Shopping for a Cayenne Turbo (possibly Turbo S)

[iamtheari]

My 2001 Silverado needs to be replaced. While I am trying to talk myself out of it, the Cayenne seems to be a reasonable replacement. I need to be able to tow a trailer occasionally but not often, need to be able to get through deep snow, need to drive on occasionally very rough gravel roads, and need to be able to accelerate, brake, or turn out of traffic hazards on our over-trafficked two-lane roads here in oil country. I am 6'2" and 220 lbs, and recently sat in a brand new Cayenne at a dealership and both front and rear seats were comfortable for me and, therefore, implicitly comfortable for people contributing to or benefiting from inheritance of my genes (relatively speaking, that is--better than an Audi A4 and comparable to my Silverado for headroom and legroom both front and rear).

My price range puts me into the 2004-2006 range if I go with a Turbo or Turbo S. I like the front and rear heated seats and the adjustable suspension height and stiffness to transition from gravel to pavement and back.

So, talk me out of it before I take the plunge. I know that there are some coolant pipe issues and a couple other common problems to be aware of or preventively fix. Should I be aware of other major pitfalls? Will I be able to work on it to keep it running barring disaster without a dealership or trained mechanic within 500 miles? (I am comfortable working on my 964 and Silverado for general maintenance, less so for complicated diagnostics.)

Most people recommend a PPI for all vehicle purchases. On a scale of 0-10 how important is that for a Cayenne Turbo of this age? It is substantially easier for me to buy sight unseen. Any mileage figures to be leery of? (E.g., is 100k worn out or just a lot of fun to drive?)

How much do you really get with the Turbo S when compared with the same-year Turbo? Different standard features and/or options? And how can you tell if it has heated rear seats and/or the adjustable suspension, if those are not standard equipment? Is there a switch visible in an interior photo that can tell this the way you can tell if, for instance, a 996 has heated seats because of the switches below the radio stack?

How hard is it to replace the stereo and/or update the maps if the car has navigation?

Okay, I think that's it for now. Thanks for any advice, even if it's not to buy one.

[klober23]

I just picked up a 2006 Turbo S 4-6 weeks ago and love it. Long time Porsche owner, but this was my first Cayenne. I asked some very similar questions on the forum and received a lot of excellent info here --> http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cayenne/745828-just-purchased-06-turbo-s-suggested-replacements.html

Travis is excellent and covers most of the "what to watch out for's" at the link above.

As for some of the other questions you have, from my brief experience I prefer the Turbo S, but then again I always like that little extra. The Turbo S has an extra ~70 Hp and some other features, but it sounds like you are aware of those. You start out ahead of the curve a bit with the S, but then again, if you are going to do a ton of performance upgrades, you will be sitting in a similar spot at the end of the day going with a turbo.

I spent two months crawling all resources to find mine, and if you play your cards right, you can get into an Turbo S for the price of a turbo, so why not? You will know it when you find it. Oh, and as I am right next door to you in Montana, I bought my car sight unseen out of NY and had no issues. Even though we dont have the selection of Porsche Shops, there is a fair amount of quality information out there on the Cayenne. The back of the center console has the seat heater controls. The adjustable suspension is by the transmission shifter. I can send you pics of these if you wish.

I am already planning to do a handful of adjustments, mostly for fun. I have spent a fair amount of time preparing to do the coolant pipe update and will be doing this my self in a month or two.

I also plan to upgrade some exhaust items, upgrade primary cat, bypass secondary, IPD intake, different filters although I am not sold on one exactly yet. A full brake kit is coming as well once I make a decision and ECU.

White was the last color I thought I would ever own in a Porsche, but I like the factory blacked out trim, and was sold. I have already added the clear Euro markers and going to do a set of flat black wheels in the techno style. Let me know if I can do anything further to help in your quest.

Cheers
Jesse

[klober23]

Ok, one more just to bury the hatchet and convince you to get a Cayenne!

