[GreatSaphenous]

Hello all ... very excited to be placing my first Porsche order next week I am coming from a 2021 MB CLA. Decided on a Base model in "Chalk" and am looking for any constructive criticism!

The build:

Macan | Porsche Car Configurator

PS .... been researching a lot into PASM / AS etc ... can anyone explain the cons/benefits of each in layman terms ... is it necessary for a Base? Also I included Sport Chrono on my build .. again, does this make a difference in a Base? I am not exactly a "car mechanics" person so please the more you break it down the better!

Don't need too much power or speed, simply want a fun, nice looking upgrade from the CLA. I test drove a Base Macan for the very first time two months ago and have been thinking of it nonstop since thank you in advance for any help!

 

[vanmacandriver]

Hello all ... very excited to be placing my first Porsche order next week I am coming from a 2021 MB CLA. Decided on a Base model in "Chalk" and am looking for any constructive criticism!

The build:

Macan | Porsche Car Configurator

PS .... been researching a lot into PASM / AS etc ... can anyone explain the cons/benefits of each in layman terms ... is it necessary for a Base? Also I included Sport Chrono on my build .. again, does this make a difference in a Base? I am not exactly a "car mechanics" person so please the more you break it down the better!

Don't need too much power or speed, simply want a fun, nice looking upgrade from the CLA. I test drove a Base Macan for the very first time two months ago and have been thinking of it nonstop since thank you in advance for any help!

Welcome. There are as many opinions as to what is necessary as there are configurator options. The few things I would recommend based on my preference and experience are a surround-view and possibly 20" wheels. I got PASM but it is definitely not necessary, nor is Sport Chrono.

 

[Rogue One]

I would definitely recommend adding the Surround View. Worth every cent, in my humble opinion.

 

[EdenDPT]

Nice build. A couple of recommendations here

1. PASM is basic porsche suspension management system that allows you control damping setting. I don’t know what optional damping control you had on CLA, but if it was just basic You don’t need PASM. But DO NOT EXPECT PORSCHE DYNAMIC DRIVING FEELING without PASM because your macan will have a lot of rolling allowed. There will be significantly difference in rolling and pitching suppression between sport plus damping and normal damping setting. Sport damping setting is somewhat in between, so if you want to add Sport Chrono package, you must have PASM otherwise you could loose control and end up in accident. So either PASM + Sport Chrono or neither of them selected.

2. Air suspension provides extra comport for you and your passenger. If you have kids or someone in the backseat frequently or need sometime soft/comfortable driving, add Air suspension, although normal mode in Macan will be softer and bouncy than your previous CLA without Air suspension

3. I don’t basically recommend Sport Chrono in Macan Base model because it already maximize 4 cyl engine output and its capacity. Even without Sport Chrono, your Macan will be way more agile and faster than CLA.

4. Get the 20” wheel. It will improve driving dynamic and its appearance. You don’t want your Macan look like a loaner.

5. Consider Surround view, it will significantly improve parking and navigating tight spot. In fact, there are a couple of options you can collect most of your initial cost when you sell your Macan such as Surround view, Sport Chrono, Heated seat F/R, Ventil seat F, paronomic sunroof etc.

These will answer your questions 🤠

 

[BMinSFL]

I like seeing a base build and congrats!

I have a 2021 without PASM or air and it handles very well with little body roll if I toss it into corners and it also provides a lot of passenger comfort. It's a lot of fun and I like it.

That being said, mine was used for a great value so I'll accept any "baseness" to it and considering it's a base model and the engine will always be the shortcoming (its a nice engine but compared to the V6), I would want to go as "Porsche" as possible in the handling dept. For the price I would recommend the PASM. If I could add it now I would pay that price or double that in a heartbeat.

I also would go with the 20" wheels. It just looks better from the side and make sure you get a set that is 20x10 in the rear for a nice rear profile. The skinnier tires out back and smaller diameter don't do the car justice. Used ones don't go for much cheaper considering new tires also be needed if you did the swap after purchase so it's a better deal to do it now.

Go with surround view. It makes the car feel like its from this decade and sad that it is still even an option. The rear camera alone is actually pretty bad but the surround view side and front ones are better for what it's worth.

 

[VAGfan]

- Delete the Sport Chrono. A waste of $ on a Base.

- Add PASM if you enjoy better handling on curvy roads. If you don't approach a curvy road "enthusiastically", you don't need it.

