Cayenne info for dummies

[BertBert]

I'm looking to move from my 2007 Touareg to a Cayenne diesel. I'm not into buying new cars, usually around 3 years old. This takes me to pre-facelift. I do a reasonably high mileage of about 18k with a 140 mile each way weekly commute.

Are there any buying guides around as I'm not familiar with the options re drivetrain and gearbox? Any thoughts, ideas of what's good or bad?

Thanks
Bert

[Phooey]

V6d engine pulls very well you'd swear it was more than 245hp. MPG is 35-40. Air suspension is IMO worth every penny. Full leather and 18-way adaptive seats lift the interior and make it feel quality. The list of options on these are endless. I bought a 3yr old car which was originally 80k list as it had 30k worth of options including things like auxiliary heater for cold mornings, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, pan-roof, TV, bodykit, 21" wheels, etc etc etc and am finding it hard to replace as a lot of Cayenne's are poverty spec. I wouldn't have one without the Porsche warranty having used it for things like engine rebuild (apparently a few V6d's have had same issue - oil leak due to block not sealing) to little things like struts on the rear tailgate. Major service was approx £650 from memory. Full set of tyres on 21" wheels can be had for less than £1k and last quite well. It's a great car, I change my cars very regularly but have had my Cayenne for over 2yrs now and am looking for another one - will buy from OPC or private if it has the official P warranty.

[Pope]

V6 single turbo diesel has gone through 3 iterations since 2008/9; the early cars 9PA (E1) face-lift had the metal intake version with a front mounted, belt driven, diesel high pressure pump.

Some early 92A (E2) cars had the early engine too - easily id'd; lift the engine cover and if the intake is aluminium it's an early one.

Halfway through 2013 the engine changed to the plastic intake version with a rear mounted, chain driven, diesel high pressure pump - this engine is smoother than the earlier version and noticeably quieter.

Last of the MY14 and latest cars have a further modified engine with tweaks to the EGR and also having Adblue for EU6 compliance.

E1 cars have far more off-road capability (proper low-range box for example) but few get used that hard; Cardan Shafts (centre propshaft) were the notable weak link in the chain - lasting 60-80k in general (centre bearing failure leading to thumping under acceleration).

E2 have electronic off road mode and lighter suspension and drivetrain components - the E2 was notably 200kg lighter than the outgoing model.

All the E2 cars get the proven 8spd Tiptronic transmission (previously; E1 had 6 speed). Robust and reliable; smooth shifting and generally trouble-free. A few manuals exist but not in general UK market.

Recently, transfer boxes have shown a few weaknesses- check for a shunting/thump during acceleration or when maneuvering slowly on lock.

Tyres and brakes can last around 20k judging from normal use - far longer if motorway miles are your thing - far less if you lean on the quite surprising handling and fantastic brakes - depending on the model, even PCCB's were an option

For looks, 21's are the wheel of choice but even 18's and 19's aren't too bad; winter wheel sets are a popular option - the road biased summer sets being 'not great' in the snow.

Electrics are robust (completely new platform over E1 and reliability has improved)

Models were, rare V6 petrol; V6 diesel, V8 diesel, V8 petrol (S) and V8 petrol biturbo (and turbo S).

The V8 petrol was dropped for the 3.6 V6 Biturbo last year; iirc so was the V6 petrol.

Edited by Pope on Sunday 25th September 20:12

[BertBert]

Thanks Phooey and Pope. Looks like the plastic intake version is the one to go for if I am going for a 3 year old one. May struggle to get the MY14 engine mods.

And air suspension being the way to go. What about other suspension/stability options?

Bert

[Pope]

Chassis options:

Steel sprung; no PASM

Steel sprung; PASM (first offered on E1 GTS)

Air sprung level control; 5 position level control with PASM

ORS; 'Off road stabilisers' available on E1 only; offering the option to decouple the anti roll bars for increased axle articulation.

PDCC; Porsche's active ride control that uses hydraulic chambers on the roll bars to artificially level the chassis during pitching and rolling; incorporates facility similar to ORS for off road.


The steel sprung versions are obviously a compromise between comfort and handling; air gives a broader scope - 3x chassis modes (Comfort/Normal/Sport - later realigned to Comfort/Sport/Sport Plus alongside the sportscars) and 5 user selected height settings - loading/low/normal/high/specific terrain; low can be selected and maintained during most use; if left in loading or high the vehicle returns to normal once over a threshold speed.

Pub bore fact:
E1 cars with level control had a port to allow tyre filling directly from the on board compressor; later cars do not.

PDCC was available on E1 GTS first and was carried over on to the later cars; a great option giving taut body control and increased driver comfort (occupants roll about less!!)

Edited by Pope on Sunday 25th September 22:43

[BertBert]

so air sprung and pdcc then?
And where does PASM fit in?

[pete]

Air suspension includes PASM. I don't think the PDCC active roll or PTV yaw control were even an option on the V6 diesel, so that's your lot in terms of suspension options. I have Power Steering Plus on my 2014 Platinum, and it's surprisingly nice to have - finger light at parking speed but a bit firmer on the move. I wouldn't bother in a 911 where variable assistance could rob you of steering feel, but in an SUV it works well.

Look out for all the random things that are cost options on a Cayenne but not a Fiesta! For example, PCM nav doesn't include USB input as standard, that's extra, as is DAB radio, and Bluetooth. Xenon headlights were an option and lots of used cars seemed to lack them when I was looking. Park assist is an option, but I love the rear view camera on mine. Just look very carefully at spec, basically, it's what made me spec mine new, along with the solid residuals that made it as cheap to run a new one for 3 years as buying a 2 year old car.

2.5 years in, I love ours, and my plan is to replace it with a new one when the next gen Cayenne comes out later next year. Hopefully with the triple charged 400bhp V8 diesel out of the Audi SQ7 if they make that available :-)