Porsche Cayenne 958.2 advice!
Porsche Cayenne 958.2 advice!
Author
Discussion

ChickenWire

Original Poster:

14 posts

9 months

Sunday 25th May 2025
quotequote all
Hoping for some advice with a 958.2 purchase! Will be my first foray into Porsche ownership. Need some space and seats, so the dream of 911 ownership is on hold for a few years.

Thinking of a 958.2 3.0d as a relatively sensible way in, although a petrol model is preferable the prices are a fair bit higher. Budget is up to 17k but can stretch a bit for something exceptional.

Hoping for owners/enthusiasts to share their experiences please! Am I being sensible or will I regret it?? The reading I have done seems to suggest that these are pretty good in terms of reliability. Spec and prices seem to be all over the place though.

Are transfer cases still a problem on the 958.2 even in the 3.0d? I'm hoping the NVH isn't too 'diesely' - I had a TDV8 RR previously and this was fabulous in that regard.

Finally (sorry for all the questions!) any advice for good Porsche specialists in the Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire/Berkshire area?

Many thanks in advance!

bakerstreet

4,992 posts

187 months

Thursday 19th June 2025
quotequote all
A petrol 958.2 for £17k is incredibly rare in the current market. At that age, its going to be a very very leggy example and I have only ever seen one in the last year.

3.0D is a solid choice and is a common fitment across many VAG products although Porsche do turn it up to 300bhp.

Just be cautious of the usual diesel issues such as injectors, DPFs, EGRs.

I'm also on the hunt for a Cayenne too.

ChickenWire

Original Poster:

14 posts

9 months

Sunday 29th June 2025
quotequote all
Many thanks! From what I have read the 3.0d seems to be quite a robust unit. The whole package seems to be fairly reliable. I parked next to one a few days ago, which just re-enforced that it's going to have to be a 958.2 next for me.

From what I have researched, my main concern which is the transfer case, still seem to be somewhat of an issue even on the late model 3.0d, but the failure rate is apparently less than the 4.2d. Regardless, I'll drive it and enjoy it and if it needs doing I'll just have it done.

Very much on the look out for a sub 17k (ideally 15k-ish) 3.0d 958.2, so if any good ones out there please do let me know!

Best
ChickenWire

ChickenWire

Original Poster:

14 posts

9 months

Tuesday 22nd July 2025
quotequote all
A purchase has been made, and I am over the moon! A 2015 3.0d, bang on budget. It is absolutely fabulous and clearly been well looked after. Certainly the best thing I've ever driven/owned!

I have a couple of questions, which I am hoping someone far more experienced than I can answer:

1. Any recommendations for tyres? Or best to stick to Michelin Latitudes that apparently was standard fitment? It has Nexens at the moment which are very worn.
2. I just had the existing tyres looked at today, and the tyre-guy was testing it out and put the car on full lock whilst stationary and the outside wheel had a very fine shake/vibration when it is almost at full lock. He said he hasn't seen this before and that I should get it checked out. For context it drives perfect, so is he right? I've done some online research, isn't this just the Ackermann effect?
3. Is it possible to retro-fit AppleCar Play?

Thanks!

jrinns

388 posts

205 months

Monday 4th August 2025
quotequote all
ChickenWire said:
A purchase has been made, and I am over the moon! A 2015 3.0d, bang on budget. It is absolutely fabulous and clearly been well looked after. Certainly the best thing I've ever driven/owned!

I have a couple of questions, which I am hoping someone far more experienced than I can answer:

1. Any recommendations for tyres? Or best to stick to Michelin Latitudes that apparently was standard fitment? It has Nexens at the moment which are very worn.
2. I just had the existing tyres looked at today, and the tyre-guy was testing it out and put the car on full lock whilst stationary and the outside wheel had a very fine shake/vibration when it is almost at full lock. He said he hasn't seen this before and that I should get it checked out. For context it drives perfect, so is he right? I've done some online research, isn't this just the Ackermann effect?
3. Is it possible to retro-fit AppleCar Play?

