Do I need my head examined for thinking about a Cayenne?

Do I need my head examined for thinking about a Cayenne?

Author
Discussion

fivepointnine

Original Poster:

708 posts

121 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
quotequote all
The Mrs. really wants a nice SUV (dog, crate, kid, surfboards etc) and she either wants a 03-05 X5 or a 03-05 Cayenne. We are looking for the V8 Cayenne S. I know about the Cardan shaft's wearing out and the coolant tube issues, but is there anything out of the ordinary for a 80k-100k mile SUV I need to look out for on these? We are also cross-shopping these with 03 4.4 X5's and 04-05 3.0 X5's we have read online that X5's reliability is dismal. Our current budget is about 7500 pounds (or less)

I have previously owned a 02 Boxster S and a 04 BMW X3 (and a 944, 914 1.8 and an E30), and did a good portion of my own repairs/maintenance on both, so I know my way around both marques, I just do not have any experience with these specific vehicles.

DH01

820 posts

175 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
quotequote all
Mine is on 121,000 miles and will be 11yrs old this year. All the known issues have reared their uglies, coolant tubes, prop shaft but apart from those its just been routine servicing. The interior has worn extremely well and presents like a 2/3 year old car. Air suspension light flashes up every so often but always works fine. Tyres wear quite quickly, a new set of conti sport contacts every year at £750 for 4. As the car has little value now and is still a smart presentable vehicle we will probably keep it for a lot longer, it really is that good. For a long journey there isn't much that comes close for comfort, relaxation and just sheer mile munching ability.

fivepointnine

Original Poster:

708 posts

121 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
quotequote all
DH01 said:
Mine is on 121,000 miles and will be 11yrs old this year. All the known issues have reared their uglies, coolant tubes, prop shaft but apart from those its just been routine servicing. The interior has worn extremely well and presents like a 2/3 year old car. Air suspension light flashes up every so often but always works fine. Tyres wear quite quickly, a new set of conti sport contacts every year at £750 for 4. As the car has little value now and is still a smart presentable vehicle we will probably keep it for a lot longer, it really is that good. For a long journey there isn't much that comes close for comfort, relaxation and just sheer mile munching ability.
The one I am looking at more than the others has a new Cardan shaft, the coolant pipe update, new cam sensor, new battery and FSH,and 100k miles seems like a pretty solid choice with the major issues already resolved. Thanks for the information!

Crimp

909 posts

194 months

Saturday 24th January 2015
quotequote all
I'm considering buying an old 3.2 Cayenne as a daily snotter for Mrs Crimp.
Obviously the 3.2 is the VAG lump and although I own and have numerous 911's I know nothing about the Cayenne especially the 3.2.
What should I look out for and forget reported MPG what is the real world MPG, my better half does a few miles on business and gets 40p/mile

fivepointnine

Original Poster:

708 posts

121 months

Sunday 25th January 2015
quotequote all
should I be overly concerned with the cylinder scoring issue if I am getting a Cayenne with FSH and it is currently quiet?

Cayenneand996

750 posts

270 months

Monday 26th January 2015
quotequote all
If you buy carefully (service history, look at receipts, mileage) you can buy a really good car

There are some really good cars to be had if you look about - buy the best you can find with a good set of options (if you like that sort of thing)

A good 'S' may have been used harder that a standard car but in my opinion is worth the extra

Worth doing an oil change every year (rather than the service recommendation of every two years) to keep the oil nice and clean

These are complicated cars so make sure everything works before you buy and if something is broken use that to bring the price down

Boarder1

196 posts

254 months

Monday 26th January 2015
quotequote all
If you are buying for load lugging, the X5 has better boot space, as the Cayenne boot narrows from the boot floor up, so getting a dog crate in the back may pose a problem.

But for driving experience, Cayenne all day.

If you need a Porsche dog guard, drop me a PM.

HDog

90 posts

196 months

Monday 26th January 2015
quotequote all
Crimp said:
I'm considering buying an old 3.2 Cayenne as a daily snotter for Mrs Crimp.
Obviously the 3.2 is the VAG lump and although I own and have numerous 911's I know nothing about the Cayenne especially the 3.2.
What should I look out for and forget reported MPG what is the real world MPG, my better half does a few miles on business and gets 40p/mile
Crimp

My 3.2 (recently acquired) averages circa 18-19 on my 15 mile commute which is half sitting in heavy traffic and half A-roads, so not the most economical journey. On a motorway run i have seen up to 24-25 mpg but at a reasonable pace (keeping up with light traffic in the fast lane) you are looking at nearer 22.

