Macan Engine Feedback Requested
06-30-2020, 08:36 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Macan Engine Feedback Requested
Considering an '18 vs '19 and was wondering if there is any feedback on the Porsche engines <'18 vs the Audi engines '19>. Also it appears the Transfer Case clutches were upgraded in March 2018. Anyone with a build after March 2018 experience Transfer Case issues ?
06-30-2020, 09:46 PM
#2
Racer
No such issues at present on a 2019 base model at around 10k miles. Was not aware there was any transfer case clutch upgrade - do you have a source for that?
06-30-2020, 10:05 PM
#3
You're fine with a 2019.
The following users liked this post:
tk-porsche (06-30-2020)
06-30-2020, 11:14 PM
#4
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Like buying a Ferrari and getting one with a FIAT engine. BUT, the oil canister is on top! 
siberian
The best long distance runners eat raw meat, run naked and sleep in the snow
siberian
The best long distance runners eat raw meat, run naked and sleep in the snow
07-02-2020, 12:13 PM
#5
I am currently shopping for and debating what I think is the exact same thing ( Macan S) so I'll share my thoughts for what it's worth. I should be upfront and tell you that reaching the point of even buying a crossover Macan was a huge step for me. Therefore, I am heavily scrutinizing these as I remain skeptical despite my recent fondness of them for what they are ( a small, sporty, comfortable, good looking vehicle for someone who wants a little bit more than a regular sedan). I currently have a 991.1 which I love so I am wanting to add another Porsche to the lineup
I also will be attempting to keep this vehicle long term (5+ years) so long term quality, reliability and serviceability will play a major factor for me.
Debating the S V6 engines is tough as they both have strong and weak points:
What I can add is that the <18 Porsche twin turbo engines are a conventional and proven twin turbo V6 layout. They do seem to have issues with timing cover leaks that need to be closely monitored while under warranty to avoid a very expensive repair. It's also believed that they can suffer from bore scoring issues in what seems to be rare instances. They also require extensive front end disassembly to access the front of the engine e.g. replace the ACC drive belt. Overall, it appears that engine has a track record of being decently reliable.
The 19+ Audi engines are the more modern "hot V" single turbo engine with the entire camshaft drive system moved to the rear of the engine. I do not have much info on their reliability due to how new they are but with a new cylinder coating technique may have addressed the bore scoring issue. The "hot V" engine layout is also a mess of wires, hoses and plumbing under the acoustic cover so I wonder how that will all hold up long term. The engine seems more compact so the front of the engine appears easier to access for services like the ACC drive belt.
Performance and sound wise the Audi V6 feels a bit more refined but less sporty. Compared to my 991 I don't find the Macan to be that overly sporty or exciting in the first place so I really don't find the difference to mean much overall.
Lastly, if this sort of thing bothers you: The Macan was clearly designed or rather adapted from the Audi Q5 around the <18 Porsche V6 engine. This is immediately obvious when you open to hood and see the hood cutouts matching the twin air intakes and the turbo plumbing from the intercoolers coming together at the central throttle body. It's the typical elegant Porsche packaging layout.
Popping the hood on a 19+ Macans reveals an engine that was clearly not designed for this chassis and the adaptation of the new engine to me reeks of cost cutting on a vehicle that is already massively profitable for Porsche. The single air intake means a plastic cap over the left side hood inlet and the diverted intercooler plumbing ( away from where the central throttle body was in the <18 engines) is comical.
Now, I realize none of that means much beyond principal but if your already keenly aware of the Macan being little more than a nicely redone Audi Q5 then the addition of the Audi engine cheaply thrown under the hood of a $70+k vehicle might annoy you as much as it does to me.
As far as the transfer case issue is concerned, it does appear to have been fully resolved by 2019 but I can't find much reliable data on how many were affected in the earlier models despite many threads on this. I don't believe the <18 models are all ticking time bombs for this issue however.
Hope these thoughts were helpful.
