Carpokes

Porsche does a really good job at making plastic that looks like metal. Recently when I changed my 718 GTS PDK shifter to the one used on the GT4 RS, I realized that the original shifter was plastic. I always thought it was aluminum. Now I’m wondering about the paddle shifters. They look like metal, feel like metal but wondering if they are also plastic? Does anyone know the answer? I know - first world problems but thought I’d ask.

One idea is to rub the piece with a eraser, if it is real aluminum nothing will happen. If it is aluminized plastic the coating might start to come off.

Possibly temperature, if real metal it will feel colder if it is a cool day.

Possibly taste, does it taste like plastic or metal?

Texture, metal likely is rougher than plastic.

Just brainstorming.

J-Dub wrote: Fri Apr 07, 2023 3:20 pm One idea is to rub the piece with a eraser, if it is real aluminum nothing will happen. If it is aluminized plastic the coating might start to come off.

Possibly temperature, if real metal it will feel colder if it is a cool day.

Possibly taste, does it taste like plastic or metal?

Texture, metal likely is rougher than plastic.

Just brainstorming.

It does get colder (and hotter) than the car’s plastic pieces. Also, it tastes like chicken.

J-Dub wrote: Fri Apr 07, 2023 3:20 pm One idea is to rub the piece with a eraser, if it is real aluminum nothing will happen. If it is aluminized plastic the coating might start to come off.

Possibly temperature, if real metal it will feel colder if it is a cool day.

Possibly taste, does it taste like plastic or metal?

Texture, metal likely is rougher than plastic.

Just brainstorming.

BTW, if you are so inclined, please post some photos of your GTS!

I'm pretty certain mine are metal, probably anodized aluminum. They get scalding hot if you leave the car parked in the sun.

Larry C wrote: Fri Apr 07, 2023 3:50 pm
BTW, if you are so inclined, please post some photos of your GTS!

Likely not what you were asking for but here is a picture of it two weeks ago, three weeks after I bought it. I was on track and a message popped up on screen saying the left rear tire was 17 lbs low.



I had picked up a roll pin in the tire, luckily I had a tire plug, lug wrench and scissor jack with me as this track was a three hour drive from home.

J-Dub wrote: Fri Apr 07, 2023 6:31 pm

Larry C wrote: Fri Apr 07, 2023 3:50 pm
BTW, if you are so inclined, please post some photos of your GTS!

Likely not what you were asking for but here is a picture of it two weeks ago, three weeks after I bought it. I was on track and a message popped up on screen saying the left rear tire was 17 lbs low.



I had picked up a roll pin in the tire, luckily I had a tire plug, lug wrench and scissor jack with me as this track was a three hour drive from home.

Yikes! Well…there’s always photoshop BTW, nice looking car.

J-Dub wrote: Fri Apr 07, 2023 6:31 pm

Larry C wrote: Fri Apr 07, 2023 3:50 pm
BTW, if you are so inclined, please post some photos of your GTS!

Likely not what you were asking for but here is a picture of it two weeks ago, three weeks after I bought it. I was on track and a message popped up on screen saying the left rear tire was 17 lbs low.



I had picked up a roll pin in the tire, luckily I had a tire plug, lug wrench and scissor jack with me as this track was a three hour drive from home.

Great looking Cayman!

My big concern by not towing a track car is what you experienced. I think I'd be on the phone for a flat bed if that happened to me.

Do you remember that story that started with so I trailed my car to the event..... me either . Life happens and I always try to make the best of it. The drive to the track was actually the first road trip, first time I packed the car, first time I put gas in it etc.

The the roll pin that was in the tire was real metal I was a bit surprised how hard it was to get the tire plug in the tire, I did not want to use the rasp and make the hole any bigger than necessary. It held for the rest of the track day, the next day at the track, the drive home etc. In fact I think I will let it be. Next track day is next weekend, 8 days.

This is one of my biggest beefs about newer Porsches and in fact most new cars today and they have completely eliminated a spare or safety spare tire under the guise of saving weight, space but really more about money. It's ludicrous for a car of this value to be stuck almost anywhere because of a flat and even a longer wait in case you have to order a new tire/tires to replace a damaged one. I'm sure you all can guess at the cost of a new (any brand) 21" tire and time to get one. And no one seems to care.