Cayenne 4.5S reliable?

[matc]

The good lady currently drives a rather uninspiring ML320cdi which gives us all the practicality we need, but it's a bit boring! I've been looking at a very tidy 32k mile Cayenne S - it's an 06 plate, with full history etc. What are they like? Is it going to give me huge bills and shocking reliability?

Are there any must have options? It's got 19's and PCM.

[Callughan]

Most reliable car I have ever owned. Mine has Porsche warranty but have never needed to use it.

Option wise it really depends on you, mine I think has everything but don't use anything apart from maybe heated seats and sunroof.

Many go on about air suspension as a must have, i've left it in comfort since I bought mine perhaps standard suspension is poor?

[thegoose]

Mine's a 2006 and has needed nothing in 13 months then just had front discs & pads, perhaps because I use it mainly for towing (they were warped not worn out). It's currently on 115,000 miles (bought at 107,000).

[matc]

Sounds like pretty good news then! Are there any common faults to look out for?

I'm not sure if it had air suspension, I don't think I'll be fussed either way. What about fuel consumption; I know it's going to be considerably worse than the ML, but is 20ish mpg realistic?

Thanks for the replies so far!

[DH01]

2004 4.5S air suspension and loads of extras/toys. 106,000 miles so far. Routine servicing and pads/discs/tyres until last week, funky noise from prop shaft. £622 + vat for part plus fitting. All done on Monday along with major service and new tyres. Looking forward to another 100,000 miles.
Supremely comfortable car with the hooligan ability if needed. Quite possibly the most accomplished car that Porsche made/make.
15/17 mpg running around locally. 21/23 mpg steady quick cruise on the motorway.

Serviced at OPC upto 70,000 miles. Then used a well respected Indy , all seemed ok. Used a very competent local garage with all service parts sourced from OPC this time. Was disgusted to see oil filter/air/cabin filters used by Indy were not Porsche but oem despite them claiming to use genuine parts and charging for them.

Edited by DH01 on Wednesday 2nd October 07:24

Edited by DH01 on Wednesday 2nd October 07:52

[unclepezza]

My MY05 turbo averages 19-20mpg mixed driving, mainly motorway stuff with start stop driving at the end of the journey.

Check water coolant pipes (upgraded parts are metal, originals are plastic and can crack) drive shaft bearing needs a check and also transfer box. Kick down the accelerator and listen for banging noises as a first test, then investigate further if noises present.

A failing battery can trigger numerous warning lights on startup.

Tyres and brakes take a beating, but mine has been great in nearly a year of ownership.

The turbo really does tick a lot of boxes for me, handles daily driver duties very well but also has a sense of occasion when you drive it, plus it goes like stink!

[thegoose]

DH01 said:

Was disgusted to see oil filter/air/cabin filters used by Indy were not Porsche but oem despite them claiming to use genuine parts and charging for them.

You'd have been even more disgusted with a certain OPC doing the same

A specialist I know was offered a huge stack of filters by a new OPC parts/service manager who discovered their predecessor had been buying elsewhere to boost profits. Or maybe it was Porsche who noticed how they weren't buying very many anymore - I forget which actually, not that it matters, the point is an OPC should only be using Porsche parts!

Edited by thegoose on Wednesday 2nd October 21:21

[DH01]

Ouch !

[DKL]

The Evo guide was very uncomplimentary of pre 07 S Cayennes. JZM ( I think) stated they won't buy them anymore due to 996 esq engine issues on cylinder liners.
Any truth in this/more details?

[matc]

I had a decent drive in it yesterday; the condition it's in for the age is incredible, decent spec (air susp, Bose, xenons etc) but the gearbox had a funny few moments; it seemed to come out of gear completely, the engine would then just rev and then it banged back in to another gear!

This happened twice on back to back gear changes, but never again afterwards. Unfortunately it completely put the OH off the thing, so we're going to pass on it.

[Stever]

I have an 04 4.5S with air have done 30K miles in three years (now on 92K) with only a few issues.

First clonking and lurching at kickdown at motorway speeds - had the gearbox valve bodies done (warranty direct) £900 by Beds Auto Transmission Luton (highly recommended speak to Nino)

Water pipes went under heavy braking - £1200 local specialist no more warranty .

Drivers window motor packed up C £250

Had a front nearside puncture recently (£570 two tyres) but this has caused a 4 wheel drive fault to flash up - looks like the transfer box motor which I think will be c £500.

All said it is the most comfortable and best all- round car I have owned in all conditions and it will be a very difficult car to replace when I sell in terms of value for money. Here she is

[Callughan]

DKL said:

The Evo guide was very uncomplimentary of pre 07 S Cayennes. JZM ( I think) stated they won't buy them anymore due to 996 esq engine issues on cylinder liners.
Any truth in this/more details?

First i've heard of it being a major problem.

Probably too cheap for JZM to be interested.

I can't recommend them enough especially in terms of reliabilty. Key is to buy one that has been looked after.

[mudy]

I'd heard from my porsche indy who runs 2 Cayennes that pre-2007 are the best built, so who knows the truth!