A few questions on a Cayenne GTS

[off_again]

Hi all,

Looking at moving up from a 2008 Range Rover Sport V8 to something a little more sporting. First things first, I live in California and hence fuel prices aren't a big concern for me (still around 40% cheaper than the cheapest UK prices) and they dont really do diesels here. I dont commute much, so looking at either the Cayenne GTS, X5 V8 or Range Rover Sport Supercharged (5.0 model). Have two growing teenage kids and rear space is required, and frequently head up to Lake Tahoe with family and dog, so an SUV is ideal for us.

Just tried an X5 xdrive35i (the 300BHP X5) and it was actually pretty swift and drove well. Ride was better than my RR and once the engine got going, it pulled well! Rather surprised. But is the V8 a better comparison to the Cayenne? Bit of a power difference there and suspect it shows. I have driven a 2006 Cayenne Turbo and it was fantastic (so the 450BHP one), but found it a bit wallowy - how does it compare with the GTS, which I am reliably told is pretty much the sharpest one you can get? Please note that even on standard air springs for the RRS V8, it leans through pretty much any corner!

How does interior and rear space stack up on the Cayenne vs X5 and RRS? The older RRS is pretty tight on the inside and rear leg room isnt great. The X5 is bigger, but what about the Cayenne? I am 6'5" and clearly the seat needs to be some way back. And finally, I was looking at 2008 or later so the 4.8 V8 GTS model. I am aware that the earlier V8's had coolant pipe issues and the non-turbos had issues with cylinder liners. Does anyone know if this is solved in the mild face lift 2008 and later models? Any other issues to be aware of with the GTS?

Thanks in advance.

[davek_964]

I can't answer your questions, but I'm surprised you found the Cayenne Turbo wallowy. Did you check the suspension setting? My 2003 S would wallow a bit in comfort mode but on normal - and certainly on sport - it's pretty firm and a blast down a twisty road is more fun than it should be in a car of this type!

Edited by davek_964 on Thursday 3rd November 12:43

[Cheib]

I am just about to move from an X5 (although mine is an e70 not an F15) to a new Cayenne. I think room in the rear is better in the Cayenne (I am 6ft 2in) but the boot space is definitely smaller (the rear hatch slopes more).

In terms of the Cayenne having a "wallow" my Porsche dealer reckons the best suspension on the Cayenne is regular PASM without Air...citing the air as having a bit of "float" to it. Having driven a car on normal PASM and Air PASM I would agree but I've gone for the Air as the ability to lower ride height is useful for me. Lowering the ride height does take a bit of the float out I thought on my test drive.

[h0b0]

I have a 2013 GTS with air (I think it is standard in the US). Not the smoothest on the pot holed NJ roads but is the most fun you can have in an SUV. The V8 is not bad on a run but if you are making progress it will drink the fuel. I dread $4/gallon gas again as O have told my wife it is a sensible family friendly SUV.

[h0b0]

Here is the spec of mine.


Exterior:
Meteor Grey Metallic
Interior:
Standard Interior in Black
Warranty Start:
April 30, 2013
Additional Equipment
3FU
Panorama Roof System
3Y8
Electric Roll-up Sunblind for Rear Side Windows
4A3
Heated Front Seats
7T1
Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with Navigation Module
7X8
Reversing Camera with ParkAssist Front and Rear
7Y1
Lane Change Assist (LCA)
92AAL1
Cayenne GTS
9Q
Meteor Grey Metallic
9VL
Bose
CK0
21" Cayenne SportEdition Wheel with Wheel Arch Extension
EXT
TPMS - Tire Pressure Monitoring System
MA
Standard Interior in Black
PH6
Anthracite Birch Interior Package including Gear Selector
PP6
Light Comfort Package with Memory Package
QV4
SiriusXM
UN1
Online Services

I have heavy tints on the windows but the blinds are still very useful on sunny days with the kids trying to sleep. No mention of the air suspension or diff control. Not sure of the names but I get to control the ride height, differential all the shocks. The is the "barrel" selector in the center console. On other trim levels it comes partially full. On mine it's full and because it isn't listed in the options I assume it is standard.

I love my car even though it's got a check engine light on right now. Fortunately, it's unde warranty so getting sorted at no cost and my dealership runs a fleet of Macan GTSs as loaners and had a 918 parked up for service the last time I was there.

right now, I'm very grateful for the warranty. I'm not looking forward to the 40k service bill.

The warranty is transferable even without a full service history.

[h_____]

Hi,

I have a 2008 GTS and can add some colour to the discussion. The V8 is fairly punchy for an SUV of its age, and sounds glorious. The GTS comes pretty loaded as standard I think, so the air suspension and sport mode I think were standard. The car has 3 settings on the dampers and settings on ride height, with the car in sport mode, its quite tight on handling and responsive on the throttle. Again, all in the context of its an SUV. The car will naturally push with the stability control on, but with it switched off it can be made be to be more neutral in handling. Although, by the time you've pushed this far, you realise its still and SUV and cant hide the weight / height. Tyres make a huge difference to handling.