Thanks!
How many miles does the new car have on it? I only ask as our cayenne 958.1 has just hit 208000 miles....it's a 2010 3.0d and the only things of note that have gone wrong is the EGR sensor and valve. Its required a new alternator and suspension parts is just wear and tear. Currently debating whether to get another brand or go for a 958.2 again and maybe surpass 250k this time...

I have 20 inch all weather on mine, we have other cars so whilst it is used for running around in the summer. It get more use in the winter. On full lock this morning mine also felt like the Ackerman effect. The Boxster displays this more as never really noticed it on the cayenne.

ChickenWire

Original Poster:

14 posts

9 months

Monday 11th August 2025
quotequote all
jrinns said:
ChickenWire said:
A purchase has been made, and I am over the moon! A 2015 3.0d, bang on budget. It is absolutely fabulous and clearly been well looked after. Certainly the best thing I've ever driven/owned!

I have a couple of questions, which I am hoping someone far more experienced than I can answer:

1. Any recommendations for tyres? Or best to stick to Michelin Latitudes that apparently was standard fitment? It has Nexens at the moment which are very worn.
2. I just had the existing tyres looked at today, and the tyre-guy was testing it out and put the car on full lock whilst stationary and the outside wheel had a very fine shake/vibration when it is almost at full lock. He said he hasn't seen this before and that I should get it checked out. For context it drives perfect, so is he right? I've done some online research, isn't this just the Ackermann effect?
3. Is it possible to retro-fit AppleCar Play?

Thanks!
How many miles does the new car have on it? I only ask as our cayenne 958.1 has just hit 208000 miles....it's a 2010 3.0d and the only things of note that have gone wrong is the EGR sensor and valve. Its required a new alternator and suspension parts is just wear and tear. Currently debating whether to get another brand or go for a 958.2 again and maybe surpass 250k this time...

I have 20 inch all weather on mine, we have other cars so whilst it is used for running around in the summer. It get more use in the winter. On full lock this morning mine also felt like the Ackerman effect. The Boxster displays this more as never really noticed it on the cayenne.
It’s a 2015 with 90k. As it happens, I have since changed the front tyres to Michelin Latitudes (N0) and it no longer does it. So perhaps exacerbated by tyres and/or asymmetrical wear. Wish I had deep enough pockets to get a new set of CrossClimates all round!

Good to know how reliable they are! Hopefully I see as many miles out of mine. Happy motoring!

ChickenWire

Original Poster:

14 posts

9 months

Friday 21st November 2025
quotequote all
I thought I would upload some pics, as I've just realised I hadn't since I started the thread, and I can see parallel threads with people looking for similar so hopefully this will help. 4k miles in and it has been fantastic. So far just tyres and a service, which has been much cheaper than expected. Anyone in the Bucks/Berks/Oxon area, I would highly recommend Chelsea Carrera based in High Wycombe.





As a package they are excellent value and can't think of anything else that would have fitted the bill. Seems most at home on the motorway. The 3.0d is adequate I would say, but couldn't afford a GTS or Turbo, perhaps I will look at one in the future.

It's 10 years old and has 95k miles on it now, and you can tell. There are a few foibles that I am hoping don't turn out to burn my wallet, but time will tell; shuddering steering when turning the wheel when cold but then goes away after the first turn, gearbox doesn't seem to creep when cold (in fact it rolls back which is annoying) but fine when warm, creaky trim pieces...

Overall, I'm extremely pleased. My mileage will likely go up to 15k-20k per year soon which will be a good test of robustness. I am inspired by the chap on here who had a very high mileage Alpina! Although I doubt I will be able to put as many miles on.

fezzafred

176 posts

101 months

Monday 24th November 2025
quotequote all
Congrats on the new car op.

I've been looking at these for a while now, my budget could get me either a lower milage 3.0d or a higher milage 4.2d, and can't decide which would suit me better, both obviously have their positives and negatives. Personally would also bare in mind a 3.0d Macan, my only requirement is that they have to be euro 6 for ULEZ.

From what I've seen, they appear to be fairly reliable (again, I don't actually own one, so take with a pinch of salt) which is why I keep looking at them for a new run around. I've seen a fair few stories now where owners seem to have achieved high milage (150k+) without too much fuss, just got to keep an eye on the transfer casing issues (although I think this applies more to the 4.2d, not to say it can't happen the the 3.0) and usual servicing items etc. Might be worth getting a gearbox service done if you're having issues with it and haven't already. I previously had issues on my M3s DCT gearbox, had it serviced and it was like brand new!

