[dmboone25]

What’s up gents? Been a regular poster on Bimmerpost for time immemorial, but have been less active lately. I’ve had a lot of BMWs, including numerous ///M cars, but the newer variants haven’t interested me as much as the older stuff. We still have a BMW (X1M35), but I’ve been in Porsche land consistently for my “fun” / performance based cars for a while now. Had a couple of 981s (CS and BGTS), and really got addicted to the mid-engined platform, especially in the topless variety. I can appreciate that the 911 is the flagship, but I’ve always liked the size of the mid-engined cars, and they’re a lot more “reachable” financially.

As Porsche has been steaming ahead on the electric front over the last several years, I knew that getting the last, best Boxster before the platform went full EV was going to be my “keeper” car for a very long time. I was lucky enough to get a 2022 Spyder allocation, and built out a very fun and beautiful car. I never quite jelled with the car, however. My 981s were “worse” on paper, but had created a significantly more emotional and personal experience for me. A lot of that came from the responsiveness of the throttle and the fact that the stock PSE sounded incredible.

The 718 Spyder had a lot of nice updates, compared to the 981s I had previously. LED headlights, a better PCM, CarPlay, etc. It’s also the first Spyder to be a legitimate GT product, unlike the 987 or 981 variants. And all of those things were awesome. The steering was better, the car was more capable and planted, and felt only slightly ancient from a technology standpoint (the 981s had felt truly ancient lol).

But it sounded terrible. No rasp from the engine note and the exhaust sounded like a hollow drum, with the added bonus of a lot of drone. I think the majority of the blame could be placed on the OAPs and the gong-like particulate filters…but the US doesn’t require that level of environmental friendliness, so Porsche could have had two versions of the OAPs to save those outside the EU from a horrible auditory experience, but they didn’t do that.

Thinking that the Spyder was indeed the last, best Boxster ever, I went all in on the exhaust to try and make the car elicit the same excitement I had experienced with my 981s. I got a full inconel system from Kline, and it really, really helped. But that 4L started out life as a 3L turbo in the base 992 Carrara, and it just sounds weird. It’s not very Porsche-like in my opinion. It also seemed to run out of oomph in the higher revs, rather than building for the crescendo. I guess I love the Metzger era engines too much. Bear in mind that the car is still awesome, but I had not ended up with what I wanted. And there weren’t a lot of options in the same price range with the same sort of package that the Spyder delivered. So I thought I would just be happy with what I had, knowing there wasn’t a better option out there for my particular use case.

Well of course, after saying for 10+ years that the GT3 engine could never, ever fit in the mid-engines platform, Porsche went off script. Instead of continuing to neuter the platform, they engineered around the size limitations and boom - now you have a proper send off for the ICE Cayman / Boxster with the GT4 and Spyder RSs becoming a reality.

Well, by being patient and passing on allocations with ADMs that made my eyes water, I was able to snag an SRS allocation at MSRP. I’ve had it for a few weeks now, and am blown away - not by things like the improved steering, or magical dampening or awesomeness of the LWB seats (which are all noticeably better than what I’ve had in any other car)….but by the sound. The air intakes are quite simply the most maniacal thing I’ve ever been exposed to. And I’m still in the AP break-in procedure. I can’t wait for 932 miles on the clock and the green light for 9k RPM.

Anyway, thought that might interest some of you and happy to discuss with anyone who is also interested in one of the RS variants.

Attached some pics too.

[FC4]

Dope car.

[mjj]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

What’s up gents? Been a regular poster on Bimmerpost for time immemorial, but have been less active lately. I’ve had a lot of BMWs, including numerous ///M cars, but the newer variants haven’t interested me as much as the older stuff. We still have a BMW (X1M35), but I’ve been in Porsche land consistently for my “fun” / performance based cars for a while now. Had a couple of 981s (CS and BGTS), and really got addicted to the mid-engined platform, especially in the topless variety. I can appreciate that the 911 is the flagship, but I’ve always liked the size of the mid-engined cars, and they’re a lot more “reachable” financially.

