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I also considered the extended leather dash and steering column too but ultimately passed for two reasons. I spec'd gt silver interior and read that getting those options has the possibility of seeing the reflections in the windshield and gauge cluster in certain lighting. Went to check out some cars primarily because at the time, we were trying to see a Spyder in Miami Blue and luckily I found a car that had extended dash stitching. Don't remember what stitching color it was but I could faintly see the reflection. Thought about it and passed because the second reason was cost. After adding PTS and CXX options, I figured the price was getting up there and even though those options in the big scheme of things wasn't a big cost, I felt like having spent money on the pepita was enough to spruce up the interior and if the reflection is there, it would annoy the hell out of me.
Since you're on the fence, I would definitely try to find a car maybe at your local cars and coffee to see if any of them have extended dash or maybe start a new post here to ask owners of their experience ad maybe they can post pictures of reflections to see if it's enough to bother you.
Good feedback. I do have the extended leather dash on my 981 Spyder with red stitching but I don't have the steering column. I have never seen any reflections at least nothing that bothered me enough to notice it. I did sit in a SB 718 Spyder with yellow extended stitching as well as extended dash and column. I didn't see any reflections that stood out to me. I'm getting the CX option of blue stitching on mine which adds about $2,700. Why? I think I will tire of the yellow stitching and the red won't work so blue it is. The blue won't reflect as much as a color like yellow would tend to and I imagine it would be closer to the red like in my current car. So, it really is that I'm already adding blue stitching and I have black leather inserts instead of CF or silver so I want some color in the interior. I have ordered the pepita in blue/black/white P1 inserts and I have blue pull straps that I will install.
As I said, I love the stitching but am unsure about the leather around the sport chrono as if not done right can be uneven and funky looking.
In the spirit that TigerHonaker, Jeff Jones, halfmonkey and a few others did, I am going to share my initial thoughts on my 718 now that I’ve taken delivery. I am including a bunch of pictures, as what is hopefully the gentlemanly way to officially depart the “Waiting Room” thread.
Background: My V70 Order Demand was placed on the 12th of January 2021 after I came to accept that BMW had ruined the new M3 (for me) and something lighter in weight and more fun to drive with better dynamics and a good manual trans was what I wanted.
The Wait: Yes, it was long. 11 months passed between my Order Demand and receiving notice that an allocation/production spot had been assigned to my build. I spent many nights revising and updating my spec, and even changed my color from Guards Red to Shark Blue when my wait went into model year 2022. The wait was bad, but got much worse when I sold my 911. My garage at that point had gone from having four cars to having one. Thankfully, my SA was exemplary throughout and kept me up to date with printouts from the PVMS any time I asked.
Tracking progress: I largely enjoyed it, as I just accepted that TYD was about as reliable as The New York Times: Given enough time, corrections are made quietly at night to what made no sense in the light of day.
Delivery: I knew within a day or two when my GT4 was going to be delivered, but sure enough it got delivered early one morning before the dealership received the email from the port stating that the truck was on the way. Nonetheless, I spotted it later that morning tucked in the back corner. My SA got the keys and we went out to collect all of the production/processing documents as I had asked. I wanted to keep the Build Sheet, the Shipping Docs, etc. And my SA laminated the Monroney Sticker for me. The Shark Blue color looked great, and it varied a lot based upon lighting.
The actual hand-over was set for a couple days later, and it was arranged to accommodate my best friend from college days coming up from Maryland in his C8 to join me at delivery. We drove his Vette over at the designated hour, took a little time to look over the eye-candy in the showroom, and then I started on the paperwork. (I say ‘paperwork’, but it was all done electronically using a stylus on a projected image in the desk surface.)
Yes, this is the time that most any dealer is going to try and sell you something else. I had already looked into all of the offerings beforehand, so knew exactly what I was interested in. I wanted the wheel protection package in case I get a stone stuck in the barrel and it scores a wheel, or some pothole gets past me and ‘curbs’ the wheel in the process. The wheels seem to me a high risk item that are expensive to replace. I also signed on for PPF done by their local preferred provider. (Just not until I get a weekend of driving first!)
