Diesel Macan - why so mundane?

[Osinjak]

This is not meant to be a slight on owners of diesel Macans but after having one for 24hrs I can't quite believe how dull it is. It is a very nice car and a lovely place to sit but the engine is so underpowered and lifeless that I just can't get my head around it, particularly when the SQ5 has 335bhp. I don't know, I just expected a bit more welly and fun to be had! Expectation management perhaps?

[castroses]

Because a diesel Porsche is an abomination.......?

[Cheib]

I think for a Cayenne or Macan to feel anything like a Porsche you need to avoid the base models...they are mundane with the base engines I think. I am picking up a new Cayenne S Diesel in a couple of weeks...drive the base Diesel and really didn't think the engine was as good as the chassis...they are both very capable cars but under powered in base spec.

[bompey]

Try the GTS or Turbo. They're both more fun to drive and with good amounts of power.

[the tribester]

So in your opinion the 245hp Macan has less performance than the 335hp SQ5.
And you needed to drive it to know that?

[Osinjak]

the tribester said:

So in your opinion the 245hp Macan has less performance than the 335hp SQ5.
And you needed to drive it to know that?

For the sake of your miscomprehension, I'll reword it for you:

'The diesel Macan is 252bhp and underpowered. If Audi can stick a 335bhp in their SQ5, why can't Porsche do something similar?'

Happy now? If not, pick a pointless fight somewhere else.

[paul789]

the tribester said:

So in your opinion the 245hp Macan has less performance than the 335hp SQ5.
And you needed to drive it to know that?

You read his post, then looked up the power figures for the Macan and the SQ5 in order to shoot him down.

Doesn't that count as amateur sleuthing and wanton, brazen contrarianism?

And all this in your 1st post, having never had another account here.

[boxsey]

Surely the Tribester makes a fair point....why compare a diesel Macan which as at the lower end of the Macan range to a petrol SQ5 which is at the top of the Q5 range? Surely the comparison should be the petrol Macan S to the SQ5?

[Osinjak]

boxsey said:

Surely the Tribester makes a fair point....why compare a diesel Macan which as at the lower end of the Macan range to a petrol SQ5 which is at the top of the Q5 range? Surely the comparison should be the petrol Macan S to the SQ5?

At the same time as the Macan diesel was launched Audi were still putting a V6 diesel in their SQ5 which pushed out 335bhp. The engine in the Macan is sourced from the Audi unit apparently.

[JimmyTheHand]

Porsche will have set up their range for their objectives and wouldn't want the SD to compete too much with the 3.0 & 3.6 Petrol engines. The SD is most likely there to increase sales and increase their range's overall economy figures (IIRC there is an EU directive around a make's ranges economy figures) . It is aimed at people who wouldn't normally consider having a Porsche (or not for family car). If you think it is underpowered I'd suggest a few weeks in something like a Kia Sportage.

Last time I drove a Q5 I found it rather underwhelming to drive - power wasn't the issue, it just felt heavy and lacking agility and I couldn't imagine wanting to take it near what the engine could deliver anywhere other than the motorway - A similarly sized BMW felt much better to drive (despite Q5 being better looking) then there is the Macan better still and looks good.

Want a Diesel with more power then BMW or Audi

[thebraketester]

castroses said:

Because a diesel Porsche is an abomination.......?

Yep. ^^^

[Osinjak]

JimmyTheHand said:

Porsche will have set up their range for their objectives and wouldn't want the SD to compete too much with the 3.0 & 3.6 Petrol engines. The SD is most likely there to increase sales and increase their range's overall economy figures (IIRC there is an EU directive around a make's ranges economy figures) . It is aimed at people who wouldn't normally consider having a Porsche (or not for family car). If you think it is underpowered I'd suggest a few weeks in something like a Kia Sportage.

Last time I drove a Q5 I found it rather underwhelming to drive - power wasn't the issue, it just felt heavy and lacking agility and I couldn't imagine wanting to take it near what the engine could deliver anywhere other than the motorway - A similarly sized BMW felt much better to drive (despite Q5 being better looking) then there is the Macan better still and looks good.

Want a Diesel with more power then BMW or Audi

Having spent a day in a hired Kia C'eed eco tree hugger, anything will feel more powerful, awful thing. I'm in a 335d at the moment so in terms of welly I have a tricky benchmark. I didn't expect the SD to match it in terms of performance but I was still a bit disappointed with it, I just felt that Porsche could have put an engine in it with a bit more zip. Anyway, I spent an afternoon today in a GTS, wonderful thing. Really enjoyed the drive and a step change from the petrol S that I drove beforehand. Beyond what I want to spend really but if anyone in this thread owns one, I salute you. A fine choice.

[JimmyTheHand]

Osinjak said:

I'm in a 335d at the moment so in terms of welly I have a tricky benchmark. I didn't expect the SD to match it in terms of performance but I was still a bit disappointed with it, I just felt that Porsche could have put an engine in it with a bit more zip. Anyway, I spent an afternoon today in a GTS, wonderful thing. Really enjoyed the drive and a step change from the petrol S that I drove beforehand. Beyond what I want to spend really but if anyone in this thread owns one, I salute you. A fine choice.

They did in the S GTS & Turbo - just they are petrol, I suspect the designers only put in SD into range grudgingly and it was given a specific niche to sit in that wouldn't overlap the others - however you wouldn't be the only one thinks more power is needed - Facebook post - 480 hp and 742 lb/torque diesel Macan!

The SD is more like the X4 3.0D. When I test drove a SD it felt the default response mapping of gearbox & throttle felt somewhere between Eco-Pro and Comfort mode as a result it felt a bit less lively than my X3 3.0D - but switch both to sport and tbh I couldn't really tell them much apart. when mine turns up, I expect it to just as fast sitting in stop go traffic on motorway as a turbo version and leave most vehicles under hard acceleration but generally be a nice place to sit and stop stress of traffic getting to me.

If you are serious at buying a Macan - then you may want to look FAQ - what should I spec as some things you may not think of, but I am not sure about all of the suggestions

[Osinjak]

JimmyTheHand said:

They did in the S GTS & Turbo - just they are petrol, I suspect the designers only put in SD into range grudgingly and it was given a specific niche to sit in that wouldn't overlap the others - however you wouldn't be the only one thinks more power is needed - Facebook post - 480 hp and 742 lb/torque diesel Macan!

The SD is more like the X4 3.0D. When I test drove a SD it felt the default response mapping of gearbox & throttle felt somewhere between Eco-Pro and Comfort mode as a result it felt a bit less lively than my X3 3.0D - but switch both to sport and tbh I couldn't really tell them much apart. when mine turns up, I expect it to just as fast sitting in stop go traffic on motorway as a turbo version and leave most vehicles under hard acceleration but generally be a nice place to sit and stop stress of traffic getting to me.

If you are serious at buying a Macan - then you may want to look FAQ - what should I spec as some things you may not think of, but I am not sure about all of the suggestions

Cheers for the link will have a look and enjoy your new purchase! Diesel or petrol they are still very nice cars.