cover with Coloured on standard RS Spyder wheels

          7X8    Park Assist (F/R) incl. Camera                  

          QR5    Sport Chrono

          7T1    PCM with Navigation        

This is primarly for my wife and PCM was a must for her. If it were solely up to me, I would probably have foregone the PCM in lieu of PDCC, but I still think this will be nice vehicle.                   

Actual build date should be confirmed in a few days, but it will be sometime in March with delivery to the dealer expected late April / early May. I will post pics and my own comments when it shows up...

Great car, but why not the GTS interior? To me this is what makes the GTS special, I actually don't like the bodykit. Especially in white the bodykit might be a bit too much.

2012 Cayenne S White/Espresso 

Ex: 993 Targa, 986S, 986 and 964 C2

Congrats! You will like it, very competent all rounder. 993 targa is right, I have the standard interior on mine and the alcantara everywhere looks and feels very nice indeed. The standard seats are perfect.

I would do without the sport chrono, it is useless.

amjf088:

After much consideration, we confirmed the order for our new GTS today. This forum (and particularly RC's review) have helped our thinking.

The spec is quite basic, as I had a price limit. For whatever it's worth, this is what we chose:

          0Q     White exterior

          TW     2-Tone Lthr Black/Titanium Blu                

          5TL    Interior package Black high-gloss          

          1NP    Wheel Hub Cover with Coloured on standard RS Spyder wheels

          7X8    Park Assist (F/R) incl. Camera                  

          QR5    Sport Chrono

          7T1    PCM with Navigation        

This is primarly for my wife and PCM was a must for her. If it were solely up to me, I would probably have foregone the PCM in lieu of PDCC, but I still think this will be nice vehicle.                   

Actual build date should be confirmed in a few days, but it will be sometime in March with delivery to the dealer expected late April / early May. I will post pics and my own comments when it shows up...

PDCC is a must on such a heavy SUV, I specifically turned down a Cayenne Turbo offer for almost the same money because it lacked PDCC. It makes a difference.

I suppose the air suspension is a standard option in Canada, lucky you. 

Get the 18-way sport seats, they are feeling (and looking) amazing.

The extended LED comfort lighting package is also a nice option.

The Sport Chrono package is useless, you just get a nice watch on the dash and some performance measurement options in the PCM. The Sport Chrono package in the Cayenne has nothing to do with the throttle response/shifting/PSM/PTM, etc. performance enhancing Sport Chrono packages in the other Porsche models.

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche Panamera Turbo S, Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2012), Mini Cooper S Countryman All4

Hello everyone,

Thanks for the feedback...

I agree that the GTS interior is nice, but at least here in Canada it costs an extra $4,000 over and above the cost of the leather interior. Plus, we have always really liked the blue/black combo.

I know that sport chrono is just a glorified stopwatch... but it is a pure vanity item as I think the dash looks much better with it.

RC, I get what you are saying with PDCC and I will give it further thought. (Oh yeah, air suspensison is standard here)

you could have the compass instead of sport chrono ..

sfo:

you could have the compass instead of sport chrono ..

Which would certainly be of more use in Canada...I guess. 

PDCC is a must have option...not only for fast driving but also for off-roading (not sure how much off-roading you plan to do but PDCC certainly improves off-road capability).

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche Panamera Turbo S, Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2012), Mini Cooper S Countryman All4

really don't understand why PDCC is not available on the Diesel S ..

sfo:

really don't understand why PDCC is not available on the Diesel S ..

Don't worry...you aren't the only one who is wondering.

I was told because of the excessive torque figure at lower rpm but apparently some people disagree. I have no clue.

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche Panamera Turbo S, Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2012), Mini Cooper S Countryman All4

Apparently problem is with Audi designed diesel engines that are not technically compatible with PDCC on both Cayenne and Panamera.

KresoF1:

Apparently problem is with Audi designed diesel engines that are not technically compatible with PDCC on both Cayenne and Panamera.

Interesting but why not?  

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche Panamera Turbo S, Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2012), Mini Cooper S Countryman All4

RC, is PDCC a must on a Panamera GTS?

Wonderbar:

RC, is PDCC a must on a Panamera GTS?

