[eurpeankar]

I definitely love the car except two issues. One, I live in busy urban stop and go city. When the RPM decelerate under 1.5k in Comfort I can feel the engine is not so smooth like it is being forced to decelerate. The engine vibrates a bit, I pick up the accelerator right away so It makes a clutch engage/rpm drop up and down. It is hard to describe but I am guessing this is how a four banger feels. Kind of similar to a CLA45 except AMG lags real badly with a unrefined gear box. This occurs the most when I drive real slow like in parking lots and major traffic jam. I think when I am in Sport the engine holds the RPM higher so there's no dip or very little lag.

Second, I am not a fan of this 2.5 engine. I don’t have PSE and I kept wondering if I should have order it until I watched 718 GTS clips. It is just night and day with the last gen 981 GTS. I am quite surprised all the aftermarket for the 2.5 does not sound so pleasant to my ears. It is exactly what all the reviewers on YouTube said so.

718 Boxster S handles better, even sharper and tighter steering. Extremely nimble and it is faster than 981 GTS.

I will need to head down to dealer next week for my annual oil change. Maybe my PDK needs an update? My 718 is 2016 Dec build.

PDK, PASM -20mm, PTV, Sport Chrono

 

[Viffermike]

I definitely love the car except two issues. One, I live in busy urban stop and go city. When the RPM decelerate under 1.5k in Comfort I can feel the engine is not so smooth like it is being forced to decelerate. The engine vibrates a bit, I pick up the accelerator right away so It makes a clutch engage/rpm drop up and down. It is hard to describe but I am guessing this is how a four banger feels. Kind of similar to a CLA45 except AMG lags real badly with a unrefined gear box. This occurs the most when I drive real slow like in parking lots and major traffic jam. I think when I am in Sport the engine holds the RPM higher so there's no dip or very little lag.

Second, I am not a fan of this 2.5 engine. I don’t have PSE and I kept wondering if I should have order it until I watched 718 GTS clips. It is just night and day with the last gen 981 GTS. I am quite surprised all the aftermarket for the 2.5 does not sound so pleasant to my ears. It is exactly what all the reviewers on YouTube said so.

718 Boxster S handles better, even sharper and tighter steering. Extremely nimble and it is faster than 981 GTS.

I will need to head down to dealer next week for my annual oil change. Maybe my PDK needs an update? My 718 is 2016 Dec build.

PDK, PASM -20mm, PTV, Sport Chrono

OP, you posted this in another forum. Were you disappointed in the responses?

A couple of notes for you:
- There isn't an engine out there that doesn't lag somewhat at lower RPMs. Even gargantuan diesel tractor motors do this. Thing is, the 'Comfort' setting is designed primarily to have soft response unless you floor the throttle. The 'lag' you describe really isn't lag at all; it's the ECU programming in that mode -- and most modern, torque-tuned motors (i.e. flat torque curve at low to middle RPMs) behave this way, even NA ones. The effect is slightly exacerbated by the turbo, but that's not the primary source of it.
- Sorry, but IMHO you're off base about the engine sound. Sorry you don't like it, but this is not the forum to pass negative judgment on that. Most of us actually like the sound (and, I might add, without PSE) ... and I'll share an anecdote: I was at Barber Motorsport Park this past October during a Porsche Driving School session. It was running the 718 Cayman S, the 911 Carrera S, and the 911 Turbo. The 718S sounded the best on the track BY FAR. It wasn't even close. I get that sound is subjective, but please stop beating a horse that has already died several deaths on 'other' forums, eh?

Finally: If you've only had your car for 1K miles/3 months, how are you needing to go to the dealer next week for the annual oil change? Does not compute ... ?

 

[RussellHodgson]

To your point about low revs - I have a manual 718 CS and it doesn't like being in anything other than 1st gear if you are going less than 15 mph. So it I'm driving in 2nd and slow down to around ten I need to blip and downshift into first to have the car feel right.

