Cayenne (958) Tiptronic & Transfer Box issues
Discussion
Pride comes before a fall and all that...! After posting my glowing review of the swap from Macan to Cayenne, the car is in with OPC Cambridge and I've been notified of a number of issues.
Since collecting from OPC Swindon 5wks ago, I'd noticed some hesitancy between 2-3k rpm when accelerating. Bit strange, I thought, given the spark plugs had just been replaced during a Major Service pre-purchase. But on top of that, I'd noted extreme Ackermann when turning out of my close and on any junctions requiring a good bit of lock. Previous experience with my Macan suggested the transfer box was having issues - OPC Cambs have confirmed that the hesitation is also down to this and they are investigating whether it meets the threshold required to replace the transfer box under warranty.
I know the transfer box is less of an issue on the Cayenne than the Macan, but still surprising for a 2017 car with 38k miles. I thought the issues were on much earlier cars.
Separately however, the gearbox felt a bit clunky and reluctant to change smoothly. I thought it was the difference between Tiptronic and PDK, but OPC Cambs have said there is a palpable issue and they have undertaken a software upgrade and reset of the adaptations. If that doesn't cure it, then it will be a gearbox oil change.
Anyone else had any such issues with the Tiptronic box?
On top of that - a sticking RH exhaust flap/actuator, which might explain why I've been so underwhelmed by the sound of the thing compared with the Macan, in spite of the fact this one has a PSE which the Macan didn't.
Are these known issues or have I just been "unlucky"?
I'm very pleased it's an OPC car and it'll all be covered under warranty. Less pleased at having just dropped nearly £50k on a car a month ago, for which Swindon OPC seems to have missed a number of issues.
Since collecting from OPC Swindon 5wks ago, I'd noticed some hesitancy between 2-3k rpm when accelerating. Bit strange, I thought, given the spark plugs had just been replaced during a Major Service pre-purchase. But on top of that, I'd noted extreme Ackermann when turning out of my close and on any junctions requiring a good bit of lock. Previous experience with my Macan suggested the transfer box was having issues - OPC Cambs have confirmed that the hesitation is also down to this and they are investigating whether it meets the threshold required to replace the transfer box under warranty.
I know the transfer box is less of an issue on the Cayenne than the Macan, but still surprising for a 2017 car with 38k miles. I thought the issues were on much earlier cars.
Separately however, the gearbox felt a bit clunky and reluctant to change smoothly. I thought it was the difference between Tiptronic and PDK, but OPC Cambs have said there is a palpable issue and they have undertaken a software upgrade and reset of the adaptations. If that doesn't cure it, then it will be a gearbox oil change.
Anyone else had any such issues with the Tiptronic box?
On top of that - a sticking RH exhaust flap/actuator, which might explain why I've been so underwhelmed by the sound of the thing compared with the Macan, in spite of the fact this one has a PSE which the Macan didn't.
Are these known issues or have I just been "unlucky"?
I'm very pleased it's an OPC car and it'll all be covered under warranty. Less pleased at having just dropped nearly £50k on a car a month ago, for which Swindon OPC seems to have missed a number of issues.
Spuff
This transfer box issue is a well know problem with Cayennes and Macans, and well known to the OPC's & Porsche. My 2016 Cayenne at 40k miles is on its 3rd transfer box. Search on here for the detailed threads - I started one which got lots of replies.
My new TB is a "revised", which Porsche are now fitting with suitable re-engineering, and giving a 3 year warranty on them. The symptoms you describe fit exactly with mine, although I didn't have the Ackerman problem.
Paul
This transfer box issue is a well know problem with Cayennes and Macans, and well known to the OPC's & Porsche. My 2016 Cayenne at 40k miles is on its 3rd transfer box. Search on here for the detailed threads - I started one which got lots of replies.
My new TB is a "revised", which Porsche are now fitting with suitable re-engineering, and giving a 3 year warranty on them. The symptoms you describe fit exactly with mine, although I didn't have the Ackerman problem.
Paul
Thanks for that.
Yes, I had a few on my Macan previously.
OPC Cambs has updated the adaptations on the gearbox and that seems to have improved matters for the moment. Every now and again I get a bit of a judder though. Its going back to OPC Swindon next week to resolve a few other bits so will be pointing out the gearchange and transfer box like juddering. I'll see what they say but it would be good to get it resolved before it properly becomes an issue and before the car spends any further time in with the dealer.
Yes, I had a few on my Macan previously.
OPC Cambs has updated the adaptations on the gearbox and that seems to have improved matters for the moment. Every now and again I get a bit of a judder though. Its going back to OPC Swindon next week to resolve a few other bits so will be pointing out the gearchange and transfer box like juddering. I'll see what they say but it would be good to get it resolved before it properly becomes an issue and before the car spends any further time in with the dealer.
