Taking a punt on a cheap Cayenne - what to look out for?

Taking a punt on a cheap Cayenne - what to look out for?

Author
Discussion

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

249 months

Monday 12th January 2015
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I'm just browsing through the classifieds and have noticed that some of the early Porsche Cayennes are getting very, very cheap.

I was wondering if there was anything in particular to look out for with these? Obviously they are now around 12 years old so things will start to go wrong, but are they fundamentally reliable and are there any particular weak spots?

Something like this, just seems like a lot of car for the money. As a couple we do very low mileage so even the fuel economy wouldn't be a great issue for us.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

bigee

1,485 posts

238 months

Monday 12th January 2015
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Well known issue is the coolant pipes, check ALL electrics work as lots of them. Also gearbox,no clunks etc..A hell of a lot of car for the money though.

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

249 months

Monday 12th January 2015
quotequote all
I am assuming parts prices are somewhat on the high side? I am reasonably handy with a spanner so would look to minimise costs as far as possible. Other than coolant pipes and electrical gremlins are there any other major problems?

David W.

1,908 posts

209 months

Monday 12th January 2015
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Muncher said:
I am assuming parts prices are somewhat on the high side? I am reasonably handy with a spanner so would look to minimise costs as far as possible. Other than coolant pipes and electrical gremlins are there any other major problems?
Try EuroCarParts for consumables.
Prop shaft support bearing from a prop shaft specialist for only a few £100 but not £1000+

m999psw

266 posts

198 months

Tuesday 13th January 2015
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That is a hell of a lot of car for that money. I have been looking at a Fiat 500 for my daughter at more than that!

KGB1

245 posts

231 months

Tuesday 13th January 2015
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The ignition coils have been a problem, I had to replace all 8 on mine due to a misfire. About 300 quid plus labour.

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

249 months

Monday 19th January 2015
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A lot of the buying guides I have read, including the evo one are suggesting any of the V8s, apart from the turbo suffer liner problems from 70,000 miles onwards, which can come on without warning within 500 miles, rendering an enormous bill. They were effectively saying to avoid them entirely, is the problem really that common?

http://www.evo.co.uk/buying/buyingguide/288391/por...

"These early Cayennes are not paragons of reliability, though, and age doesn’t help. Here, too, they are like a modern 928, especially in their electrical gremlins. Porsche specialist JZ Machtech goes so far as to recommend buyers avoid a pre-2007 Cayenne S entirely, thanks to a tendency beyond around 70,000 miles towards disintegrating Lokasil cylinder coatings and consequent catastrophic engine failure. A new engine from Porsche, once fitted, will - at around £18,000 - cost more than the car is worth.

In fact, JZ Machtech has given up selling all early Cayennes because they cause too much grief when customers bring them back for the inevitable faults to be fixed. "

HDog

90 posts

189 months

Monday 19th January 2015
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Yes I have read the same regarding the engine problems, I went for a 3.2 as a result of those scare stories! Having been burned by IMS failure in my Boxster i didn't really want to play engine roulette with Porsche again!

The 3.2 provides adequate power for what I use the car for (commuting, family duties, load lugger), as long as you dont mind reving it to extract the power (it does sound nice too!).

If you want something with lots of torque or serious power then i would suggest a turbo.

They really are great cars, amazing handling given its size and actually fun to drive. Find a car with a nice spec and you are laughing (all the way to the petrol pumps :-)




Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

249 months

Monday 19th January 2015
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The V6 would certainly make a lot of sense. It would be mainly driven by my fiance has enough points on her licence already without driving the turbo every day!

Magic919

14,126 posts

201 months

Monday 19th January 2015
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Muncher said:
The V6 would certainly make a lot of sense. It would be mainly driven by my fiance has enough points on his licence already without driving the turbo every day!
Corrected that for you.

