Cayenne air suspension versus springs.
Discussion
Cayenne Air or Spring? Is it really crucial to get air suspension and sport buttons etc or will I be able to get by with a smile on springs. I have found a car with my ideal set up and price but no air sus. I don't do major off roading except on Scotland's famously sub standard ripped up roads. Getting around in winter is also important. Does spring suspension make handling ie cornering etc more risky in bad conditions? Is air just about super comfort and convenience? I am going to buy a circa 2004 CayenneS. Bit of towing light trailer reqired. Can't source a test drive. If springs are ok it solves my problem. Would car maintenance costs be better for a less complex car. I bow to you peoples' greater wisdom. Thanks to the member who told me how to identify the air controls. Unfortunately the car I like does not have them. ( sir I know you think air is a must have but there are a lot of cars without ) ...Thanks
If possible get a 4.5S with air suspension. The air suspension has 2 advantages. The first is that it allows for a more compliant ride. Particularly at the rear the steel cars are very aggresive as they go over bumps. A speed bump really throws the car up. The air suspension cars give a much more comfortable ride.
The second advantage is that you can run the car lower (we run them 1 click lower than middle on the ride height). The car looks better and has a lower centre of gravity. Steel sprung cars have to run at a bit of a compromise ride height wise to account for any off road work they might be asked to do.
Hope that helps
Henry
The second advantage is that you can run the car lower (we run them 1 click lower than middle on the ride height). The car looks better and has a lower centre of gravity. Steel sprung cars have to run at a bit of a compromise ride height wise to account for any off road work they might be asked to do.
Hope that helps
Henry
Before I bought mine in Dec 10 , I must were : air suspension, bose, sat nav, V8, turbo s seat pack.
I think I could live without it , but now I wouldn`t consider another without. Suspension control is incredible, the car goes lower if You`re over 130kmh and in winter 2 top settings really made difference.
Other things I`d check if You haven`t checked it.
- Bose ( that`s a must IMO)
- Sat nav (very good with 09 maps updated no need for tomtom,no speed cameras, no blue-tooth but You can get aftermarket kit (approx 350GBP)
- Xenon lights with cornering (helps a lot in big car)
- Memory pack with easy entry an multifunction wheel (not a must, but good to have it)
- Cruse control ( leaver under indicator stalk - it was an option so make sure it`s there if You require it)
- I don`t have heated seats and heated steering wheel ( If You can I`d consider it, car heats up very quick tho, 2 min of driving in winter and hot air is coming)
That`s all I can advise You on based on my experience. If You have any other questions , shoot.
I think I could live without it , but now I wouldn`t consider another without. Suspension control is incredible, the car goes lower if You`re over 130kmh and in winter 2 top settings really made difference.
Other things I`d check if You haven`t checked it.
- Bose ( that`s a must IMO)
- Sat nav (very good with 09 maps updated no need for tomtom,no speed cameras, no blue-tooth but You can get aftermarket kit (approx 350GBP)
- Xenon lights with cornering (helps a lot in big car)
- Memory pack with easy entry an multifunction wheel (not a must, but good to have it)
- Cruse control ( leaver under indicator stalk - it was an option so make sure it`s there if You require it)
- I don`t have heated seats and heated steering wheel ( If You can I`d consider it, car heats up very quick tho, 2 min of driving in winter and hot air is coming)
That`s all I can advise You on based on my experience. If You have any other questions , shoot.
felga said:
Before I bought mine in Dec 10 , I must were : air suspension, bose, sat nav, V8, turbo s seat pack.
I think I could live without it , but now I wouldn`t consider another without. Suspension control is incredible, the car goes lower if You`re over 130kmh and in winter 2 top settings really made difference.
Other things I`d check if You haven`t checked it.
- Bose ( that`s a must IMO)
- Sat nav (very good with 09 maps updated no need for tomtom,no speed cameras, no blue-tooth but You can get aftermarket kit (approx 350GBP)
- Xenon lights with cornering (helps a lot in big car)
- Memory pack with easy entry an multifunction wheel (not a must, but good to have it)
- Cruse control ( leaver under indicator stalk - it was an option so make sure it`s there if You require it)
- I don`t have heated seats and heated steering wheel ( If You can I`d consider it, car heats up very quick tho, 2 min of driving in winter and hot air is coming)
That`s all I can advise You on based on my experience. If You have any other questions , shoot.
I don't have cruise control in mine, but have the heated seats and steering wheel. Heated seats are pretty effective (on the rear seats as well). The heated steering wheel comes on by itself when it's less than 5 degrees outside I think - don't think there is a way to manually control it.I think I could live without it , but now I wouldn`t consider another without. Suspension control is incredible, the car goes lower if You`re over 130kmh and in winter 2 top settings really made difference.
Other things I`d check if You haven`t checked it.
