BRZ vs S2000 vs Cayman S (my take)

[WolfpackS2k]

It's worth noting that if you do track your car eventually the carbon ceramic rotors will need to be replaced. And wholesale dealer prices are around $8000 per pair.

Originally Posted by phenoyz

off topic
if you were to buy a brand new cayman what options
would you get, if you were to pick only one which is the best to get?

- sport chrono ?
- active suspension?
- torque vectoring?

I haven't paid very close attention to the new 718 Cayman since I have no interest in ever putting down serious money for a 4 cylinder sports car. So I'm not quite sure what features options like Sport Chrono do these days. For my 987.1, Sport Chrono (besides the stop watch) enables a hard, instead of soft, fuel cut off at redline and quicker throttle response.

Porsche used to offer (for the Cayman) the base suspension, the X73 sport suspension (standard on GTS) and PASM. With the 718 the X73 option is no longer available. You would probably want to check the option box for the torque vectoring, as that's the only way a 981 or 718 achieves superior handling over a 987.

You'd probably want to get PSE, (or an aftermarket system) for a 718 since IMO the new 4 banger sounds horrible.

Honestly, I'd recommend finding a lightly used, or unsold, 981 with that silky smooth melodic sounding flat six engine.

[WolfpackS2k]

Bumping the thread for an ownership update. Been almost 5 years and I'm still extremely pleased with my Cayman. She's still as reliable as ever, but at over 100,000 miles, I thought it was time for a suspension refresh. In inspecting and taking apart the suspension I discovered that both front strut bushings were worn out (no surprise as they started making noise months ago), and one front lower control arm ball joint was torn. Additionally, the dampers started to exhibit some "not great" handling characteristics at triple digit speeds. In disassembly, I was actually surprised at the great condition of most of the original bushings. Here's a list of my build:

• Ohlins Road & Track coilovers
• Ground Control front camber plates w adjustable caster
• Front lower control arms (OEM)
• Tarett solid metal rear thrust arm bushings w adjustable toe
• Rear strut mounts (OEM)

The Ohlins are 20 way adjustable for stiffness, and 25-45mm height adjustment (below stock). I went with maximum height because I don't want to scrape all over the place, so 25 mm lower than stock. Had car aligned and corner balanced last week. Camber set to -1.8° front, -2.0° rear; 0° toe. Cross weight of car is a perfect 50.00% with 200 lb ballast in place for driver. Weight distribution of 46/54. Car weight of 3034 lb with 3/4th tank of fuel.

Now I'm all set for VIR in 6 weeks

[Ganthrithor]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Bumping the thread for an ownership update. Been almost 5 years and I'm still extremely pleased with my Cayman. She's still as reliable as ever, but at over 100,000 miles, I thought it was time for a suspension refresh. In inspecting and taking apart the suspension I discovered that both front strut bushings were worn out (no surprise as they started making noise months ago), and one front lower control arm ball joint was torn. Additionally, the dampers started to exhibit some "not great" handling characteristics at triple digit speeds. In disassembly, I was actually surprised at the great condition of most of the original bushings. Here's a list of my build:

• Ohlins Road & Track coilovers
• Ground Control front camber plates w adjustable caster
• Front lower control arms (OEM)
• Tarett solid metal rear thrust arm bushings w adjustable toe
• Rear strut mounts (OEM)

The Ohlins are 20 way adjustable for stiffness, and 25-45mm height adjustment (below stock). I went with maximum height because I don't want to scrape all over the place, so 25 mm lower than stock. Had car aligned and corner balanced last week. Camber set to -1.8° front, -2.0° rear; 0° toe. Cross weight of car is a perfect 50.00% with 200 lb ballast in place for driver. Weight distribution of 46/54. Car weight of 3034 lb with 3/4th tank of fuel.

Now I'm all set for VIR in 6 weeks

How do you like the feel of the Ohlins? I'm considering changing coilovers on my BRZ... my suspension setup manages to feel jarring over small imperfections AND hit the bump stops constantly on anything big-- feels like the worst of both worlds. Might see if I can get stiffer springs first? IDK. Our 993 has Bilstein dampers on it that feel incredible. I know Ohlins make an 86 kit...

