Run, Forest, Run...

Yes, I know, the Pig is "all things to all people". The "perfect SUV". The symbol of the New Porsche, the Death Star for the Evil Dr. W.

However, before getting in deep with the Pig, make sure it does what you are buying it for.

IMHO, it is perhaps one of the best compromise vehicles available...you just have to be willing to compromise on just about every aspect.
If you're OK with that, then congratulations on your new Cayenne.

 

Well, I haven't taken the G to its limits off road, but pretty darned close. If the Transsyberia is to get even close, it will need all of the off road options, including a tire upgrade asap.

There's one sitting at a dealer here in Atlanta. They hung most of the bells and whistles on it, but none of the off road stuff; and it's still $94,500. It does have the roof lights and side art, so it looks good; but those are two of the many things I would leave out.

Dealer wants me to take a GTS home one night to see what I think. That will probably tell me more about the size limitations, sight lines, etc than anything.

Thanks for all of the feedback.

 

You must not have done an oil change on a 993!

While the oil change on a Cayenne is by no means a simple 1 drain plug and twist off the filter, IMHO it's nowhere close to a pain in the ***. You don't even need to jack it up. After the first time (finding which screws need to come off for the shield takes a bit) it can be done in about 30 - 40 min.

 

+1

 

I have a cayenne GTS and have taken a few rides in the gelaendewagen that lives down the street. the G seems very top heavy compared to the GTS, and the GTS has a more sporty feel vs the truck type ride of the G. the G has of course a more luxury type interior, but all the same stuff like heated seats and such are there.
during the 9 month wasatch front winter the GTS performed great in all conditions, good fun in the ice and snow. but I haven't taken it on anything more off road then the old subaru wagon could handle.
for what little highway driving I've done the GTS felt solid with lots of top end.


cargo space might be a breaking point for you. the rear seats don't fold down flat and you have to put golf clubs at an angle to fit in the back of the cayenne. the GTS rear door closes at an angle vs the box door of the G, so much space is lost there.
tell the dealer you want to take the GTS out muddin for comparison.

 

You're right about the cargo space; and the dealer is now saying that he's not sure he can let me have a GTS over night. Welsher!

 

Out of curiousity, where is the oil filter located on the GTS engine in the Transsyberia? I looked at one in the showroom, and it was not visible that I could see.

One of the nice things about the current MB engines is that the filter is located up on top of the engine. When you unscrew the filter housing, all oil runs back into the engine and down into the oil pan. That way there's no slop or mess.

How about on this engine?

 

Underneath the car, remove the undercar covers first. On air susp models just pump it up and slide under

 

Well not NOWHERE to what your looking at but I have a cayenne turbo s on 20 inch sport techno and I have gone offroading with it quite far my friend with his range rover we are always up to a challenge with these suv's. I think you will quite surprised with the transaberria . I have done all my maintenance on mine and it has been no problem there are little loop holes in the system so you can get by with out the dealer hand in it.

 

just get it and be sure to kick up some pics!!

 

On the 4.5L S engine the oil filter is a cartridge style on the lower front drivers side of the engine. Pretty much under where a power steering pump would be on most engines.

FWIW, the cartridge element is the same as the one for the 996 and it has a 996 part number.

Not hard at all, just have to remove the shield screws and shield. Of course I have no idea how much more difficult it is on a Transibera w/ off-road pkg.

Yes, the oil filter location on the top is the same way BMW has been doing it for awhile.

 

Not sure if it makes any diff, but the Transsyberia comes with the higher HP GTS engine. Still sounds like it's not as convenient as the MB engines, which you can change the oil in your best clothes and not get dirty.

 

Just did my first oil change and it was no big deal. It took about the same amount of time as it did on my Passat, it also has the belly pan. Is it that big of a deal when you only have to change the oil every 20K?

 

You are correct. However, since I change oil and filter on a new engine at 1k, 5k and every 5k thereafter, it is a little bit bigger of a deal.

 

Many years ago I was in the "every 3,000 miles" camp but since oil quality has improved dramatically I now do most of my cars between 7,500 and 10,000 miles. I basically want to cut the recommended interval in half, otherwise I would run them out to about 12,500.

The 993, since it's air cooled is the exception.

Just my .02