I would say yes, the Panamera GTS isn't a light car and PDCC works really well.
Have you changed your mind, are you planning to go for the Panamera GTS? Caution...you will miss the power but if you are more of a person who enjoys driving, not "racing", the GTS may be a good choice (sportier drive feel, amazing sound).

--

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche Panamera Turbo S, Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2012), Mini Cooper S Countryman All4

Thanks RC.  I haven't changed my mind about the Turbo, but my dealer--which I respect--has recently been making some good points about the GTS:

1.  More "involved driving experience".

2.  At least 20K less than turbo.

3.  GTS is holding resale value better.  

Still inclined toward Turbo--addicted to the whoosh.  Have to admit I am also considering either new FL turbo or low mileage 2013 Turbo S.  With kids headed to college--and wife who is financially conservative--I have to consider value more now (like not taking huge depreciation loss on a new car).  

I hate reality sometimes, especially when it runs up against my extravagant tastes...

If I had the chance to choose again, I would ask Porsche to build a Cayenne Turbo S with GTS chassis and steering response/feel.

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche Panamera Turbo S, Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2012), Mini Cooper S Countryman All4

no satelite radio?

heated windshield? not particularly cold in TO, but i had that on my Land Rover - really liked it & if you go north or East, that will be an appreciated option.

Power steering is an option - spouse may like that.

maybe your spouse is an ex racer, if not, there are a few other things to put on it before PDCC. she won't miss it on the 400 or the QEW

--

2012 991 C2S -PDK / 2010 997.2 turbo cab manual, sold / 2008 Cayenne GTS Manual /2008 RS 60 sold /04 C4S sold - 08 Cayenne Turbo PDCC sold

All excellent points...

This car won't see any (real) off-road. Actually, I was thinking that a Panamera might be more suited for my wife's needs, but she really likes the SUV format and the GTS style (with the turbo front end and sport design side skirts etc). We were heading towards an S, but when my wife saw a GTS in person, she really fell in love with it.

A good case can be made for pretty much any of the options, but I have always felt that any of the Porsche stock configurations are pretty decent cars as-is. I have thought it over, and at ~$4K, I will stick to the choice to not get the PDCC. As I said, if it were more my vehicle, I might decide differently, but my wife is more interested in the style of the car versus really sporty driving (don't get me wrong, she likes a bit of a sporty feel, but not to the same extent that I do).

We have been fortunate to have had a decent amount of test-drive experience from our local dealer in various Cayenne models, so I know that my wife is satisfied with the ride quality and steering feel. I had been thinking about the heated windscreen, but that option sounds controversial as some don't like the visibility of the heating element at night in glare conditions and that is a particular concern for my wife who has always found nightime glare of any kind something that bothers her.

I appreciate all the thoughts. I am taking all remarks into consideration!

amjf088: I have thought it over, and at ~$4K, I will stick to the choice to not get the PDCC. As I said, if it were more my vehicle, I might decide differently, but my wife is more interested in the style of the car versus really sporty driving (don't get me wrong, she likes a bit of a sporty feel, but not to the same extent that I do).

I really get that and you won't get the 4k back in resale value because most used car buyers couldn't care less.

Have you tried the LED interior light package? My wife loves it.

The Panamera is not the right choice for a woman, my wife drove my PTS once and she was shocked how big this car felt. On the other hand, she loves the high seating position of the Cayenne.

--

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche Panamera Turbo S, Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2012), Mini Cooper S Countryman All4

CPA4S:

no satelite radio?

heated windshield? not particularly cold in TO, but i had that on my Land Rover - really liked it & if you go north or East, that will be an appreciated option.

Power steering is an option - spouse may like that.

maybe your spouse is an ex racer, if not, there are a few other things to put on it before PDCC. she won't miss it on the 400 or the QEW

--

2012 991 C2S -PDK / 2010 997.2 turbo cab manual, sold / 2008 Cayenne GTS Manual /2008 RS 60 sold /04 C4S sold - 08 Cayenne Turbo PDCC sold

Not sure about it but I think I read somewhere that the heated windshield kind of inhibts radar detectors from working properly. Satellite radio would be my choice too...if it was available in Germany. I listen to Sirius XM (I have an online subscription) through my Sonos system at home and I just love it. I wish I could listen to it in the car but unfortunately the Sirius XM satellites are covering North America only, not Europe. Bummer.

