I've had the same question. I'm looking at a used Macan in the next two years and was planning on getting the air suspension. I haven't driven one yet, because I know I'll want it NOW. My focus is less about ride control and being able to raise the suv off-road. 9in of ground clearance will keep me out of a lot of trouble and repairs.

I noticed that the S has ground clearance specs for with/without the air suspension. The GTS with a standard air suspension doesn't have any ground clearance numbers. Is the ground clearance on the GTS the same as the S with the air suspension?

While not the same, I do have a '03 F250 with air bags. They have only developed a slow leak over a few days and at 50psi in the past few years. I haven't replaced them yet and most likely won't until my air pump can't keep up.

On a similar question ... I have a '15 4Runner Limited with its over complicated xreas suspension. When the shocks die some day I'm planning it replace it with high quality standard shocks/springs. If I get a Macan with AS and it becomes an issue in the future, could I install a standard shock/spring? If so, could I use shocks/springs that are a little longer gaining little on the ground clearance? I'm not talking about a huge lift. I'm thinking something with the hight range of the AS.

 

GTS may be lower.

 

I have some questions about taking the Macan Offroad and started a new thread.

https://rennlist.com/forums/porsche-macan/1229175-questions-taking-the-macan-off-road.html

 

The A/S compressor on my CPO ‘16 S (65K miles) failed. Repaired under warranty but service advisor said cost would have been $2500 out of pocket. I asked him how often he has seen the compressor fail and he said not often, about 2 in 3 years.
When the compressor failed the car had been outside overnight in 15 degree temp. I suspect there was moisture in the system and if froze and blocked some part of the pump causing failure. Dealer could not determine cause of failure only that pump had failed.
I like the A/S but would rethink it absent the warranty.

 

Personal preference, but it is just one more thing to worry about. There are plenty of folks who rant and rave about how great the air suspension is- but the "standard" steel PASM is fantastic too.

Just posted this in another thread, figure it's relevant here too; my caveat is that of course there are other reviewers out there who rave about the air suspension. The question is whether it's one of those "must have" options; and I'll be one to say it is most certainly not (suspension discussion starts at around 5:40):

 

Air suspension has been around for over 100 years. Like all car components it has improved massively since that time.
There are very few issues reported with Porsche AS in online forums.
If you value increased rise comfort, reduced noise, off road capability and improved handling then its a no brainer to buy with air.
But like many have said, do not get a Porsche if you are stretching yourself financially. They are pretty good quality but no car is immune to issues and with Porsche the costs are high to repair pretty much anything.

 

You must be careful with air-suspension. Some people will feel it adds a disconcerting, slight, floatiness which leans the car into being more "artificial" and "assisted", rather than a more analog, natural, tendency. It feels like from a rebound there is a barely, miniscule, but perceptible, lag, or delay, as if needing to calculate the exact suspension position. The steel springs even without PASM feels more "instant". One is not better than the other by any means but what it means to that particular person.

I for one preferred the steel coils, followed by the PASM for sportiness sake. I value rawness and accurate feel versus isolation and masking of reality. Porsche makes it so good that the steel coils are extremely comfortable as well. The difference between the comfort level is extremely miniscule, but the addition of the artificiality is a few levels greater to me.

Of course most people succumb to confirmation bias, and ego, and that's why you see such time-wasting, hackneyed, and quite frankly, useless information that is far from the truth which confounds those seeking the actual answer.

 

Do not understand "spoiler" so repeated after OP quote

 

"Isolation and masking of reality"? Sorry, just not feeling it with the air suspension which, combined with the lower stance of the GTS, hits the sweet spot. With the AS and PASM I can feel every little imperfection and bump in the road just fine. No need for it to be any firmer, which would make it less comfortable with no added benefit. We had the regular steel coils on our first Macan, and they were fine, but the handling and smoothness of our new GTS with AS + PASM is a big step up, IMO.

If you're in the market for a Macan try each back-to-back, if you can, and decide for yourself.

 

Having spent many decades as a test driver and also training test drivers in numerous countries I have learned that the facts are not always what is important with aesthetic testing. Each individual relates differently to their environment. This is particularly the case with ride, handling and noise.

As an example, for some people a certain noise will be quite irritating - someone else will not hear it, or if they do will not care about it. Same for ride.

As a test driver of course the job is to identify and report that facts of what occurs.

Handling is in the same situation - two identical cars can be for example set up completely different to suit individual driver traits and yet be equally fast from a handling perspective. We see this all the time with race drivers of course - changing settings as soon as they get into a car someone else has been driving and then going just as fast.

So what is able to measured as "better" is how it suits each individual.

If it does not suit a particular person, or if they cannot relate to it, or if they simply do not have the necessary skills and training to properly assess it, then it is not relevant to them.


 

Absolutely subjective based on how one drives. One thing missing here is how does Sport+ mix in? IMO, PASM, AS, Sport+ > Steel springs. Of course, I'm biased, I've never driven a steel spring Macan. Is that the case here as well? Have you driven a Macan with AS, PASM with Sport+?

 

Be sure to read the fine print since many extended warranties do not cover suspension.