Cayenne gearbox

[Takemeaway]

I've recently bought a 2015 diesel and am very underwhelmed by the gearbox and was wondering if this is the norm given it's such a heavy car.

Selecting reverse is far from smooth, it feels quite forced and clunky, especially when cold
There's a bit of a lurch forwards when it canters from gear to gear as the car slows down
Sometimes feels like it over revs whilst accelerating (difficult to describe)
Too much hesitation (IMO) as it downshifts if you put your foot down

Is it cause for concern or do i just need to adapt from a previous sportier car

[David W.]

Never had or heard of gearbox issues as described, are you sure it’s not transfer box which is common.

[Takemeaway]

David W. said:

Never had or heard of gearbox issues as described, are you sure it’s not transfer box which is common.

Thanks - never had a Cayenne before or a transfer box issue but my issues seem gearbox related

Are the symptoms i've described transfer box related? Most noticeable is the gearbox clunk into reverse

Would be good to know before i have to throw money at Porsche for a diagnosis

[David W.]

Car jerking in reverse is a sure sign, the Porsche tech only moved mine 10 feet to know. Assume similar can be caused going forward as well, in fact just remembered someone commenting it feeling like driving over cats eyes. Google transfer box symptoms, there must be lots on the net about this.

[MrHappy]

Clunking when moving into reverse is common if you’ve parked on a slope without using the handbrake. Not sure about the other symptoms.

[Takemeaway]

MrHappy said:

Clunking when moving into reverse is common if you’ve parked on a slope without using the handbrake. Not sure about the other symptoms.

It clunks when selecting reverse rather than actually reversing, is this also a symptom?

[The Wookie]

My old 2013 V8D was a bit clumsy changing from 2nd to 1st when you slowed to a crawl without stopping, but none of the other symptoms you described. It was never any different, even when I first had it with 10k on the clock.

Because I did a lot of towing I did gearbox and transfer case fluid changes at about half the recommended mileage (think I did it the first time at about 40k)

By the time I sold the car it had suffered it's share of problems but the drivetrain was perfect and that seems to be relatively rare. Only anecdotal but worth considering for anyone else that still has a low enough mileage car for it to be relevant to!

[MrHappy]

Takemeaway said:

MrHappy said:

Clunking when moving into reverse is common if you’ve parked on a slope without using the handbrake. Not sure about the other symptoms.

It clunks when selecting reverse rather than actually reversing, is this also a symptom?

I don’t believe so. With the two Cayennes I’ve had, if you put it into park on a slope (doesn’t need to be much of one) without putting the handbrake on first then the car rolls a little and puts tension into the drivetrain/selector making it harder to release the gear lever from park.

[Spuffington]

Takemeaway said:

I've recently bought a 2015 diesel and am very underwhelmed by the gearbox and was wondering if this is the norm given it's such a heavy car.

Selecting reverse is far from smooth, it feels quite forced and clunky, especially when cold
There's a bit of a lurch forwards when it canters from gear to gear as the car slows down
Sometimes feels like it over revs whilst accelerating (difficult to describe)
Too much hesitation (IMO) as it downshifts if you put your foot down

Is it cause for concern or do i just need to adapt from a previous sportier car

Unfortunately all the problems you describe are ones I experiences with my 2017 958 GTS. Porsche accepted the issues were there but in spite of software updates, gearbox adaptation resets, reflashing of TCU and all kinds of other interventions, the problem remained and I ended up rejecting the car. Still reckon the car is out there on the road with the issues.

[Takemeaway]

Spuffington said:

Unfortunately all the problems you describe are ones I experiences with my 2017 958 GTS. Porsche accepted the issues were there but in spite of software updates, gearbox adaptation resets, reflashing of TCU and all kinds of other interventions, the problem remained and I ended up rejecting the car. Still reckon the car is out there on the road with the issues.

I'm very 50:50 with this car and haven't yet taken to it which is a shame as it cost me a fortune!

I need to test drive one or two others, also noticed that it gets into second gear really quickly, hardly even notice it being in first, i wonder if this is a symptom of anything?!

[FezzaDude]

not sure if its the same issue, but I have a Audi s5 and I had identical symptoms to what you describe which turned out that my mechatronic unit in the gearbox had failed and needed replacing. It stared off clunky and lurchy as you described however I left it untreated until after about 1 year and the car began to skip gears until finally it was not drivable, might be worth getting it checked out

Edited by FezzaDude on Thursday 30th December 12:25

[Aluminati]

Takemeaway said:

I'm very 50:50 with this car and haven't yet taken to it which is a shame as it cost me a fortune!

I need to test drive one or two others, also noticed that it gets into second gear really quickly, hardly even notice it being in first, i wonder if this is a symptom of anything?!

I did a double flush on my transfer case fluid, with Gen Porsche oil. All good now.