[Lapkritis]

Devils' advocate checking in. I was tempted by the extremely low price point of the used Cayenne Turbo and relative features included just like you. Even looked at the Touareg V10 TDI brother. I'm about your same size and desire for utility. Let me be the first to warn you of the timing chain replacement job. The engine is basically the same as an s8. The timing chains and ramps are on the transmission side. Need service? Have to pull the engine. If you're handy with your own wrench and have a chunk of time to spare then no big deal. Otherwise just like an air-cooled engine service, grab your ankles. In the end I kept my A4 and put a trailer hitch on. That was 5yrs ago... don't regret it one bit and I've towed above max load (3500lbs) across the country twice without issue.

[Lapkritis]

Originally Posted by klober23

Looks like the rim side near the airport in Billings. Oil jobs... can't find crap otherwise there.

[klober23]

You are correct, its right across from the airport

[iamtheari]

Thanks for the responses so far. I have a white 911 and love it. I actually prefer the look of the Cayenne in white over black. Unfortunately, most of the people who bought them new did the opposite, so it's far too easy to find in black and far too difficult to find in a color that doesn't look dirty 5 minutes after a wash. I love black cars, but do not have the time or energy to keep them looking good.

How often does the timing chain need servicing? I'm comfortable with a wrench but would prefer a vehicle that needs wrenching less as it will be my DD. Is this a model year specific problem that shopping can avoid or just a known risk of all affordably used Cayenne Turbos?

The Audi cars would be more attractive to me if not for the deep snow we occasionally fight here. Buying an A4 or A6 will mandate that I keep my truck for snowy days, and it ultimately will need replacement within a winter or two so at this point I am leaning toward an SUV (or new Silverado) with some more ground clearance and only having one DD rather than needing two. Not saying I'd kick one out of the garage if it snuck its way in, though--I'm truly torn, but leaning due to clearance.

P.S. to klober23: If you come east from Billings, be in touch. I'm in western ND.

[Streetcrawler]

Originally Posted by Lapkritis

Devils' advocate checking in. I was tempted by the extremely low price point of the used Cayenne Turbo and relative features included just like you. Even looked at the Touareg V10 TDI brother. I'm about your same size and desire for utility. Let me be the first to warn you of the timing chain replacement job. The engine is basically the same as an s8. The timing chains and ramps are on the transmission side. Need service? Have to pull the engine. If you're handy with your own wrench and have a chunk of time to spare then no big deal. Otherwise just like an air-cooled engine service, grab your ankles. In the end I kept my A4 and put a trailer hitch on. That was 5yrs ago... don't regret it one bit and I've towed above max load (3500lbs) across the country twice without issue.

Um, no!! Not at all!

The V8 in the Cayenne is a totally different one than the Audi V8 in the Touareg.

I've owned a CTT for many years and am a forum research aholic and have not seen a single Cayenne V8 have a timing chain service yet. Even with most members in the 100k+ and some with 250k+ miles.

Also, just for the hell of it reference, the chains on a Porsche V8 are in the front, not the back like the Audis with chains(not all Audi V8s use a chain)

[iamtheari]

Well, the belt certainly earns its serpentine name in that one. How hard is it to access things like the oil filter, drain plug, and other basic maintenance items? Doable without a lift?

And how is the road/wind noise on a Cayenne Turbo from 7-9 years ago?

[Streetcrawler]

Originally Posted by iamtheari

Well, the belt certainly earns its serpentine name in that one. How hard is it to access things like the oil filter, drain plug, and other basic maintenance items? Doable without a lift?

And how is the road/wind noise on a Cayenne Turbo from 7-9 years ago?

It's quieter than your Silverado

Remove the plastic under tray (like 6-8 screws) and the two oil drains and filter are right there. You can even reach the filter while squatting in front of the car.

I change my oil with the suspension just set in off road mode.

I've built all sorts of cars and the CTT is just as easy as any modern car.

Personally I chose a Turbo over the Turbo S for the brakes. They are both massive overkill on the street, even with a trailer. (I tow with mine a lot). The Turbo S brakes are better for TRACK use, but are 4x the price to replace and you can only run a 19" or bigger wheel.

