New Car Specification - Best options for a 4S ST (Active Ride?)

[madascheese]

So I'm looking at purchasing a Salary Sacrifice 4S Sport Turismo.
Current build options: https://porsche-code.com/PTZV3SC9

I need to keep the P11D value under £125k which is quite a struggle given the options list!

Background, I currently drive a Panamera hybrid (air suspension) with nearly all the options I've specced on the taycan, along with nightview assist, innodrive, and a couple of others I've forgotten.

What do people think about this spec, and have I missed anything blindingly obvious? The Active Ride is a big expense as you need to include PTV Plus. Does anyone have active ride, and in terms of comfort, is is significantly better than the standard air suspension?

I'm struggling to book a like for like test drive, and my local dealer said he has only ever seen 2 Taycans equipped with Active Ride, which to me seems surprising given how much press coverage the Panamera got for this. It makes me wonder if its really neccesary, and that with the low COG on the taycan, body roll and composure really isn't a big issue!

Any comments welcome.

Luke

Nice car and great specification. I have just ordered my Taycan for salary sacrifice and get it at the end of July. Knowing our UK climate can be challenging at times I think you should consider the heated steering wheel. I have no experience of active ride so I can’t advise. I decided against it. Enjoy your new car!

Sponsored

 

[ct4s]

Great spec.

Agree with the other comments, especially RWS.
Def tick the camera prep - my insurance insisted on a camera for a car with a value over £100k.
Add a heated wheel - a must for me.
I have a ST and used to have a CT. I prefer the CT for the extra height range, though maybe PAR negates this.
I'd add roof bars - they can't be retro fitted.
Also, I'd add the luggage compartment net (I have a dog).

Are you buying through your company?
If so, have you considered an ex demo car - you get all the tax benefits of a new car and save perhaps £30-£40k in early depreciation.

 

[Mad Matter]

I will agree on Rear wheel steering as it makes the car feel smaller and more responsive. I have driven an active drive but it also had RWS and I didnt get much (usable) seat time on one to appreciate it. But if i had to choose between both of them I would opt for RWS over AR.

 

[Fun TC Driving]

This is one of our best forum threads IMO. Lots of people gently offering their recommendations, experiences, and informed reasoning.

 

[1uke]

Thanks for everyone's input.

Having spent some time thinking about this, I think it makes sense to remove the interior stitching pack. At first I thought this was required to get the leather dash and leather door cards, but I think that's now standard?
I have the leather dash (without deviated stitching) in the Panamera and I think it improves the cabin quality over the 'plasticky' normal fake leather pattern which came as standard.

On that basis I will have a bit of money to play with. So I'll either add the pano roof and roof rails, or add RWS. I'm still not fully sold on the RWS cost, as I've coped fine with my Panamera ST which is bigger.

I'm a bit worried that when a group of us go skiing, we won't have the room in the car for all our kit, so may need a roof rack for the skis. Alternatively I could consider the Cayenne S Electric. It's coming in slightly more expensive per month though, and doesn't look anywhere near as special as the Taycan.
It's frustrating that you have to option the pano roof to get the roof rails. Does anyone recommend the suction cup type mounts on a normal roof?

The other things I like about the new Cayenne are:
New PPE platform
New OLED curved screen looks great
Augmented HUD
Improved self driving over the Taycan
Digital Key
Active Ride which is probably more relevant on an SUV
No massage seats as an option though!
(I love a new gadget in general, so I value some of these more than others perhaps.)

Ultimately after my 4 year SS lease, there is a good chance that I will buy the car to keep for another 3-4 years. It is difficult to know, but I think the Taycan will have a higher depreciation, therefore making it a better deal when it comes to purchasing at the end of lease.

Decisions decisions.

 

[PNW_CT]

I have a ‘26 4S and love active ride. Watch the video from Porche that compares with and without and you’ll be sold. I drove both with and without active ride and ordered new rather than used to get the Active Ride option. If you want the best handling car available without harsh suspension, pay the money. It’s also nice to have it rise up to meet you and your passengers.

Does anyone know what color this is? Nordic Gold Metallic?

 

[Fun TC Driving]

The above Panamera is Madiera Gold Metallic, which nicely is now a base color option on a Cayenne EV (not a PTS cost-extragavnza). As you mentioned you are considering a Cayenne EV…

 

[W1NGE]

Thanks for everyone's input.

Having spent some time thinking about this, I think it makes sense to remove the interior stitching pack. At first I thought this was required to get the leather dash and leather door cards, but I think that's now standard?
I have the leather dash (without deviated stitching) in the Panamera and I think it improves the cabin quality over the 'plasticky' normal fake leather pattern which came as standard.

On that basis I will have a bit of money to play with. So I'll either add the pano roof and roof rails, or add RWS. I'm still not fully sold on the RWS cost, as I've coped fine with my Panamera ST which is bigger.

