A bit OT:...Old Cayenne ownership experience...

[gridgway]

I'm mildly contemplating a change to the Ridgway fleet. I have a reasonably strict rule of one car in one car out - for space reasons as well as marital ones.

As my (IB) 911 hot rod will arrive some time this summer, the 2003 boxster needs to go. So I have been thinking about changing the Ford Galaxy out at the same time for a 2003 ish Cayenne. With the kids moving on, we don't need to people space of the Galaxy any more.

So anyone got experience of buying and running a 10 year old Cayenne? Is it just round after round of fixing expensive stuff that breaks? Or do they go on for ever with nothing wrong?

Obviously fuel and insurance will be expensive. But it doesn't do a huge mileage.

Any DDKers with experiences?

Cheers
Graham

[Chris_911]

Might be worth contacting Dominic Delaney who owns Specialist Vehicle Preparations near Droitwich. I know he's a big fan of the Cayenne and I'm sure would be willing to tell you their weak points.

[butzsi]

Make sure it has had the brake discs/pads, engine water pipes, prop shaft, battery, handbrake pedal, tyres replaced and a major service recently completed!

Chris

[Lightweight_911]

Make sure it has had the brake discs/pads, engine water pipes, prop shaft, battery, handbrake pedal, tyres replaced and a major service recently completed!

Chris

[gridgway]

Make sure it has had the brake discs/pads, engine water pipes, prop shaft, battery, handbrake pedal, tyres replaced and a major service recently completed!

Chris

I guess that says it all really!

[majordad]

Ive had a V8 4511cc S Manual for past 5.5 yrs ( 42000-100,000 miles ) Average Mpg year to date is 19.3mpg which incls a big trailer sometimes. Work done apart from scheduled services is headlight cradle on LH Side and Carden Shaft ( £1000 appx ). I have had the Porsche Extended Warranty since I bought it. Around town it drops to 13mpg. Tyres average for the weight/size. Very comfortable and fast. My brake discs are on from new, maybe I dont brake hard enough.

[gridgway]

That sounds good. What's the trick to buying one of those??
Graham

[Nige]

Contact Dom as Chris suggests, but from what I've heard from him they're very robust.

[crisc204]

I've got a turbo one but you know that
Mine was owned by a series of company directors before us who maintained it with a debit card and a smile...
Things to check out like are Butzi says in his post.
Can you tell he dislikes Cayennes ?

The choice of oil is extremely important on Turbos. Good brand and correct grade is essential.

They do have a few foibles but all in all owning mine has been painless.
I've pulled a couple of people out of the snow and flicked the Air-suspension up during the thaw to wade through a flood... it can also cruise at 80 very quietly and still show 19mpg which is handy as the speed limit gets raised soon
If you flick on the sports setting it will out do it's contemporaries and match most quick saloons

I have done the brakes, others paid for everything else listed by butzi. The only other thing to check is the front wishbones, it does weigh 2 tonnes with the family on board...

I've had a fair few through the doors here at work for paint and repairs.
My friend Warren who works at Jaz across from us normally works on a couple a month servicing the oily bits and 911 SBD on staples corner do loads as well!
The only things that really stick out is the air suspension can be dear to fix if it fails, Some parts are shared with the VW toureg and have repair kits
Coilpacks can play up and damage the loom but this can be sorted with VW repair kit.
(Wires with correct terminals pre installed)
My favorite is the bonnet lock loom, some have been through with these rotted out or bad connection... If the Cayenne doesn't know the bonnet is shut the wipers don't work and the lock is buried!

They are built like Panzers and are extremely safe, this was the main thing for me.

Like any luxury vehicle they are capable of generating some proper invoices if you are left to the mercy of a main dealer or the vehicle has been mistreated.
You cannot purchase one thinking it will be "a bit more" than a normal family car to run.

