'04 Porsche Cayenne S

[OB3]

I came accross a friends Dad that is selling his '04 Cayenne S, Black with sort of a terracotta leather interior. The truck is in excellent condition in and out, and only 20K miles. Ext warranty till '09, 80k miles. Pretty much fully loaded.
He is asking $41,000.

I am not aware of reliability issues with these SUV's, can anyone shed some light ?

[jay]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_Cayenne

It's a tooted-up Touareg, and that vehicle's issues have been discussed extensively here. Unless you have PILOTinginCO's luck or skill at getting a free one when it goes south, I'd pass.

[PILOTinginCO]

Thanks Jay!!!

The Cayenne had many problems... just like the '04 TOUAREGs. You didn't hear as much about it because the Porsche dealer network is much better than VW's.

If it's a low VIN '04... I'd run like hell AWAY from it!

[eluwak]

While Porsche and VW shared development on the body the rest of the vehicle is independent so if they shared the same problems then it would be a stunning coincidence. Porsches are like BMWs in my second hand experience... The pepper is no exception.

[jcantanixon]

Originally posted by eluwak
While Porsche and VW shared development on the body the rest of the vehicle is independent so if they shared the same problems then it would be a stunning coincidence. Porsches are like BMWs in my second hand experience... The pepper is no exception.

Yup, the "S" version doesn't share much at all with the Treg.

[jl_ss]

Here are the CR predicted reliability results (based on current reliability surveys) for mid-sized SUVs. For size, the middle of the chart is cropped, but look very closely at the two vehicles bringing up the bottom:

[PILOTinginCO]

This is where my expertise is going to help.

The TOUAREG/Cayenne platforms share an amazing amount of equipment. Porsche owners will tell you different, but the facts simply don't lie.

1: Chassis - same on both vehicles
2: Transmissions - same on both vehicle'
3: Front and rear suspension components - same - just different tuning
4: Engines - different
5: Exhaust systems - same with some minor tweaks for Porsche
6: Doors - same on both vehicles
7: Rear quarter panels - different
8: Rear hatch - different
9: Electronics (engine/transmission/emissions etc) -- all the same with some tweaks for engine/transmission performance on the Cayenne
10: Brake systems: Only the V10TDI and Cayenne systems are identical. V6 & V8 powered TOUAREGs have 330mm rotors vs. 350. Calipers and other hardware are all shared


So, to summarize: The differences with the Cayenne are as follows
1: Sheet metal
2: Interior
3: Engines
4: Wheel design
5: Headlight and tail lights

Anyone who tells you the vehicles are significantly different, just don't know what they're talking about.

[ictvuser]

Originally posted by PILOTinginCO

So, to summarize: The differences with the Cayenne are as follows
1: Sheet metal
2: Interior
3: Engines
4: Wheel design
5: Headlight and tail lights

You missed one.

6: Price

[sblvro]

Originally posted by PILOTinginCO
3: Front and rear suspension components - same - just different tuning
4: Engines - different
5: Exhaust systems - same with some minor tweaks for Porsche
7: Rear quarter panels - different
8: Rear hatch - different
9: Electronics (engine/transmission/emissions etc) -- all the same with some tweaks for engine/transmission performance on the Cayenne
10: Brake systems: V6 & V8 powered TOUAREGs have 330mm rotors vs. 350.

that's a lot of difference right there. of course the body style of the S is a lot better. you cannot have different engine with the same electronics even for a same make and model with different options. maybe the body component parts, chassis and frame may be the same but it is a different vehicle

[Art]

Originally posted by jl_ss
Here are the CR predicted reliability results (based on current reliability surveys) for mid-sized SUVs. For size, the middle of the chart is cropped, but look very closely at the two vehicles bringing up the bottom:

OUCH!!!

[PILOTinginCO]

Originally posted by sblvro


that's a lot of difference right there. of course the body style of the S is a lot better. you cannot have different engine with the same electronics even for a same make and model with different options. maybe the body component parts, chassis and frame may be the same but it is a different vehicle

Um... it's all programming. The hardware is the same.

[jcantanixon]

Originally posted by PILOTinginCO



Um... it's all programming. The hardware is the same.

I don't think it's "ALL" programming. What "hardware" are you referring to?

The V8 in the VW is a 5 valves per cylinder, 4.2L. The V8 in the Cayenne S is 4 valves per cylinder, 4.5L. The Porsche engine is designed and built by Porsche. The VW is designed and built by VW/Audi and shared with the A8 and maybe other Audis. So nothing is shared in the component design or the engine management of these vehicles.

The Touareg uses 50-50 split in drive between the front and rear axle and the Cayenne has a 32-68 ratio.

You've already mentioned the differences in brake design and suspension tuning.

So yes, the chassis and most of the body are the same. The interior is practically the same. In fact, those shared components and the fact that they're built in the same plant in Slovakia is probably what gives them such similar low marks in reliability.

However, the elements that make up a vehicle's soul are different. In my mind, the soul is defined by power, handling, and brakes. Maybe I'm strange, but I tend to think of the Cayenne as the sportier trim line of the Treg. So yes, in the same way that a BMW 325 is the same car as the M3, these two are the same vehicle...but they don't drive like it.

BTW, it may not seem like it from the above statements, but I think the Treg is a much better value for the price difference. Not that anyone was asking me

[sblvro]

a comparably equipped toureg prices at $58,000 while the Cayenne S at $64000, all with tow hitch , package of HID and air ride suspension. The Cayenne S have variocam or variable valve system and an engine oil cooler and both are AWD. The $5,000 premium of owning a Porsche is much better than the VW(resale and value). I would say, the Cayenne S is a better value and the Toureg is overpriced. If the Toureg tops at $45,000 then yeah it is a better value.

btw, if they put a third row seat on the Cayenne S, I might consider it.

[OB3]

I am stil going to look at it this weekend, although i am a little more weary now. I love the looks, but the more i am reading about it, and the more i read these posts, the more i am liking the '07 Pilots better and better.

thanks again

[jcantanixon]

Originally posted by sblvro
a comparably equipped toureg prices at $58,000 while the Cayenne S at $64000, all with tow hitch , package of HID and air ride suspension. The Cayenne S have variocam or variable valve system and an engine oil cooler and both are AWD. The $5,000 premium of owning a Porsche is much better than the VW(resale and value). I would say, the Cayenne S is a better value and the Toureg is overpriced. If the Toureg tops at $45,000 then yeah it is a better value.

btw, if they put a third row seat on the Cayenne S, I might consider it.

Good point, but that's MSRP. Real world price difference is probably closer to 10k. You can get much lower than MSRP for the VW, since the demand has tapered. On the other hand, Porsche decided not build any 07 models rather than use incentives to lower the prices before the 2008 facelift.