PaddyG

Hey all,

I'm considering buying a lower mileage 2011 - 2014 Cayenne S. I was originally looking into the BMW X5 5.0i (E70) and have been scared away by all the major issues surrounding what appears to be a plagued engine.

I was hoping some people on Rennlist could share thoughts on the 4.8L V8 in the Cayenne S.

Is this a solid engine?
Does it require a lot of proactive maintenance?
How do you like it, overall?

I do have a solid local mechanic who specializes in German brands and I'm pretty handy myself.

I'll be using this car for the family and to tow a 17 foot Boston Whaler.

Thanks for your help and insight.

endless_corners

The 958—by and large—is proving to be a pretty solid platform. The engine is basically a carryover from the 957's and so there are a lot of years to go off and there is not a lot of chatter anecdotally of that being a problem prone engine. Buying a heavy german luxury car is going to cost you regardless of the marque. Rubber bushings, motor mounts, suspension parts, water pumps, fuel pumps, coils, plugs, brakes, etc are going to be wear parts at a certain point. Buying a used x5 or ML and you will run into the same wear items. If you are cool about maintaining a german luxury suv and understand that it won't be like a toyota then you should be good. 958's are not inherently problem children.

Another option would be a used touareg tdi of the same year range. I see '11s under $30k now and they share a fair amount of DNA with the cayenne.

Blrmkr

I had a 04 X5 4.4i that we finally sold last year. I expect the normal wear items but it became a black hole in many different areas. The only way I would ever have a BMW is to lease one or buy it new and sell prior to it hitting 80,000 miles.

Replaced it with a 12 Cayenne S. We have only had it for 7 months, but love it over the short period of ownership. Asked my indie if I should go for an extended warranty and he said that the 958's have been pretty reliable. Oh, and that 8 speed transmission is so smooth.

PaddyG

Awesome. Thanks for the thoughts.

I've noticed two different steering wheels on the S. Does the one with the bigger paddle shifters come with the air suspension? Or, are they not related in terms of packaging?

Also, is there a quality VIN decoder known by Porsche enthusiasts?

rbaron

I believe paddle shifters didn't come standard until 2015 or 2016. In earlier years to get them you had to order a special sport steering wheel that does not have the multi-function buttons. I don't believe that has anything to do with whether the car has air suspension.

rpm's S2

Get a CPO car, or a good warranty... Which is a good idea for any modern German car to be honest. My 2012 required a water pump at 43K and a repair to an incorrectly sealed seam that was allowing water to collect in a front body cavity. Mine's a V6, but the water pump is the same. Dealership said that repair was not uncommon.

PaddyG

Thanks for the advice. There's a few of them out there I hope to see shortly.

tgavem

I have a 2011 S. Fixed springs and 21" rims (21-295/35). Rode with a friend in a GTS with air suspension and 20" (20-275/45)

My recommendation;
get a car with roof rails as they can't be added later
Don't recommend 21", looks good but stiff ride.
with trailer and 600lb tongue weight, about 0.5-.75 inch compression on the rear.

Air suspension and 20" rims gives the best ride.
Smoke package is good as it adds power outlets.
Entry and go, ok, but many times it does not unlock all doors after stop as i have it set to do.

PaddyG

Good notes. Thanks. I'm trying to find one in white or silver with the panoramic moonroof and air suspension. Thanks again.

mk85911

Our family hauler is a 2014 CS and I love it. We came out of a 2004 BMW X5 3.0, which was very good in most respects, but was becoming very costly. CS is a significant step up.

We ordered new and our color choice was down to white and silver; went with silver and I think the choice was correct, along with black interior.

As for the V8, I love it! The power and smoothness is wonderful, and no issues after 24,000 miles. Went with standard 18" wheels and steel suspension and I'm satisfied. I spent the savings on PSE, which tops off the NA V8 nicely, but that's probably a rare option. Also have the Bose, which seems fine to me. If you get the 14 way seats, it seems you get a better quality of leather, even if it has the standard interior.

Mike

PaddyG

Yeah, the PSE would be great to have but I can't recall seeing even one in the aftermarket.

mk85911

A funny story about the PSE. My wife is the primary driver of the CS, and she wanted the cheapest Cayenne possible; basically the V6 and an automatic transmission. But I did the build, and since I knew I couldn't sneak the fact that it was the "S" past her, i went ahead and told her up front that it would be an "S", but I thought she'd never know that I had ordered the sport exhaust because I figured I would only engage the system when I was the only person in the car. I figured wrong. As it turned out, every time the engine starts, it is initially in sport mode--that is, a NASCAR start up sound--for a few seconds, then defaults to normal mode unless PSE is activated. I loved it; wife not nearly as happy.. If she ever found out how much it cost....

PaddyG

Haha. Makes me want the PSE more!

mk85911

PSE can be installed by the dealer.

sclemmons

Funny. I have the PSE on my car and almost never use it.