[B E Spilner]

Partly this post serves as an introduction, but primarily seeking some guidance. I just logged about 2000 miles on myself in two separate cars driving all the way from central MD to Memphis, TN and back to pick up one of only two manual Boxster GTS's listed on Porsche's CPO finder. I traded in a car that I absolutely adored, a 2015 M4, for what after months of research and soul-searching I've determined is the absolute perfect car for me at this moment in time... and the drive home did a lot to confirm that.

But what else it did is leave me with a list of things I need to get looked at. The car has a few miles on it, but still about 2500 or so left on the factory warranty. It's also covered under Porsche CPO warranty for another 3 years. So I'm looking for things to make sure I can have them covered before the factory warranty expires- so any insight into the key differences between factory and CPO warranties would be helpful.

I also noticed some things that I think need attention regardless, any insight to similar experiences would also be immensely helpful before I take it in to my local dealer by early next week:

- the car has the X73 sport suspension, which I was actually a bit concerned with as far as ride harshness but have found through experience isn't near as bad as I thought it might be. That said though, I've noticed some substantial vibration, mostly during highway speeds but occasionally noticeable during normal "city" driving... the car came with the factory 20" carrera S wheels but has Kumho Ecsta PS91 tires. I've been wary of these tires since I saw them in the pictures; they seem to get great reviews from what I can tell online (mostly on bmw forums), but they're the first suspect for any driveability concerns that I have. That said, the vibration is fairly slight and almost seems to be intermittent- it's been literally decades since I wore a label as a mechanic so I don't want to self-diagnose but figured I'd pop in here and see if anyone had any insight, particularly with the X73.

- Possibly related to the above vibration, there's a pretty significant rattle in the cabin. Sounds like it's coming from within/underneath the dash on the passenger side but locations of rattles can be deceiving. I'm hoping my local dealer can work that out.

- The brakes squeal terribly, particularly at low speeds under light pedal pressure. I've had similar situations in the past, typically after track days, where it's the type of brake noise that doesn't affect the stopping capability of the car in the slightest, but is immensely irritating. The dealer I bought the car from claims the rear brakes were just done and the fronts exceeded CPO specification, and the noise was "mostly normal". The expectation is since the car had been sitting for a bit, it would go away after some normal driving. It hasn't. The noise does tend to lessen after some repeated usage but always comes right back. Hoping my local dealer doesn't also tell me it's normal, or if they do then the noise does actually go away eventually.

There's a crack in the windshield. Very small at the moment but I want to deal with it before it spreads. I can't be certain it didn't happen during the drive home, as I didn't notice it during the test drive. Any recommendations for how to deal with this? I haven't had it happen in years; I can't imagine it would be too costly to fix as long as it doesn't spread, but any gotchas to look out for would be helpful.

That's mostly it- the car is otherwise amazing to drive and in great shape.

 

[mrg02d]

I've got a Boxster S. The brakes are extremely noisy, which two dealers have told me is completely normal. Porsche even sent me a welcome package with a notice about noisy brakes being normal.

Stopping power isn't a problem, which I found out one day in traffic when a lunatic came into my lane. (The sudden stopping force threw me from my seat and was snagged by the seatbelt).

My car also rattles from several places. Annoying, but I eventually block it out.

I'd get some better tires once those go. Shouldn't take long

 

[Jim137a]

First off good luck with your BGTS - manual trans in these cars is so much fun IMO.

Did you get a CPO Report with the car ( see attached photos ). The report should indicate the condition of the car prior to you picking it up. It specifically addresses most of the issues you have stated ( windshield, tire condition, brakes ).

I don’t believe the car should have been CPO’ ed with non OEM tires. I believe OEM tires should have been Good Years or Pirelli’s on your car and as indicated on the CPO they should be N - Rated Tires. Are the Kumho’s N - Rated. If I’m wrong about this I’d hope someone on this board with more experience would chime in.

