Which Cayenne?

[iandc]

97BlackC5 said:

How is the search going? Any test drives across the various models?

Not getting back to the UK until 2nd week of March so slight delay but hoping to arrange a few test drives. Seem lots on PH and Autotrader for sale so plenty of choice. Hopefully as spring might be upon us by then the prices might drop a little. I will let you know of progress. Lots of helpful advice on here so I should be in good shape once test drive time arrives.
Thanks for all the contributions.

[andy97]

As an aside, which Cayennes (and from what year) come with paddle shifts as opposed to the stupid tiptronic buttons? I detest the steering wheel buttons immensely!

[speedyyellow]

I think you need to be looking at the current generation not to have the tiptronic buttons, so 2010 onwards.

I've also been looking at £15k-£20k Cayennes recently and while I would love a Turbo I think the GTS is hitting the sweet spot for me in terms of age/miles/price. There are lots around and while most of them have air suspension there are a few about with the standard steel suspension. Conventional wisdom on the internet seems to be that you should def get the air suspension but given the age of these now I'm wondering if a GTS with normal suspension might be quite a wise idea. This old review (http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/road-tests/porsche-cayenne-gts-762364.html) seems to indicate that the GTS on springs is much better than the S was on springs.

I've not actually looked at one in the flesh yet, and finding one nearby is proving difficult as well. I'm tempted to make the hour and a half drive to Saxton 4x4 as looking on Autotrader they have a decent selection of S/GTS/Turbos on a mixture of air and normal suspension.

[crugbun]

I'm considering an 04 cayenne s. Lovely thing with 97k
About £7k. FSH.
Coolant Pipes have been done recently and new front discs
Besides the possible demise of the engine what should I be worried about
It's quite whirry when it starts up. I'm hoping this is normal!!
It's on springs not air
Nice and tight to drive
Very tempted
Talk me out/in to it please

[DH01]

crugbun said:

I'm considering an 04 cayenne s. Lovely thing with 97k
About £7k. FSH.
Coolant Pipes have been done recently and new front discs
Besides the possible demise of the engine what should I be worried about
It's quite whirry when it starts up. I'm hoping this is normal!!
It's on springs not air
Nice and tight to drive
Very tempted
Talk me out/in to it please

Can only talk you into it, sorry !

Mine is an '04 S air suspension., currently on 127,000 miles. I've had most of the usual niggles, water pipes, drive shaft bearing but overall there is verŷ little to compare, fabulous cars.
The whirring on start up is probably the first indications that the starter motor is on the way out. When the water pipes let go it usually soaks the starter and the antifreeze does it no good. Yep, it is right in the V of the motor and all the coolant pipes etc have to come off to replace it ! Having said that its only a starter, a recon one is cheap and it's not a job that needs to be done at Porsche garage labour rates .
These cars can either be ruinously expensive to run (Porsche garage) or quite economical. Brake discs and pads on mine are £750 an axle and you get a nice cup of coffee or £500 for both axles using recognised brands (OEM) but there's no coffee on offer !
Electrical niggles can be tiresome, warning lights for things that are actually ok, but generally can be sorted by using the car more or putting a new battery on every year. Cayennes don't like standing, better if being used.

[DH01]

andy97 said:

As an aside, which Cayennes (and from what year) come with paddle shifts as opposed to the stupid tiptronic buttons? I detest the steering wheel buttons immensely!

Don't use the buttons on the steering wheel, just push/pull the gear lever.

[speedyyellow]

I've now driven a couple, a V6 petrol '05 and a V8 S '07. The V6 one wasn't a great example as it felt swful to drive, the newer V8 S was much much better though. The V8 had the panoramic roof and electric tailgate which I'd really like, but was on 20" wheels and so didnt have the arch extensions which I think transform the looks.

Then yesterday I find an '09 V6 Diesel with 90k miles which is right at the top of my budget. It is literally my ideal spec, it has seemingly every option bar PDCC fitted, is my favourite colour and has the right wheels fitted. It also has the newer touch screen PCM3 nav system which is loads better. If it had a petrol V8 I'd be making the 4 hour journey to go buy it right now, but it's a diesel and so having not driven one I'm really unsure. There isn't even another one nearer to home I could go look at, they're all best part of an hour drive each way away.

I don't need the car until the end of June so should I just hold out in the hope that the same colour/spec shows up between now and then with a V8 in it, or should I just go for the diesel and enjoy it for what it is?

I missed out on another much cheaper petrol one in the right colour a couple weeks back which has got me twitchy...

[andy97]

DH01 said:

andy97 said:

As an aside, which Cayennes (and from what year) come with paddle shifts as opposed to the stupid tiptronic buttons? I detest the steering wheel buttons immensely!

Don't use the buttons on the steering wheel, just push/pull the gear lever.

Hmm, not convinced. Don't think I'd ever bother, whereas I know I'd use the paddles.

As an aside, I was wondering if anyone who has been considering a second hand Cayenne, gone for an Audi RS6 Avant instead - after all, how many of use need the off road capability in reality, and a V10 Twin Turbo has mighty appeal!

Just a thought!