2020 => 2025 4S configuration advice

[Golfer Curt]

Hi, adding to this. I'm about to do the same. I have a 2022 Cross Turismo and going to order a new one.

I completely agree about the stock side mirrors. The black plastic just doesn't wear well.

Does anyone have an opinion on the standard interior vs. the leather? Is the leather worth $4 - $5K more?

Thanks

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[Watchesandburgers]

Does anyone have an opinion on the standard interior vs. the leather? Is the leather worth $4 - $5K more?

Several threads on this topic. The leather interior is worth it, and many consider it a required option. Many people say that the standard interior is sub par.

 

[W1NGE]

That does not seem to be the case. The PLUS in the PDLS+ always means just Auto High Beam.
At least this is how Porsche always done in in the past for ICE models.
This is the thread that I found that seems to point out the differences more clearly:

https://www.taycanforum.com/forum/t...25-taycan-headlight-options.18825/post-290129

J1.2: Standard Matrix do have Auto High Beam but no PDLS functionality
J1.2: HD Matrix has full PDLS functionality with desired Static and Dynamic beams.

I have full Macan EV spec docs and 100% sure that both headlight setups do not have Dynamic beams, which is a surprise. My 2024 Macan GTS has full PDLS+ with Static, Dynamic, and Auto High Beams.

This is US only as we do not get Matrix functions:

High Beam Assistant is the + in PDLS+ option on other models. Standard on Macan EV.
Dynamic Cornering Light function is part PDLS option on other models. Not offered on Macan EV.
LED type has no PDLS designation. LED Matrix Design has PDLS+ designation.

LED
- Includes High Beam Assistant
- Upper: 4-point LED Daylight Running Lights with Indicators in LED fiber-optic technology
- Lower: Low/High Beam, and Auxiliary High Beam with speed-based driving light control and dynamic headlight leveling


LED Matrix Design PDLS+
- Includes High Beam Assistant
- Includes Static Cornering Light
- Upper: 4-point LED Daylight Running Lights with strongly contoured three-dimensional light signature and Indicators with strongly emphasized LED strips
- Lower: Low Beam, High-power Auxiliary High Beam, and Matrix Design Lense
- No mention of speed-based driving light control or dynamic headlight leveling but probably assumed
- Features Coming/Leaving Home animation
- Optional in Black or Glacier Blue

UK Matrix on Macan:

Matrix LED HeadlightsMatrix LED Headlights
Matrix LED HeadlightsMatrix LED Headlights
£852.00
Matrix LED Headlights
LED main headlights with matrix beam technology (84 pixels):
- camera-based detection of vehicles ahead and oncoming traffic, and intelligent dimming of individual segments of the permanent main-beam cone
- segment-specific dimming of reflective traffic signs to avoid driver dazzle
- to optimise target fixation, not only are the lights selectively dimmed to fade out oncoming vehicles, the area to the right of the light void is lit more brightly for better guidance of the driver's visual attention
- electronically controlled cornering lights
- 4-spot lighting design, including dipped beam
- LED matrix headlights with camera-based calibration function to ensure optimal road illumination
- High-Performance auxiliary high beam

Standard LEDs

LED main headlights
LED main headlights incl. automatic high beam, dynamic levelling system, four-point LED daytime running lights and LED indicator lights

Taycan the same except HD is an option.

I think the nomenclature PDLS ( is evolving.

 

[WalterG]

I live in upstate NY and have NVA, we salt our roads heavily in the winter and stone them in the summer. In 2 years and 12k of driving never had an issue with damage to the thermal camera in the nose. NVA is not perfect but it has saved my bacon on a few occasions and I highly recommend it. I also have the 20" wheels because of our potholed roads and agree with your decision on that point. Not part of the order spec but I would recommend getting at least a front PPF to protect the paint from road debris, I had the whole car done and it has saved my paint on 2 different occasions.

Thanks! I would love to add NVA but I'm just a rock magnet. My windshield has too many dings and the front hood has some dings. I would just be asking for trouble unfortunately. The clever Porsche engineer who put it 8" off the road surface right in front has never driven around Boston lol. I was talking to the tech at the dealer and he said that about 7 of 10 taycans he sees that have the NVA have the camera protection lens broken.

Yes, I think PPF on the front is a great idea this time (I didn't do it on my 2020). I've read though that sometimes it can make the frunk sensor (even more) unresponsive. But seems like a good tradeoff.

 

[WalterG]

I stopped using transponders for tolls and sign up via license plate # on EZ Pass MA and NH websites. Easier.

Well spec'd! Here are my thoughts and comments:
1) 100% get the thicker glass. I have it on my car and it makes a big difference. I have a windshield mounted toll tag and have zero problems. Same with cell signal. It's not an issue.
2) You've spec'd several cosmetic things like the P crest on all four headrests and the P text on the center console. If you're doing that, you should consider the puddle lights. It's only $330. If you're already maxed out, switch to the P crest on front seats only to make up the difference.
3) Regarding the side mirrors, get whatever you think looks best and do a front PPF. Then you don't have to worry about rock chips, salt damage, etc.

Enjoy!