I also will be attempting to keep this vehicle long term (5+ years) so long term quality, reliability and serviceability will play a major factor for me.
Debating the S V6 engines is tough as they both have strong and weak points:
What I can add is that the <18 Porsche twin turbo engines are a conventional and proven twin turbo V6 layout. They do seem to have issues with timing cover leaks that need to be closely monitored while under warranty to avoid a very expensive repair. It's also believed that they can suffer from bore scoring issues in what seems to be rare instances. They also require extensive front end disassembly to access the front of the engine e.g. replace the ACC drive belt. Overall, it appears that engine has a track record of being decently reliable.
The 19+ Audi engines are the more modern "hot V" single turbo engine with the entire camshaft drive system moved to the rear of the engine. I do not have much info on their reliability due to how new they are but with a new cylinder coating technique may have addressed the bore scoring issue. The "hot V" engine layout is also a mess of wires, hoses and plumbing under the acoustic cover so I wonder how that will all hold up long term. The engine seems more compact so the front of the engine appears easier to access for services like the ACC drive belt.
Performance and sound wise the Audi V6 feels a bit more refined but less sporty. Compared to my 991 I don't find the Macan to be that overly sporty or exciting in the first place so I really don't find the difference to mean much overall.
Lastly, if this sort of thing bothers you: The Macan was clearly designed or rather adapted from the Audi Q5 around the <18 Porsche V6 engine. This is immediately obvious when you open to hood and see the hood cutouts matching the twin air intakes and the turbo plumbing from the intercoolers coming together at the central throttle body. It's the typical elegant Porsche packaging layout.
Popping the hood on a 19+ Macans reveals an engine that was clearly not designed for this chassis and the adaptation of the new engine to me reeks of cost cutting on a vehicle that is already massively profitable for Porsche. The single air intake means a plastic cap over the left side hood inlet and the diverted intercooler plumbing ( away from where the central throttle body was in the <18 engines) is comical.
Now, I realize none of that means much beyond principal but if your already keenly aware of the Macan being little more than a nicely redone Audi Q5 then the addition of the Audi engine cheaply thrown under the hood of a $70+k vehicle might annoy you as much as it does to me.
As far as the transfer case issue is concerned, it does appear to have been fully resolved by 2019 but I can't find much reliable data on how many were affected in the earlier models despite many threads on this. I don't believe the <18 models are all ticking time bombs for this issue however.
Hope these thoughts were helpful.
The following 5 users liked this post by blepski:
dragos.porsche (07-05-2020),
ImpliedConsent (07-10-2020),
patrickkirby (07-04-2020),
pissedpuppy (07-19-2020),
TurboS_GG (07-06-2020)
07-05-2020, 11:06 AM
#6
Three Wheelin'
Our 18S going on 2 1/2 years and has never been to the dealer (except for the free oil change). Still feels like driving in a vault, fully stock except for Ceramic Pro/Suntek PPF. Wife loves it and recently found the “Sport” button....says it feels like a rocket when she pulls on to the freeway. Now she wants a V1 permanently installed (I have a mirror mount hardwired in). She drives the girlfriends everywhere and they all say how comfy it is.
So she rarely mentions her beloved MBZ that I literally had to pry out of her hands. Looks like a keeper (the wife and Macan).
So she rarely mentions her beloved MBZ that I literally had to pry out of her hands. Looks like a keeper (the wife and Macan).
Trending Topics
07-10-2020, 12:48 PM
#8
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
We keep all the cars we buy for years. My Touareg is a 2008 V8, bought in 2010, my 2015 RS5 bought new, my recent Macan S is current year and my hopeful 992C4 will be kept until I pass. The day I can't work on my car I'll call for an Uber. Never visit dealers passed warranty expiration, never have never will
siberian
The best long distance runners eat raw meat, run naked and sleep in the snow
siberian
The best long distance runners eat raw meat, run naked and sleep in the snow
07-19-2020, 10:36 AM
#9
Rennlist Member
My 2009 997.2 C4S is 11 years old with 109K miles and currently 2018 Macan Turbo PP at 43k miles. Like @siberian I keep my car for a long time. Maintaining any German cars is not cheap however it is still cheaper than dropping another $140K for a 911. My Macan with a Porsche V6 twin turbo engine is a keeper too.
