Good choice as a first EV?

[D00notD00d]

I bet you don't. In my experience they have no interest in interacting with customers, so you probably will have to negotiate with an AI robot at the front door.

It can vary by sales person and if there’s any local competition.

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[Frsc]

Adaptive Cruise (ACC) and Innodrive are different options. Rough description:

Adaptive: the set speed is adjusted & resumed according to proximity of the car in front. The distance trigger can be configured.

Innodrive: speed is adjusted according to traffic signs and bends as well as proximity.
Innodrive is about £2k, circa double the cost of Adaptive.

If Adaptive was optioned Innodrive can be added retrospectively for either a one off cost or a monthly rental, whichever is most cost effective. @tophamn My understanding is that this online Function on Demand service is not available for the latest J1.2 generation but is still available for at least 2021 forwards. You can see available FOD options accessing the Porsche Connect store via a browser.
FOD monthly allows you to trial an option.
I wasn’t aware if that when I searched for a used 4s with Innodrive. I then switched off each of the Innodrive features one by one, because I prefer to have full control of speed and direction. But others find it useful, particularly ex Tesla owners in the US. I now just use ACC. I’d recommend trialing Innodrive to see if it suits you.
@Frsc
Driving a loaner today without ACC reminded me that a long press on the steering wheel Regen/Recuperation button turns on Auto Regen. Like ACC this uses a proximity sensor to apply ‘engine braking’ and reduce speed to maintain distance. It works well in traffic and on motorways, but it can’t be used at the same time as any Cruise Control. If ACC isn’t fitted, I find that AutoRegen is more useful than standard cruise when heavy traffic means you’re constantly having to defeat and resume standard cruise. Manual regen is useful for braking when descending hills or driving quickly through bends.

ACC has been standard on all Golfs since Mk7, about 2013. We’ve recently been looking replacing our Golf with a Merc A class (not my choice) but it is a very rare option on those. Charging for everything seems to be a ‘premium’ German manufacturer thing.

Thanks, that’s useful info, but I’m one of those weirdos that likes to apply the accelerator and brakes myself The only time I use CC is when there are roadworks on the motorway with SPECS cameras.

Perhaps I Might feel differently if I did a lot of driving.

 

[anonymouse]

Thanks, that’s useful info, but I’m one of those weirdos that likes to apply the accelerator and brakes myself The only time I use CC is when there are roadworks on the motorway with SPECS cameras.

Perhaps I Might feel differently if I did a lot of driving.

I use Innodrive almost all the time. In Porsche’s implementation it provides a good secondary support to your driving - it will brake if you have missed something in a moment’s inattention - while being instantly overridable with more ease that Tesla’s autopilot.

But more importantly, as you live in London, it will handle all those 30/20mph speed limit changes with a fairly high degree of accuracy. So far the only speeding tickets I have got were when I had turned Innodrive off and not spotted a sign. I read in an article that some London drivers have got >12 points and lost their licence while never going over 27mph.

 

[anonymouse]

If Adaptive was optioned Innodrive can be added retrospectively for either a one off cost or a monthly rental

The retrospectively added Innodrive does not have all the features of the factory option, presumably because sensors are needed. I think we have previously worked out that the main difference is omission of cross-traffic detection/alert. It is another thing that is useless 99.9% of the time … but could save a life.

 

[tophamn]

I use Innodrive almost all the time. In Porsche’s implementation it provides a good secondary support to your driving - it will brake if you have missed something in a moment’s inattention - while being instantly overridable with more ease that Tesla’s autopilot.

But more importantly, as you live in London, it will handle all those 30/20mph speed limit changes with a fairly high degree of accuracy. So far the only speeding tickets I have got were when I had turned Innodrive off and not spotted a sign. I read in an article that some London drivers have got >12 points and lost their licence while never going over 27mph.

Adjusting to the speed limit is part of ACC though, right? - you don't need InnoDrive for that. InnoDrive adds the feature of slowing for junctions & corners which relies on map data, not just radar/camera.

 

[D00notD00d]

Adjusting to the speed limit is part of ACC though, right? - you don't need InnoDrive for that. InnoDrive adds the feature of slowing for junctions & corners which relies on map data, not just radar/camera.

AFAIK ACC doesn’t read traffic sign speed limits. It relies on proximity.
If the car in front is speeding, you will too.

 

[anonymouse]

AFAIK ACC doesn’t read traffic sign speed limits. It relies on proximity.
If the car in front is speeding, you will too.

That is my understanding.

In addition, Innodrive will slow you as you approach a speed limit sign, so you are going at the correct speed when you pass the sign. (Not even Teslas do this ). That means you are driving legally; and in the UK can save you from particularly mean speed cameras placed right at the sign (eg on motorway gantries).

 

[Frsc]

It can vary by sales person and if there’s any local competition.

That is my understanding.

In addition, Innodrive will slow you as you approach a speed limit sign, so you are going at the correct speed when you pass the sign. (Not even Teslas do this ). That means you are driving legally; and in the UK can save you from particularly mean speed cameras placed right at the sign (eg on motorway gantries).

