Radiator & engine intake grills

[Wizz]

Just wanted to get your opinion (not sure if someone already posted this subject on this forum). I noticed that my 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 is very exposed on the front nose where a cooling radiator is located (middle and side vents). I compared it to my CLA45 AMG and sure enough, the Mercedes is well protected with grills.

Did a quick search on the web and noticed this is a very common subject and many Porsche owners (even 911) need to go with aftermarket grills in order to protect their radiators from flying rocks & debris on the road (seems to be a design flaw that Porsche ignored expect for GT cars which have grills). Many owners have experienced damage and of course, this is not covered under warranty. There are also grills for side engine intakes to prevent leaves and other material to get sucked in. My questions are:

1) Would you install aftermarket grills in the front and/or side intakes even if Porsche could void your warranty due to air flow restriction (I don't think it would cause an issue but if you have a problem, they could certainly point to that mod)?
2) What aftermarket grill company would you recommend if it's a mod that you already did on your own car?
3) Does someone on this forum have a contact or discount code for any of these aftermarket grills providers?

Thank you for your input! Cheers!

[Tom]

I spend a lot of time looking into these for my 991 turbo s and eventually bought two different sets. Since then, it seems like the market has taken off with many more options. The biggest difference when I got the 991 grills is that you had to remove the bumper for some of them to be installed, whereas others slid in from the front. If you don't want to remove the bumper, be sure ask about installation procedures before buying.... Otherwise, you may end up with a spare set like I did.... On the 992 Turbo, I again went looking for grills, but never pulled the trigger because on close inspection, I saw that Porsche does have a screen in front of the coolers. It's black and close to the coolers, so barely noticeable. I'm sure it offers less protection than finer screens that sit away from the coolers further, but I was content that there was "something" in there. Not sure if the 718 has the same? Not sure that answers any of your questions, but maybe helpful on the margins.

[Wizz]

I spend a lot of time looking into these for my 991 turbo s and eventually bought two different sets. Since then, it seems like the market has taken off with many more options. The biggest difference when I got the 991 grills is that you had to remove the bumper for some of them to be installed, whereas others slid in from the front. If you don't want to remove the bumper, be sure ask about installation procedures before buying.... Otherwise, you may end up with a spare set like I did.... On the 992 Turbo, I again went looking for grills, but never pulled the trigger because on close inspection, I saw that Porsche does have a screen in front of the coolers. It's black and close to the coolers, so barely noticeable. I'm sure it offers less protection than finer screens that sit away from the coolers further, but I was content that there was "something" in there. Not sure if the 718 has the same? Not sure that answers any of your questions, but maybe helpful on the margins.

The 718 is well exposed to debris except GT4 and Spyder. Very surprised that Porsche does not rectify this issue (It feels a bit stupid to add grills which are held by tie-wraps to a 100k+ car!). So I understand you were not concerned about the possibility of Porsche voiding the warranty due to adding air restrictions.

[Tom]

I spend a lot of time looking into these for my 991 turbo s and eventually bought two different sets. Since then, it seems like the market has taken off with many more options. The biggest difference when I got the 991 grills is that you had to remove the bumper for some of them to be installed, whereas others slid in from the front. If you don't want to remove the bumper, be sure ask about installation procedures before buying.... Otherwise, you may end up with a spare set like I did.... On the 992 Turbo, I again went looking for grills, but never pulled the trigger because on close inspection, I saw that Porsche does have a screen in front of the coolers. It's black and close to the coolers, so barely noticeable. I'm sure it offers less protection than finer screens that sit away from the coolers further, but I was content that there was "something" in there. Not sure if the 718 has the same? Not sure that answers any of your questions, but maybe helpful on the margins.

The 718 is well exposed to debris except GT4 and Spyder. Very surprised that Porsche does not rectify this issue (It feels a bit stupid to add grills which are held by tie-wraps to a 100k+ car!). So I understand you were not concerned about the possibility of Porsche voiding the warranty due to adding air restrictions.

Honestly, that never even crossed my mind about the warranty.... Has a dealer done that to someone? If you use a fairly open grill, I'd think it would be a pretty disingenuous argument by a dealer. The warning lights would light up if something was running too hot, and a grill isn't as bad a road debris (leaves, etc.) that could naturally get caught up in there.