MarkKo

168 posts

197 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
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Our 06 MY "S" has done 133K miles from new,things that have been done mainly under just expired extended dealer warranty (so are things to look for in a service history) are... coolant pipes,cardan shaft,PCM unit,Gearbox valve body (twice),coilpacks,also some body repairs under longlife warranty.Not too bad on tyres if you pootle it around,uses no oil or coolant,still looks nice especially on skinny winter wheels for some reason,not really worth anything now as you say,great family bus so we are keeping it till it dies!If you find one with full service with some of the above done with FSH i would say they are a good buy especially as fuel is a bit cheaper.

IREvans

1,126 posts

122 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
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Muncher said:
I'm just browsing through the classifieds and have noticed that some of the early Porsche Cayennes are getting very, very cheap.

I was wondering if there was anything in particular to look out for with these? Obviously they are now around 12 years old so things will start to go wrong, but are they fundamentally reliable and are there any particular weak spots?

Something like this, just seems like a lot of car for the money. As a couple we do very low mileage so even the fuel economy wouldn't be a great issue for us.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Check ALL the electrics work as they should, then drive it hard to make sure the auto gearbox doesn't make any strange noises or vibrations when changing gear

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

249 months

Tuesday 31st March 2015
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I've found what looks like a decent one, where would be the best place to get it inspected in the East Anglia/Essex region? I don't mind a bit of travelling to find a specialist who can give it a thorough once over.

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

249 months

Saturday 18th April 2015
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Test drove a 2006 Turbo S today, really happy with it, was a good but not flawless example (aluminium trim had loads of dents, damage to tear leather seat) I also pressed one of the buttons on the left that I assume controls the diffs and I got a warning light and a message saying function not available. I assume that isn't normal?

I've now found a 2003 Turbo S which looks a very clean example but has MOT advisories for new pads and discs plus rear tyres but the price is quite keen. Do you think a very thorough test drive is sufficient or is an inspection required for these?

DH01

820 posts

168 months

Sunday 19th April 2015
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Muncher said:
Test drove a 2006 Turbo S today, really happy with it, was a good but not flawless example (aluminium trim had loads of dents, damage to tear leather seat) I also pressed one of the buttons on the left that I assume controls the diffs and I got a warning light and a message saying function not available. I assume that isn't normal?

I've now found a 2003 Turbo S which looks a very clean example but has MOT advisories for new pads and discs plus rear tyres but the price is quite keen. Do you think a very thorough test drive is sufficient or is an inspection required for these?
Run away, fast !
A test drive and wide open eyes is sufficient . The trouble with inspections is they are not liable for anything they don't find or that crops up shortly after purchase. Many people feel the inspection enables them to have a bid but having paid for the inspection many are less likely to just walk/run away.
Pads/discs and tryres can be £2000, less if you compromise on brands used.

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

249 months

Sunday 19th April 2015
quotequote all
Yeah that is my certainly one way of looking at it. Front discs and pads seem to be about £350, I would fit them myself.

villageidiot

273 posts

242 months

Sunday 19th April 2015
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Muncher , which Turbo S did you look at ? I have only found 3 for sale all of which I will need to travel a fair distance to view so any saved journey would be appricted .

villageidiot

273 posts

242 months

Sunday 19th April 2015
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Muncher , which Turbo S did you look at ? I have only found 3 for sale all of which I will need to travel a fair distance to view so any saved journey would be appricted .

jas xjr

11,309 posts

239 months

Sunday 19th April 2015
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villageidiot said:
Muncher , which Turbo S did you look at ? I have only found 3 for sale all of which I will need to travel a fair distance to view so any saved journey would be appricted .
Quite a few on ebay

Muncher

Original Poster:

12,219 posts

249 months

Sunday 19th April 2015
quotequote all
It was one in Essex, a fair way from you but there seem to be a lot available without having to travel too far. The cheaper ones appear to be in Scotland actually!

I'm still trying to get my head around all the options, we want a Turbo S with black interior and Bose, maybe directional headlights, I'm not sure what other options are worth having?