- Also, add the 18-way sport seats ($380) if you like seats that hold you in more securely, but they are harder to get in and out of due to the deeper bottom and back cushion side bolsters. See if you can find a Macan at a dealer so you can do a test sit. Some people find them too confining.

- If a more comfortable ride is a priority, get Air Suspension, which will include PASM. But, a Base actually rides pretty comfortably without it.

-Get 20inch wheels/tires if the looks and slightly sharper steering response appeals to you, but the trade-off is more expensive replacement tires, a slightly harsher ride, slightly slower acceleration, slightly increased braking distances, and they are more susceptible to tire and wheel damage from potholes/pavement issues.

 

[sn001]

Welcome

Why wouldn't you consider T?

 

[VAGfan]

A closely speced T would be $3570 more, but you would get 20 inch wheels.

 

[lyricgskills]

Great build! You are going to love it.

Personally I dislike driving a Macan without air suspension/PASM. It feels much more planted to me and less “floaty” than a steel suspension. This can get really subjective though.

My 2 cents since you said speed does not matter, I’d drop the Sport Chrono and add Air Suspension with PASM. This will give you the ride you are expecting from a Porsche.

Last one, I would drop the Porsche Headrests and add the Heated GT Sport Steering Wheel. It is a beautiful steering wheel that you will admire daily.

 

[SnakeEyesB]

1. PASM is basic porsche suspension management system that allows you control damping setting. I don’t know what optional damping control you had on CLA, but if it was just basic You don’t need PASM. But DO NOT EXPECT PORSCHE DYNAMIC DRIVING FEELING without PASM because your macan will have a lot of rolling allowed. There will be significantly difference in rolling and pitching suppression between sport plus damping and normal damping setting. Sport damping setting is somewhat in between, so if you want to add Sport Chrono package, you must have PASM otherwise you could loose control and end up in accident. So either PASM + Sport Chrono or neither of them selected.

The phrase "dynamic driving feeling" is very vague. PASM adjusts shock absorbers (Porsche Active Suspension Management - Cayenne, Panamera & Macan - Porsche USA) for a firmer feel, which slightly improves things like high speed cornering. On the other hand, Sport Chrono sharpens the throttle response, holds the revs longer and gives you launch control.

If you want to add Sport Chrono, you absolutely do not have to have PASM and vice versa, as the two features are intended to address different driving characteristics.

PASM and Sport Chrono, especially together, are highly unusual on the base models. If you do want them both (but without the additional horsepower and the weight of the S), look into the T.

2. Air suspension provides extra comport for you and your passenger. If you have kids or someone in the backseat frequently or need sometime soft/comfortable driving, add Air suspension, although normal mode in Macan will be softer and bouncy than your previous CLA without Air suspension

Over the years, every manufacturer on the planet has had issues with air suspensions. Porsche's AS is reasonably reliable, but is still something that is prone to failure and can be very expensive to fix. Because of this, when it comes to buying used, lots of knowledgeable buyers completely stay away from AS or only purchase AS equipped models when they're heavily discounted.

AS can be a nice option, but think long and hard about resale.

3. I don’t basically recommend Sport Chrono in Macan Base model because it already maximize 4 cyl engine output and its capacity.

The reason that some people get Sport Chrono on the base is because the base engine is almost enough for them, they have no real need for the S and don't want the extra weight over the front axle, but want to have a bit more fun with it. Having said that, as I mentioned above, most base Macans do not have SC.

4. Get the 20” wheel. It will improve driving dynamic and its appearance. You don’t want your Macan look like a loaner.

"Appearance" is obviously subjective, so I won't get into it. If you do want 20' wheels, however, especially with other options, like PASM and Sport Chrono, I'd start looking into the T or the S.

5. Consider Surround view, it will significantly improve parking and navigating tight spot. In fact, there are a couple of options you can collect most of your initial cost when you sell your Macan such as Surround view, Sport Chrono, Heated seat F/R, Ventil seat F, paronomic sunroof etc.

I would not make these types of emphatic statements. Surround view is great, but it's a smaller vehicle, so it is generally less important for it. A lot depends on where you park, however, and how tight the parking spots tend to be.

Heated seats, front and rear, are of great interest in the North, and tend to be completely ignored (especially the rear ones) in the South.