John
John
07-19-2020, 11:37 AM
#10
Drifting
07-19-2020, 12:19 PM
#11
Nordschleife Master
my first 911 had 178K miles on it when I sold (1980 911 SC) - a lot different than a new(er) model Macan
07-19-2020, 03:16 PM
#12
Drifting
07-19-2020, 03:26 PM
#13
Drifting
I am currently shopping for and debating what I think is the exact same thing ( Macan S) so I'll share my thoughts for what it's worth. I should be upfront and tell you that reaching the point of even buying a crossover Macan was a huge step for me. Therefore, I am heavily scrutinizing these as I remain skeptical despite my recent fondness of them for what they are ( a small, sporty, comfortable, good looking vehicle for someone who wants a little bit more than a regular sedan). I currently have a 991.1 which I love so I am wanting to add another Porsche to the lineup
I also will be attempting to keep this vehicle long term (5+ years) so long term quality, reliability and serviceability will play a major factor for me.
Debating the S V6 engines is tough as they both have strong and weak points:
What I can add is that the <18 Porsche twin turbo engines are a conventional and proven twin turbo V6 layout. They do seem to have issues with timing cover leaks that need to be closely monitored while under warranty to avoid a very expensive repair. It's also believed that they can suffer from bore scoring issues in what seems to be rare instances. They also require extensive front end disassembly to access the front of the engine e.g. replace the ACC drive belt. Overall, it appears that engine has a track record of being decently reliable.
The 19+ Audi engines are the more modern "hot V" single turbo engine with the entire camshaft drive system moved to the rear of the engine. I do not have much info on their reliability due to how new they are but with a new cylinder coating technique may have addressed the bore scoring issue. The "hot V" engine layout is also a mess of wires, hoses and plumbing under the acoustic cover so I wonder how that will all hold up long term. The engine seems more compact so the front of the engine appears easier to access for services like the ACC drive belt.
Performance and sound wise the Audi V6 feels a bit more refined but less sporty. Compared to my 991 I don't find the Macan to be that overly sporty or exciting in the first place so I really don't find the difference to mean much overall.
Lastly, if this sort of thing bothers you: The Macan was clearly designed or rather adapted from the Audi Q5 around the <18 Porsche V6 engine. This is immediately obvious when you open to hood and see the hood cutouts matching the twin air intakes and the turbo plumbing from the intercoolers coming together at the central throttle body. It's the typical elegant Porsche packaging layout.
Popping the hood on a 19+ Macans reveals an engine that was clearly not designed for this chassis and the adaptation of the new engine to me reeks of cost cutting on a vehicle that is already massively profitable for Porsche. The single air intake means a plastic cap over the left side hood inlet and the diverted intercooler plumbing ( away from where the central throttle body was in the <18 engines) is comical.
Now, I realize none of that means much beyond principal but if your already keenly aware of the Macan being little more than a nicely redone Audi Q5 then the addition of the Audi engine cheaply thrown under the hood of a $70+k vehicle might annoy you as much as it does to me.
As far as the transfer case issue is concerned, it does appear to have been fully resolved by 2019 but I can't find much reliable data on how many were affected in the earlier models despite many threads on this. I don't believe the <18 models are all ticking time bombs for this issue however.
Hope these thoughts were helpful.
I also will be attempting to keep this vehicle long term (5+ years) so long term quality, reliability and serviceability will play a major factor for me.
