Sprtan

Greetings.

I am new to this board, however, I am a recent purchaser (car should be delivered within 4-6 weeks) of a Cayenne S.

I noticed some discussion about the spare tire issue (or lack thereof). For whatever reason, this is really disturbing my wife.

In working with my salesperson, we are looking at pursuing ordering/finding a similarly equipped vehicle with the inflatable spare.

My question is 1) What exactly is this inflatable spare? Is it something similar to the old "mini spare" tires that you would see on cars back in the day? and 2) Is it true that you have to sacrifice the Bose system in order to have the inflatable spare since the spare sits in the chamber that the Bose subwoofer resides in? If this is so, what type of stereo system do you get (i.e. watts, speakers, quality, etc.).

Any input would be appreciated since this spare issue is a potential deal breaker with my wife.

Thanks.

Scott & Renee in VA

First, when was the last time you used a spare?

Second I dont think the inflatable spare is available right now.

Third you get Porsche Roadside assistance to take care of you if you get a flat.

It's not a big issue to me -- in this day and age of cell phones and nav systems, you can find someone to help if you get a flat. I don't remember the last time I used a spare tire.... kinda like the floppy drives finally being left off of new laptops.

Just MHO!
Scott

slevy951

I agree with Scott. I took the spare from my 951 4 years ago (needed space for the amps). That's what cell phones are for.....

wwest

Porsche roadside service is available in the dead of winter south of grass range MT?

Last I was there my cell phone didn't work either!

Personally I wouldn't dare leave my wife without a viable spare tire. And yes, it has been a long time since I had the last flat (that I discovered out on the road anyway), but then I never used my parachute in all the years I spent in the USAF either.

Scott & Renee in VA

Depends where you live, on the east coast you're pretty much always in cell range. The patch stuff included should get you to a service station except in a severe blowout. And once the inflatable spare comes out, you can get one of those.

Sprtan

Thank you for the input.

To answer the question, I have had to change a spare tire once (I have had to use the inflatable can stuff at least twice that I can recall). During none of these instances was it a case of complete blow out. It was generally caused by road debris that got caught in my tire.

My potential concern is one more of my wife and child (w/ one on the way). Under normal circumstances, yes, she would cell phone roadside assistance who would either tow and/or bring a loaner vehicle out and send her on her way or inject the inflateable can substance. However, I am thinking more along the lines of a situation where we are remote and/or need to get to a destination quickly in advance of roadside assistance.

Nevertheless, if the option existed to get the inflatable spare in a couple of months "aftermarket" from my dealer with no great shakes, then no big deal.

Is this an alternative that has been offered to anyone?

Again, thanks.

dawktah

Well I have an idea but its a cumbersome one. A full size tire cannot fit in the space provided for it, but I have a huge speaker there anyway. I am looking to place the tire in the cargo area for long road trips. The other option I considered is to buy the set of winter tires and use one as a spare. However I don't know how that will work driving long distances in July?

If I can find three other Cayenne owners that are interested order a set of 18" or 19" wheels and split the difference. Its larger than a spare but it will allow you return home without involving roadside assistance or the delay of a trip to a tire/ service station.

Any takers?

Scott & Renee in VA

Thats not a bad idea -- I'm going to order a set of winter wheels and tires for sure as the 20"ers wont do it in the winter and gotta use this year round! I believe the inflatable spare would make more sense for the amount of space it would (wouldn't) take up -- not sure if there's anywhere to put it as I understand there's an aux battery there now. But a small spare in a nice spare cover would be fine in the back. Chances are you wont use it but...

Also you can of course get the big fullsize spare on the exterior rear of the Cayenne -- I think aftermarket it costs around $5k though.

Cay-ute

Been going around and around with the dealer on this issue, and am holding their quality survey hostage as well. My S has the on-board air compressor and TPS but when I am 30 miles into the mountains I want the comfort of having a spare tire. I was reasonably placated when I bought the S with air and TPS, but last weekend my wife ran over a hoe (not ho!!) that some landscaper dropped and it destroyed the sidewall of a tire on her Acura MDX. The MDX had a spare and we were on our way in 15 min.

Those that are going to depend on Porsche Roadside assistant really ought to think about what that service is going to provide. I doubt seriously that Porsche is going to provide 18, 19, and 20 inch replacement tires to their roadside assistants. I have been polling tire stores here in Colorado and there are none that carry the Cayenne size tires, there are some 18 inch tires but none of the pirellis and none of the Bridgestones. I haven't asked about 19s and 20s.

dawktah - I would gladly go in for one of the four tires you might order, however, I just tried to order another set of wheels and tires (summer tires) and was told that they were not available.

To add a little insult to injury, I have not been able to find the Pirelli Scorpion A/T (18) in 255 55 18. It appears that only the Porsche dealers are going to have this tire.

Needless to say I am moving from simmer to boil on this whole issue. I have bought 4 Porsche's from this dealer over the years so I am reasonably sure they would do whatever they could to placate me on this issue. However, the collapsible spare, the rear tire carrier, and tire and wheel sets are unavailable to them. If anyone knows of a dealer that has any of these things I would love to know.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!

GM Austin

My dealer told me this issue has been solved. The extra battery under the subwoofer has been eliminated and the capacity of the primary battery increased. I have read elsewhere that Porsche was moving the subwoofer to another part of the car. I am not clear when this is to take place; maybe the 2004 models will have the change. Bill Hodges has a good discussion of the issue in his newsletter: <a href="http://thalist.com/newsletter.html" target="_blank">thalist newsletter</a>

dawktah

I have heard from my dealer and my TT landed in Baltimore on 4/1/03. So its on its way! I will let everyone know if the space for the spare is empty! God blessing me it will be empty and I can add the spare when it becomes available.

I will have to keep after my dealer to find out if I have the '03 configuration can it be retrofitted to the new battery, relocation of subwoofer, etc.

wwest

Be aware...

That any spare tire you use will likely need to be very close to the circumference of the other three.

EuroCarNut

Not quite a spare tire issue, but I need a spare SET of tires for off-roading (Texas Ranch with mesquite thorns and cactus, not just gravel and dirt roads). I called my dealer and he researched it and the conclusion was: Pirelli Scorpions on factory 18" rims as recommended by Porsche for off-road use. The only problem is that they are $3375 / set. For $3375, I can buy a spare late 80's Jeep Wrangler to keep at the ranch. Sounds more practical than keeping a spare set of tires that I'd have to switch on and off every time I went to the ranch.

C4FDR

I would be interested in spliting a 4 wheel/tire purchase. My C-S will gave 18" Cayenne Turbo wheels with all season tires.

fdr@fdrmotorsports.com
(916) 989-0580

Tool Pants

I went to a Cayenne/Boxster tech session at my local dealer yesterday. I have a Boxster and did not pay much attention to the Cayenne that was taken apart but I did take some pictures. It was a Cayenne S - no Bose.

Here is the battery under the driver's seat.

<img src="http://www.986host.com/albums/ToolPants/tech_session_4_12_042.sized.jpg" alt=" - " />

Here is the rear battery under the black plastic cover with the 2 metal straps. You can see that the area it is shaped for an inflatable spare. To the right is the black can of flat goop in a plastic bag, and to the right of that is the tool kit.

<img src="http://www.986host.com/albums/ToolPants/tech_session_4_12_043.sized.jpg" alt=" - " />