As Porsche has been steaming ahead on the electric front over the last several years, I knew that getting the last, best Boxster before the platform went full EV was going to be my “keeper” car for a very long time. I was lucky enough to get a 2022 Spyder allocation, and built out a very fun and beautiful car. I never quite jelled with the car, however. My 981s were “worse” on paper, but had created a significantly more emotional and personal experience for me. A lot of that came from the responsiveness of the throttle and the fact that the stock PSE sounded incredible.

The 718 Spyder had a lot of nice updates, compared to the 981s I had previously. LED headlights, a better PCM, CarPlay, etc. It’s also the first Spyder to be a legitimate GT product, unlike the 987 or 981 variants. And all of those things were awesome. The steering was better, the car was more capable and planted, and felt only slightly ancient from a technology standpoint (the 981s had felt truly ancient lol).

But it sounded terrible. No rasp from the engine note and the exhaust sounded like a hollow drum, with the added bonus of a lot of drone. I think the majority of the blame could be placed on the OAPs and the gong-like particulate filters…but the US doesn’t require that level of environmental friendliness, so Porsche could have had two versions of the OAPs to save those outside the EU from a horrible auditory experience, but they didn’t do that.

Thinking that the Spyder was indeed the last, best Boxster ever, I went all in on the exhaust to try and make the car elicit the same excitement I had experienced with my 981s. I got a full inconel system from Kline, and it really, really helped. But that 4L started out life as a 3L turbo in the base 992 Carrara, and it just sounds weird. It’s not very Porsche-like in my opinion. It also seemed to run out of oomph in the higher revs, rather than building for the crescendo. I guess I love the Metzger era engines too much. Bear in mind that the car is still awesome, but I had not ended up with what I wanted. And there weren’t a lot of options in the same price range with the same sort of package that the Spyder delivered. So I thought I would just be happy with what I had, knowing there wasn’t a better option out there for my particular use case.

Well of course, after saying for 10+ years that the GT3 engine could never, ever fit in the mid-engines platform, Porsche went off script. Instead of continuing to neuter the platform, they engineered around the size limitations and boom - now you have a proper send off for the ICE Cayman / Boxster with the GT4 and Spyder RSs becoming a reality.

Well, by being patient and passing on allocations with ADMs that made my eyes water, I was able to snag an SRS allocation at MSRP. I’ve had it for a few weeks now, and am blown away - not by things like the improved steering, or magical dampening or awesomeness of the LWB seats (which are all noticeably better than what I’ve had in any other car)….but by the sound. The air intakes are quite simply the most maniacal thing I’ve ever been exposed to. And I’m still in the AP break-in procedure. I can’t wait for 932 miles on the clock and the green light for 9k RPM.

Anyway, thought that might interest some of you and happy to discuss with anyone who is also interested in one of the RS variants.

Attached some pics too.

Wow on the MSRP deal. The RS has been on the top of my wish list. I too am amazed at the intake sounds. Unfortunately my hearing is already a bit compromised so I would need to wear ear plugs if I get an SRS. Been eyeing the white one at Isringhausen for a while. Still listed at 25K over. Was 40K over a month ago.

[///MPhatic]

Never was a big fan of those cars, but that's definitely the one to have! Congrats!!!

[Alfisti]

Magnificent vehicle, but you need to send a letter to Porsche explaining the forgot to paint it

Buy a colour next time!

[MJBO]

That shot in profile is perfection, looks amazing

[M5Rick]

Latest Boxter looks great and the side badges are just the right size, the front splitter although looking the biz is too low and ready to be grounded.

[baege]

congrats, I think we've followed similar automotive paths in having F87s and then moving to 718s

I find your experiences with the spyder interesting, I have a very different perception of the 4.0 in the GTS 4.0 I had. I found the engine quite visceral and thought it pulled pretty hard in the top end and with the symposer thought it sounded pretty darn good inside the car. It just goes to show how subjective it all is.

very interested to "hear" how it feels once you can go to 9000 rpm. The Gt3 engine has been calling my name for a while now so curious to see if it is really the holy grail (at least from your perspective)

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by baege

congrats, I think we've followed similar automotive paths in having F87s and then moving to 718s

I find your experiences with the spyder interesting, I have a very different perception of the 4.0 in the GTS 4.0 I had. I found the engine quite visceral and thought it pulled pretty hard in the top end and with the symposer thought it sounded pretty darn good inside the car. It just goes to show how subjective it all is.

very interested to "hear" how it feels once you can go to 9000 rpm. The Gt3 engine has been calling my name for a while now so curious to see if it is really the holy grail (at least from your perspective)

Very subjective.