You mean it can save you from being killed or maimed, since they promised they’d only stick speed cameras in places where that’s likely to happen if you go too fast

 

[Frsc]

I use Innodrive almost all the time. In Porsche’s implementation it provides a good secondary support to your driving - it will brake if you have missed something in a moment’s inattention - while being instantly overridable with more ease that Tesla’s autopilot.

But more importantly, as you live in London, it will handle all those 30/20mph speed limit changes with a fairly high degree of accuracy. So far the only speeding tickets I have got were when I had turned Innodrive off and not spotted a sign. I read in an article that some London drivers have got >12 points and lost their licence while never going over 27mph.

The latter part is tempting, although I generally drive the same routes. But it might save me when I go elsewhere.

I’ll keep it in mind when searching. Just seen a 4 CT pop up at £53k that has it. Surprisingly it’s at OPC West London, rarely do I see them near the bottom ? Might give them a call and toy with them, I got my Cayenne from them and wasn’t impressed with the way some of their staff handled that order.

Being honest I’d probably prioritise surround view and folding mirrors (Porsche are taking P with that one).

 

[anonymouse]

You mean it can save you from being killed or maimed, since they promised they’d only stick speed cameras in places where that’s likely to happen if you go too fast

Here’s an example: on the M5 to preempt some traffic congestion ahead they reduced 70 in fast flowing traffic to 60 with an overhead sign. 99% of cars were flashed by the camera on the same gantry as the sign because they had not yet begun to brake sufficiently. Innodrive would (admittedly not woth 100% accuracy) have correctly slowed a Taycan 100m in advance even if the driver had not yet absorbed the limit change.

 

[MrB]

Here’s an example: on the M5 to preempt some traffic congestion ahead they reduced 70 in fast flowing traffic to 60 with an overhead sign. 99% of cars were flashed by the camera on the same gantry as the sign because they had not yet begun to brake sufficiently. Innodrive would (admittedly not woth 100% accuracy) have correctly slowed a Taycan 100m in advance even if the driver had not yet absorbed the limit change.

I’m one of those outliers too in that I use Innodrive an awful lot. It’s not perfect, far from it, but it’s saved me a few times on the M25 from both speed limit changes and odd behaviour from other drivers. It remains available for deselection when circumstances permit me to enjoy driving it like a Porsche. Truth is, so often on British roads, you’re just part of a long conga line of sclerotic traffic and it does a great/good enough job of acting as an extra layer of safety. After 50k miles I’m still glad I went for it and if I go Taycan/Macan next time round it will be specified again.

Your mileage, as they say, may vary!

 

[D00notD00d]

Hindsight.
From a cost of ownership perspective, a Taycan over 3 years old is a better choice than buying new or newish. Here, including finance cost, 68% depreciation, £2.7k per month (£100k) over 3 years, on a demo car.
Something to bear in mind when purchasing.

Of course the same applies to any expensive EV. And the hit is reduced by buying a lesser model and lesser spec. and settling for 80% of the pleasure.

 

[Frsc]

Hindsight.
From a cost of ownership perspective, a Taycan over 3 years old is a better choice than buying new or newish. Here, including finance cost, 68% depreciation, £2.7k per month (£100k) over 3 years, on a demo car.
Something to bear in mind when purchasing.

Of course the same applies to any expensive EV. And the hit is reduced by buying a lesser model and lesser spec. and settling for 80% of the pleasure.

Im looking at the late 2021s at the moment for the same reason. Premise being if I keep it for 3 years I can still sell with 2y battery warranty left.

Im also thinking provided battery condition is ok, the higher mileage ones are a good opportunity for me as I’ll bring the mileage down to average. Provided ofcourse there’s a decent deal to be had.

The 2022 cars are interestingly priced, they feel like they need to drop further as there are 2023/24 cars for not too much more?

Also I’m using their finance calculator as a guesstimate for residuals after 3 years. Presuming final payment minus ~£5k is the best I can hope for.

 

[Frsc]

Oh and the other annoyance is they stopped subsidies for charging points. Minor but annoying, I had contemplated getting one fitted a few years ago and probably should have.

 

[D00notD00d]

Oh and the other annoyance is they stopped subsidies for charging points. Minor but annoying, I had contemplated getting one fitted a few years ago and probably should have.

If you intend to charge indoors and your car comes with the Porsche Mobile Charger Connect, all you need is an electrician to provide cabling and fusing sufficient for a 32a supply to an industrial (commando) socket. This charger comes with a wall mount. It can be mounted outside if you buy the Porsche Charging dock housing, but that costs almost as much as a 3rd part y charger so not worthwhile.

A dumb charger is all you need, you can rely on the car’s PCM charging scheduler.
You can find an approved installer here:
https://www.gov.uk/electric-vehicle-chargepoint-installers
Or, suppliers such as Octopus will install one compatible with their tariffs. But simple 32a commando socket and a dumb charger also works with their cheapest tariff, if you turn off smart charging on their app. ( I found their smart charging unreliable, but it may work better with one of their specified chargers).

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