CAVU

..probably no greater than 35k miles for an 2011 and one owner. I own a 997.2 4S. Great car.

So what should I be on the look out for mechanically on a CayenneS 2011-2014 outside of the normal stuff (tires, brakes, oil changes, service records, etc)? I read some points about bad coolant pipes. What else?

One car I've got my eye on is a one owner, good carfax being sold by the same dealer that was the original seller. Nothing unusual in the carfax maintenance list but only a scrub of the actual maintenance file well tell me what I want to know.

CAVU

What the heck, I'll keep this thing alive and share what I've found so far (nice P!G thread...15 pages of issues) Looks like earlier models had a tough time.

- Carden shaft
- air pump for the optional suspension
- Misc electrical bull $hit

What else is there?

So I go look at a new one (V6) and a used one (V8). Used one less than 40k, one owner, same dealer, all maintenance records were available. I may test drive it next week. Porsche's standard on oil consumption is .6 qt per 1000 miles. So why would the salesman tell me this knowing that I own a '09 911? I asked him straight out, are you telling me that this particular vehicle that you are selling has oil consumption that high? No, was the answer, the owner expressed a concern about oil consumption during the earlier months but that it settled out.

I would never buy a vehicle that is consuming oil at that rate. Is that something I have to look forward to in the V6 and/or V8?

RESP

Hey J.R.,

We have a 2012 V-6 - no oil consumption issues after 90,000 plus miles.

Air suspension has no issues, no electrical issues, no cardan shaft issues.

Based on the miles I do every year, I would have considered a Diesel, but it wasn't being built when we bought.

Good for you on looking into the threads

Hopefully a V-8 owner or two will drop in with some comments.

gnat

That is Porsche's standard line about oil consumption in any of their cars. Its BS that these engine should burn any oil if they are healthy, but thats their story.

That said in 13 years and 70k-ish miles our 996 has never burned a drop and so far in 17k the CD hasn't either.

I took my CD in because it obviously has a fluid leak where the engine and transmission meet. The response was "some leaking is normal". Until it is pooling on the under tray they won't do anything about it. Seriously.

CAVU

RESP and gnat,

THANK YOU for your kind replies. Still having a tough time making the decision on this one. There will be a 2 year CPO warranty included. Part of me wants to buy the Fidelity extended warranty. Hmmm? decision decisions.

Opinions anyone? Any other thoughts on the mechanicals?

shaf

I don't know where you are located but I have a 2014 Platinum Edition 3.6 with just 1400 miles on it. It is a great vehicle with no problems. I just don't need two cars and will consider selling at a fair price. The sticker was 72000 and I would like to get 55000. The vehicle is located in Florida.

gnat

I didn't get an extended warranty on mine. Either its a good car and i keep it, or its a PITA and i'll sell it before the warranty runs out.

For me those 2 years of CPO would be enough to gauge if its reliable or not.

CAVU

Please PM me with details and your email address.

CAVU

All good points. Thanks!

tgavem

My service advisor states the 2011+ are bullet proof. I have had only one issue with mine, the O2 sensor failed and advisor said he has seen a few of these. Not major.

Also, if you have potential for leaves to collect on the car, the drain line below windshield must be regularly cleaned. Otherwise water could fill and back flow into passenger foot well.

CAVU

Thanks to all who responded. Pulled the trigger Saturday. Salesman did a great job and was very patient. It was the second weekend to the Silver Spring, MD dealership. Casey did a great job. Was kind of surprised that the car was still there. The Jet Black metallic paint is really interesting. Depending on what is around it, the color will change slightly to its surroundings.

Here are the pics. I did make one mistake. My wife drove it back as she followed me in my 911. When she got out of the Cayenne she said, "This drives so much easier than the 'G' (her 2000 G500). I really like it. Visibility is very good and I like the controls." Well, I may lose my new daily drive and end up driving the Tacoma a little longer.

Cheers all!!!

gnat

Congrats.

You could always daily the 911

CAVU

My commute is almost bumper to bumper for the last 2 miles of my 4 mile commute. I've been rear ended "tapped" three times in the last few years in other vehicles. I've driven the 911 enough on "special" days to realize that I am more concerned about getting rear ended by distracted commuters (cell phones, texting, reading the paper, putting make-up on, etc) than I am about oil temp, etc. It is a great weekend or evening car (rain or shine).

PCA1983

That oil consumption figure is BS. What it means is Porsche will not fix it if u have oil consumption problems.
My 09 GTS 4.8 has used no oil in the 3000 miles I've owned it. From what is said here and on other forms, it seems oil consumption is fairly unusual in Cayennes.

RESP

Congrats on the purchase J.R.

Here's to many happy years of driving... even if your wife takes the driver's seat