Also the acceleration from 0-15 mph is almost instant. This means when starting off from a stop with a car in front of me I wait several seconds to give them a chance to move away otherwise I'll either rear end them, or have to brake right away. This took the most getting used to from my 987.

 

[johan]

I definitely love the car except two issues. One, I live in busy urban stop and go city. When the RPM decelerate under 1.5k in Comfort I can feel the engine is not so smooth like it is being forced to decelerate. The engine vibrates a bit, I pick up the accelerator right away so It makes a clutch engage/rpm drop up and down. It is hard to describe but I am guessing this is how a four banger feels. Kind of similar to a CLA45 except AMG lags real badly with a unrefined gear box. This occurs the most when I drive real slow like in parking lots and major traffic jam. I think when I am in Sport the engine holds the RPM higher so there's no dip or very little lag.

Second, I am not a fan of this 2.5 engine. I don’t have PSE and I kept wondering if I should have order it until I watched 718 GTS clips. It is just night and day with the last gen 981 GTS. I am quite surprised all the aftermarket for the 2.5 does not sound so pleasant to my ears. It is exactly what all the reviewers on YouTube said so.

718 Boxster S handles better, even sharper and tighter steering. Extremely nimble and it is faster than 981 GTS.

I will need to head down to dealer next week for my annual oil change. Maybe my PDK needs an update? My 718 is 2016 Dec build.

PDK, PASM -20mm, PTV, Sport Chrono

If i cruise around 1500 - 2000rpm with a cold engine sometimes i get the same thing , its like the car hesitates.
At that rpm my foot barely touches the pedal.
I have tried the different modes, auto, manual but its still there.
When the Engine starts to get warm it disapears.


PDK, S-PASM, PTV, Sport Chrono so we have the same build!

 

[dpcompt]

718 and the engine sounds

I just could not stand the trashing from Planet-9 and other Porsche sites. Now, someone on 718 says they hate the 2.5 engine.
I have almost 11,000 miles on my '17CS PDK and ( not talking about sound ) the power delivery is just intoxicating.
On Saturdays I drive to a local Cars and Coffee and afterwords, I take a hilly, curvy drive to Plymouth, CA. I love the torque in this car in 3000-6000 rpm. The 6 cylinder guys just don't give up. And I love the sound of this engine. It reminds of old, small block Chevy engines with solid lifter camshafts. OH WELL

 

[lajoiedp]

I just could not stand the trashing from Planet-9 and other Porsche sites.

Same here, which is why I no longer frequent those sites.

 

[ZuffenHouseRules]

Welcome Eurpeankar to 718 Forum where we are only occasionally a wee bit defensive....

Glad you love the car. As noted above, a tendency for small-displacement engines to "lug" (not lag) at low-rpms -- feeling like the engine is about to stall -- can be countered by shifting manually to lower gear, even to first at very low speeds. "Lag" on the other hand describes a delay in building up power, usually attributed to spooling up a turbocharger to build boost, and the 2.5 with Variable Turbine Geometry is remarkably free of lag (even racing drivers have noted they could not tell this is a turbo engine).

As for sound....I'm guessing it grows on you as the all-around competence of this 390hp* engine makes its character felt over time (and perhaps more post-break-in full-throttle sport driving as opposed to trundling around town). Like a beautiful girl with an ordinary voice, once you've connected at a deeper level that voice just sounds like something you know and love...with no comparisons needed.

(* estimated true horsepower based on dyno results and real-world performance data analysis comparing PDK-equipped 718S to various PDK-equipped 911s of similar weight)

 

[Semitone]

From your description, it sounds like you should be driving in sport mode.

I have four cars. 3 MTs and a Macan GTS with PDK. PDK transmission in comfort mode just drives me nuts. Easy solution, when my wife and I get in the car we just put it in sport mode...problem solved. ( or we can manually shift...it's really not that hard.