Space is OK, but not great compared to an RSS, the RSS is better dhaped at the back when stacked. (I have a mate with one for comparison). A supercharged RSS is everybit as quick, if not as secure in the turns. A jeep SRT will probably be quicker too, perhaps another consideration.

The 2008 models came with good off road kit for your family trips.... proper low range box / diff lockers. The GTS has fairly low body work, but apart from clearance issues, its capable enough. We've fitted a roof rack to assist with additional space for big trips, but usually we can manage with the boat space.

They have a lot of nice little features, 12v points located throughout the car, onboard air good tie points in the boot, air suspension has load level (extra height).

Most cars in a hot climate will have had the pipes etc all fixed already, being of a reasonable age. I run mine without a warranty and through an independent garage with out major issue (fingers crossed), I guess bills vary and they are complex cars, its a risk thing, ours has done 200K km and hasnt caused too much issue in the 3 years we've had it.

They are nice capable cars, the interior is a little dated and the media stuff is pretty basic,, but apart from that there isnt much to put against them.

Should add, I've no idea on fuel consumption, petrol is cheap in the middle east.

[off_again]

Thanks all for the comments - sounds like I need to do some test driving!

Went to take a look at a GTS the other day and it was in great condition, looked great in grey, but was sold before I got there... damn it. There does seem to be a Turbo at a great price too, but away this weekend! No rush though.

I did take a drive in a 2013 X5 i35 (slightly updated from the 3.0 turbo). It drove well, but got very vocal when you wanted to get it to go. Felt strange too, but suspect it was this particular car. It shimmied and shook at 60+ - salesman tried to say it was the road!!! Mmmm, not convinced. I doubt I will be going back there.

[Superleg48]

I drive a 2007 Cayenne Turbo (4.8 facelift model) as a daily driver. I live in the UK and our roads here are rubbish compared to the worst roads in the US! I bought it with 60k miles nearly 3 years ago and it has now done approaching 100k miles. I have been everywhere in it, including the South of France. It is an epic car, simply put. The Turbo has air suspension as standard sitting on 21" wheels. You can cruise about very serenely in Normal or Comfort setting or press the large Sport Button next to the suspension setting buttons and my god....the thing comes alive. 500BHP on tap, sharp throttle response, Twin Turbos are like a pair of excitable kids leaping into action with eager boost at any opportunity, steering sharpens and handles like it is on rails, with very little body roll at all! The Cayenne is the sort of SUV that sticks two fingers up to how an SUV should behave and makes more like a 911 from a handling perspective. It is quite incredible that a car of that size is able to handle the way it does. In my view, if the budget will stretch, I would opt for the Turbo over the GTS. None of the "issues" you have highlighted affected the Turbo, and the thing is pretty bullet proof. bit make sure you have a full service history. Under normal driving there is very little stress on the engine or mechanicals which are built to handle pretty much anything you can throw at it.

I would stop being distracted by BMW X5's or anything else for that matter and just get one. If you don't, you'll always wonder if you should have!

[off_again]

Well I went and did it!

Not quite what I was talking about, but I am now the proud owner of a dark blue 2011 Cayenne S (new model). It has a few options on it, but nothing extravagant. The 20' wheels, lighter beige interior and the PCM bluetooth package. Doesnt have air suspension but does have the Bose package, which is nice. Its higher mileage than normal, but the service history on it was great and shows careful maintenance for one owner!

I didnt think I could get this age model as they hold their value really well here in California. But it came up and took a look. MUCH better rear space in the back though the boot / trunk isnt great but its OK. Seats are fantastic and the uprated engine (400 BHP) is great with that 8 speed auto - really kicks down and goes as well as providing plenty of torque when you want it. Really impressed.

So thats it, I went and bought a Porsche! I am sure I will have questions though....

[Cheib]

Nice! The Petrol S is a rare beast on this side of the Atlantic...in fact Petrol Cayenne's full stop are. Even the Turbo doesn't sell that well.

[off_again]

Cheib said:

Nice! The Petrol S is a rare beast on this side of the Atlantic...in fact Petrol Cayenne's full stop are. Even the Turbo doesn't sell that well.

The daft thing is that its 1/3 more powerful than the Range Rover Sport that it replaced but is currently way more economical too! Getting a solid 20MPG so far (US gallons) and thats a pretty big improvement over the 4.4 V8 RRS! Then again, I am in CA and its around $2.69 a gallon of 91 RON here. Not the cheapest, but still way cheaper than I was used to in the UK!