Hi All,
New member her and I think the time has come to buy myself a prestige 4x4 with a few creature comforts rather than driving around in my current bone cruncher - I'm getting too old now!

I will do some more surfing on this forum but would appreciate a link to a buyers guide and potential issues to look out for but for now a few questions;

Probably looking to spend around £10K here in the UK so this is most likely to get me an early Cayenne in the 2004-2006 age range.
Ideally I wanted to get a 4.5S but not against the 3.2.

- I read with some horror however about cylinder wear and knocking noises at low revs and Porsche recommendation of a new engine / short block - this concerns me greatly!! Is this an isolated or common problem?
- Was this rectified on the 957 v 955?
- I also read about the plastic coolant pipe issue - so guess this is worth a check?

Anything else I should look out for, assume Porsche service history a must.

Any issues with models with those models that came with air suspension. On non-porsche models I have seen many people replace with standard coilovers?

All info appreciated. I did drive a 4.5S but only on a short country road journey no faster than 30 miles a hour and the garage selling it didnt fill me with any confidence so I walked away (no service book and no handbook to check why their was an exclamation mark on the display - they said it was because fuel was low?)

Cheers

 

You do realize that the Cayenne - or the P!g as it is called in these parts - is mostly a Volkswagen..?

 

Aren't all Pokers! lol

Yep I understand its built on same base as a VW Tourag and that the 3.2version is from the R32 Golf.

I'm looking at them too btw.

As far as prestige goes I guess I was referring to the badge more than anything.

 

I currently drive an '09 Touareg and I love it.

Then I picked up my Cayenne in Germany and they are so so different.

Similarity: Both are white

 

'09 is not a fair comparison to current version. The Cayenne D vs my Touareg TDI (current version) is the comparison. Porsche has infinitely more luxurious interior and seats. Drive is similar but handling is tuned better on Cayenne. In Europe, you can get a Touareg matched very close. Here the Touareg is de-contented because it would cost too much and its all about marketing. Why the Phaeton failed here...few wanted to pay $$ for the VW badge despite the fact it was/is a superior ride and better than the A8. So, I get the badge thing.

 

Gotcha.

 

Prestige is in the eye of the beholder.

Most people don't know what it is, those who take a minute or two to look generally go, "I didn't know Porsh [sic] made a truck!" To which the non-dick response is, "Yeah, and it's a pretty good truck. I like it, and I got a great deal on it." And most 'real' Porsche owners consider it a bastard at best, only suitable to drive when you have too much stuff or *** to haul to take the 'real' Porsche, or as a tow vehicle for the 'real' Porsche.

Much like the 914, the real prestige is in owning and sticking with something so onerous to own on so many levels. The only vehicle lower on the pecking order is the Panamera. Even replica Speedsters get more respect than P!gs.

That being said, I own an '05 V6 and I love the damn thing.

I wouldn't worry too much about the service history. You're not paying all that much. Get a PPI from a mechanic you trust and figure on a repair fund of around $5,000 and you should be okay. I've had mine for four years and I've put 30k miles on it. It's just over 110k now. The only major repair has been the exhaust downpipes, and the Touareg part fit with no problems and cost less than half the cost of the Porsche part ($600 vs. $1400).

It does like tires and gas, though!

I would ABSOLUTELY shy away from the BOSE/MOST stereo. Get the PCM-24 and you'll be able to replace and upgrade with absolutely no worries and for a lot less money.

 

I need the scrape up more shekels and yuans so I can get into a Cayenne D or Macan. I want to be part of the bastard crowd. I'm an SUV guy and want to be part of the new guard.

 

You can get a Porsche dealer to check if it has been Porsche serviced based on the VIN number. I've just bought a 09 CTT without service book based on PPI only to find that the only previous owner was our local Porsche dealer. The exclamation mark on the dash is the reason its called a P!G and on a 955 it will show up if you're low on fuel.

 

Cheers all - I'm building up some good advice here - keep it coming

So the ! is a common catch all dashboard command then, nothing to worry about so thats good and to know. The Tourag parts being potentially interchangeable is good to know too.

Here in the UK I have seen the 5.0 V10 TDI Tourag in a similar price range and the spec and look on these is very nice too but I keep leaning towards the Porsche currently as the interior is a much nicer place to be.

I'm not that fussed about fuel - one of the cars I currently have probably drinks more than the Cayenne anyway

Any difference between the 955 v 957 that's worth stretching the budget for?

Also from what I am hearing if it has full service history shouldnt really be anything major to look out for other than worth checking the coolant pipes have been upgraded.

I'd also be interested to know if this cylinder wear / knocking is likely to be a big concern.

As said previously my budget would be a cash buy of around 10K UKP which will probably see me in a 4.5S from 2005/6 give or take and mileage around 80K miles.

Cheers for feedback

PS. I get the true Porsche enthusiasts don't like the Cayenne or the Panamera but you got to have somewhere to put the kids, shopping and golf clubs

 

Word. I went on vacation last week with four people and our stuff, including two sets of clubs. You can't reasonably do that in anything else with a Porsche badge.