Debating the S V6 engines is tough as they both have strong and weak points:
What I can add is that the <18 Porsche twin turbo engines are a conventional and proven twin turbo V6 layout. They do seem to have issues with timing cover leaks that need to be closely monitored while under warranty to avoid a very expensive repair. It's also believed that they can suffer from bore scoring issues in what seems to be rare instances. They also require extensive front end disassembly to access the front of the engine e.g. replace the ACC drive belt. Overall, it appears that engine has a track record of being decently reliable.
The 19+ Audi engines are the more modern "hot V" single turbo engine with the entire camshaft drive system moved to the rear of the engine. I do not have much info on their reliability due to how new they are but with a new cylinder coating technique may have addressed the bore scoring issue. The "hot V" engine layout is also a mess of wires, hoses and plumbing under the acoustic cover so I wonder how that will all hold up long term. The engine seems more compact so the front of the engine appears easier to access for services like the ACC drive belt.
Performance and sound wise the Audi V6 feels a bit more refined but less sporty. Compared to my 991 I don't find the Macan to be that overly sporty or exciting in the first place so I really don't find the difference to mean much overall.
Lastly, if this sort of thing bothers you: The Macan was clearly designed or rather adapted from the Audi Q5 around the <18 Porsche V6 engine. This is immediately obvious when you open to hood and see the hood cutouts matching the twin air intakes and the turbo plumbing from the intercoolers coming together at the central throttle body. It's the typical elegant Porsche packaging layout.
Popping the hood on a 19+ Macans reveals an engine that was clearly not designed for this chassis and the adaptation of the new engine to me reeks of cost cutting on a vehicle that is already massively profitable for Porsche. The single air intake means a plastic cap over the left side hood inlet and the diverted intercooler plumbing ( away from where the central throttle body was in the <18 engines) is comical.
Now, I realize none of that means much beyond principal but if your already keenly aware of the Macan being little more than a nicely redone Audi Q5 then the addition of the Audi engine cheaply thrown under the hood of a $70+k vehicle might annoy you as much as it does to me.
As far as the transfer case issue is concerned, it does appear to have been fully resolved by 2019 but I can't find much reliable data on how many were affected in the earlier models despite many threads on this. I don't believe the <18 models are all ticking time bombs for this issue however.
Hope these thoughts were helpful.
07-19-2020, 04:37 PM
#14
Drifting
As to the repairs, unless you are sitting at a Porsche dealer and looking at all of their service repairs, I don't see how you can say what repairs (bore scoring - extreme case) are coming. out of the tens of thousands sold world wide every year, only a few people join here and post their complaints. Good luck.
07-19-2020, 08:51 PM
#15
Pro
I am currently shopping for and debating what I think is the exact same thing ( Macan S) so I'll share my thoughts for what it's worth. I should be upfront and tell you that reaching the point of even buying a crossover Macan was a huge step for me. Therefore, I am heavily scrutinizing these as I remain skeptical despite my recent fondness of them for what they are ( a small, sporty, comfortable, good looking vehicle for someone who wants a little bit more than a regular sedan). I currently have a 991.1 which I love so I am wanting to add another Porsche to the lineup
I also will be attempting to keep this vehicle long term (5+ years) so long term quality, reliability and serviceability will play a major factor for me.
Debating the S V6 engines is tough as they both have strong and weak points:
What I can add is that the <18 Porsche twin turbo engines are a conventional and proven twin turbo V6 layout. They do seem to have issues with timing cover leaks that need to be closely monitored while under warranty to avoid a very expensive repair. It's also believed that they can suffer from bore scoring issues in what seems to be rare instances. They also require extensive front end disassembly to access the front of the engine e.g. replace the ACC drive belt. Overall, it appears that engine has a track record of being decently reliable.
The 19+ Audi engines are the more modern "hot V" single turbo engine with the entire camshaft drive system moved to the rear of the engine. I do not have much info on their reliability due to how new they are but with a new cylinder coating technique may have addressed the bore scoring issue. The "hot V" engine layout is also a mess of wires, hoses and plumbing under the acoustic cover so I wonder how that will all hold up long term. The engine seems more compact so the front of the engine appears easier to access for services like the ACC drive belt.