Even from my biased point of view I'll still my neck out and say they are the best Luxury 4x4 of their time. Which is why I'd like the next one to be a GTS

Just have a full inspection done for piece of mind.

p.s. My friend has a later Range Rover Sport, it drives on a par maybe even a bit better than my Cayenne but Without the RR extended warrenty he would be flat broke

[gridgway]

I've got a turbo one but you know that

Yes, just realised that I've not replied to your PM, very rude of me!
I'll admit that in addition to general "expensive to maintain" fear I was having turbo-fear and cat-d fear!

I'll also need to get my Boxster shifted before doing anything. And there's going through the "permission" phase. Mind you I could always go for "forgiveness" instead!

Graham

[Superlight7]

Graham,

I've ran an 06 S as a daily driver for last 5 years. It's fully loaded with all the bells and whistles.

Returns average of 24 to 25 on open road.....dropping to 20 when towing Brian James Shuttle with Radical / caterham / 911 and such like on board.....lower when wife's out with the horses.

Bought at 50K miles now touching 125k miles.

Serviced by porsche with no financial scares.

Think the discs and pad were new when I bought so i changed at 100k.....had my local technician supply and fit for about £600......a grand plus at OPC.

Only other issues were coil packs at around 80k £400 and an engine temp sender at £25....all as extras during service.

I often go to Germany where it holds its own...and when the mood takes me I take the scenic cross country route home as opposed to motorway.....you can cruise it or drive it.

Yes the Cardon shaft bearing is a known problem at around 100k, but there is a fix, I bought bearing parts for £100 and stripped it myself, fixed and finished job in less than 3 hours.....a grands saving on Porsche replacement.

Obviously bulbs and wiper blades.....and Tyres last well over 40k which are only £250 a corner.

Overall a gem, most comfortable car I've ever had and would only change for another.

[crisc204]

I've got a turbo one but you know that

Yes, just realised that I've not replied to your PM, very rude of me!

I'll also need to get my Boxster shifted before doing anything. And there's going through the "permission" phase. Mind you I could always go for "forgiveness" instead!

Graham

I wouldn't worry about PM's, that is not a biggie,
I'm more worried that I've also had a nigerian prince not reply after asking for further details about shipping the car over to his cousin. :D

As for permission VS forgiveness... while under cross examination about the possibility of our fleet growing by one I recently pointed out to my other half it's probably easier to find a wife while driving a Porsche than it would be to gain a Porsche while with a wife...
(Good job she has a sense of humour even if mine is flawed...)
to which she pointed out that a second Porsche would also make good residence while looking for the second wife. I'm still expecting some sort of retail-based retaliation for that "wise" crack

BTW Most Local Propshaft firms can replace the bearings and balance up the shaft.
Porsche would only sell the whole thing at £1000

The only one I've done is a Turbo which was remapped to 520BHP from 450 with similar rises in torque.

[Tony]

Got a 55 plate turbo, had it nearly 3 years now no issues at all.
Had an 03 S before that gear selection problem - fixed under warranty problem fixed with later cars.
I don't do a big mileage in it so it sits around in all weathers - more reliable the the Octavia estate - and it doesn't let water in!
Used it to tow with a few times - fabulous!
3.2 will save you nothing in fuel compared to an S or turbo, turbo can be surprisingly economical (at least no worse than an S) if you don't boot it everywhere.
Air suspension is why we went for the turbo - fabulous and no problems.
If you look on Rennlist you'll find the US seems to have water leak issues from coolant pipes inside the V - less common in europe - no idea why.
Yes parts can be expensive but shopping around helps - Simon Butterworth at Porch-aparts always helpful.

Turbo cam to replace the wifes G500, tried Range Rover(rolled about like a tea clipper), Range Rover Sport (Discovery GT), huge load capacity, Merc ML, (not as nice to drive or inside).

Bob Gants used an S from new, just after it was launched now mega mileage don't think he's had any real problems.

Tony

[davep]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cayenne/

[RSGulp]

Any experience of Cayenne Diesels on DDK? The early ones are now looking very good value for money.