If you bought a sports car and think you are going to save gas...well...judgement issues, I guess.:nerd:

 

[Porsche2018]

Love the sound, the power and the smile it puts on my face every time I drive. I am not even sure the 981 sounds better but if I grant that, for me at least, it was not much fun to drive. When I tested a “New” 981 at the dealership I was on my way out the door when I thought I would give the base 718 Cayman a test drive.......well.......we all know how that ended.
Although, I still maintain the 718 sounds great......

I have test driven couple of GT4’s and I still say the 718 sounds great. In fact, When I engaged the sport exhaust on the GT4 I was expecting this explosive distinctive sound and frankly it never happened.......though, still love that GT4 wing and front end design.

 

[photonscience]

Funny thing about sound. I remember the wonderful wail of my 981GTS at high RPM, the only problem is that at lower RPM (i.e., most of the time), the wail was not present and what I was left with was a car that felt sluggish. If I lived in CA and could drive the canyons every day, I might have appreciated the 981 power curve more, but here in NJ my drug of choice is torque. Back to sound: I actually used to feel that the PSE on the 981 GTS made the car a bit presumptuous - lots of sound above 5000 RPM, very little "go" under 5000 RPM.

As far as this site goes, I really hope it doesn't get polluted with members of the Flat 6 Earth Society. P9 and Rennlist are happy to accommodate them over there.

 

[TEST DRyVer]

D a m n! You people are ruthless when it comes to someone picking on something they don't like about the 718... I love It! As far as sound goes, the 981 sounds basic to me, until you get to high rpm's. When you finally achieve the higher rpm's of the flat 6, you're in jeopardy of a big fat ticket or losing your license. Don't get me wrong, I'm not one to follow all the traffic laws, that's not the point I'm making here. I can get a ticket for speeding in a minivan, but I do like the fact you can enjoy the 718 ALL the time without always breaking every law to do so... That being said, I personally Love the sound of the 718's! Full Disclosure: I've owned several highly boosted (and naturally aspirated) 4 cylinder engines and I really liked the sounds to almost all of them. With the greatest exception of my current daily driver (2013 VW Golf R APR Stage 3) which sounds horrible! But this Golf is wickedly quick! Most of you would be truly surprised just how fast a properly modified AWD Golf would feel...

 

[4802]

Funny thing about sound. I remember the wonderful wail of my 981GTS at high RPM, the only problem is that at lower RPM (i.e., most of the time), the wail was not present and what I was left with was a car that felt sluggish. If I lived in CA and could drive the canyons every day.....

I fully concur with the above. You not only had to keep the revs up to make fast headway but also to hear that wailing howl, unless of course you were on straight roads & continually at licence losing speeds. No point in leaving a PDK equipped 981 series in normal & then expecting much in the way of either aural or performance fireworks, because they're as flat as a pancake & fairly quiet until those revs are up. We have one particular road that runs through a rock cutting near me. It's basically a very sharp left immediately followed by a very sharp right & barely wide enough for two traffic lanes. The rock extends up very high on either side of the road. That's one of the only places I still really miss my old flat six, but that's because even in Sport I always used to override with the paddles to get those revs up. The wailing & backfiring followed by the frantic howling scream as I'd boot it on the exit of the second bend was a truly magnificent treat for the ears of this petrol head. There's no escaping that the same thing in a 718 S is by comparison somewhat of an anti climax. But that's just one series of bends, with artificial aural augmentation provided by the close sided rock cutting. Everywhere else around here the 718 is hugely the superior car & there's no way I'd go back. If your roads are predominantly straight then the hugely increased low down torque of the turbo fours is perhaps slightly less important. But with our extremely winding roads, very short straights & multiple braking/acceleration zones the extra torque of the 718 makes an absolutely enormous difference. Not only is the driving experience far more pleasurable but around here it's also massively quicker.