Thanks!
Based on the comments here I'll have to think about the thicker glass a little more, but this is probably a pass for me. Derek posted how frustrated he was with the thermal / noise isolating glass a while back sharing that his radar detector doesn't work (except in the marked area) and that GPS for his dash cam doesn't work. And there are many threads with seemingly equal numbers of people with weaker cell phone coverage and with unaffected cell phone coverage. So I just concluded it's not worth the risk to me since the car is already pretty quiet and my family would mutiny if cell coverage was degraded. My guess is that it's location and cell provider dependent so not really a way to figure out without having it for a while - so leaning towards just not taking the chance.

The puddle lights do seem like a cool add.

Signing up for the license plate reader seems like a good idea in any case to get rid of the transponder. I'm guessing though this has to be done individually for each state.

 

[trycan]

Signing up for the license plate reader seems like a good idea in any case to get rid of the transponder. I'm guessing though this has to be done individually for each state.

I believe the EZ-Pass system in the Northeast is all set to read your license plate optically at every toll station. (This is how they track down toll skippers). There is no additional registration, just make sure your vehicle and license plate are on your account on the EZ-Pass website.
I've driven my other car through Mass Pike and NH tolls without any transponder and it matches the plate and bills my account (no violation).

Not sure whether the optical thing will work if you travel further away.

BTW, the transponder seems to work in my Taycan, just have to mount it really high up behind the black dotted area. (I have the privacy glass and Yes, cell strength seems reduced, but only slightly)

 

[SergeyIndy]

Thanks!
Based on the comments here I'll have to think about the thicker glass a little more, but this is probably a pass for me. Derek posted how frustrated he was with the thermal / noise isolating glass a while back sharing that his radar detector doesn't work (except in the marked area) and that GPS for his dash cam doesn't work. And there are many threads with seemingly equal numbers of people with weaker cell phone coverage and with unaffected cell phone coverage. So I just concluded it's not worth the risk to me since the car is already pretty quiet and my family would mutiny if cell coverage was degraded. My guess is that it's location and cell provider dependent so not really a way to figure out without having it for a while - so leaning towards just not taking the chance.

The puddle lights do seem like a cool add.

Signing up for the license plate reader seems like a good idea in any case to get rid of the transponder. I'm guessing though this has to be done individually for each state.

Oh no, do not do the puddle lights from factory.
Explore this: https://www.addcarlights.com/product/porsche-logo-door-lights/
Exceptional quality and plug and play.

 

[WalterG]

@SergeyIndy and @W1NGE Thanks for all the input on the lights. I emailed the dealer and then spoke with them and here's what they say about the options for the 2025:

That is correct if you upgrade to the HD-Matrix Design LED Headlights you will get PDLS, auto high beams, and cornering lights. That is the only way to get those options is with the HD headlights.

I followed up to confirm that auto high beams (and all those options) are not on the standard matrix lights, only on the HD. It's a lot for those HD options without the currently disallowed true matrix functionality in the US, but I'll include it.

It's

 

[trycan]

It's a lot for those HD options without the currently disallowed true matrix functionality in the US

There is a way to get UK/EU complete matrix functionality enabled on USA delivered vehicles. I am slowly making progress towards figuring it out and can post more when I have time to spend working on it.

 

[SergeyIndy]

^ Good investigation @WalterG. I was wrong on Auto High Beam to be included with the Standard Lights. I can certainly check them out at the dealer, as it is pretty simple, but for Macan EV Auto High Beam is on both base LED and Matrix LED. HD Matrix are not offered on Macan EV, yet.

 

[ze_shark]

https://porsche-code.com/PSQJY444

Very nice config ! Chalk stitching isn't cheap, but would add a nice touch while staying true to the sober combo.

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[WalterG]

Very nice config ! Chalk stitching isn't cheap, but would add a nice touch while staying true to the sober combo.

.

Thanks - I really like the deviated stitching look but was having a hard time getting into spending almost $4k for someone to change the stitching spool lol. It's kind of crazy it's this much, especially when full leather is "only" a little over $4k.

 

[W1NGE]

@SergeyIndy and @W1NGE Thanks for all the input on the lights. I emailed the dealer and then spoke with them and here's what they say about the options for the 2025:

That is correct if you upgrade to the HD-Matrix Design LED Headlights you will get PDLS, auto high beams, and cornering lights. That is the only way to get those options is with the HD headlights.

I followed up to confirm that auto high beams (and all those options) are not on the standard matrix lights, only on the HD. It's a lot for those HD options without the currently disallowed true matrix functionality in the US, but I'll include it.

It's

In the UK the standard matrix lights have auto high beam and suspect that's the same globally.

From the owners manual below:

 

[ze_shark]

True, it is a lot of money for these stitches. If they could upsell for less, i think they would. Lots of parts and suppliers are affected. Seats, dash, door trim, steering wheel. More depending on the other options you tick.

 

[WalterG]

In the UK the standard matrix lights have auto high beam and suspect that's the same globally.

It seems then like the "standard Matrix" option is special for the US since the US regulations do not allow individual matrix control (unfortunately). So Porsche seems to have created an old fashioned single light "standard" offering out of the probably very nice standard matrix global lights.

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