[Wizz]

I spend a lot of time looking into these for my 991 turbo s and eventually bought two different sets. Since then, it seems like the market has taken off with many more options. The biggest difference when I got the 991 grills is that you had to remove the bumper for some of them to be installed, whereas others slid in from the front. If you don't want to remove the bumper, be sure ask about installation procedures before buying.... Otherwise, you may end up with a spare set like I did.... On the 992 Turbo, I again went looking for grills, but never pulled the trigger because on close inspection, I saw that Porsche does have a screen in front of the coolers. It's black and close to the coolers, so barely noticeable. I'm sure it offers less protection than finer screens that sit away from the coolers further, but I was content that there was "something" in there. Not sure if the 718 has the same? Not sure that answers any of your questions, but maybe helpful on the margins.

The 718 is well exposed to debris except GT4 and Spyder. Very surprised that Porsche does not rectify this issue (It feels a bit stupid to add grills which are held by tie-wraps to a 100k+ car!). So I understand you were not concerned about the possibility of Porsche voiding the warranty due to adding air restrictions.

Honestly, that never even crossed my mind about the warranty.... Has a dealer done that to someone? If you use a fairly open grill, I'd think it would be a pretty disingenuous argument by a dealer. The warning lights would light up if something was running too hot, and a grill isn't as bad a road debris (leaves, etc.) that could naturally get caught up in there.

I agree with you. It was someone on a different forum that mentioned he was warned by his Porsche dealer once they noticed his grills while working on his car.

[Tom]

The 718 is well exposed to debris except GT4 and Spyder. Very surprised that Porsche does not rectify this issue (It feels a bit stupid to add grills which are held by tie-wraps to a 100k+ car!). So I understand you were not concerned about the possibility of Porsche voiding the warranty due to adding air restrictions.

Honestly, that never even crossed my mind about the warranty.... Has a dealer done that to someone? If you use a fairly open grill, I'd think it would be a pretty disingenuous argument by a dealer. The warning lights would light up if something was running too hot, and a grill isn't as bad a road debris (leaves, etc.) that could naturally get caught up in there.

I agree with you. It was someone on a different forum that mentioned he was warned by his Porsche dealer once they noticed his grills while working on his car.

Wait, what? There are other Porsche forums?

I'd switch dealers if mine said that to me.... My dealer is Porsche of Fremont and everyone I know buys there specifically because their service department is as good as it gets, without any game-playing like that. What would a dealer have to gain by making up reasons to deny warranty claims? I don't get it....

[Southbama]

Yes, get the radiators protected ASAP. I only made it 40 miles down the highway with my new 2022 Cayman GTS 4.0 before I got the warning "Coolant loss, stop driving immediately". The center radiator took a hit no larger than a BB and the coolant poured out. That radiator replaced by the dealer is $1200. Porsche ate the cost only because I sat on the side of the interstate waiting 7 hours for Porsche roadside assistance. If not for that. I would have had to pay the repair bill. Granted, the fit of the available grills (Zunsport) leaves alot to be desired, but they do offer a measure of protection for around $300.

[Wizz]

Yes, get the radiators protected ASAP. I only made it 40 miles down the highway with my new 2022 Cayman GTS 4.0 before I got the warning "Coolant loss, stop driving immediately". The center radiator took a hit no larger than a BB and the coolant poured out. That radiator replaced by the dealer is $1200. Porsche ate the cost only because I sat on the side of the interstate waiting 7 hours for Porsche roadside assistance. If not for that. I would have had to pay the repair bill. Granted, the fit of the available grills (Zunsport) leaves alot to be desired, but they do offer a measure of protection for around $300.

Thank you for sharing your unfortunate experience. Did you consider RGS grills as well? They seem maybe less sturdy than Zunsport but the fit and the overall look seems better based on my research. I’m leaning towards RGS but not 100% sure.

[Southbama]

I did but didnt like the complexity of install (bending, pulling, etc). I must say the Zunsport grills are very well made and sturdy, but fitment is not ideal.

[Larry C]

I have Zunsport grills on my 718 GTS 4.0. The upper side grills fit securely. The center grill feels loose and but seems secure. The lower side grills are secure but the fit isn’t perfect.