Brake squeal - I have a 2016 CGTS with almost 11k miles on it and I have absolutely no brake squeal at all.

Rattles - the only “ rattle “ I have is the passenger seatbelt banging against the side of the passenger seat. It’s a common complaint. Some people just wrap a cloth around the metal buckle when the passenger seat is unoccupied.

Crack in windshield- I doubt the selling dealer will honor this as their CPO report will most likely claim the windshield was good when you picked the car up. Take a look at your CPO report if they gave you one.

If the selling dealer didn’t provide the CPO report to you I’d personally ask them for one.

Finally, I’ve had my CGTS for over a year now and it’s been absolutely trouble free and aside from the 1st annual service / oil change there hasn’t been one issue. I’m confident that once you get your few issues sorted out you’ll really have a lot of fun with with a great car.

 

[BoxsterGTSinAR]

Ha! You bought the white one with black wheels from Gossett, didn't you?

I bought the agate grey manual GTS in Phoenix and drove it 19hrs home to Arkansas over the weekend.

 

[BoxsterGTSinAR]

- Possibly related to the above vibration, there's a pretty significant rattle in the cabin. Sounds like it's coming from within/underneath the dash on the passenger side but locations of rattles can be deceiving. I'm hoping my local dealer can work that out.

- The brakes squeal terribly, particularly at low speeds under light pedal pressure. I've had similar situations in the past, typically after track days, where it's the type of brake noise that doesn't affect the stopping capability of the car in the slightest, but is immensely irritating. The dealer I bought the car from claims the rear brakes were just done and the fronts exceeded CPO specification, and the noise was "mostly normal". The expectation is since the car had been sitting for a bit, it would go away after some normal driving. It hasn't. The noise does tend to lessen after some repeated usage but always comes right back. Hoping my local dealer doesn't also tell me it's normal, or if they do then the noise does actually go away eventually.

The brakes on my Boxster GTS are dead silent thus far. Granted, I didn't use them much on the 1,400 mile trek home on I40, but I've been driving it non-stop since I got it home Saturday with no brake squeal. I'd get it to a trusted independent Porsche specialist or reputable dealer. Hopefully nothing, or at least covered by warranty.

I have four distinct noises and will have my local specialty shop check three of them (the passenger seatbelt is the fourth and doesn't need to be addressed). The first is a rattle in my passenger door. The second is the rattle you mention under the dash, though mine sounds like it is from the driver side. I too have the X73 suspension and this noise only happens over rough surfaces (which is pretty much all we have in Arkansas!). The third is a bit of wind noise where the top meets the A frame on the passenger side corner. It only happens in extremely gusty winds at highway speeds, which I got plenty of across Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas Saturday. To me it looks like the top needs to be adjusted a tiny bit there. Maybe not.

Best of luck with your new GTS!

 

[B E Spilner]

Ha! You bought the white one with black wheels from Gossett, didn't you?

I bought the agate grey manual GTS in Phoenix and drove it 19hrs home to Arkansas over the weekend.

Yep, that's me. You know inventory is low when someone makes a post and you instantly know the details of the car... and I was just in Phoenix two weeks ago too (not that it matters at all). That's an even more obscene drive, but I imagine you could have had the top down for more of it than I could...? It was 75 and sunny all 4 days while I was out there.

Arkansas is basically right next door to Memphis... out of curiosity, what made you pass on the car that I ended up with?

Great advice from all, the wife took it today, says she needs to "bond with it" (she REALLY loved the M4); I asked for the CPO report, hopefully it won't be too much of an issue getting it, Gossett has been fantastic thus far. As for the noises/rattles, depending on availability I'll have it in my local dealer here soon (Porsche Towson, where I bought my Macan) to get these things addressed.

Long drives aren't even this car's strong suit but I still enjoyed my trip back home, despite having had a minor sports-related injury to my back just a week prior. The M4 was a great "do it all" car for an age where I still needed back seats, but it's just incomparable to this one. I'm thoroughly enjoying it already and I'm sure these gripes will get cleared up soon.

