2016 Cayenne S diesel software recall - emissions

[nutsyH]

Anyone had this done yet? Mine was done just prior to the last lockdown. I was assured by my OPC that power/torque would not be affected and the software change was purely on the "sport" mode. Supposedly the mode would revert to comfort if the software sensed that the car was not being used "sportily" - whatever that means.

Anyway, because of lockdown I haven't driven the car until the past week. I find that it will no longer take 8th gear in comfort mode when driven legally. Even cruising at 70 it sits in 7th. If I upchange by the paddle it drops back to 7th as soon as D takes over from M on the display. Pushing it further, I find it upchanges to 8th at 75, IE illegal speeds. Before the upgrade it happily sat in 8th at 50+.

Its back at OPC next week. Anyone else finding this problem?
Paul

[Scrump]

Not on a Porsche but this sounds remarkably similar to many people who have a similar emissions update on the V6 Mercedes diesel.
Prior to the update the car selected top gear (7 or 9) somewhere just over 50mph. Post the update the car won’t select top gear until over 75mph.

[timfr]

We have the same Cayenne and have received the dreaded recall notice. Next service and warranty renewal not due until September 2021, so have been holding off as long as possible, as do not want to lose any of the power or flexibility. Also have a friend in exactly the same situation.

Please keep us updated on your progress and good luck

[David W.]

Mine was done at last service a month or so ago. I’ve been driving it a reasonable amount and haven’t detected any difference, it’s still a mega car. Will keep an eye on its behaviour in 8th when next out.

[bigblock]

I had the software update to my 2016 V8 diesel done 3 months ago during a service and I have also noticed it tends to hold 7th gear for longer but it does change up eventually.

The most disappointing aspect of the software update for me is that it has made the sport plus engine mode much less aggressive. In manual mode prior to the update it would hold all the gears until you made an upshift on the paddles now it upshifts automatically when you reach the redline, not ideal when deep into a corner. It is also much softer on the downshifts when in auto, previously if you braked hard before turning in it would drop down to the lowest possible gear but now as you exit the corner and come back on the power it always seems to be one gear to high.

It also switches off the sport plus mode very quickly as soon as it senses you are driving normally (constant speed), this is annoying if you are on a lengthy section of road with decent bends but every now and then have to follow another car until there is an opportunity to overtake and make progress.

The only advantage with the update is that it appears to have made the exhaust louder when in sport plus mode

The software change is not a disaster but it has softened what was a genuine track focussed driving mode.

[nutsyH]

Thanks Bigblock

When I discussed it with OPC before allowing them to do the upgrade, they did warn me that it affected the sport mode, in exactly the way you describe. I haven't tried mine yet in sport but expect the same results. Only used Sport once, at a Porsche handling day at Abingdon airfield, where I beat the Macan Turbos for FTD! They were well p*ssed off. For sport fun I use my Boxster S, the Cayenne is my daily and caravan tower.

In comfort, it takes 8th at 75 but won't hold it before that, even in manual. Back at OPC next Monday so will report back on here.

[nutsyH]

David W. said:

Mine was done at last service a month or so ago. I’ve been driving it a reasonable amount and haven’t detected any difference, it’s still a mega car. Will keep an eye on its behaviour in 8th when next out.

David

Any chance you could let me know before next Monday please? Particularly watch for 8th not dropping in until touching 75mph, and not holding if you shift manually in the 50's and 60's.

Thanks

[2mpete]

nutsyH said:

David W. said:

Mine was done at last service a month or so ago. I’ve been driving it a reasonable amount and haven’t detected any difference, it’s still a mega car. Will keep an eye on its behaviour in 8th when next out.

David

Any chance you could let me know before next Monday please? Particularly watch for 8th not dropping in until touching 75mph, and not holding if you shift manually in the 50's and 60's.

Thanks

That sounds like it will seriously annoy. I too am holding off the recall having had the letter. Due in for a service in c.3 months and not looking forward to it.

[David W.]

nutsyH said:

David

Any chance you could let me know before next Monday please? Particularly watch for 8th not dropping in until touching 75mph, and not holding if you shift manually in the 50's and 60's.

Thanks

Will do.