Hope your ownership with it goes well

gareth h

4,147 posts

252 months

Monday 24th November 2025
quotequote all
I’ve clocked up over 40k miles in my 4.2 diesel, now at 117k miles, nothing but routine servicing and tyres required, although I did have the transfer box fluids changed as a precaution when I bought it. Really can’t think what I’d rather drive for everyday use, it does the Labrador / dump stuff, while still being very presentable for posh events (when it’s clean), also done 700 mile days in it and got out feeling fresh as a daisy.
They’re brilliant!

ChickenWire

Original Poster:

14 posts

9 months

Thread update! All is well in Cayenne land, great machine.

I've had a couple of things sorted now;
1. Clicking feeling in steering wheel when cold - this was me being a complete spanner (predictably!). It was low on power steering fluid. Like, really really low, off the end of the dipstick low. Don't know how I missed that! I filled it up about a month ago and I was fully expecting for there to be a leak, but so far so good and it hasn't budged. Lucky!
2. Not creeping forward in D and rolling back when cold - this was really freaking me out. I kept thinking ££££ in transfer case repairs, but my fantastic local indie said to just service the gearbox (current mileage 95k), and go from there. £500 later after a gearbox service and it is fantastic. No more rolling back and the creep is sorted. More on the tiptronic gearbox later. Overall, I'm not totally in love with the box, but it's 'ok'. Gearbox probably the weakest part of the package.
3. Creaky dashboard - this was annoying. Sorted, I think. I wrapped some card pieces in black electrical tape and shoved it in between the dashboard joins to keep everything in place. Seems to have worked (shown below).



So some general advice to people looking to get into this model of cayenne, if I were to do it all again;
1. Mine has the leather dash option. I was looking for this because it looks nice, and I thought I was lucky to find it. Well, I probably wouldn't recommend it, mainly because after 10 years the leather shrinks and lifts and I reckon this is one of the causes for the creaks in the dash. It does look nice, but I don't think it's worth it. Hopefully I have fixed the dash creak anyway, time will tell.
2. Be very careful with optional extras. Again, probably down to my naivety here with Porsche, but it's so annoying that this has electric seats but no memory function. I 'assumed' it would have come with it, and only realised on the drive home. My mistake. Same with things like a reversing camera. I've had cars 10 years older than this with a reversing camera, this doesn't. Whilst it's 'fine', it's a pain in tight spaces.
3. Be very very careful with how these have been cared for, i.e. apply usual buying logic - which I completely disregarded when getting mine (as I said, I'm a spanner). I just saw it and bought it, but in hind sight the signals were there that the previous owner was perhaps not the most caring. I don't know why I didn't walk away when I saw the Kwik-Fit service in the history file, or the Nexen tyres. I didn't realise there was a level of neglect above mis-match ditch finder tyres - fancy some mismatched wiper blades sir? Bodged to fit! Right this way... Anyway, it's fine, and I have meticulously been through everything and sorted it, but just keep your wits about you.
4. The gearbox. Honestly I'm not a fan. Too keen to shift up early. Just feels a bit slow. I've never driven a PDK but I bet they're great. Just go in knowing that it's 'ok' but not great. When cold you have to learn to drive it, i.e. it's clunky so accelerate a bit gently, and it shifts a bit like a CVT when the diffs etc are very cold (holds about 2k revs and stays there). Once everything is warm it reverts to normal shifting, but I honestly thought something was broken initially!

What next? Well, not much really. The only thing is the headlights which have condensation and look bloody horrible, so I need to sort this out because it's driving me nuts. Keen to hear from people if there are any companies that can sort this for a reasonable price.

Otherwise, all is fantastic. Weirdly, despite the above, which in all honesty are just minor bits and bobs, I have no urge at all to sell. I normally get itchy feet after 12 months and fancy a change, but I adore it. As a practical tool to get from A to B with some Porsche dynamics, it is simply brilliant.