I think the Spyder’s main problem is that it didn’t have the GT3 engine from the get-go (for me personally). I think in my heart of hearts, that’s what I’ve been chasing for a while now, and I finally have it, with the added bonus of the intakes.

Just got to 400 miles on the clock - 932 is the magic number for 9,000. Got the car back from the PPF shop on Christmas Day, and can chew up some miles on the interstate. The gears are so much shorter than the PDK in my Spyder, it’s a lot of fun speeding up and then slowing down, all the while banging up and down the gears.

If the weather would cooperate, I might be able to get to 932 before going back to work on the 3rd.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Magnificent vehicle, but you need to send a letter to Porsche explaining the forgot to paint it

Buy a colour next time!

It’s the launch color for the Spyder RS. Very cool, and definitely has some blue / purple undertones, especially in lower light.

The bright colors are cool, but I enjoy them on others’ cars, not mine.

[erickonphoenix]

Congratulations! Gorgeous car and love the color. Enjoy it!

[NickyC]

Absolutely gorgeous, these are one of my favorite cars right now and basically the best 'vert possible. Congrats!

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by baege

very interested to "hear" how it feels once you can go to 9000 rpm. The Gt3 engine has been calling my name for a while now so curious to see if it is really the holy grail (at least from your perspective)

I think it depends what you want from the car, Throttle House called it the loudest car they have tested with all the bells and whistles on LOUD.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

I think it depends what you want from the car, Throttle House called it the loudest car they have tested with all the bells and whistles on LOUD.

Sure, it also depends what mood you’re in.

My wifey says it’s quieter than the original Spyder with the Kline inconel exhaust, when driving moderately. You can hear the exhaust when pressing the exhaust button, but it’s not the most inspiring sound and (IMO) seems to muddle the awesome intake noise, so that stays “off” unless and until I make a change on the exhaust front later. I am in no hurry to do so.

All of the barking and howling and gurgling and overall insanity arrives when: 1). Revving out to above 7k RPMs, or 2). Downshifting 3+ gears in short succession. Otherwise, it can be pretty docile, at least as docile as a 500 BHP convertible with a 9,000 RPM redline can be, all of which was demonstrated in the TH video.

Now, if you are out on a Sunday afternoon, back roads rip, then yeah - it’s going to be very loud in the cabin. I have ear plugs in the car for such an occasion. But that’s the primary use case, at least in Porsche’s opinion. Thus, not a surprise. Many, many other options out there for a quieter or faster or more comfortable experience.

[dgoldenz]

I wish the top wasn’t such a PITA and they had just used the regular spyder top

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by dgoldenz

I wish the top wasn’t such a PITA and they had just used the regular spyder top

I was worried about the top. I’m not going to lie.

Turns out that it’s not an issue. You struggle the first ~5 times that you put it up or take it off, but it gets a lot easier the more you practice.

The only truly tricky part is the “rolling up” of the Bimini portion. It’s not super easy to do by yourself and on the car. So I typically use our guest bed for that, to get it nice and tight. But it can be done.

I’ve got it down now and don’t worry about it at all. The second, “watertight” piece only gets used for washing anyway.

[x622]

I really really want to drive one of these before I obsess and eventually obtain one...

Like you said it's a perfect blend of that GT3 engine with a vert, but not a big chassis like the 992...

[M-technik-3]

Minus the funky roof which on a car like this it doesn't matter. I drive it like I stole it. Nice Car!

[R N M]

Amazing car - will go down as one of the best Porsches if they don’t put NA engine in new gen Boxster.

[vertigyn]

So cool. When they announced the car I was in love…until I remembered the dealer markups that GT cars all get hit with.

Congrats!!

[W///]

Truly stunning, and probably my dream Porsche at the moment! The car is just so unique, just unfortunately way out of my league price wise.

[gblansten]

Love it. Have a blast driving that!