 

[BoxsterGTSinAR]

Yep, that's me. You know inventory is low when someone makes a post and you instantly know the details of the car... and I was just in Phoenix two weeks ago too (not that it matters at all). That's an even more obscene drive, but I imagine you could have had the top down for more of it than I could...? It was 75 and sunny all 4 days while I was out there.

Arkansas is basically right next door to Memphis... out of curiosity, what made you pass on the car that I ended up with?

Would you believe it was raining when I picked up the car in Phoenix? They said it was the first time it had rained in three months! Figures.

As for passing on your car... I was in no hurry to buy. Been looking for the right car for 9 months. I had a very, very specific set of criteria for the car I wanted. Color, wheels, PTV, ventilated seats, 18 way adjustable seats, full leather interior, Bose with navi, etc. A few have come close over the last 9 months but the one I got finally hit the mark. Only downside of mine is the garnet red interior. A bit too flashy for me. IMO BMW does a better job mixing in black with their red interiors so they aren't so garish. Caring about the interior color goes out the window the second I start it though. You know what I'm talking about.

 

[CinciOH]

Long drives aren't even this car's strong suit but I still enjoyed my trip back home, despite having had a minor sports-related injury to my back just a week prior. The M4 was a great "do it all" car for an age where I still needed back seats, but it's just incomparable to this one.

Funny, I just posted yesterday on BMW forum how no BMW, even in ///M guise, will EVER give you even close the emotions like the ground-up sports car. Not speed, they have that in spades, but emotions. Totally different, just as you said above. I, after 15,000 miles and 1 1/2 years of ownership, still need about 10-15 miles before I can start driving my Cayman as it should be driven after a week or so in rentals or my daily driver GTI. Totally different and SO much better than cars built to be daily drivers and grocery getters, no matter the horsepower crammed into the engine bay.

To both new GTS owners : good luck, enjoy in good health and ... try to keep it shiny side up

 

[BoxsterGTSinAR]

Funny, I just posted yesterday on BMW forum how no BMW, even in ///M guise, will EVER give you even close the emotions like the ground-up sports car. Not speed, they have that in spades, but emotions. Totally different, just as you said above. I, after 15,000 miles and 1 1/2 years of ownership, still need about 10-15 miles before I can start driving my Cayman as it should be driven after a week or so in rentals or my daily driver GTI. Totally different and SO much better than cars built to be daily drivers and grocery getters, no matter the horsepower crammed into the engine bay.

To both new GTS owners : good luck, enjoy in good health and ... try to keep it shiny side up

I'm a BMW guy as well. Spent a week in an M4 convertible and couldn't wait to get back to my Miata.

Was struggling to decide between an M2 and a Cayman/Boxster. The M2 made far more sense in terms of practicality. Especially since I already have a Miata. Was going to trade my 4GC for the M2. In the end decided to keep the 4GC and Miata while adding the Boxster GTS. I really thought I was going to go with a Cayman since I already had a convertible, but while driving a Cayman I rolled down the windows and heard that glorious exhaust note. I knew right then I had to be able to put the top down to experience it in all its glory.

 

[B E Spilner]

Exactly, the GTS is actually a tick slower than the M4 from a sheer measurables standpoint, but there's much more to it than that. I don't make it to the track often enough to even get the most out of the M4, and truth be told, that was really the only place I could even use all of the power and capability of that car. This thing is literally fun in traffic. NEVER thought I'd say that, but just everything I forgot about the joys of driving a manual sports car, I've been reminded of the past few days of owning a BGTS.

