Porsche Cayenne Engine Choices (What to go for?)

[bakerstreet]

I am in the process of looking at a replacement for my 2011 Range Rover Supercharged. Most of my journeys are short with the occasional long rin for family days out and holidays.

The 3.0 E-Hybrid is of course the most sensible, but I'm scraping the barrel in terms of what I can get in my budget, especially if I want a pan roof and not cars that have done north of 120k. However, I'm conscious that I'm buying 11+ year old tech and a battery or charging system going bad is most likely going to cost me thousands.

The trusty 3.0 VAG V6 TDI. I can see this just causing me loads of issues with DPFs, EGRs etc, so I am practically ruling this out. I've emailed Darkside Developments asking for a quote on DPF/EGR removal plus associated mapping (if anything is required), but having seen the prices of the parts, this will probably be north of a grand.

Old school Mk1 facelift GTS or Turbo. Drab interior but epic engines and shocking mpg to go with it, but these cars are £5k cheaper overall when compared to later 3.0TDIs and e-hybrids. Truth be told, I don't really want something that old and after a while £735 VED and 10mpg will start to bite.

2012/2013 GTS 4.8 COuld be the sweet spot. This have really dropped in the last 18 months and certainly less to go wrong when compared to the VAG TDI / E-Hybrid / Turbo cars.

The ultra rare 3.6T S. This might be where I end up if I can find one.

Just interested in people's views who have had any of these models that might match my use case. Are my concerns on the diesels not valid? Is the e-Hybrid considered to be a robust offering?

I know a L322 5.0 SC is considered the holy grail by Green Oval fans, but for various reasons its time to walk away from the green oval for a while. The L322 is a great car, but quite frankly recent events have tinged the experience somewhat and I am under pressure from the family to get rid.

[Stever]

I'm on my second Cayenne, the first was a MK1 4.5S, ran that as a daliy for about 3 years, plastic water pipes was the biggest issue on that one plus transfer box knackered after a puncture.

Currently running a 2016 Turbo daily which is lovely, very quick, very comfortable, well equipped, mine has loads of extras and in sport plus sounds fantastic according to my neighbour MPG isn't too bad on a run early to mid 20's it's far more efficient than the MK1 which often showed single figures!

Fairly reliable, needs the drains maintaining, the Burmester amp blew which was replaced under warranty thankfully and the transfer box has been done now too at about 38K miles. Both mine have had the air suspension so I can't comment on the other but the ride is just lovely.

Heated steering wheel is great in the winter and the Burmester is epic.

Persoanlly I love the V8 so out of your list the GTS would be my choice.

[bakerstreet]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I'm also leaning towards the GTS as they are cheaper than the hybrids and there is so much less to go wrong.

Also, like all of us here, I'm a car guy and I just want the V8.

[Cheib]

S Diesel is a great car…engine really suits the car. Head and shoulders above the 3.0 and I think the massive torque suits the car better. I’ve owned mine since new in 2017….it’s done 175k miles. Never had any issues with the DPF but then the car does get used, the only time its even come up with a warning to drive the car to clear the DPF was during lockdown when mileage was very limited. Recently had some issues with the EGR but mine is still under warranty….took the OPC a couple of visits to fully rectify.Transfer box was replaced many miles ago under warranty and never had a problem since.

The 18 way seats are possibly the seats I’ve ever had in a daily.

[gareth h]

Cheib said:

S Diesel is a great car…engine really suits the car. Head and shoulders above the 3.0 and I think the massive torque suits the car better. I’ve owned mine since new in 2017….it’s done 175k miles. Never had any issues with the DPF but then the car does get used, the only time its even come up with a warning to drive the car to clear the DPF was during lockdown when mileage was very limited. Recently had some issues with the EGR but mine is still under warranty….took the OPC a couple of visits to fully rectify.Transfer box was replaced many miles ago under warranty and never had a problem since.

The 18 way seats are possibly the seats I’ve ever had in a daily.

I echo this, only had mine for a couple of years and 30k miles, it’s a lovely thing, air suspension gives either a wafty or focused ride and it always surprises passengers with its get up and go.
I’ve done a couple of 700 mile 35 mpg days and got out fresh as a daisy.

[bakerstreet]

Thanks all. The diesel certainly makes the most sense in terms of running costs, but the reality is, most of my journeys are only a few miles and then on occasions it gets used for longer journeys and family holidays. I can't help but feal this will be a really bad use case for diesels especially more modern ones. The older 4.2TDV8 do appeal as they don't have a DPF, but not being ULEZ will mean they will depreciate like stone and its a pain if my wife has to use it as she does dip in and out of ULEZ zones for some stuff.

Hoping to go and see a local car to test seats to see how it compares to the RR.

Edit: Apparently they went all the way to to 2014 with no DPF on the 4.2TDV8 (According to post I've read..)

[timfr]

I think you will find that 2016 diesels onwards are Euro 6 and therefor Ulez compliant. A well specced Diesel S is a truly great car and like many others we just don't know how we would replace it.