tmcayn

Hello,

My wife & I are on the hunt for a Cayenne.
We want to buy one this week, so if you can offer advice, IT WON'T BE TOO SOON!
(and THANK YOU! )

I am a bit of a motorhead and would do any maintenance work myself it it makes sense to do so.
I enjoy working on quality vehicles.

I met "Otis" at Sugarloaf Peak in WA state perhaps 2 years ago when I was getting hot for a Cayenne and enjoyed talking to them. They told me about Rennlist.
I test-drove a Cayenne Platinum, and a Macan. Cayenne is the winner for sure.
I'm not too interested in more HP, I tend to prefer reliability.
And a Diesel is interesting too.
Looked at Touregs, but can't let go of the Cayenne styling.
I like the look and the quality of the Cayenne.
I was going to look for one with about 30k miles.

I have a few basic Qs, if anyone has the time to help out.

1) . Are there any threads that I should read? I read the sticky about the transfer case. And the "Lifetime fluid" that ensures Cayennes will get ooff the road to sell more new cars. But that's mostly one issue, and I didn't see it applying much to the 2016-2018. I'll change the fluid early on so mine won't be "one of those" in it's old age..

2) I like a diff lock. Do they ALL have center Diff locks? Do any have "more" diff locks?

3) Are some years better than others ?

I'm sure there will be more Qs as I get more familiar.

mafpolo

If you're a gear head you're going to save a lot of $. You'll get a lot of different opinions. Some people prefer the 2014 and earlier S and GTS with the V8 motors. I am partial to the diesel, because I like the S type torque with the reliability, rare, and great fuel efficiency - not because I save on fuel but save trips to the fuel station...also long range on highway. I also like the ten year diesel warranty. Downside to the diesel is twice as many oil changes, most are not optioned up, and low mileage diesels are hard to find. If you don't care abut performance, a nice base model might work well for you.

deilenberger

We have a thread JUST for you - it's in the stickies at the top of the page: https://rennlist.com/forums/cayenne-...his-first.html

Welcome to the forum!

tmcayn

I’ve been lusting after a Cayenne for about 10 years. Gonna sell some real estate soon and give the fam a little spiff. But it will be my wife’s daily driver.

Thanks, deilenberger I read that thread. Will read it again though!

Probably not gonna get a V8 and think I have a good read on the transfer case problem.

So for the TC, in a testdrive, romp on it and pay attention to how smoothly it shifts 1st 2nd 3rd? Is this good?

I’m not seeing any diesels available.
I’m not afraid of oil changes.

2016-18 low miles (gas) are like $40-50k

Any help with my other Qs?

skiahh

2016-2018s don't have lockers, so that one's out.

There's a switch that tells the computer how to bias things - on road vs off, but no locker.

If you could find an unfixed diesel, that' be ideal, in my book.

User 52121

I'm not sure any 958s had lockers, did they?

quicktwinturbo

I would highly recommend you to test drive different variants and purchase a CPO if possible. Good luck with your search!

tmcayn

Maybe only the high end models have lockers?
They all have some kinda monkeybusiness in the transfer case I think

From: https://www.blauparts.com/blog/how-t...ase-fluid.html
The 2011-2018 Porsche Cayenne was optioned with two different types of center transfer cases. Each of these two transfer cases use a different fluid specification........

coffeeisgood

answering your last question here
for the Cayenne, make a call if you want the
958.1 = 2011 to 2014 or
958.2 = 2015 to 2018
learn about the facelift & determine if that matters to you

as for getting a cayenne diesel (CD), most owners love them very much... that should tell you something. Finding one around 30k miles? might be a challenge as in the states as I believe they were only sold from 2013 to 2016 model years. That said, I would focus as much on that, learn about the extended diesel warranty and coverage dates on whatever CD you are looking at. Selection of CDs for sale is limited as well... there just was not a lot of them? Some estimates of maybe 11,000 total CD units in the United States? That is just an estimate and seriously no idea if that # is correct.

make a call on any must have options? (or any hard no's?)
here are some considerations... (yes/nos)

air suspension ?
seats? 8 way vs 14 way vs 18 way?
radio? base (rare) vs Bose vs Burmester ? (you really need to go listen yourself)
OEM roof rack "rails"? (yes you can fit aftermarket, like a Thule system)
toe hitch? (yes you can retrofit but you might need to be re-keyed by the dealership, (to account for / if you have proximity sensors in bumpers)
ventilated seats? (yes or no?)
heated steering wheel?
heated rear seats?
interior color? (black? tan? two tone? choose carefully)
ACC ?
LCA ?

I am sure there are other considerations & options / packages but hopefully this gave you something to think about

Neil4speed

If Diff lock is a priority for you, then Diesel is not going to work for you, they are fabulous cars though.

A bit of a "controversial opinion", but in general, I would recommend against getting a 17-18 model, for the simple reason that you are paying top dollar for a car that is built on an architecture from 2010, and *may* feel a bit dated for the price you are paying. You do get Carplay in those years though.

I think the sweet spot exists in the 2015 models where you get the updated look at least. If Carplay/Android auto, you can do it aftermarket for <$1,000

DAVfoto

PTV+ is the only option that allows for a rear diff lock. All Cayennes except the Hybrids came with Center diff locks (goes from AWD to 50/50 4wd)

ChrisTDI

I personally think the sweet spot is the 2015's 2016's diesels. You'll still have buttons and plenty of power with the diesel. Easy maintenance for years to come.

skiahh

No diesels beyond '16, at least in the US.

tmcayn

Thanks for all the help!!

Not seeing any diesels for sale. Thx for the years 13-16. Id like to have a diesel. But it’s really gonna be my wife’s car. Maybe I’ll have to get my own......

So no (pretty much) no diff locks.... do they at least have a Torsen or is it just a silly open diff? Where if one front tire + one rear are in an ice-hole you’re totally stuck?

Thx for the note on the center diff control, I was thinking most models had it.

I would like a low miles ‘16 for sure, thats like $8,000 savings, maybe even more. But can I get CPO in a ‘16? Or 15?

We’re going on a Cayenne date this weekend. Need all the info I can get!!

mafpolo

Two diesels out there:
Certified
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing

Porsche Nashua:
Not certified, but you can probably negotiate that (Carfax is good, so no reason that Porsche won't certify it)
https://www.porschenashua.com/used/P...cf8cbde07d.htm