I stopped by Park Place-Dallas yesterday afternoon to pick up some parts on order for my 930 and happened to ask about the new smaller sub-woofer and spare tire. Park Place had, in fact, sold their very first one and delivered it just an hour or so before I showed up. My sales person said that they had no notice at all from the factory or PCNA about the change. I asked about a retro-fit kit for those of us who were early buyers and stuck without a spare tire. Here's what I learned..........

The Parts guy told me that he had discussed this very topic with his PCNA contact in Atlanta this past Friday. What he was told by PCNA is that there is a retro-fit kit due in perhaps as little as one month. The stated cost was likely to be in the $1500-2000 range. After picking myself up off the floor, I asked what Porsche AG/PCNA would do for early-adopters. His response was that there was a great deal of discussion about this and that there would "likely" be some sort of rebate/reduced price program available for those of us shorted a spare tire.

So, perhaps all of us who took early delivery of our Cayennes before a smaller subwoofer/spare tire were available should begin asking our dealers about this retro-fit. Does anyone have a name/address in Atlanta of someone who can actually provide a factual opinion on this matter? I know that I can write to the new head of PCNA, but generally those letters rarely find their way to the addressee (more often they find their way to the anonymous Customer Service staff member who churns out Form Letter number 4511).

I would really like to see if we can generate any kind of buzz about this. It's truly annoying that I was an early buyer of a MY2004 Cayenne, have no spare and would have to pay for what current MY2004 owners get for free!

Dog pile anyone???

 

Toby, thanks for the information in this post. As an early Cayenne buyer I have been rather angry that I have to carry a full sized 18" spare around with me. This has severely limited what I can carry. It appears that your dealer, Park Place, is alot mroe friendly towards Cayenne drivers than my dealership up herre in Colorado. Whenever I find out anything from your posts, I share it with them. Rarely do they ever try to confirm whatever information that I provide them.

With regard to PCNA, I do not have a contact there, although I would be happy to "dog pile" this spare tire issue if another member can get us in touch with the appropriate PCNA person. I would certainly hope that there is some "discount"for those of us that bought early Cayenne without spare tires, although, at this point, I would pay retail to have the retrofit done just to get back some of the space in the rear cargo area.

If you find out anything else about this please feel free to let me know and I will join in.

I do love the Cayenne, but I am not at all enamoured with the support that Porsche, PCNA, or the Porsche dealers have provided to date. Thankfully, I have a Cayenne that has not required anything other than basic maintenance items.

Thanks again for the info on the spare solution.

 

Porsche did the same thing to the early buyers of the 911 TT, it was delivered without the hollow spoke wheels.

They don't show a lot of consideration to their early customers....and yet at other times they surprise you.

But they do need to change their behavior in this arena.

Early adopters of the C-GT (and Porsche) take note!

 

Thanks for the info, Toby, and please keep us informed.
Driving long distance without a spare tire in the trunk made me nervous, but I thought the chance of puncturing a tire is low. WRONG...It happened only after 2 months I took delivery of my Cayenne. I learned that the electric air pump is quite powerful in inflating the flat, and I drove to the nearest tire store for a patch repair.
Is it necessary to carry the auxillary battery together with the spare tire?

 

I agree whole heartedly with the sentiment expressed here, when the manufacturer finds out it made a bad decision initially then it is their responsibility for correcting it number 1 and then making all affected happy number 2.

If Porsche seriously wish to enter this new arena (for them) and compete with the likes of BMW and MB, then customer service and especially monitoring and responding to the comments made on this and other key boards is essential.

If they are reading this, see the BMW responses to comments on the BMW side of this board.

We the early adopters make or break the user communities opinion on the Cayenne, it is only right that our voice be heard.

Not havng a spare in PA is not a good situation given the bad state of our roads.

 

While it would be nice for PCNA to do something retroactive, in reality we knew there was no spare tire but decided to purchase our cars anyway.