Performance and sound wise the Audi V6 feels a bit more refined but less sporty. Compared to my 991 I don't find the Macan to be that overly sporty or exciting in the first place so I really don't find the difference to mean much overall.
Lastly, if this sort of thing bothers you: The Macan was clearly designed or rather adapted from the Audi Q5 around the <18 Porsche V6 engine. This is immediately obvious when you open to hood and see the hood cutouts matching the twin air intakes and the turbo plumbing from the intercoolers coming together at the central throttle body. It's the typical elegant Porsche packaging layout.
Popping the hood on a 19+ Macans reveals an engine that was clearly not designed for this chassis and the adaptation of the new engine to me reeks of cost cutting on a vehicle that is already massively profitable for Porsche. The single air intake means a plastic cap over the left side hood inlet and the diverted intercooler plumbing ( away from where the central throttle body was in the <18 engines) is comical.
Now, I realize none of that means much beyond principal but if your already keenly aware of the Macan being little more than a nicely redone Audi Q5 then the addition of the Audi engine cheaply thrown under the hood of a $70+k vehicle might annoy you as much as it does to me.
As far as the transfer case issue is concerned, it does appear to have been fully resolved by 2019 but I can't find much reliable data on how many were affected in the earlier models despite many threads on this. I don't believe the <18 models are all ticking time bombs for this issue however.
Hope these thoughts were helpful.
I also will be attempting to keep this vehicle long term (5+ years) so long term quality, reliability and serviceability will play a major factor for me.
Debating the S V6 engines is tough as they both have strong and weak points:
What I can add is that the <18 Porsche twin turbo engines are a conventional and proven twin turbo V6 layout. They do seem to have issues with timing cover leaks that need to be closely monitored while under warranty to avoid a very expensive repair. It's also believed that they can suffer from bore scoring issues in what seems to be rare instances. They also require extensive front end disassembly to access the front of the engine e.g. replace the ACC drive belt. Overall, it appears that engine has a track record of being decently reliable.
The 19+ Audi engines are the more modern "hot V" single turbo engine with the entire camshaft drive system moved to the rear of the engine. I do not have much info on their reliability due to how new they are but with a new cylinder coating technique may have addressed the bore scoring issue. The "hot V" engine layout is also a mess of wires, hoses and plumbing under the acoustic cover so I wonder how that will all hold up long term. The engine seems more compact so the front of the engine appears easier to access for services like the ACC drive belt.
Performance and sound wise the Audi V6 feels a bit more refined but less sporty. Compared to my 991 I don't find the Macan to be that overly sporty or exciting in the first place so I really don't find the difference to mean much overall.
Lastly, if this sort of thing bothers you: The Macan was clearly designed or rather adapted from the Audi Q5 around the <18 Porsche V6 engine. This is immediately obvious when you open to hood and see the hood cutouts matching the twin air intakes and the turbo plumbing from the intercoolers coming together at the central throttle body. It's the typical elegant Porsche packaging layout.
Popping the hood on a 19+ Macans reveals an engine that was clearly not designed for this chassis and the adaptation of the new engine to me reeks of cost cutting on a vehicle that is already massively profitable for Porsche. The single air intake means a plastic cap over the left side hood inlet and the diverted intercooler plumbing ( away from where the central throttle body was in the <18 engines) is comical.
Now, I realize none of that means much beyond principal but if your already keenly aware of the Macan being little more than a nicely redone Audi Q5 then the addition of the Audi engine cheaply thrown under the hood of a $70+k vehicle might annoy you as much as it does to me.
As far as the transfer case issue is concerned, it does appear to have been fully resolved by 2019 but I can't find much reliable data on how many were affected in the earlier models despite many threads on this. I don't believe the <18 models are all ticking time bombs for this issue however.
Hope these thoughts were helpful.