Ventilated seats can feel nice in hot weather, but seat ventilation makes the seats slightly firmer, and some people don't like the feeling of seat ventilation.

Pano roof can be a negative in warmer climates (Macan's pano roof shade lets a fair amount of sunlight through, so the cabin heats up more even if the shade is closed) and adversely affects its dynamics (a pano roof adds additional weight in the wrong place). Likewise, it reduces headroom, which is an issue for taller people (this is an especially big issue in the back, as the sloping roof line cuts into the headroom in the back, and the sunroof makes it that much worse).

 

[archtomato]

Lovely build. I did an almost similar exterior as well.

Would recommend dropping the SC and getting AS. Also to consider a clear tail light and 20's Macan S wheel in Jet black for a pop.

Interior has a safe contrast and looks gd. May want to consider Porsche crest on the center console for added elegance.

 

[CourtneyNYC]

It is a great build and you are going to love it. I had a 2019 Base and loved it.

My thoughts . . . . cognizant that all these things are personal choices . . . .

• You need the PASM like a kick in the left shin.
  • You Macan will ride fine and handle like it's on rails.

• You need the Sport Chrono like a kick in the right shin. = $1,220
  • Put it in Sport and you're going to get . . . .well, all you are going to get. It's no GTS, it's fun.

• Opinons on the 14 v. 18 way seats are strongly held by all. I loved the 14, needed the 18 like a kick in the . . . . oh gosh, I have run out of shins,

• I love the design of that 19" wheel. Simple and elegant (personal choice)

• If it were me . . . and it's not . . and it's not . . don't think there its a darn thing wrong with these . . . I'd just tossed for me.
  • Lose the:
    • Black door handles = $350
    • Macan in High Gloss Black = $270
    • Porsche Crest on Seats = $290

I was going to take your red seat belts also . . . but, hey . . you would not have had them there if they weren't important to you.

Any way you cut it . . . . it's a great build and I am a huge fan of the Base Macan.

 

[EdenDPT]

/

 

[EdenDPT]

The phrase "dynamic driving feeling" is very vague. PASM adjusts shock absorbers (Porsche Active Suspension Management - Cayenne, Panamera & Macan - Porsche USA) for a firmer feel, which slightly improves things like high speed cornering. On the other hand, Sport Chrono sharpens the throttle response, holds the revs longer and gives you launch control.

If you want to add Sport Chrono, you absolutely do not have to have PASM and vice versa, as the two features are intended to address different driving characteristics.

PASM and Sport Chrono, especially together, are highly unusual on the base models. If you do want them both (but without the additional horsepower and the weight of the S), look into the T.
Over the years, every manufacturer on the planet has had issues with air suspensions. Porsche's AS is reasonably reliable, but is still something that is prone to failure and can be very expensive to fix. Because of this, when it comes to buying used, lots of knowledgeable buyers completely stay away from AS or only purchase AS equipped models when they're heavily discounted.

AS can be a nice option, but think long and hard about resale.

The reason that some people get Sport Chrono on the base is because the base engine is almost enough for them, they have no real need for the S and don't want the extra weight over the front axle, but want to have a bit more fun with it. Having said that, as I mentioned above, most base Macans do not have SC.

"Appearance" is obviously subjective, so I won't get into it. If you do want 20' wheels, however, especially with other options, like PASM and Sport Chrono, I'd start looking into the T or the S.

I would not make these types of emphatic statements. Surround view is great, but it's a smaller vehicle, so it is generally less important for it. A lot depends on where you park, however, and how tight the parking spots tend to be.

Heated seats, front and rear, are of great interest in the North, and tend to be completely ignored (especially the rear ones) in the South.

Ventilated seats can feel nice in hot weather, but seat ventilation makes the seats slightly firmer, and some people don't like the feeling of seat ventilation.

Pano roof can be a negative in warmer climates (Macan's pano roof shade lets a fair amount of sunlight through, so the cabin heats up more even if the shade is closed) and adversely affects its dynamics (a pano roof adds additional weight in the wrong place). Likewise, it reduces headroom, which is an issue for taller people (this is an especially big issue in the back, as the sloping roof line cuts into the headroom in the back, and the sunroof makes it that much worse).