I don't think this is PCNA's responsibility.

Separate question: would it be possible to use the collapsible 18" spare with factory 20" wheels for a short distance? Would the air suspension compensate?

 

Dan,

While I would agree with your point regarding PCNA's responsibility, generally, I would also opine that there should at least be some offer made - even at a reduced price. There is something to be said for customer appreciation - something that Porsche AG and PCNA seem (at least from posts I have seen) to miss from time to time.

I'd like to consider this a "friendly request from a loyal customer" rather than one more complaint!

 

Trust me. . . .don't look for any special consideration from PCNA. . . .they don't give a damn about their customers. Most of the time they won't even return your phone calls much less give special discounts. I love my Porcshe autos but the folks at PCNA are a complete waste of time. I will probably always have a 911 but the Cayenne replacement will be a A8L.

 

What size of tire could you hope to fit in that space???, people with 19X9's, 20x10's would need a spare of that size to be worth while. Can wheels of that size, even 18x8's fit in this space with this supposed mini subwoofer??? If it's a donut or collapsible spare, what will that accomplish? Get you to a tire repair place??? The same effect could be done with the punctured tire using tire goo and the supplied porty pump and you would not have to remove any lug nuts and jack up the vehical so you would be on your way much faster. At least you would not be driving around with a different size wheel and or tire. Please correct me and or describe where I am wrong, if I am wrong. Thanks

 

rockitman, not sure if you were trying to answer my question about using a collapsible 18" when I have 20s...

I have a much higher comfort level with a collapsible than a can of goop, which can only handle small punctures. And yes, the idea would be to get the car to a better place if needed.

Surprised to see your apparent level of confusion / frustration on this one.

 

My simple question is. Is the collapsible tire 19 or 20 inches??? If not, how are you suppose to drive your pepper with a different size tire. I can't see taking the time to bust out the jack, loosen then tighten lugnuts to put on a collapsible spare. Better have rehearsed that operation prior to spending an hour on the side of a busy highway doing that. Goo, pump and go seems more practical unless you can fit a full size replace 18,19 or 20. Besides, who want's a smaller subwoofer. The bigger the better...

 

Sorry, probably misuderstood your repeated use of "???".

My original question was:

Separate question: would it be possible to use the collapsible 18" spare with factory 20" wheels for a short distance? Would the air suspension compensate?

I am asking because I don't know the answer.

Again, I'd be happier knowing that I could change a tire if needed. Goop will only work in some cases (small punctures).

Thanks.

 

Am I off base in thinking that the overall diameter of the tire is nearly the same because:

The larger wheels take wider tires whose height % is lower.

255/55 (% of the 225) X 18

275/40 (% of the 275) X 19

If you don't reduce the height of the tire (to maintain approximately the same overall diameter) you will need to change the speedometer gear.

Other issues can occur incl. tires hitting fenders.

If that is true then diameter is not an issue, height of spare cavity is.So where is the sm woofer and do they mount the speaker on a rubber band so you can access the spare?

I'm sure they have it all figured out (at least for OE 18 & 19" wheels)

 

Thanks Torags, I'm really ignorant when it comes to wheels & tires.

So in other words, the OEM 18 through 20 should maintain the same diameter, and therefore the collapsible 18" will do for all, correct?

Not sure why the width would matter though.

 

You are right Torags, the overall diameter of the tire and wheel should be the same...I believe they call it "Aspect Ratio". So now the questions is wheel/tire depth. Can you fit one in there, a 18, 19 or 20 and still close the floor on it so its flush...I kind of doubt it with the subwoofer, even if it's a smaller one. In addition, I pulled out my woofer and confirmed that I have the second battery in my '03. Perplexing issue. I agree Dan P, goo only works with small punctures...I can say from my own past experience, I have only encountered either a sheet metal screw or roofing nail when my tires have gone flat on my previous cars so playing the odds, goo will probably work for me as a temp fix to get the car home or to a tire repair shop.