Do I need my head examined for thinking about a Cayenne?

[fivepointnine]

The Mrs. really wants a nice SUV (dog, crate, kid, surfboards etc) and she either wants a 03-05 X5 or a 03-05 Cayenne. We are looking for the V8 Cayenne S. I know about the Cardan shaft's wearing out and the coolant tube issues, but is there anything out of the ordinary for a 80k-100k mile SUV I need to look out for on these? We are also cross-shopping these with 03 4.4 X5's and 04-05 3.0 X5's we have read online that X5's reliability is dismal. Our current budget is about 7500 pounds (or less)

I have previously owned a 02 Boxster S and a 04 BMW X3 (and a 944, 914 1.8 and an E30), and did a good portion of my own repairs/maintenance on both, so I know my way around both marques, I just do not have any experience with these specific vehicles.

[fivepointnine]

DH01 said:

Mine is on 121,000 miles and will be 11yrs old this year. All the known issues have reared their uglies, coolant tubes, prop shaft but apart from those its just been routine servicing. The interior has worn extremely well and presents like a 2/3 year old car. Air suspension light flashes up every so often but always works fine. Tyres wear quite quickly, a new set of conti sport contacts every year at £750 for 4. As the car has little value now and is still a smart presentable vehicle we will probably keep it for a lot longer, it really is that good. For a long journey there isn't much that comes close for comfort, relaxation and just sheer mile munching ability.

The one I am looking at more than the others has a new Cardan shaft, the coolant pipe update, new cam sensor, new battery and FSH,and 100k miles seems like a pretty solid choice with the major issues already resolved. Thanks for the information!

[fivepointnine]

should I be overly concerned with the cylinder scoring issue if I am getting a Cayenne with FSH and it is currently quiet?

[fivepointnine]

Boarder1 said:

If you are buying for load lugging, the X5 has better boot space, as the Cayenne boot narrows from the boot floor up, so getting a dog crate in the back may pose a problem.

But for driving experience, Cayenne all day.

If you need a Porsche dog guard, drop me a PM.

We were looking at X5's but it seems like they have much worse reliability (big repairs) The transmissions do not seem to last, major electronic gremlins, V8's eating timing chains and guides (and not-easily replaceable coolant pipes in the later V8's) They Cayenne just seems to be a bit more reliable.

[fivepointnine]

looks like I might have reserved a Cayenne S, I go to inspect it next Tuesday.

[fivepointnine]

what should the temperature gauge read on a test drive? Just want to make sure Im looking at all the right things when I check it out.

[fivepointnine]

Tanzanite said:

Arguably the V8 is a better drive, but the V6 can still hustle, it doesn't leave me wanting more or thinking about a V8. Other car is a 911. Feels kind of nice to jump into a cayenne after the 911. Owned just over a year. After a 997 scored its bores then a 996 dropped its IMS. I don't need V8 issues, like cooling pipes and cylinders. Twice bitten, third shy.

Wow you had some bad luck, both issues with both models! I had a 986S but never had IMS issues luckily. I am almost thinking about looking at the V6 Cayennes instead, the scored cylinders are scaring me the most, not sure how many are actually affected by that. The coolant pipes and the other small issues dont bother me as much.

[fivepointnine]

Thanks guys! I am going to look at this V8 since I have first choice at it, if it checks out I will get that (I am going to go over it very good) If not I will look at the V6's