And, FINALLY, I got outside to see my buddy with my car staged next to his in the dealership’s lot. We grabbed a few photos before my SA went through the basic controls with me. Thankfully, he didn’t bore me with details on how the radio works and such. We were off shortly thereafter, on a mission to find a roadside location where we could replicate an old photograph we had taken in 1982 when we both had gotten our first track-ready cars up to par.
The first thing I noticed was that it was easy for me to get the base sport seats into a good position for me. It occurred to me that they might never be moved again. I found them plenty comfortable and better side support than cars I’ve auto-x in the past. (Almost any of my BMWs for a start)
The next thing I noticed is that I have an old habit that doesn’t lend itself to the car. Back when I learned to start a manual trans sports car we (1) put the car in neutral, (2) put the clutch in, and (3) started the car. Once the engine started and ran for a while and settled down, only then would we release the clutch (in neutral) to spin up the input side of the transmission. Then, if all seemed well, we would put the clutch back in and choose a gear before feathering the clutch back out to move away.
The problem with this technique is you have to touch the brake pedal with your foot to allow the parking brake to release. ‘Normally’ I would release the parking brake with my left hand when I put the clutch in and choose a gear. So, I sat there and pushed a pulled a number of times before it dawned on me this setup could be like cars with automatics, where the brake pedal needs to be used to allow release of the parking brake. (I’ve since modified my process to release it before the clutch is depressed the 2nd time.)
The next thing I noticed was how easy the clutch is to engage. OMG, it’s ridiculously easy. Nothing like competition clutches in the old days that have very little between ‘on’ and ‘off’. This makes it super easy to pull away smoothly with very little slip needed. The clutch is also much lighter than I would have guessed, although I did get a very springy feel (and sort of sound) upon exercising it. It wasn’t a pedal box feel like classic 911s, but a uniform motion with lots of room to progressively engage a gear. It’s like totally being spoiled, especially if you’ve ever spun your tires just to make sure you didn’t stall pulling out on a steep grade at a traffic light.
I originally thought that having the light on for deactivating the start/stop feature was going to bother me. I’m not sure now, as I prefer the ‘Sports Exhaust’ button ‘on’ always, the ‘Sport Chassis’ button ‘on’ nearly always, and the ‘Auto Blip’ button ‘on’ always. So, with all four lights on it passes for normal operation. I wish they were green when they are on, and red lights used for warnings like ‘ESC Off’, etc. Sort of more aircraft like.
The next thing that surprised me was that the cabin was quieter (under 4000rpm only so far) than I had expected based upon posts on RL. The intake noise must really come on-line at higher rpms – which I look forward to soon, but I haven’t heard it yet. There is a distinct change in character at 3,800 rpm though. Below that the power feels strangely like an E36 M3. I have not yet explored above 4k, as I am only at 120 miles presently. Once I get over 150 miles I’m going to transition to a 5krpm max.
The noise I DO notice is outside the cabin and it reminds me of a sleeper Mustang I drove years ago which we had built with needle bearing roller rockers. So, I think there is a good bit of valve train gear noise – akin to a fancy ‘sewing machine’ sound.
Similarly, I found the base climate control system easy to operate and effective. The weather varied a good bit over the weekend so I got to run AC at some points and Heat during others. (The base system also means there’s no risk of my wife reaching over to change my settings on a dual-climate control because she’s cold and wants to warm up faster.) Ask me how I know…
The local roads around here are ideal for break-in, up and down, 90 degree corners around fields, smooth corners with a variety of apex shapes. Lots of opportunity to vary speed and load. Short straights offer opportunity for bursts of acceleration. I think the injectors must shut off completely when one gets off the gas while still in gear, as there is a good amount of engine-braking – which feels and sounds nice. The car turns in flatter than anything I’ve ever owned. I can only imagine what it could do with properly warmed up tires.
