As most, lifelong Porsche fan here but limited 1st-hand exposure. I'm looking at jumping into the P-car world with a used one but am curious about the longer term durability of interior bits like switches, handles and panels. I've got too much experience with VW and their apparent knack for parts lasting 15-16 years. After that point, interior plastic panels, latches, headliner are all falling apart. And, the soft touch finishes are peeling off, etc. The little diesel is still stroking like a champ, though! I really hope that the 2 are NOT synced on their materials selections!

Honestly, I've been in Toyota's most of my life and no, their stuff isn't bulletproof, but the plastic stuff seems a good bit more long term durable. I've replaced all the interior door handles in a Camry over years, rear gate latch on a Sequoia, window trim on a Tundra, etc... It all boils down to base materials.

We typically keep cars for the long haul, so I'm curious what I'd be in for and what I should expect from the Cayenne line if it's already 8-10 yrs old? There are way more gadgets in these jewels! Your insights and experiences would be appreciated!

BTW, we also have 944 NA that my son and I just finished timing belts on, so we should have that P-car on the road in the next week or so! He's super excited. Good shape car that needs a little TLC (don't they all?)


Thanks!

 

This comes up on a regular basis. Reliability is far worse than a toyota. Fun factor is way higher. Expect to pay multiples for OEM parts than you think they should cost. Examples:

Water pump: $500
Alternator: $1,300
Serpentine belt: $110
Windshield wiper arm: $155
Headlight harness wires: $60
Gasket around headlignt: $60

Also, expect to work on it regularly especially if you go with a V8/TT model. If you don't do your own work, set aside at least $2-4k per year for shop visits... and as has been stated, may God help you. They are cheap to acquire, because they are NOT cheap to own.

 

To be honest my interior is pretty mint on my '06 with 123k miles .... wish the same could be said of the engine

 

Thanks for the replies and for putting some of the hard part costs into perspective. I'm pretty religious about factory Toyota parts, so I'm used to a premium. A couple of the online dealers seem to have the parts down to a point that aren't totally objectionable. And, I'm definitely a diy'er. Except for the free oil changes on the Tundra, I've never had a car at a dealer for repair. It almost turns my stomach to drop it off with them.
We've got a 944S engine build in the garage now to get another one back on the street.
I'm also a used car buyer- let somebody else eat the depreciation, which is almost sickening on a Cayenne! If I was a new buyer anyway... but as a used shopper, wow!

I'm very interested in any more views on the accessories- door handles, power mirrors and seats, A/C, window regulators, handles and door switches. What a PITA a broken door switch on a Beetle is!

Thanks again!

 

One hard part question... timing belt? I haven't seen much mention of it. Are the v-8's using a chain?

 

In my 10 year old 2008 CGTS, the only switch that is fubar is the overhead light switch. Everything else is spot on.

 

Yes, these engines are chain driven. Long term durability and German cannot be used in the same sentence.

 

On the GTS, is that air system pretty solid? Any common issues? Are there separate dampers to replace or are they integrated into the air system?

I saw some prices and troubleshooting from another guy with an airside issue, so I'm a little familiar.

 

Timing chain. I think most, if not all modern engines designs moved away from timing belts. Even Toyota moved to chain by mid 2000's.

If you're used to Toyota dealer prices, some of which can get pretty wild (I have 4 Toyota's), Cayenne OEM prices may not shock you as much. I was expecting costs to be higher myself. Aftermarket support on many parts is not bad at all due to platform being shared with Touareg/Q7, though interior trim (trim only, not the underlying stuff like HVAC system) and V8 engines are Porsche only.

As for interior plastics, some of the earlier Cayennes are now hitting 15yr mark, and I have not seen much reported in terms of interior plastics issues. Plastic coolant and vacuum lines in the engine bay do present a problem, but those would be far easier to replace even with aftermarket parts than interior, of course.

 

Thanks again for the replies.

I'd counter that belts are still common with my 4.7l Toyo being belt driven. The 5.7 in the Tundra went chain, though. Porsches dive into belts on the 944s were a big fail, though! Lol.
Good to hear the the interiors are fairly robust. What I tell my wife is that I can't fix broke plastic! With everything else, I have a shot.
I've read the coolant pipe threads front to back- not scared of that one. That said, will probably be '09 or '10 and should miss it. People are shocked about the starter location... Toyota's are in the same place. And, it's not convenient! But is what it is.
Hopefully the fact that I also have a Wrangler indicates that I am glutton for punishment! At least a little anyway!!

 

I have the carbon fiber interior trim (which I think is by far the best looking interior with black leather) and have had to reglue 3 pieces back on after a really cold winter one year. Two of the exterior door moldings have come loose as well.

The HVAC vents pretty regularly break on people and are not cheap to replace. Make sure you take a good look at the plastic buttons on the steering wheel, console, etc. I have seen pics of used Cayennes where it looked like someone let a honey badger loose, however mine are perfect. Maybe it's hit and miss depending on which plastic coating your car got or perhaps reckless acrylic finger nails are the culprit? The full leather interior which is standard on the CTT and an option on others is quite a bit swankier compared to the base if you are really into interiors.

 

To answer your specific question, the interior is actually pretty durable.

It won't withstand abuse, and if it wasn't taken care of, it will show it. If it had kids in it, it will show it.

The plastic coating on the steering wheel buttons is not super durable, and seeing as it gets hit by a lot of fingernails, those buttons often look 'peeley'.

The headliner does have a tendency to fall down after time. Mine hasn't, but others have.

The seatbacks also have a tendency to become loose. They can be re-attached.

Some folks have had issues with door handles & locking. It's not common, thought.

The leather seats stand up pretty well. Switches and buttons do to. Again, how was it treated? Treated gently, they will last for a long time. Abused... Not so much.

One handy way to evaluate what problem areas are common is to simply page back through the forum.
Common issues come up a lot. Uncommon issues don't (Captain Obvious, at your service).

 

 

Got to agree- it looks superb. That does seem like a good sign. My perception from looking at a couple was good, as well.
One surprising thing though on yours... crazy design flaw--> they put the steering wheel on the wrong side!!!

Hope that ticking is less than a catastrophic issue.

 

Mine looks very, very good at 190,000 miles