Also my 997 could probably use new dampers as it's just about to hit 100k.

[WolfpackS2k]

I've been a big fan thus far, but I suppose it's too early to form strong opinions? Haven't done any aggressive driving yet. I currently have them set at 10 (out of 20). 10 is the stiffest Ohlins recommends for the street...however that's mostly personal preference and for day to day driving I would be fine with them being even stiffer. For a long road trip, would maybe soften them a little more.

Car seems well damped, basically like new. There is some harshness on really big bumps, but I fully recognize that's probably because my front upper strut mount bushings are now solid metal. The rear metal thrust arm bushings have taken a little bit of slack out of the rear end - should eliminate almost all horizontal axle halfshaft movement.

Backing up a bit, I had no idea that Porsche built in a lot of suspension adjustment from the factory. I suppose it shouldn't be surprising, but the Cayman can get up to -2.0° camber front and rear. Is also a large amount of toe adjustment in rear as well.

[Christopher1977]

What's the maintenance cost like?

[WolfpackS2k]

I self perform all maintenance, and use OEM Porsche parts (where it matters).

Brake rotors are about $350/pair. Front life is about 60k. Rear 90k
Brake pads are $100/axle. Those are pretty low at all 4 corners right now, so might consider changing from OEM to a different compound (for street; track is Pagid Yellows)
Water pump is $320, should be replaced every 50k
Accessory drive belt is $30, also replaced every 50k
Oil change is $20 for filter and $50 for 9 quarts of MobilOne (change 1-2 times a year, depending on HPDEs)
Engine air filter is $25; replace every 20k
Spark plugs are standard Bosch plugs, replace every 50k.
Both window regulators have been replaced, $120/each
A set of 4 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires is about $1000 installed. Fronts last 40k miles, rears 25-30k (I consider this pretty good, considering the occasional track event).

[Christopher1977]

Wow, I've read that Porsche maintenance is pretty expensive but those prices don't seem outrageous at all!

[WolfpackS2k]

Yeah, the key is being able to do the work yourself! Thankfully there are a few great online resources for OEM Porsche parts at wholesale pricing (or so they claim).

www.getporscheparts.com, www.suncoastparts.com, www.sonnenporscheoemparts.com

[Ganthrithor]

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Yeah, the key is being able to do the work yourself! Thankfully there are a few great online resources for OEM Porsche parts at wholesale pricing (or so they claim).

www.getporscheparts.com, www.suncoastparts.com, www.sonnenporscheoemparts.com

Yup. Porsche mechanics' hours are not cheap. Not at all. Luckily there's tremendous DIY documentation on forums and good reference books available if you've got the time to do your own thingos.

[WolfpackS2k]

Got my car dyno'd over the weekend. See results below for all you torque dip lovers

[7 skulls]

So tempted by this:

https://www.nlclassifieds.com/Marsh-...27UuwRCtdNMlC0

[WolfpackS2k]

Well, as they say all good things come to an end. While I was attending an HPDE a few weeks ago the engine in my Cayman died. Braking for the last turn of the track, engine shut off, no smoke, no leaks, no weird noises. Just a CEL for cylinder 1 misfire. And could not restart engine.

Later found this when I dropped my oil pan:



So, umm, pretty f*cked here.

[Ernest72]

Sorry to hear. That’s gonna cost a pretty penny. Please update. I may be a cayman owner in a year or so once I know how much college for my daughter will cost me.

[Petah78]

Sorry to hear. Can you explain what is that in the pan? Chunks of metal is it? Would you mind sharing more info about the car? As in mileage, oil changes, how it was driven etc.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by WolfpackS2k

Well, as they say all good things come to an end. While I was attending an HPDE a few weeks ago the engine in my Cayman died. Braking for the last turn of the track, engine shut off, no smoke, no leaks, no weird noises. Just a CEL for cylinder 1 misfire. And could not restart engine.

Later found this when I dropped my oil pan:



So, umm, pretty f*cked here.