 

[Ian718]

I remember the wonderful wail of my 981GTS at high RPM, the only problem is that at lower RPM (i.e., most of the time), the wail was not present and what I was left with was a car that felt sluggish. If I lived in CA and could drive the canyons every day, I might have appreciated the 981 power curve more, but here in NJ my drug of choice is torque. Back to sound: I actually used to feel that the PSE on the 981 GTS made the car a bit presumptuous - lots of sound above 5000 RPM, very little "go" under 5000 RPM.

It's like you read my mind. Except you managed to phrase it more eloquently than I ever could.

 

[eurpeankar]

I have been driving the 718 3 times this week and I really love the car. I mean it is a sports car right? It takes time to adopt to the new 4 cylinder turbo since all the turbo cars these days sounds very different to NA. Do not get me wrong, Porsche is my favorite car brand. 718 is my #11 Porsche and my last Porsche was a 981 Boxster GTS. I gotta say that exhaust is simply amazing on a stock car but no low end torque. I agree sound is subjective, I am not here to give out crappy comments on the engine. I am just sharing what I think. All my cars are turbo now.
My M3 does not sound so good even with ASD disabled and Akrapovic exhaust ( w or w/o downpipe ) yet my M2 ASD disabled with stock exhaust sounds beautiful to my ears. Please do not bash, Is there any journalist claim the 718 flat 4 turbo sounds good? M3/M4 is the same. M2 has good comments on the engine and exhaust note. Do not get me wrong, I love new tech and my 718 is growing on me just not the sound.
It is like an iPhone X I absolutely dislike Face ID. It is extremely annoying when I need my phone I need to stare when I walk, on bed, driving, etc. But hey what can I say? It is the latest tech. Touch ID I can unlock while the phone is in my pocket.

NA - less torque in low end, need to push the car to high RPM to get power = old school

Turbo - smaller displacement, eco friendly, much more torquey = the future

Well, I am glad most of you guys like the sound. For me I am not a big fan. Just go on youtube search 981 GTS then 718 GTS.

 

[lajoiedp]

I have been driving the 718 3 times this week and I really love the car. I mean it is a sports car right? It takes time to adopt to the new 4 cylinder turbo since all the turbo cars these days sounds very different to NA. Do not get me wrong, Porsche is my favorite car brand. 718 is my #11 Porsche and my last Porsche was a 981 Boxster GTS. I gotta say that exhaust is simply amazing on a stock car but no low end torque. I agree sound is subjective, I am not here to give out crappy comments on the engine. I am just sharing what I think. All my cars are turbo now.
My M3 does not sound so good even with ASD disabled and Akrapovic exhaust ( w or w/o downpipe ) yet my M2 ASD disabled with stock exhaust sounds beautiful to my ears. Please do not bash, Is there any journalist claim the 718 flat 4 turbo sounds good? M3/M4 is the same. M2 has good comments on the engine and exhaust note. Do not get me wrong, I love new tech and my 718 is growing on me just not the sound.
It is like an iPhone X I absolutely dislike Face ID. It is extremely annoying when I need my phone I need to stare when I walk, on bed, driving, etc. But hey what can I say? It is the latest tech. Touch ID I can unlock while the phone is in my pocket.

NA - less torque in low end, need to push the car to high RPM to get power = old school

Turbo - smaller displacement, eco friendly, much more torquey = the future

Well, I am glad most of you guys like the sound. For me I am not a big fan. Just go on youtube search 981 GTS then 718 GTS.

The 718 sound really seems to bother you. You're not alone obviously. If I felt that way I would have never bought the car, so I'm curious to know, why did you decide to buy one if you disliked the sound that much?

 

[4802]

Well, I am glad most of you guys like the sound. For me I am not a big fan. Just go on youtube search 981 GTS then 718 GTS.

