Boxster spec

[Jon A]

Hi all
I’m looking to order a new Boxster for my wife and am wondering whether the PASM option is essential?
I know some of you have 718’s in various guises but I’m looking at a base model in a nice colour but just essential bits to keep costs down.
Any advice as to what is “essential” is welcome but particularly the PASM bit…
Many thanks all

[Bluesnose1812]

Hi all
I’m looking to order a new Boxster for my wife and am wondering whether the PASM option is essential?
I know some of you have 718’s in various guises but I’m looking at a base model in a nice colour but just essential bits to keep costs down.
Any advice as to what is “essential” is welcome but particularly the PASM bit…
Many thanks all

If it won't be used then it's not essential. But if you are going to drive the car a lot then it is.

[Jon A]

Thanks Bluesnose, top tip
Has anybody got a Boxster/Cayman without PASM who could comment on whether it’s ok? I’m just worried it would be a bone shaking ride but may be it’s perfectly acceptable??

[Percymon]

I had pasm on my last 987S I barely used sports mode as it was often too hard for the road imperfections that traction was compromised. I did like the fact it continually adjusted so you weren’t stuck with a default compromise damper. Ride quality was great in normal mode, never had an issue with handling bar the choppiness of sport mode on poor roads. Pasm cars generally ride lower than stock , not sure same applies on the 718s

Heated seats are a must have if you want to drive top down on cold days.

Dependent on your budget I’d look at the T , might suit your requirements but your wife might want something less ‘sporty’

[Lawrie]

I have a 987.2 on 19s and 718 Spyder both with PASM. Both ride well. If you don't upsize the standard 718 wheels non pasm would be fine. I agree with Percymon that pasm does give a more flexible ride and personally I probably wouldn't buy a Boxster without it. The T might be a bit too raw. There is a lot to be said for a simple spec as the car is brill to start with.

[Jon A]

Thanks Percymon, beginning to think I should spec it. The heated seats are standard thankfully and the only option she wants is Shark blue, everything else to her is just noise
I’m trying to add only bits she would miss having or would be super inconvenient not to have.
The T is worthwhile but all the extras it has that I like, pretty much mean nothing to Mrs A

[homerdog]

I've got a 718 without PASM and the ride is somewhere between Sport and Normal mode. So it's a good compromise, because, as mentioned above, PASM can be a bit harsh in Sport, so you'll probably spend 90% of the time in the softer setting in the UK. It doesn't look as good though, because it rides higher. If that doesn't bother you, I'd save your money, or spend it on something else. Having said that, I would spec it if I was ordering new!

[Miopyk]

I had a base 718 without PASM and now have a Boxster 25 4.0 with PASM although it's not quite the same as the GTS (10mm not 20mm drop). Both are/were on 20" wheels. I'd say unless you want the extra firmness its probably not essential but the ride in a PASM equipped car is far from harsh or uncomfortable on standard setting even on our poorly maintained A and B roads. As always the best advice it that it's probably best to try and drive cars with and without to come to your own conclusion.

Apart from that the only other essential item I would recommend is the auto dip interior mirror as other cars headlights behind you tend to be in direct line with the mirror in the dark and it can become a bit tedious constantly adjusting it manually. Other items top of the list would be dual climate, the standard system is ok but again needs constant manual changing and is a bit fiddly, heated steering wheel, once you've had it you really will miss it in a car without it, LED headlights, so much better than the standard Xenons and personally I found Bose to be significantly better than the standard system but my ears are knackered so might be down to that rather than any technical innovation.

[Percymon]

PASM is not a two setting system - there are numerous variable settings in both normal and sport - on the 987 there were 9 settings across the two modes (normal/sport); so driving enthusiastically in normal mode would firm dampers up more than when tootling through town. Similarly in sport, the 'softest' variable was firm, then gets firmer as speed, roll angle etc et dictates .

[andreas]

I’m looking to order a new Boxster for my wife and am wondering whether the PASM option is essential?
I know some of you have 718’s in various guises but I’m looking at a base model in a nice colour but just essential bits to keep costs down.
Any advice as to what is “essential” is welcome but particularly the PASM bit…

Last year, I looked at speccing a Boxster for my wife, to replace a TT Roadster. I found it difficult to avoid including a lot of "essential" options. Even being frugal, I couldn't get it much below £56K. In the end, as she doesn't do much mileage, we went for another TT Roadster instead! And saved about £20K! The items I thought were "essential" for the Boxster spec were:-

* Metallic paint
* PDK
* PASM
* 19" Cayman S wheels (easier to clean!)
* LED headlights
* Light design package
* Electric folding mirrors
* Auto dimming mirrors
* Reversing camera
* Cruise control (basic)
* Heated steering wheel