One little gripe is the car cover. We bought the factory cover with the GT4 stripe on it. It is VERY tightly fit --- which is counter to what I want for an indoor cover. I want a loose-fit cover that catches pollen and such in the air. This fits so tight I’ll be worried about rubbing the slightest amount of surface dust/dirt into the PPF or paint. My wife (fashion designer) also pointed out that for the money it should have been much better measured and sewn for size without wrinkles in the seams.
The other little oddity I may have to adjust for is the feel of the steering wheel in my hand. It gives me the feeling I should be wearing driving gloves to protect it. It does sort of force me a little closer to a 9 and 3 hand position over I guess my habit of using more of a 10 and 2 position.
In conclusion, I can’t help walking around with a huge smile on my face – rather like a dad at his kid’s wedding. I hope these observations help those early in the process just as I thank the RL’s whose observations helped me. A PDF of related images is attached for reference.
This is the most wholesome and fulfilling post I have seen since i've joined!
Mind sharing the time differences between when you received freeze email, production started, production completed, delivery, and so on?
May your campout in Emden be shorter than mine. One month tomorrow and still sitting there.
My car has been sitting at Emden since March 23rd and thought for sure I'd be on the Siem Confucius for a Baltimore drop off, but my SA just told me that my arrival date has been extended from May 13th to June 3rd and that no ship has been assigned yet. No updates on TYD yet, but it's looking like my car may be sitting there for another 3 weeks! I'm really bummed! Waiting to see if the TYD update will reflect the same info.
My car has been sitting at Emden since March 23rd and thought for sure I'd be on the Siem Confucius for a Baltimore drop off, but my SA just told me that my arrival date has been extended from May 13th to June 3rd and that no ship has been assigned yet. No updates on TYD yet, but it's looking like my car may be sitting there for another 3 weeks! I'm really bummed! Waiting to see if the TYD update will reflect the same info.
On the one hand I feel sorry for you because I know how it feels to have your dream car just sitting there while boats come and go.
But on the other hand, I’m a bit comforted to hear that someone else has been sitting there as long as I have. I was starting to get a feeling maybe some damage was being dealt with at the port. Maybe it’s just congestion.
Either way, this waiting sucks.
EDIT: my SA just sent me this. Looks like my dates got pushed back about two weeks. Crap.
Last edited by SpyderSenseOC; 04-19-2022 at 06:20 PM.
My car has been sitting at Emden since March 23rd and thought for sure I'd be on the Siem Confucius for a Baltimore drop off, but my SA just told me that my arrival date has been extended from May 13th to June 3rd and that no ship has been assigned yet. No updates on TYD yet, but it's looking like my car may be sitting there for another 3 weeks! I'm really bummed! Waiting to see if the TYD update will reflect the same info.
Oh no!!! I worry I may be in the same position. I still haven't received an update on TYD that my car made it on the Vessel, and the Siem Confucius just left port on its way to Baltimore. My TYD app still show an ETA of 4/22 for "On Vessel".
On the one hand I feel sorry for you because I know how it feels to have your dream car just sitting there while boats come and go.
But on the other hand, I’m a bit comforted to hear that someone else has been sitting there as long as I have. I was starting to get a feeling maybe some damage was being dealt with at the port. Maybe it’s just congestion.
Either way, this waiting sucks.
EDIT: my SA just sent me this. Looks like my dates got pushed back about two weeks. Crap.
Your new dates would likely put it on the Grand Champion. I'm assuming mine would be on the same.
For those waiting for Glovis Supreme to get into Santa Marta its been delayed 3 hours. It's still not within range of the shore base position network. Hopefully the stop is a quick one then onto the Panama Canal.
04-19-2022, 04:37 PM
I'm really bummed! Waiting to see if the TYD update will reflect the same info.
