Humor me.. 3 high mileage luxury SUVs
Humor me.. 3 high mileage luxury SUVs
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InformationSuperHighway

Original Poster:

7,306 posts

205 months

Tuesday 14th October 2025
quotequote all
OK.. looking to buy one of these out right but what world of pain am I about to walk into:


120k Miles - 2018 3l V6 Petrol Cayenne:
https://www.jparadise.com/used-cars-PORSCHE-CAYENN...

86k Miles - 2015 550GL Mercedes 5.5 V8 Petrol
https://www.jparadise.com/used-cars-MERCEDES-BENZ-...

100k Miles - 2018 FF Range Rover 3L V6 Petrol
https://www.jparadise.com/used-cars-LAND-ROVER-RAN...


Or.. tell me I'm mad and go and lease a Rav 4 instead... (I won't listen to you hehe)

I haven't driven any of them yet. Just looking for opinions on risk of blowing up. General running costs / MPG not an issue.

(FYI this dealer offered me a great price for my current car hence wanting to choose from their stock list)





Edited by InformationSuperHighway on Tuesday 14th October 22:02

Matt_T

1,071 posts

95 months

Wednesday 15th October 2025
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Mercedes looks like the best choice to me, I wouldn't even think about the Cayenne in comparison.

RustyNissanPrairie

475 posts

16 months

Wednesday 15th October 2025
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I can't comment on the Rangie or the Merc but I'm a Cayenne geek and own a 955 Petrol V6 and a 958 diesel Cayenne with 177k and 133k miles.

The one you posted is on 18's with non Pasm coil suspension, it will ride okay but is better for long distance cruising rather than anything dynamic.

The 958 Cayenne is generally a good solid platform - it's the same underneath as the earlier 955&957 albeit it lost the low range gearbox so isn't as good offroad.

Mechanically the front differentials are a weak spot as the rear pinion bearing wears. Drive it and listen for a whining noise that changes between load/unload. I've done my 955 and my 958 has just started getting noisy and also needs a diffential rebuild. I DIY - labour/parts costs are very expensive to do this.

The transfer boxes were problematic on petrol 958's - Investigate the paperwork to see if it's had any work.

Window/door modules can be a problem check they all work properly.

Budget to have the gearbox/transfer case/differential oils changed - the Porsche schedule is 120k&160k miles but it's far to long.

Rear wash wipe motor is rubbish but cheap to change.

The rear seat design is rubbish on the 958 - the seat backs don't fold flat, so consider this if you are wanting to carry lots of cargo/luggage.

I like both of mine, but the earlier 955 is built like a tank whereas the 958 is built far cheaper. They are heavy cars - my petrol does 18-19mpg locally and 30mpg if very lucky on a run but more usually 25mpg.

Reading on FB/forums the Cayenne isn't very well supported in the US. Make sure you have a good local Indy mechanic that knows these cars. On the plus side you have Eurowise on your doorstep who do crazy modifications with Cayenne!

Edited to add - just noticed the Cayenne has a US style towing receiver. These Cayennes are rated at 3.5t and tow well. However I wouldn't buy any car with a towbar already fitted to it.

I'd have the 405 (but it is $9k more and I don't like the interior colour)





Edited by RustyNissanPrairie on Wednesday 15th October 08:02

Chris_i8

2,332 posts

214 months

Wednesday 15th October 2025
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Range Rover for me, followed by the Mercedes. The Porsche wouldn't get a look in with that engine.

andy43

12,414 posts

275 months

Wednesday 15th October 2025
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Merc for the engine, the twin turbo 5.5 is a masterpiece, and it d be hilarious in something the size of 1.5 Range Rovers or a small yacht, except that one is pre 2017 so the additional 500 quid car tax a year would bug me as I’m in the uk.

AB

19,388 posts

216 months

Wednesday 15th October 2025
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I wouldn't go anywhere near a 100k Range Rover, I speak with experience.

Merc for me out of those 3.

Sheepshanks

38,889 posts

140 months

Wednesday 15th October 2025
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Is finding a trusted garage to look after them an issue in your part of the world? If you have someone in mind, l’d be guided by them.

ZX10R NIN

29,877 posts

146 months

Wednesday 15th October 2025
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The Mercedes is the pick the 4.7TT is pretty much bulletproof as is the rest of the car.

macron

12,607 posts

187 months

Wednesday 15th October 2025
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Appreciate we get fked with prices here but that Merc is incredible value compared to here. I'd buy that because it's solid, not a flaky RR. Porsche is a meh spec. Technical argument for you there.

InformationSuperHighway

Original Poster:

7,306 posts

205 months

Wednesday 15th October 2025
quotequote all
Thanks everyone for the replies! Especially all of that detail on the Cayenne.

I’ve decided to look properly at the Merc and the RR.


InformationSuperHighway

Original Poster:

7,306 posts

205 months

Thursday 16th October 2025
quotequote all


And here she is!

Not the one in the link, but a slightly newer model on 70k miles

Thanks all!

Edited by InformationSuperHighway on Thursday 16th October 16:08