A quick look at some of my early comments on this very forum will reveal I was initially anything but a fan of the new sound. Indeed it was only after driving a 2.5 S fitted with Sports exhaust that I decided the car was something I could live with. It was quite a surprise to me therefore just how many of my friends actually preferred the sound of this to my two previous flat sixes. But it grew on me & hopefully you'll adjust too. Personally I don't feel any need whatsoever to look at a YouTube comparison video because I already know full well what a flat six sounds like. So for that matter do a great many others on this forum because many of them have also been there, done that & moved on. It therefore comes across as rather condescending to suggest we need to look at & listen to a video. Are you for real?

 

[johan]

Engine sound has a certain effect on us thats for sure!
I got to say that when i take my 986 out for a ride i have a Big smile on my face.
And when i get back in the 718 i am growing horns on my forehead......


So for me the 718 is the perfect car regardless if it sounds as a Subaru to some.

 

[Viffermike]

Funny: I LOVE Face ID. The iPhone X is sooo much more intuitive and quicker to use without that damned Home button ...

... but I digress. Kind of. Because like the sound of a 718, it's subjective based on the predilections and priorities of each individual user.

Finally: The number 1 reason this forum exists is because of the Flat 6 Earth Society's 718 sound-bashing on 'other' Porsche forums. There's not only an emotional reason for that, but also a practical one: The 718's many, many, many positives and advantages simply could not be discussed constructively on those other forums because of the bashing. We're defensive because we want a place to celebrate this car and discuss its merits and maladies from bumper to bumper, not from exhaust manifold to exhaust tip.

 

[Semitone]

As long as we are on the topic of sound....I don't even get the videos.

In most of the videos, all I hear is shifting, shifting, shifting. Where did these people learn to drive? I have a number of MT cars and all I really have are three gears ( and maybe a fourth for highway). In general, 1 takes you to 15-20, 2nd is good to about 50mph and 3rd gets me to 70. ( Actually in my RS4, I think 3rd takes me to 100, IIRC)

In general, I don't even hear much of the engine until around 4K and then it is screaming at 6K. It's a little weird driving around at 6K with the engine screaming but if you want sound that is what you need to do. Twisty curvy roads in 2nd gear. At 2K-3K rpm almost all cars I have driven are pretty uneventful. At that point, I'm turning the radio on.

I would love to see a video that has a shot of the tach, as well as the sound in the cabin from the driver's perspective. All these guys shifting up and down haphazardly on roads that clearly don't need it is just irritating.

Then the videos on the track..that another whole issue. I was down at the Delivery Center in Atlanta and their was a 718 or two. I don't remember every time the 718 went by that I said "Yuck..that must be the 718!" No, it blended in with most of the other cars and didn't stick out at all. Different cars had different sounds but it wasn't anything extraordinary enough to even comment on.

The guys who are driving around comfort mode, where the car is constantly downshifting to "save" gas, should just turn the radio on and be done with it. Might as well be in an electric car.

 

[Viffermike]

As long as we are on the topic of sound....I don't even get the videos.

In most of the videos, all I hear is shifting, shifting, shifting. Where did these people learn to drive? I have a number of MT cars and all I really have are three gears ( and maybe a fourth for highway) ... The guys who are driving around comfort mode, where the car is constantly downshifting to "save" gas, should just turn the radio on and be done with it. Might as well be in an electric car.

Or they're so used to/enamored with NA cars that need to be in the power band -- meaning revs about halfway to redline, generally, for both HP and torque -- they can't help but shift. Thing is, to get the best performance out of the 718 and other turbo cars like it, you don't drive it that way, particularly on backroad twisties.

The other theory: They're driving it like an NA car to demonstrate the aural differences on tape. It could very well be a subliminal thing in cases ... but likely not in most.

I really would like those 'journalists' to learn how to ride a sportbike with a straight-4, then hop on one with a V-twin. (The differences are tremendous and somewhat similar to an NA vs. a torque-tuned turbo mill). Half of 'em would probably kill themselves, though.