I agree on the Boxster/Cayman argument as well, although I honestly would have taken either, I'm glad I ended up with a Boxster. It's a bit of a downer knowing I won't be able to fully experience the car at its absolute best for another few months, but it's a gamechanger. Oddly enough, I never thought I'd want a convertible until I got a 718 BS as a loaner while my Macan was being serviced. I wasn't a huge fan of the engine (in all fairness, it was PDK... I drove a base Cayman 718 manual and it was fantastic), but I loved the experience of the open top. Finally being able to hear that exhaust from the flat 6 with the top down... it's damn near indescribable. Not even the youtube vids I stalked for months do it justice, really.

 

[CinciOH]

Glorious exhaust note is right. Lucky for both of you, GTS has PSE standard, I had to option it on S

My main reason for Cayman was tracking. For example, Buckeye BMWCCA won't let you on the track with convertible - no ifs and no buts. Every club and even chapter of the same club have their own rules about convertibles that I didn't want that headache. Nothing wrong with Boxster other than that. Again, enjoy as much as you can. This is the first car that I can't wait to drive it like if it was the first week of ownership - even after 15,000 miles and 1 1/2 years. Just awesome.

 

[fsae99]

I have the PS 91's on the Carrera S 20" wheels and have not had any vibration issues. I've put 3300 miles on them which included a track day (running mid 2:20's at VIR) and 2500 mile road trip. I'm going to try a set of MSS's next to see if I'm really giving up that much grip running the the PS 91's. Still even if the MSS's have more grip, there is no better performance bargain when it comes to tires than the PS 91's. I ran the PS 91 's on my Focus ST as well so I had no reservations about trying them on the Boxster.

My brakes will squeak a little once in a while, it only happens at a very specific amount of pedal pressure and car speed.

 

[GT3fien]

speaking to the creaking dash, when I had the standard suspension, the car's dash somewhere driver's side would occasionally make small minute plastic creaky sounds, not loud, just flexing-ish sounds on bumpy/uneven pavement in my garage. I thought, hey, no biggie, probably normal...

Fast forward, X73 suspension installed, the creaks are gone, everything is now tight and silent. I thought it would get worse given the X73 is stiffer.

 

[celinapayson]

A lot of good advice here. I have had zero brake noise and no rattles except for the seat belt and have 13000 miles on my x73 gts. I did find that the OEM pirellis, when they got fairly worn, had a ton of noise and were not as smooth as new. They even tramlined. I replaced all tires at 9000 miles with pilot super sports (not N spec) and the car’s ride smoothness and road noise is much Improved. My bet is ditching the Kunhos will improve your driving experience a lot. When you get new tires you should add some negative camber (eg -1.4) in front for Improved handling.

 

[khoahtran]

My brakes squealed and moaned the first couple weeks I got my CS, it needed some bedding to get them to quiet up, multiple high speed passes from 80mph down to 10mph then back up to 80.

I have track pads now so they squeal all the time now

From my understanding the CPO warranty is basically the factory warranty but extended. Bumper to bumper?

https://www.autotrader.com/car-shopping/cpo-program-review-porsche-238862


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[B E Spilner]

Agreed, tons of great advice.

I have gotten a little bit of an update; the car's CPO was actually initiated a while ago by another dealer- apparently it was one of those "company cars" that Porsche hands out to executives (at least that's what the dealer told me), and then sold with a CPO at ~5000 miles... so it's listed by Carfax as a 1-owner car but was certified about 3 years ago. So what that means is that while I could conceivably get a CPO report, it would only be relevant for when it was performed.

But that said, I did get an invoice for the work that was recently performed when the car was traded in. Front brakes are brand new, as are the rear tires, plus a bunch of other service stuff that saves me a couple grand. I'm thinking the brakes may yet need to "settle", and the tires may not be properly balanced. The car wasn't CPO'd with the Kumhos, but the dealer replaced the rears with what was on the fronts, and I may have to agree that if I didn't regularly track the car I'd have to at least consider the Kumhos myself so I can't fault the previous owner... that said if after a visit to the dealer I still notice any vibration I think I'll just dump the Kumhos for a set of Michelins. I'd like to get 10-15000 miles out of them at least but if they affect the driving experience that much then I guess they're worth the extra scratch.