I'm a bit worried that when a group of us go skiing, we won't have the room in the car for all our kit, so may need a roof rack for the skis. Alternatively I could consider the Cayenne S Electric. It's coming in slightly more expensive per month though, and doesn't look anywhere near as special as the Taycan.
It's frustrating that you have to option the pano roof to get the roof rails. Does anyone recommend the suction cup type mounts on a normal roof?

The other things I like about the new Cayenne are:
New PPE platform
New OLED curved screen looks great
Augmented HUD
Improved self driving over the Taycan
Digital Key
Active Ride which is probably more relevant on an SUV
No massage seats as an option though!
(I love a new gadget in general, so I value some of these more than others perhaps.)

Ultimately after my 4 year SS lease, there is a good chance that I will buy the car to keep for another 3-4 years. It is difficult to know, but I think the Taycan will have a higher depreciation, therefore making it a better deal when it comes to purchasing at the end of lease.

Decisions decisions.

I went from a Panamera ST to a Taycan GTS ST with RAS. It is a subtle addition and as I was already used to the Panamera (same overall dimensions) I never found parking an issue. I had no regrets adding RAS but is desirable rather than a must have.

Seasucker for alternative roof rack.

Darl interior, small windows = claustrophobic so pano roof is high on the list.

Cramped interior - really just a 2+2 - make sure you get the split rear seat 4+1 (for skis).

Depreciation will be scary either way.

Cayenne may be more practical but a tank in comparison.

Leather - review what it covers but generally the dash is always in leather. Black / crayon will give you crayon stitching on the dash and door window trims.

 

[1uke]

Seems like you’ve made a very similar move W1NGE. Do you find the boot space significantly smaller? I’m hoping the front boot might help to offset this a bit.
Im also hoping the rear seats won’t be too cramped for a 3rd passenger. We generally do a good number of 12 hour road trips a year , which the Panamera is great for but worry the Taycan may be less suited especially when we have a 3rd passenger.

It is also a shame that Porsche didn’t move the tech on in the J1.2 to match the electric Macan and Cayenne.

 

[W1NGE]

Seems like you’ve made a very similar move W1NGE. Do you find the boot space significantly smaller? I’m hoping the front boot might help to offset this a bit.
Im also hoping the rear seats won’t be too cramped for a 3rd passenger. We generally do a good number of 12 hour road trips a year , which the Panamera is great for but worry the Taycan may be less suited especially when we have a 3rd passenger.

It is also a shame that Porsche didn’t move the tech on in the J1.2 to match the electric Macan and Cayenne.

I didn't have the bench seat in my Panamera but had rear electric seats which was a waste and rarely used. Truth is the Panamera is a 2+2 at best also.

A 12 hour trip in either as a 5 seater would be horrendous for whomever got the central rear seat.

Updated tech will come but in truth the HUD will be distracting regardless to the point you may switch it off - the main dash is so well positioned and crystal clear you really don't need this repeated on the windshield IMHO.

I bailed the Taycan due to depreciation concerns - criminal - and bought a 992.2 instead. I miss the Taycan however.

 

[trycan]

It's frustrating that you have to option the pano roof to get the roof rails. Does anyone recommend the suction cup type mounts on a normal roof?

Yes, I find this restriction to be frustrating as well. Maybe there are mount points where the glass is attached, and those make it possible to add the roof rails? I have the steel roof and that seems like it should be able to at least hold as much weight as glass.

I haven't looked into after market roof rack options, but would be interested to hear anyone's experience on how it worked out.

 

[W1NGE]

Yes, I find this restriction to be frustrating as well. Maybe there are mount points where the glass is attached, and those make it possible to add the roof rails? I have the steel roof and that seems like it should be able to at least hold as much weight as glass.

I haven't looked into after market roof rack options, but would be interested to hear anyone's experience on how it worked out.

Nothing to do with weight just that the glass roof comes with the mount points. The glass roof makes the interior brighter so I would advocate having it.

Fear not - seasucker is your friend, Google it.

 

[trycan]

Nothing to do with weight just that the glass roof comes with the mount points. The glass roof makes the interior brighter so I would advocate having it.

Fear not - seasucker is your friend, Google it.

My last car (not a Taycan) had a glass roof and it took a chip because the roads around here are terrible. Since the people in the front seats can't even look out the glass roof, I was like "never again, it's not worth having something so brittle"

 

[W1NGE]

My last car (not a Taycan) had a glass roof and it took a chip because the roads around here are terrible. Since the people in the front seats can't even look out the glass roof, I was like "never again, it's not worth having something so brittle"

Seems to be a NA issue not heard of anyone having this problem in UK but certainly possible.

I doubt the glass is the issue given it has to comply with all sorts of regulations but likely the aero.

Cabin is claustrophobic and so the additional light is welcomed - nothing to do with who sees what.

 

[Fun TC Driving]

Yes, mostly a U.S.A issue since I think only the entry one of the 16 Taycan models can you buy here that does not come here standard with the full glass roof. I would personally buy one with out pano but all the models I am considering do not give me a choice but for an all metal roof.

Sponsored