--

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche Panamera Turbo S, Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2012), Mini Cooper S Countryman All4

Excellent choice, I'm sure you will not regret, rs spyder wheels plus I love the profile that has the llanata 20 "(275/45 R20) is more comfortable than the 21" (295/35 R21) for a daily use, or at least when I had the turbo rim 21 "was very nice but very uncomfortable for my taste, in daily use.

The Cayenne GTS has launch control?

Comfort on the 21" is ok for me (we have good roads here), but they are very delicate to scratch for example in a narrow parking garage. I'm super carefull with my wheels, but caught a few scratches. The 20" have a bit more tire and that should help.

2012 Cayenne S White/Espresso 

Ex: 993 Targa, 986S, 986 and 964 C2

cayenneturbo:

Excellent choice, I'm sure you will not regret, rs spyder wheels plus I love the profile that has the llanata 20 "(275/45 R20) is more comfortable than the 21" (295/35 R21) for a daily use, or at least when I had the turbo rim 21 "was very nice but very uncomfortable for my taste, in daily use.

The Cayenne GTS has launch control?

This is called "sporty". 

The Cayenne has no launch control.

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche Panamera Turbo S, Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2012), Mini Cooper S Countryman All4

RC:                                                                                                                                                                                         

This is called "sporty". 

The Cayenne has no launch control.

RC true , but in Spain our cities and towns are filled with bumps, jumps at every crosswalk and the truth that a rim 21 here can become a torture ... like what is the top speed of 120 km / h on motorways...

I have 21" rims and love the looks, but it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep them from being scratched.  Already had them refinished and painted twice in 25K miles....

Wonderbar:

I have 21" rims and love the looks, but it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep them from being scratched.  Already had them refinished and painted twice in 25K miles....

+1

At least it is pretty cheap to do...

SciFrog:

Wonderbar:

I have 21" rims and love the looks, but it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep them from being scratched.  Already had them refinished and painted twice in 25K miles....

+1

At least it is pretty cheap to do...

Thanks for coming out of the closet guys, I don't feel alone anymore with my scratched wheels 

I haven't painted them yet, the scratches are relatively small, but still annoying because I know they are there.

2012 Cayenne S White/Espresso 

Ex: 993 Targa, 986S, 986 and 964 C2

I am very anal about my rims, I never scratch them but I am also very very careful, mostly because of the tires.

My wife however scratches her rims all the time and this is why she is afraid to use my car(s). 

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche Panamera Turbo S, Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2012), Mini Cooper S Countryman All4

Wonderbar:

I have 21" rims and love the looks, but it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep them from being scratched.  Already had them refinished and painted twice in 25K miles....

weird, only 1 wheel rim scratched in 4 1/2 years but not a lot of big city driving so i probably have it pretty easy.

2012 991 C2S -PDK / 2010 997.2 turbo cab manual, sold / 2008 Cayenne GTS Manual /2008 RS 60 sold /04 C4S sold - 08 Cayenne Turbo PDCC sold

My scratches happend in parking garages. They are not bad enough to get fixed and I don't notice them when I walk towards my car. Really have to look for them, but still. Didn't have the problem with my other Porsches. It's really the size of the car.

2012 Cayenne S White/Espresso 

Ex: 993 Targa, 986S, 986 and 964 C2

993Targa:

My scratches happend in parking garages. They are not bad enough to get fixed and I don't notice them when I walk towards my car. Really have to look for them, but still. Didn't have the problem with my other Porsches. It's really the size of the car.

Be happy you don't drive a Panamera. Porsche should offer special side skirt cameras for protecting the rims.  I haven't scratched any of my Panamera rims yet but last Saturday I parked my PTS in the BMW World underground garage and when I exited, it was very very close to actually damaging more than a rim. Horrible exit. A 7 series driver in front of me opened his windows to look for the edges and right wall and at first I laughed about him but when I had to exit myself, I really was afraid I would hit a rim or even more. German parking lots...most of them are made for mid sized cars, not cars like the Panamera.

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche Panamera Turbo S, Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2012), Mini Cooper S Countryman All4