Cayenne S Opinions?

[IROC]

OK, so the wife and I are still on a quest for some sort of SUV to replace our 2007 BMW 530i. We love the 530 (it has been an awesome, flawless vehicle), but we simply need something a little bigger with a two young kids (3 and 8).

We've looked at FJ80 Land Cruisers (too many miles, etc. for a primary wife car, but the cool factor is pegged). We've looked at X5s and X3s (all used). X5s are a bit expensive and the X3 isn't really any bigger than the 530. We drove a nearly-new 4Runner today (owned one prior to the 530) and it was actually much nicer than expected.

Then, while driving around, we stumbled onto a Cayenne S. 2006 with around 62k miles. Even after almost 20 years of Porsche ownership, I was steering the wife away from it, but then I started wondering...why not?

Any experiences with Cayennes? This one is in perfect condition and the price is actually quite a bit less than the 2008 4Runner we looked at with the same mileage...

Opinions? I'm mostly concerned with reliability.

[stealthn]

I just traded in my 05 Turbo and what an excellent truck it was. The only issue was the coils which are known to go and had an upgrade. I owned it for 5 years and drove in summer and winter, hauled bikes, 2 kids and a dog, our kayaks, and even pulled out 23 ft trailer for camping.

The drive was awesome and the only reason I traded it was I needed more room. So I got a quad door pickup so now I can haul and pull everything at once. I will miss it and highly recommend a well documented example after 05.

[pavulon]

Seems that I recall plastic engine valley coolant plumbing issues and a Cardan shafts bearing that craps out.

[Halm]

FWIW, I have an '07 530i too. Look at an X5 as well as the Cayenne. Both are terrific.

[KNS]

What Pavulon said. I think there is a service bulletin or recall on the pipes.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by Halm

FWIW, I have an '07 530i too. Look at an X5 as well as the Cayenne. Both are terrific.

I've driven my boss's 2010 X5 and was not disappointed. We will probably go drive the Cayenne on Monday (3 year-old son was asleep in the 530 when we stopped).

It's amazing how the value (?) of these things drop. Scary on one hand, but an opportunity for a seriously fun family vehicle on the other...

[pavulon]

Do you think you'll have turbo envy 3 days after your purchase?

[stealthn]

Yes there is a class action against the pipes, make sure yours has the aluminium ones, like I said well documented. The other thing that would be a must for the Cayenne is the air suspension/sport as it makes a huge difference in handling.

[ckelly78z]

Value drop on any vehicle anymore is scary, this is why I let someone else take the initial depreciation, and refuse to buy new on almost any motorized vehicle. My 10 year old diesel 4x4 Ford F-250 Lariet pkg is a $55,000 truck on the Ford lot, I got it for less than $10,000.

[Scott R]

Mines had a lot of repairs for sure. Annoying things, radio, keyless entry, door handles, rattles, a turbo. Most recently the washer bottle started leaking, this required tearing down the passenger side of the car so the dealer told me.

Just glad I'm under warranty.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by Scott R

Mines had a lot of repairs for sure. Annoying things, radio, keyless entry, door handles, rattles, a turbo. Most recently the washer bottle started leaking, this required tearing down the passenger side of the car so the dealer told me.

Just glad I'm under warranty.

uff-da.

[IROC]

Well, part of my evil plan is to suck my wife further into the abyss of "fun vehicle" ownership. She wanted a Camry when we got the 530 and now really appreciates the luxury and performance of the BMW. I've had my 911 for almost 20 years, but didn't view a Porsche a good daily driver for my wife/kids, but reading reviews, etc., it seems that the Cayenne isn't that bad, really.

No turbo envy. I was visibly aroused by the exhaust note of the 4.5L V8.

[ninelevenick]

My wife and I bought a '06 Cayenne S with about 61K miles last summer. What a vehicle. Shortly after we bought it, we took a raod trip to the mountains. Boy that thing can handle. The non turbo 4.5 liter 8 has plenty of power.

[MysticLlama]

Our '04 has been nothing but trouble, there is always something broken, and we haven't even hit the coolant pipes or driveshaft issues yet.

The '06s are supposed to be better, but we probably wouldn't do it again unless it was cheap enough to feel okay doing $5k worth of work in the first year.

[Dan J]

We work on a lot of them at my shop. I think overall the S' are pretty good reliable cars.
The coolant pipes and trans valve body are a concern make sure to check them.
But other then that they're good. The turbo's get pricey quick when they have a few miles.
They are a great driving truck I don't think the BMW's or Benzes come close

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by IROC

We love the 530 (it has been an awesome, flawless vehicle), but we simply need something a little bigger with a two young kids (3 and 8).

Is one of your kids Honey Boo Boo?

A 5 series seems more than big enough for even above average sized 3 and 8 year old kids to fit in.

I'd just keep the 5. You save money and have a better car, to boot. If your wife and/or kids are too big to fit comfortably in a 5 series, I'd make 'em lose weight. You'll save money on groceries, to boot.

Problems solved!

[IROC]

Originally Posted by McLovin

Is one of your kids Honey Boo Boo?

Fortunately (?) I don't know what you're talking about.

A 5 series seems more than big enough for even above average sized 3 and 8 year old kids to fit in.

I'd just keep the 5. You save money and have a better car, to boot.

It is big enough, but once you get two kids, stuffed animals, DVD players, luggage, etc., it gets tight. It's not that the 530 is unacceptable, but better is enemy of good enough.

[Nostril Cheese]

i work on them almost daily. the coolant pipes are the biggest issue, along with the starter failing at the same time (horrible design). the coil packs tend to fail pretty regularly at 50-60k. I think they are up to the 8th design revision for the packs now. other than that, the driveshaft issues along with battery/electrical glitches. Parts aint cheap and a lot of stuff requires the use of the PIWIS to do any sort of diagnosis.

Fun cars to dive though. handle very well for a big VW truck.

[enzo1]

friend has a 2003 with 130,000 miles.... blown head gasket.

[Scott R]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

i work on them almost daily. the coolant pipes are the biggest issue, along with the starter failing at the same time (horrible design). the coil packs tend to fail pretty regularly at 50-60k. I think they are up to the 8th design revision for the packs now. other than that, the driveshaft issues along with battery/electrical glitches. Parts aint cheap and a lot of stuff requires the use of the PIWIS to do any sort of diagnosis.

Fun cars to dive though. handle very well for a big VW truck.

No kidding, 1 x headlight gasket from our host here, $70.