Well, the adaptations didn't last long. Within a week, it was back to being a bit lumpy again.
Fast forward a few weeks and it was in with Porsche Swindon - however they failed to find anything wrong.
Fast forward another 6 weeks and it's just been lifted by Porsche Assistance back to OPC Cambs due to what feels like a complete gearbox failure. Shunting gears home, delays in engaging them, shuffling between cogs on low throttle openings, paddle shifters gone to sleep, lurching like it's going to stall, unwillingness to rev beyond 3k rpm on some occasions and vibrates like driving over cobble stones at 50-80mph.
Evidently it had a transfer case at 17k miles but they're not sure if it was the upgraded version (I'd have thought so given it's a MY2017 vehicle anyway).
Watch this space.......
Fast forward a few weeks and it was in with Porsche Swindon - however they failed to find anything wrong.
Fast forward another 6 weeks and it's just been lifted by Porsche Assistance back to OPC Cambs due to what feels like a complete gearbox failure. Shunting gears home, delays in engaging them, shuffling between cogs on low throttle openings, paddle shifters gone to sleep, lurching like it's going to stall, unwillingness to rev beyond 3k rpm on some occasions and vibrates like driving over cobble stones at 50-80mph.
Evidently it had a transfer case at 17k miles but they're not sure if it was the upgraded version (I'd have thought so given it's a MY2017 vehicle anyway).
Watch this space.......
Final update on this - after multiple attempts, the car was never fixed. It had software updates, transmission fluid change and a new transfer box but was continually fixed by throttle inputs. It could never decide whether to change up or down gear when a solid demand for power was given.
I ended up rejecting the car. Shame as it was a beauty. But flawed.
I ended up rejecting the car. Shame as it was a beauty. But flawed.
Sorry to hear this, it makes very disappointing reading. I have been so impressed with the build quality of my 996 (no squeaks or rattles in a 20 year old car with 80k miles) that I thought a modern cayenne would be a good bet for family transport.
When I was in OPC Guildford the other week the sales guy was saying that they get lots of range rovers chopped in for cayennes as people get fed up with the RR reliability!
What are you going for next to replace the Cayenne?
When I was in OPC Guildford the other week the sales guy was saying that they get lots of range rovers chopped in for cayennes as people get fed up with the RR reliability!
What are you going for next to replace the Cayenne?
Thanks chaps.
I did a fair bit of looking around whilst the car did its last stint in the workshop. I looked at other 958's - a couple of diesel and diesel s but I was worried I'd be even more disappointed changing from a halo model to something "lesser". I say that without any offence to be caused to diesel owners - I know most are very happy indeed with them. I was also worried about potential similar issues occuring with the transmission. So Cayenne was out.
I looked again at the Macan - I loved my MacanS but I sold it due to being too small for a growing young family. Even with the roof box on it, I couldn't make a case given the compromised rear space. Plus the prices on the used market were going crazy and I couldn't justify the cost for a less practical car.
I testdrove a 1yr old Disco5 - I liked it. It was a pretty serene place to sit - a bit boaty, but probably would've worked well for the family. Issue was the extraordinarily high cost of finance and rumours of JLR (un)reliability.
To put it in perspective - I had the Cayenne on £5k down, 48 x £680. Ok, it was a 2017 car with 37k on the clock, but a bloody impressive car. JLR wanted £13k down to get to 48x £700pcm for a 19 plate with 13k miles.
I decided to revert to type (I've always been a BMW fanboy prior to Porsche) and testdrove a 21-plate G05 X5 30d in order to see if it was something I should be entertaining. I was looking at a couple of year old stuff. I owned a couple of E70's when they first came out and always liked them. The new X5 is in a completely different league from those earlier cars though and much more in the space the Range Rover occupies for ride quality and refinement. I was pretty impressed by the testdrive and whilst it's clearly no Porsche, it seemed to suit what I'm currently in need of - a comfortable, large-ish SUV to cope with family duties.
In the end, the used car I was looking for got sold, but Baron's Stansted did me a fabulous deal on the demo car I'd taken out. Didn't think it would be in budget, but I have ended up with a 21-plate with 2.4k on the clock, lightly (but well) specced with 32months warranty remaining for £7k down and 48x £699pcm.
It's the mild hybrid MHEV version which just came out at the back end of last year - so far very impressed with it. Has proved to be a comfortable place to sit for the last 1.2k miles since I bought it 2.5wks ago. Averaged 36.4mpg over that time, is pokey enough when you need it and with a roofbox swallowed 5 people's luggage incl. all sorts of baby paraphernalia, buckets & spades and even my Responder Kit Bag & Defib under the boot floor for emergencies.
I look forward to getting my next Porsche but the X5 has filled the gap nicely for the meantime.