If you want to run an 18" winter or off road tire you have to have a Turbo, not Turbo S.

The power difference is all in the tune. All the physical hardware is the same with the exception of the intercoolers. So on a really hot track day the Turbo S will make better boost, but in normal driving a chipped Turbo will equal or better a Turbo S.

[Lapkritis]

Originally Posted by Streetcrawler

Um, no!! Not at all!

The V8 in the Cayenne is a totally different one than the Audi V8 in the Touareg.

I've owned a CTT for many years and am a forum research aholic and have not seen a single Cayenne V8 have a timing chain service yet. Even with most members in the 100k+ and some with 250k+ miles.

Also, just for the rphell of it reference, the chains on a Porsche V8 are in the front, not the back like the Audis with chains(not all Audi V8s use a chain)

Anyone want to buy an a4?

[klober23]

My Cayenne is very quiet running down the road, almost too quiet!

[914-6Porsche]

I haven't noticed any difference in noise between 75 (around 2200 RPM)and 110. It's too quiet. If you aren't watching the speedo, you wouldn't even know.
_________________
2004 Cayenne T
2006 Cayenne S
1970 914-6 #397 Original Owner

[iamtheari]

That's pretty quiet. I see you have an '04 Turbo and '06 S. How do they compare? If you could only have one ...?

[ninelevenick]

Hey Klober 23, that is one sharp looking Cayenne Turbo S!

[klober23]

Originally Posted by Snipernick

Hey Klober 23, that is one sharp looking Cayenne Turbo S!

Thanks!

[sck007]

Originally Posted by snipernick

hey klober 23, that is one sharp looking cayenne turbo s!

+1

[914-6Porsche]

I have the T and my wife has the S. The T is fairly plain, with a few bells and whistles, compared to hers which the titanium edition and has a really nice interior, arctic blue with black dash, black/gray seats, two tone wheels, extra exterior trim. Now to answer your question, I have only driven the S probably less than ten miles. We have owned it since 08 and I just don't drive it, It is "her" car. I would much rather have the T. The S is no slouch, but when you put the T to the floor, hang on. You could get into real trouble if you aren't ready. I can't imagine a Turbo S. For the original poster, if you don't turn the PSM off in snow, you can end up going nowhere. We live in the foothills NW of Boulder @ 7500' so it is a 2k' daily climb in 3 miles and both of them do it extremely well. Well, the T is definitely no problem. I love them for the cruising, effortless and smoooo-oooth! My wife has had other drivers challenge her but she always leaves them in the dust. They are big and heavy and I will be down sizing in around a year or so. My T has had the usual problems and some other weird ones to correct the factory goofs but the dealer took care of most of them before the warranty ran out @ 60K. I have 86K on mine and the S has only around 40K.

[stealthn]

I can answer some of those questions as I had an 05 Turbo and loved it. I would have kept it but just needed a little more space; two boys a dog, bikes, kayaks and a trailer...
I traded it on a 2012 Dodge Ram and got a great trade-in for it.

Towing, it's outstanding! You really have to keep your speed down or you will be refuelling every couple of hours, but passing, breaking, etc., it's so much better than the Ram, especially the braking! You really notice it going from the turbo brakes to the two piston ram ones.

I had no major issues, just some standard stuff with coils, minor electronics. I would have done tubes if I kept it.
Tuning; it's fun don't get oiled filters as I fouled both MAFs with BMC filters, had the IPD and went with an EVO intake, ten put on Fabspeed Cat bypass. Really made the pedal, sound and throttle mapping better.

Great in the winter with proper tires, I went down to 18's for the winter.

Find a low mileage 06 Turbo with a detailed history and well maintained and you should have a blast.

Bob

[iamtheari]

Thanks for the comparison to the Ram. That really helps. Anything wrong with an '05 that wouldn't be wrong in an '06? I see more '04 and '06 models for sale but the occasional '05 comes up.