Cayenne 4.8 - air suspension mandatory or not?

[Tivo]

Hi all, specifically thinking about 4.8 facelift (2007>). Been waiting for right spec one within reasonable distance to change my Cayman for with a little one on the way but over the last few months not found an ideal spec one.

Usual missing culprit is air suspension.

Would be grateful for advice from those who have tried with and without.

Is it just a comfort thing? Or comfort and handling to a strongly noticeable degree?

While I am at it is the 4.8 marginally better than 4.5 on fuel? (not particularly bothered, but interested to know)

Does the 4.8 suffer coolant pipe issues like 4.5 S?

Thanks in advance

[Pope]

Non-air cars have a jiggly ride generally; the height is also non adjustable so can make getting into/loading an issue. Air cars get PASM as standard (3 damping settings - Sport / Normal / Comfort) so never feels like the compromised, fixed damping on lower spec. cars.

Later facelift cars were available with PASM on Steel springs - GTS Versions; which also had the benefit of the switchable sports exhaust - I'll have mine in Nordic Gold........

[jackal]

Mandatory

[Callughan]

Apparently good for resale, however I have never used it on mine just leave in comfort.

[robrobc]

I have an earlier 05 KN with air, when it is working (currently in for coolant pipes) I find I use the adjustable settings more than I expected to.
I will have air as a priority option when I buy again.

Hope that helps

Rob

[unclepezza]

I have air on my CTT, generally have it set below standard ride height as a little less roll and suspension on normal or when pressing on set to sport. It drops to this ride height automagically when on the motorway along with the headlights coming on, cayenne coming through make way!

It's been said plenty of times on here, the early turbo's represent amazing value and performance.

I would miss it if I purchased another cayenne and it didn't have air.

[davek_964]

I don't think I'd buy a non air cayenne. I also use it far more than I expected - comfort mode if I feel lazy on a motorway although normal is a good compromise. While it will never be a sports car, setting it to sport and lowering the height makes it a lot of fun on a twisty road.

[David W.]

Air a must here to, I drive on many rough rural roads and it is always comfortable even on it's 21" rims. Lower mode good for grannies and dogs too.

[westberks]

essential imho.

had one without air when first launched on 19" and far too firm and lumpy a ride. Thankfully that one fell apart and they had to offer me a new order and made sure it had air on 18". massive improvement in every respect. I don't mess around with the settings too much but the general ride is far superior and dropping into sport for the country lanes is good fun.

[Tivo]

Many thanks all for the advice. Sorry for the slow follow up, I am on holiday.

All good points. Air sus it is.

Now to find a good face lift 4.8 S.

The lure of an '06 ish Turbo as an alternative is a strong call though. Will post back findings and purchase once I am there.

They seem to love their Cayennes out here on the Costa Blanca. Black exterior, beige interior, looks very cool in the Spanish sun up here in the mountains. Roof boxes and towing various water and off road craft. It reinforces my desire to stay in the Porsche fold but have something that can tow the toys & move the family while keeping the badge, giving a V8 burble, still interesting to drive, amazing value year vs year against a secondhand diesel X5 for example. The ultimate petrol head's family/toy hauler wheels?

An Audi RS could come close but no tow bar option and limited ground clearance rule it out for me.

This is a later model and slightly cheesy review of the GTS but shows some of the benefits of the breed. What a noise!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko5C82Iwcxg

Does anyone know if the 4.8 has the same coolant issues as 4.5?

The 4.8 S facelift seems to weigh 200kg less which should help perfomance.

Cheers

Matt

[Tivo]

Nordic Gold is one hell of a colour!!!

[Rockster]

Add my name to the must have air suspension. When I was looking into a Cayenne and was talking to various techs about any issues, things to avoid, things to have, etc, all told me to get the air suspension.