I did a fair bit of looking around whilst the car did its last stint in the workshop. I looked at other 958's - a couple of diesel and diesel s but I was worried I'd be even more disappointed changing from a halo model to something "lesser". I say that without any offence to be caused to diesel owners - I know most are very happy indeed with them. I was also worried about potential similar issues occuring with the transmission. So Cayenne was out.
I looked again at the Macan - I loved my MacanS but I sold it due to being too small for a growing young family. Even with the roof box on it, I couldn't make a case given the compromised rear space. Plus the prices on the used market were going crazy and I couldn't justify the cost for a less practical car.
I testdrove a 1yr old Disco5 - I liked it. It was a pretty serene place to sit - a bit boaty, but probably would've worked well for the family. Issue was the extraordinarily high cost of finance and rumours of JLR (un)reliability.
To put it in perspective - I had the Cayenne on £5k down, 48 x £680. Ok, it was a 2017 car with 37k on the clock, but a bloody impressive car. JLR wanted £13k down to get to 48x £700pcm for a 19 plate with 13k miles.
I decided to revert to type (I've always been a BMW fanboy prior to Porsche) and testdrove a 21-plate G05 X5 30d in order to see if it was something I should be entertaining. I was looking at a couple of year old stuff. I owned a couple of E70's when they first came out and always liked them. The new X5 is in a completely different league from those earlier cars though and much more in the space the Range Rover occupies for ride quality and refinement. I was pretty impressed by the testdrive and whilst it's clearly no Porsche, it seemed to suit what I'm currently in need of - a comfortable, large-ish SUV to cope with family duties.
In the end, the used car I was looking for got sold, but Baron's Stansted did me a fabulous deal on the demo car I'd taken out. Didn't think it would be in budget, but I have ended up with a 21-plate with 2.4k on the clock, lightly (but well) specced with 32months warranty remaining for £7k down and 48x £699pcm.
It's the mild hybrid MHEV version which just came out at the back end of last year - so far very impressed with it. Has proved to be a comfortable place to sit for the last 1.2k miles since I bought it 2.5wks ago. Averaged 36.4mpg over that time, is pokey enough when you need it and with a roofbox swallowed 5 people's luggage incl. all sorts of baby paraphernalia, buckets & spades and even my Responder Kit Bag & Defib under the boot floor for emergencies.
I look forward to getting my next Porsche but the X5 has filled the gap nicely for the meantime.
Spuff,
Thank you for this thread, I’m so glad I found and read it. Sorry to hear you had so much trouble with yours.
I’ve been looking at the Cayenne S Diesel after recently seeing Steven Sutcliffe’s review of one. I did notice in the classifieds there were quite a few that mentioned having had transfer box/case replaced. This got me digging further and I found this thread.
I have had a few Porsches (pre-kids) and my experience has always been a very good one, particularly with their warranties and loan cars when needed. However, like you I’ve always also been a fan of BMW and luckily have some reputable specialists near me that conveniently keep me out of dealers for servicing.
I think I’m going to stick with my trusty 535d f11 Touring for now - it’s an epic car in a kind of unassuming way. I just get itchy feet and tend to look to change into something else after a while, will perhaps take a look at the x5👍🏻
Thanks again
Sid
Thank you for this thread, I’m so glad I found and read it. Sorry to hear you had so much trouble with yours.
I’ve been looking at the Cayenne S Diesel after recently seeing Steven Sutcliffe’s review of one. I did notice in the classifieds there were quite a few that mentioned having had transfer box/case replaced. This got me digging further and I found this thread.
I have had a few Porsches (pre-kids) and my experience has always been a very good one, particularly with their warranties and loan cars when needed. However, like you I’ve always also been a fan of BMW and luckily have some reputable specialists near me that conveniently keep me out of dealers for servicing.
I think I’m going to stick with my trusty 535d f11 Touring for now - it’s an epic car in a kind of unassuming way. I just get itchy feet and tend to look to change into something else after a while, will perhaps take a look at the x5👍🏻
Thanks again
Sid
US based so your experience may vary. I believe you get the full 10 year warranty in the UK as we do here. My car was manufactured in 12/2012 so was not sure if they used that date.
Everything was foc and they even gave me a Cayenne instead of a Macan for a courtesy car and it “worked”. I was going to keep the car until it dies and was looking to buy a McLaren as a fun car. I have put that on hold and now will probably swap the Cayenne GTS for a new Cayenne Turbo in the next couple of weeks.
Everything was foc and they even gave me a Cayenne instead of a Macan for a courtesy car and it “worked”. I was going to keep the car until it dies and was looking to buy a McLaren as a fun car. I have put that on hold and now will probably swap the Cayenne GTS for a new Cayenne Turbo in the next couple of weeks.
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