Need SUV- Thinking about Cayenne?

[Three Pedal Steve]

Since I am in the small demographic requiring a manual transmission; the X5 or X5M are not on my list. I am thinking about an 2008-2010 Cayenne GTS. I value the voices of fellow M3 owners over those on the Rennlist blog. So what say ya?

[ec_E92]

Originally Posted by Three Pedal Steve

Since I am in the small demographic requiring a manual transmission; the X5 or X5M are not on my list. I am thinking about an 2008-2010 Cayenne GTS. I value the voices of fellow M3 owners over those on the Rennlist blog. So what say ya?

Purchased an 09 GTS 6MT last year for the wife's daily and I (and her as well) love it. Get the 09-10 as the 08 has horrible PCM system. Cooling pipe probs don't affect the GTS v8, however fuel pumps and carden (drive) shafts can be problematic. I replaced low and high side pumps (diy) and it wasn't too bad. Still, a SUV that can tow 8k lbs and be heel-toed? Yes please!

[Three Pedal Steve]

Thanks ec M3 for the hands-on feedback.

[atxgt3]

A friend is selling his Cayenne GTS with around 105k miles for $26k. I don't know a lot about the car or what they types go for (he said that's wholesale price) but if you're interested I can find out more.

[bimmer414]

01-05 X5 3.0L (E53) was available with a 5MT or 6MT. Supercharge it!

[DSilk]

I am also in that small demographic requiring a true manual transmission. One thing that you are likely to find when purchasing a used Porsche Cayenne (or BMW X5, for that matter), is that even if the manufacturer offered a manual transmission probably 95% of them were sold with automatics.

[mjposner]

We have a 2010 Cayenne S. My wife adores the car but it has issues. Nav failed under warranty, was replaced. Thermostat failed out of warranty, had to remove intake manifold to access so a $100 p[art becomes a $2,000 job. Lousy fuel economy. Adding options after the fact very expensive (wife wanted sat radio, would cost several thousands).

To fold rear seats flat, you must remove headrests and move front seats way forward (I once drove that way for a 1000 miles, and it hurt!

We have a slow oil leak that dealer can't determine location for sure so it would be a several $$ to fully fix.

That said I have used it on many long trips and it eats miles comfortably.

[ec_E92]

Good points mjposner, it's not a giant suv but still practical (mpg's are horrible). Like any german luxury car with some miles on it, you have to have a tolerance for maintenance. Either get extended warranty, have deep pockets for dealer work or be ok with diy repairs. I fall under the third option and find it easy to work on (refreshed cooling system on a Saturday). Look at Pelican and Suncoast for replacement part prices and invest in a Durometric if you decide to buy.

[lcrain]

I have an '09 GTS that serves as my daily/tow-vehicle for my track car and I love it. I opted for an after market warranty to insulate myself from hefty repair costs. If you go this route, make sure to get one that covers the shocks.

It really is a great SUV that serves my needs perfectly. As others have stated, the mileage is pretty bad, but gas is sub $2 where I live.

[Three Pedal Steve]

Here is some interesting feedback from Rennslist.com:

Default ATTENTION : IF YOU'RE THINKING OF BUYING A 955 Cayenne READ THIS BEFORE YOU ASK YOUR QUESTION


03=yuk
04=luck
05=better
06=better still
07=perfect
08=my best so far
09=sounds better internally
10=sounds better externally

[ec_E92]

Guess that's why I don't hang out on rennlist.

Find any leads? It took me several months of looking, and we had to go about 600 miles to find the right one and still didn't get our first or second color choice, settling on Polar Silver on black.

More random thoughts... 1st gear is stupid short, long highway trips are insanely comfortable (we've done several 10-hour legs), sport mode exhaust is intoxicating, 21" 295 summer tires are odd size and pricey to replace (I run 19" Blizzaks in winter).

[MTrezzz]

Originally Posted by Three Pedal Steve

Since I am in the small demographic requiring a manual transmission; the X5 or X5M are not on my list. I am thinking about an 2008-2010 Cayenne GTS. I value the voices of fellow M3 owners over those on the Rennlist blog. So what say ya?

From a family that owned 5 Cayennes and a few other P cars. I can say that the
2004 - Terrible build (Turbo) Lemon Law
2005 - Used 3 years (Turbo) 35K
2009 - This Gen is a big improvement (Turbo) 20k
2010 - Fixes the bugs that the 09 had (Turbo) - amazing truck 20k
2013 - Leased this one (GTS) out of them all I personally love the 13" GTS (21K as of NOW) because it's as fast as the 05 turbo and a tab slower than the 11" but the quality on this model compared to the old ones are LIGHT YEARS AWAY!

OHH & the Exhaust note is better than some supercars.
I'd love to make a video and show but I don't have a tripod.

[ASBSECU E93]

Originally Posted by Three Pedal Steve

Since I am in the small demographic requiring a manual transmission; the X5 or X5M are not on my list. I am thinking about an 2008-2010 Cayenne GTS. I value the voices of fellow M3 owners over those on the Rennlist blog. So what say ya?

Steve - I lived in Waynesville for many years, hows the weather up your right now, cold?

Second - I too looked at X5, X5M, and X5d for the wife....along with a Cayenne.

In the end - I bought a 2013 VW Touareg TDi Executive, immediately did a Stage II Malone tune with DPF delete and Secondary cat delete.

This SUV is built on the same platform as the Cayenne, and the diesel puts down almost 600 ft lb torque. I get 30+ MPG on the highway. The diesel would be perfect for those roads in Highlands/Cashiers/Franklin.

Plus - it is a BEAST when I put my foot into the peddle, pulls like the X5M!!

It handles great for a SUV, not like the X5M, but much better than the X5.

With the 'scandal' for VW - you could pick up a '12 or '13 TDi Treg for a steal. And - NC is not an emissions state for diesel vehicles. I have tow TDi's and both are tunes and DPF free (basically straight pipe after the turbo and cat in the Treg, straight pipe on the Jetta).

[GVIFlyer]

The Porsche Macan would constitute a better size for me.

[Three Pedal Steve]

Thanks to all who have posted responses on my question about a Cayenne.

ASBSECU E93- Yes the weather has turned colder but the roads are clear and unsalted. This time of the year I always do a thorough warm-up in the M3 before revving her beyond 3000. I will look into the Touareg if there is a manual transmission option. Send me a pm if you ever bring your M3 to Highlands for some cruisin'.

MT re333- Wow five Cayennes! Great feedback. Sounds like I should focus my search on 2010 model year.

ec E92- Yes this search could take many months to find the right vehicle with proper service records.

[ASBSECU E93]

Originally Posted by Three Pedal Steve

Thanks to all who have posted responses on my question about a Cayenne.

ASBSECU E93- Yes the weather has turned colder but the roads are clear and unsalted. This time of the year I always do a thorough warm-up in the M3 before revving her beyond 3000. I will look into the Touareg if there is a manual transmission option. Send me a pm if you ever bring your M3 to Highlands for some cruisin'.

MT re333- Wow five Cayennes! Great feedback. Sounds like I should focus my search on 2010 model year.

ec E92- Yes this search could take many months to find the right vehicle with proper service records.

TP Steve - no manual option in the Treg...sadly.

Here's a pic you'll like...