I guess it's busy season and I couldn't book an appointment until December 4th... pretty disappointed to hear my local dealer, which I bought my 15 Macan S from and have taken it pretty much exclusively for service, gave me the runaround with a loaner, saying something along the lines of "once we've seen the car and established a rapport then we can talk about providing a Porsche loaner"... not what I expected. Is this typical? There are plenty of other dealers in the area, should I reconsider my loyalty? For what it's worth after I mentioned my Macan, he did say he could work out an Enterprise car... I'm fine with that, I don't NEED a Porsche loaner but still. Not what I expected. I don't have a GT3 or 918 but I do have two Porsches and my wife is already looking at the Macan GTS...

Also the temp control on the passenger side is partially inop; it clicks upward but not downward, and at times won't let you move the temp down until you REALLY push it hard (then it keeps going until you push it back up- it's pretty much broken). I'm having this looked at but the service manager has already prepped me for them refuting the repair under warranty, since it's right under the cupholder and he's apparently already diagnosed it as having coffee spilled on it. Anybody else experience this?

 

[MidEngine-Fan]

My brakes squealed for what seemed like a year. They’ve been quiet since.


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[fokai]

Brake squeal - I have a 2016 CGTS with almost 11k miles on it and I have absolutely no brake squeal at all.

Rattles - the only “ rattle “ I have is the passenger seatbelt banging against the side of the passenger seat. It’s a common complaint. Some people just wrap a cloth around the metal buckle when the passenger seat is unoccupied.

I have a 2016 CGTS too. No brake squeals too. I trained the wife to lift the passenger buckle up until it rests on the groove when she gets down and I get no rattles there.

I have Pirellis and surprisingly they're not too bad considering what I've read on the forums, but I'm sure they'll feel different as they wear down, that's when I replace them with Michellin PSS tires.

 

[CinciOH]

I'd like to get 10-15000 miles out of them at least but if they affect the driving experience that much then I guess they're worth the extra scratch.

10,000 miles on rears shouldn't be a problem, unless you turn off by default PSM every time you enter the car. 15,000 might be in "optimistic wishful thinking" territory

I guess it's busy season and I couldn't book an appointment until December 4th... pretty disappointed to hear my local dealer, which I bought my 15 Macan S from and have taken it pretty much exclusively for service, gave me the runaround with a loaner, saying something along the lines of "once we've seen the car and established a rapport then we can talk about providing a Porsche loaner"... not what I expected. Is this typical?

I guess "typical" will depend on the area where one lives, but I was told in no uncertain terms that they will do free track pre-inspections and release Porsche loaners if I bought the car from them (which I did). I guess those who buy elsewhere have different treatment. Before you get all excited, I have to tell you that, once I realized that Cayenne is a default loaner in my dealership, I started begging for Toyota Camry from Enterprise. Can't park the darn thing in the same garage spot that Cayman normally occupies, don't want Cayenne parked in the driveway for a day or two and I refuse to drive SUVs and trucks no matter what. So, there ... mixed bag. Watch what you wish for, you just might get it.

 

[CGH3]

Most insurance companies will fix a windshield crack for free. The standard seems to be that the crack has to be no longer than a dollar bill. I got a "star" right in my line of sight. They couldn't make it disappear but used a resin to keep it from spreading. A rain-sensing Porsche OEM windshield costs about $750 so I lived with the "star." Now, though, I'm getting the windshield totally fixed. Why? Because I clobbered a deer at 90mph.

Tires will depend on how much you track the car and how hard you push it. I've climbed the performance ladder to just short of Hoosiers (Cup 2s now) and I've used four or five sets over 24,000 miles. Your experience (and needs) may differ, but I don't think there's a magic tire that's long-wearing, smooth-riding and grippy on track.