- Bose ( that`s a must IMO)
- Sat nav (very good with 09 maps updated no need for tomtom,no speed cameras, no blue-tooth but You can get aftermarket kit (approx 350GBP)
- Xenon lights with cornering (helps a lot in big car)
- Memory pack with easy entry an multifunction wheel (not a must, but good to have it)
- Cruse control ( leaver under indicator stalk - it was an option so make sure it`s there if You require it)
- I don`t have heated seats and heated steering wheel ( If You can I`d consider it, car heats up very quick tho, 2 min of driving in winter and hot air is coming)
That`s all I can advise You on based on my experience. If You have any other questions , shoot.
Air suspension is pretty good and it also gives you comfort, normal and sport modes, although I can't tell much difference between them.
s1962a said:
There will be a lever on the right of the gearstick which gives you control of the air suspension - that should tell you whether it's got it or not.
between the gear lever and cup holders?I. see there are two dials the left looks to be 4x4 control. right is ride height?
had air suspension on my last range rover and wouldn't be without but not had a chance to test drive a cayenne yet to now how it affects that car.
A local dealer has a 53 plate Cayenne S - 4.5 advertised at a very reasonable price £9k and 61k miles and in the gunmetal grey, it has the majority of the toys , Satnav, heated / electric seats, Bluetooth Phone, Ipod connection, Bose Stereo. The only thing it doesn't have spec'd is the optional air suspension - now I like the car and it drives well, ride is more compliant than the A6 Avant S-Line I will be p-exing but should I hold out and keep searching for same model with the air suspension and PASM?
Demonix said:
A local dealer has a 53 plate Cayenne S - 4.5 advertised at a very reasonable price £9k and 61k miles and in the gunmetal grey, it has the majority of the toys , Satnav, heated / electric seats, Bluetooth Phone, Ipod connection, Bose Stereo. The only thing it doesn't have spec'd is the optional air suspension - now I like the car and it drives well, ride is more compliant than the A6 Avant S-Line I will be p-exing but should I hold out and keep searching for same model with the air suspension and PASM?
I recently bought a 2003 Turbo for that budget, so would def hold out for air.Demonix said:
A local dealer has a 53 plate Cayenne S - 4.5 advertised at a very reasonable price £9k and 61k miles and in the gunmetal grey, it has the majority of the toys , Satnav, heated / electric seats, Bluetooth Phone, Ipod connection, Bose Stereo. The only thing it doesn't have spec'd is the optional air suspension - now I like the car and it drives well, ride is more compliant than the A6 Avant S-Line I will be p-exing but should I hold out and keep searching for same model with the air suspension and PASM?
I have air suspension and have left it in comfort since the day I bought it. Saying that I don't know how bad stock suspension is, though it't not the type of car you want to go fast in so shouldn't make that much of a difference.Callughan said:
I have air suspension and have left it in comfort since the day I bought it. Saying that I don't know how bad stock suspension is, though it't not the type of car you want to go fast in so shouldn't make that much of a difference.
^ That's exactly why I wonder if the air suspension is an essential or just another toy? - are the steel sprung cayennes really that bad to drive - it didn't seem like it to me and I am quite happy to give a lux SUV some beans to see if it's a wallowy old hector or not. A 2.5 ton SUV isn't going to handle like a Caterham or be driven like one by most owners as that's not what they're designed for.Like the majority of Cayenne's my prospective purchase would spend most of it's time on the road/motorway and rarely venture in to the mud so do I really need the air susp? - does it improve the ride/stability at speed or off road capabilities that much?
The prospect of expensive bills should the air suspensions compressor or ancillaries go pop look like another reason not to bother with it and a steel sprung one can be easily sorted with a nice set of eibach springs when the time comes.
Demonix said:
Luke. said:
Just to give you an idea of how I find the air suspension on my Turbo, it reminds me of my 2009 Mini Cooper S, just in XXL size.
Cheers for that - do you use all the modes or just leave it in sport or comfort? Demonix said:
Callughan said:
I have air suspension and have left it in comfort since the day I bought it. Saying that I don't know how bad stock suspension is, though it't not the type of car you want to go fast in so shouldn't make that much of a difference.
^ That's exactly why I wonder if the air suspension is an essential or just another toy? - are the steel sprung cayennes really that bad to drive - it didn't seem like it to me and I am quite happy to give a lux SUV some beans to see if it's a wallowy old hector or not. A 2.5 ton SUV isn't going to handle like a Caterham or be driven like one by most owners as that's not what they're designed for.Like the majority of Cayenne's my prospective purchase would spend most of it's time on the road/motorway and rarely venture in to the mud so do I really need the air susp? - does it improve the ride/stability at speed or off road capabilities that much?
The prospect of expensive bills should the air suspensions compressor or ancillaries go pop look like another reason not to bother with it and a steel sprung one can be easily sorted with a nice set of eibach springs when the time comes.
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