Comparisons eight months in.

[Jon A]

So I had a Macan loaner today while mine had software fix and thought might be useful to air a few thoughts as it was very differently specced from my S (see signature)

Standard interior but with 8w seats - they were comfortable and plenty of adjustment, not as bad as we are sometimes led to believe.

The standard dash plastics are poor in terms of how they look. Our Kia is better quality appearance and would go for some kind of partial or full leather.

No air but it did have PASM and I couldn’t tell the difference in ride quality. It was on 20” wheels but it’s the PASM that creates ride quality I think

PDLS plus worked well and was not laggy at all - would spec this next time well worth it.

No chrono but was easy to change to sport - would still get chrono for the giggles though.

Engine - brisk but strained when anywhere near pushed and runs out of puff quickly. Perfectly acceptable for “normal” driving but not loads of fun. MPG was 25.6 for the seven hours I had it mostly town driving with a couple of dual carriageways, which was 1mpg better than my S over eight months

[Wing Commander]

So I had a Macan loaner today while mine had software fix and thought might be useful to air a few thoughts as it was very differently specced from my S (see signature)

Standard interior but with 8w seats - they were comfortable and plenty of adjustment, not as bad as we are sometimes led to believe.

The standard dash plastics are poor in terms of how they look. Our Kia is better quality appearance and would go for some kind of partial or full leather.

No air but it did have PASM and I couldn’t tell the difference in ride quality. It was on 20” wheels but it’s the PASM that creates ride quality I think

PDLS plus worked well and was not laggy at all - would spec this next time well worth it.

No chrono but was easy to change to sport - would still get chrono for the giggles though.

Engine - brisk but strained when anywhere near pushed and runs out of puff quickly. Perfectly acceptable for “normal” driving but not loads of fun. MPG was 25.6 for the seven hours I had it mostly town driving with a couple of dual carriageways, which was 1mpg better than my S over eight months

Presume it was a 2.0 or a T, Jon?

[Jon A]

Sorry, good point, it was a standard 2.0l Macan in silver. Looked very smart too in Dolomite it’s way better in real life than on the confusorator.

[ctcampbell]

The main difference I noticed between the base loaner I had and mine (other than the obvious engine) was the non-GT steering wheel. It felt really hard, thin, and uncomfortable on my hands in the base. The steering was ridiculously heavy as well.

[ghostwalker]

Interesting observations there, Jon. With Porsche only the engine is free, as they say, and from there it’s down to you to go up trim levels or add a load of options to create what you want around it

I haven’t tried any of the 2.0 variants, and with my first Macan being the Gen 2 GTS, I mostly had the exhaust on even in normal driving to remind me of its sporty credentials, and found the 380 odd horsepower to be quite useful and enjoyable.

So for me, it’s hard to imagine only 260hp and a very muted soundtrack etc in the base model, but I am intrigued with regard to the T variant for its unique styling and handling (so they say). Wouldn’t buy but I also wouldn’t mind trying one out.

[Jon A]

The main difference I noticed between the base loaner I had and mine (other than the obvious engine) was the non-GT steering wheel. It felt really hard, thin, and uncomfortable on my hands in the base. The steering was ridiculously heavy as well.

Yes, to not have power steering plus is crap frankly, every car in the land has speed sensitive PS as a given. Personally I don’t like the GT wheel and find it a bit plain and reduced diameter doesn’t help with obscuring dials. I think the standard one is better looking. I haven’t noticed that it’s hard, probably more that the GT wheel is soft… entirely subjective I think, folks just pick the one they like.

[Jon A]

Interesting observations there, Jon. With Porsche only the engine is free, as they say, and from there it’s down to you to go up trim levels or add a load of options to create what you want around it

I haven’t tried any of the 2.0 variants, and with my first Macan being the Gen 2 GTS, I mostly had the exhaust on even in normal driving to remind me of its sporty credentials, and found the 380 odd horsepower to be quite useful and enjoyable.

So for me, it’s hard to imagine only 260hp and a very muted soundtrack etc in the base model, but I am intrigued with regard to the T variant for its unique styling and handling (so they say). Wouldn’t buy but I also wouldn’t mind trying one out.

“Unique handling” is a bit of Porsche smoke and mirrors I think. The T is a base car with PASM 10mm lower (same weight) so no earth shattering difference. It’s only 35kg lighter than an S so again, on a 2000kg car I’m not buying that it’s somehow become a Macan 718!
Like I said it’s a reasonable engine for normal driving but I certainly wouldn’t wake up on a Sunday morning bursting to take it out for a thrash

[crockers]

I think the T has also had suspension tweaks to give it more of a rear wheel bias. I’m looking forward to mine in March but as I’ve ordered a second one already I’m toying with swapping that to an S. when I go on the PEC I’ll try the S and then make up my decision. Problem will be as to what options to drop to bring the price down to a sensible level. My problem is “it’s only x£” keeps popping up. In all honesty the S is £5-6k more than the comparable T.

Mind you this is from a moaner who ordered a watch for £6k but ended up walking out with a £9k one doh

[Jon A]

Good points will be interesting to see what you think. Lane change assist and lane keep assist are both unnecessary as are extra on wheels. From my experience the V6 engine is so much better, I’d sell the watch…

[crockers]

Good points will be interesting to see what you think. Lane change assist and lane keep assist are both unnecessary as are extra on wheels. From my experience the V6 engine is so much better, I’d sell the watch…

LOL. Nah its been promised to my grandson on his 21st.
On my Volvo I use Pilot Assist a lot on motorways. Don't think the ACC works in the same way without one of those two items. I also like the blind spot monitoring when driving in the EU. But maybe do away with heated screen and remote easy access. Then one has to ask is Air suspension needed. Agree about wheels. The one I like are only £350 ish on the T but add another £1k on the S for same wheels. Also for lighter colours I'd want sideblades in same colour. Another £400 on the S. Or choose a dark colour. Also the extended leather is twice the price on the S than the T. Does one need sports tail pipes? 500 on the S.

So I'm happy with the choice of the T. But time might tell