Hi fellow rennlisters,

I've been reading this forum recently and thanks for all the very useful info and discussion! Also, I've been considering an '03 Cayenne S recently and would appreciate your input on variable-assisted steering. Do you like it or not and why?

Any comments are greatly appreciated!

Ahsai

 

I've only had my Cayenne a few days but I think it's good for an SUV to make it easier to park and handle at low speeds. But it kind of hurts the road feel. There has to be some trade-offs in a vehicle like this.

 

Like what? I have it, so I wouldn't even know what the car feels like without it.

 

I have it , but like Addict above do not notice it. I think the steering is responsive at highway speeds as well as easy to use when parking the truck.

 

Well, the steering doesn't feel like a 911 when I'm driving it yet it's easy to manuever in tight spots. That's what I mean about trade offs.

 

I opted against getting it. I prefer the feel without it, especially the tight feel at slower speeds.

 

Servo Assist I think the option was called - Luv It!

Great boost when going slow and tight (especially nice when towing the trailer) but at speed it is almost non-existance for great road feel!

 

Was this an option or standard on all?

 

It is on the option list but when I was looking for my Cayenne S a couple of months ago I did not find one that did not have it. All of them had it.

It was in each and every one that I checked out in the 4 dealers I went to. I have a feeling it is something that dealers always order. Perhaps it is a "typically-equipped option" like floor mats are always included.

 

This is an option. It makes sense to have this feature in a large offroad vehicle, to help maneuver it in tight spots.

 

Thanks for all the replies! They really help.

- Ahsai

 

I'm sure that the only steering that feels like a 911 is a 911 :-D

Checked out your PBase galleries. "Cars" album is sweet.

 

Thanks....Guess that's why I keep buying them again after trying something else.

 

A non assist steering rack in a 911 (RSAmerica, Cup cars) pretty much sets the standard for feel/feedback.

 

Dirty little PAG secret #11:

Options that don't meet pre production marketing predicitons/expectations.

Say you develop an option....oh, I don't know, like ServoAssist steering, rearview camera, Cayenne Powerkit.....at a fairly substantial cost for development, tooling, testing, etc....and give an annual production # to the supplier in order to get a guaranteed price.

Now let's say folks don't order the option (uneducated buyers) and PAG is stuck with LOTS of inventory they had to purchase from their suppliers per agreements/contracts.....

What to do?

Simple.

Start installing them in all fleet/dealer/PCNA spec'd vehicles in order to run down the inventory
and/or
Invent a new model variant (CTTS or CSTi) and start loading those options on at a reduced cost to minimize your losses and meet overall vehicle sales #s