[nutsyH]

I have just spoken to Porsche GB about this and raised a formal complaint in great detail. They have promised to discuss with my OPC (Swindon) before next Monday, and come back to me. This is another VW group emissions scandal I reckon.

[chazd]

I am currently in discussions with Porsche in returning my vehicle because of this. I am now having to refer to the Financial ombudsman (PCP vehicle)

I am due a service and have held off as been advised Porsche will undertake the recall regardless.

Heard nothing but negative comments after the recall and having sports chrono, the sport and sport plus will be over ridden when vehicle detects normal driving.

I queried a number of aspects and impacts including fuel economy, torque graph, power delivery etc and Porsche are unable to give me a response

Poor show on a vehicle purchased for over £90k!

[David W.]

I don’t believe the Porsche dealer has any say over doing the recall work as it’s being monitored by DVLA.

[paulne3]

Mine just had its 6 year service (slightly early) today. I declined to have this recall work done (although I bit their hand off re the transfer box oil !) and the OPC were fine about it - “it’s your car at the end of the day sir”. They did point out it would have to be done if I wanted an extended warranty (which I don’t) and that if something happened to the engine then not having the recall done would jeopardise a goodwill payment (which after 6 years I think is highly unlikely anyway).

[Notsip8]

paulne3 said:

Mine just had its 6 year service (slightly early) today. I declined to have this recall work done (although I bit their hand off re the transfer box oil !) and the OPC were fine about it - “it’s your car at the end of the day sir”. They did point out it would have to be done if I wanted an extended warranty (which I don’t) and that if something happened to the engine then not having the recall done would jeopardise a goodwill payment (which after 6 years I think is highly unlikely anyway).

Which OPC was this ?
My local would not do the transfer fluid change when I declined the software update

[m3jappa]

I dont use ours a lot but i have to say i haven't noticed too much of a negative impact.

Yes it does seem to revert back to comfort style quickly, yes 8th doesnt seem to work as such.

However when im pushing on i use the manual mode anyway and dont think its a lot different.

Still a great car and will be stumped when its due replacement. Not sure how much i want a v6 s compared to the diesel (oh how i never thought id say that ) we shall see closer to the time.

[Malo]

Hi. I'm looking at purchasing a 2017 model Diesel S. Would this be subject to the software upgrade? If so I might not proceed.

[chazd]

Malo said:

Hi. I'm looking at purchasing a 2017 model Diesel S. Would this be subject to the software upgrade? If so I might not proceed.

Yes it will

[Cheib]

I’ll check this today on ours....ours doesn’t have Sports Chrono I drew the line at speccing that after ticking so many other boxes. Ours was serviced about two weeks ago and I haven’t driving it much since. For me on a car like this warranty is essential so anything that would mean I couldn’t get a warranty wouldn’t be considered. Great car but mine has had two or three issues which I am definitely glad I had a warranty.

[timfr]

We bought our 2016 Diesel S from a Porsche GB owned main dealer last year and were very impressed with the service. Having read the various comments above re the software update problems, on Thursday I emailed them to ask for information, stating my concerns as to possible loss of performance, which surely equals loss of value.

I received a very prompt response advising that they were unaware of any such issues but would check with their service dept. and come back to me. I will post further when I receive the response.

Still love the car which makes a great stable mate for my 993 2S

[David W.]

nutsyH said:

David

Any chance you could let me know before next Monday please? Particularly watch for 8th not dropping in until touching 75mph, and not holding if you shift manually in the 50's and 60's.

Thanks

My observations this morning. Vehicle fully up to temp, level roads, constant accelerator inputs, car does not have sports+.
It drops into 8th sooner 70-71 in sport than comfort 75-77! The reverse of what you would expect.
In manual in both sport and comfort it will change up to 8th at 62 and hang onto 8th down to 60-61, no change up to 8th in the 50s possible.
Other observations I have a change up indicator, hadn’t realised this but instruction book mentions it so it was always there.
Other observation, what bl**dy good cars these are, the only thing that might replace it is new v8 Cayenne GTS (but not coupe) as tested by YouTube Remove Before Race this week, but without alcantara accents and houndstooth seats as the white would get grubby in a work vehicle.
Hope this helps.

Edited by David W. on Saturday 12th December 17:55