Because of the existence of PASM, Porsche is well known a car manufacturer who provides the best distinctive driving between its normal and sport and sport plus mode. If we were talking about other vehicle manufacturer like BMW or Mercedes, I don't care whether the car has suspension system or something similar to sport chrono, because it after all won't change in between at all. Because of PASM, Macan driving in normal mode makes driver feel like they are in much cheaper car like Hyundai Palisade or VW Tiguan, that much of body rolling and pitching allowed. But it is ok even though you don't feel safe or stabilized in normal mode because once you change your damping setting using PASM, SPORT or SPORT PLUS gives you absolutely different driving dynamic. If you have sport choro like its function dictates as you say, you don't want to have your macan in just normal damping setting, and I know one who totaled his Macan that later he blames his mistaken driving just for that reason. So my opinion is that you can have PASM without SC, but if you have SC, you better have PASM.

 

[Glock19]

I have a 2018 with heated seats, $200 upgraded wheels, smoking package, and the front skid plate which is just a chin spoiler delete. That’s it. I’ve driven it for 4.5 years and don’t mind.

While people say PASM is the reason to get one, I would argue so are the PDK and fancy all wheel drive—which are free.

 

[EdenDPT]

Counting down to the argument "if that's all you do, why even buy a Porsche, buy a Lexus" in 3,2,1
The Macan with zero options is a great SUV with Porsche's DNA. Everything else is just for extra fun and enjoyment.

I was always wondering how it would feel to drive Macan base without no added single option on it. It would just cost less then $60k in US, LOL. I may try to my SA to test drive loaner empty can Macan if they have one LOL

 

[rasetsu]

The exact same argument gets made about every single performance option that Porsche offers, including the engines. After all, "why buy a Porsche if you aren't getting the GTS?" If you want an "economy Porsche, you might as well get a Lexus." Also, "why even bother buying an SUV when even with every performance option under the sun it'll be far less dynamic than a sedan?"

All these performance options are fun, and will certainly give you the ability to customize each model to your individual preferences, but at the end of the day you have to make sure that it all makes sense in the context of your individual usage and driving. For instance, it is silly to be arguing about things like PASM if the owner will be using the Macan primarily to drive it to Whole Foods and to pick up the kids from school.

Sure, and that is why I try not to respond to posts from people who are just seeking affirmation for their preferences. The OP has not made any statements about their driving habits other than justifying selecting a base because they aren't after the extra power so I'm not making any presumptions. But OP has asked specifically about PASM and I think it's a disservice to just say it's "not necessary" or that it's a "must have" without any further commentary. I think we can all agree that it's neither. Going back to my steakhouse analogy, my favorite steakhouse also serves wonderful complimentary bread and an excellent salad which I know some people go just for and that's fine for them. I've prefaced my comments repeatedly with statements that it's based purely on my own personal preference and opinion. At the end of the day, it makes no difference to me what options OP or anyone else chooses or not. I'm just giving MY opinion like everyone else as it was asked.

 

[rasetsu]

Counting down to the argument "if that's all you do, why even buy a Porsche, buy a Lexus" in 3,2,1
The Macan with zero options is a great SUV with Porsche's DNA. Everything else is just for extra fun and enjoyment.

If you are expecting me to, then don't hold your breath. The only time I've ever suggested someone go buy a Lexus instead is when they complain about the lack of standard comfort and convenience features in Porsches. I have a 2018 GTS and not once have I told someone they should only look at buying a GTS because I'm not "that guy". That would be hypocritical of me as I didn't buy a Turbo PP back then and haven't upgraded to a 2023 GTS now. I understand that every model, every trim, and every option has its purpose. Buying a Porsche itself is just for extra fun and enjoyment.

 

[grim]

Arguments on the merits of AS are ”old” discussed endlessly since launch and part of a longstanding sticky, Please take those arguments back to the sticky, where they have been moved to, or reference the sticky for historical reference. There is no need to reargue whats been argued endlessly in a new members critique over and over again,

thanks

 

[GreatSaphenous]

Wow ... thank you so much for all of the replies, everyone! I got called into work today and last I checked there were over 30+ posts on here, I read them all but am just now getting home on my desktop to reply. Doing some research and currently modifying my build ... getting it done before Wednesday!

I decided against Air Suspension. Was reading about how pricey replacements can get, and since I won't really ever have someone in the backseat (no spouse yet, no children yet!) thought that I could skip on it. I am removing Sport Chrono from my Base build as well. Looking into the "T" now ..