The 3.2 should be dependable lump, not blessed with large amounts of torque but makes up for it with a lovely noise when you rev it.

I rate it very highly, the handling is amazing for something so large!




thegoose

8,075 posts

217 months

Monday 26th January 2015
quotequote all
My economy figures for a 4.5 S are maybe 1mpg lower but well worth it for the V8 performance.

fivepointnine

Original Poster:

708 posts

121 months

Monday 26th January 2015
quotequote all
Boarder1 said:
If you are buying for load lugging, the X5 has better boot space, as the Cayenne boot narrows from the boot floor up, so getting a dog crate in the back may pose a problem.

But for driving experience, Cayenne all day.

If you need a Porsche dog guard, drop me a PM.
We were looking at X5's but it seems like they have much worse reliability (big repairs) The transmissions do not seem to last, major electronic gremlins, V8's eating timing chains and guides (and not-easily replaceable coolant pipes in the later V8's) They Cayenne just seems to be a bit more reliable.

FraMac

785 posts

224 months

Monday 26th January 2015
quotequote all
thegoose said:
My economy figures for a 4.5 S are maybe 1mpg lower but well worth it for the V8 performance.
Thanks Marcus. I'm at the "thinking about it" stage, so useful stuff.

fivepointnine

Original Poster:

708 posts

121 months

Tuesday 27th January 2015
quotequote all
looks like I might have reserved a Cayenne S, I go to inspect it next Tuesday.

fivepointnine

Original Poster:

708 posts

121 months

Thursday 29th January 2015
quotequote all
what should the temperature gauge read on a test drive? Just want to make sure Im looking at all the right things when I check it out.

Tanzanite

10 posts

127 months

Thursday 29th January 2015
quotequote all
Temp should be bang on 80. MPG on my daily commute 3.2 around town is 16.

Tanzanite

10 posts

127 months

Thursday 29th January 2015
quotequote all
Arguably the V8 is a better drive, but the V6 can still hustle, it doesn't leave me wanting more or thinking about a V8. Other car is a 911. Feels kind of nice to jump into a cayenne after the 911. Owned just over a year. After a 997 scored its bores then a 996 dropped its IMS. I don't need V8 issues, like cooling pipes and cylinders. Twice bitten, third shy.

fivepointnine

Original Poster:

708 posts

121 months

Thursday 29th January 2015
quotequote all
Tanzanite said:
Arguably the V8 is a better drive, but the V6 can still hustle, it doesn't leave me wanting more or thinking about a V8. Other car is a 911. Feels kind of nice to jump into a cayenne after the 911. Owned just over a year. After a 997 scored its bores then a 996 dropped its IMS. I don't need V8 issues, like cooling pipes and cylinders. Twice bitten, third shy.
Wow you had some bad luck, both issues with both models! I had a 986S but never had IMS issues luckily. I am almost thinking about looking at the V6 Cayennes instead, the scored cylinders are scaring me the most, not sure how many are actually affected by that. The coolant pipes and the other small issues dont bother me as much.

Tanzanite

10 posts

127 months

Thursday 29th January 2015
quotequote all
That's why I bought the V6 instead. Not one issue in the time owned. Has done 74k now. Has nearly every option bar air suspension, another costly thing to go wrong.

e600

1,380 posts

159 months

Thursday 29th January 2015
quotequote all
Wife bought a 3.2 auto 12 months ago, most extras including air suspension. It was 9 years old with FSH cost £8k and 67k miles 2 owners. I rate it as a big comfy loafer, not the fastest off the blocks but enough.

Nothing has gone wrong other than a taillight bulb. It passed its MOT in Nov with no advisories and looks 3 years old. It was down on rubber when bought and 4 tyres (budget) at £80 a corner didn't break the bank.

I would recommend

fivepointnine

Original Poster:

708 posts

121 months

Thursday 29th January 2015
quotequote all
Thanks guys! I am going to look at this V8 since I have first choice at it, if it checks out I will get that (I am going to go over it very good) If not I will look at the V6's