Porsche Cayenne

mudman2

It must attract a lot of attention wrt the hot-hatch brigade.

I would have loved one when I lived down in Dorset, flying back and forth to Weymouth would have been very different from my old Granada.

svinaik

My Cay S is acting a bit weird lately. After turning the ignition off today, the radiator / fan turned on with a very noticeable sound but I have not been able to repeat that.

Also, PCM seems to have a mind of it's own, It keeps switching from CD changer to FM whenever it feels like. Not a major issue but still an issue. Also I loose the PCM display in the front display every once in a while. Problem is that these issues may not happen when I am at the dealer but show up later.

I have to get the alignment checked again (< 5000 Miles) as I feel tired holding the steering wheel on extended drive and feel the vibration. Anyone having similar symptoms, please share..

Still a head turner. Folks at the traffic signal give thumbs up and great comments. I wonder if the Internet community / magazines writers who talks down the Cay ever talks to real folks on the road. People seem to be loving this vehicle..

mudman2

Try this. Put the key in the ignition, turn it on but do not crank the engine. Leave it on for about 40 seconds then turn it off and remove the key.

This resets a number of electronic functions.

No vibration on mine, what size wheels ? I am on 18's.

highender

perhaps I am wrong, but here in northern Calif, the cayenne S could be had for $6000 less MSRP, but LA area used to be more expensive. I don't know what they are offering now. good luck.

highender

I get this when the engine is hot, and the automatic cooling system turns on to cool the engine and turbo.

No problems with the PCM , and we use it frequently. People still congregate all over the car.

mudman2

The Turbo cooling system is independant of the engine after shutdown, the oil pumps continue to run with other ancilliaries to cool down the turbo's quickly to extend their life.

highender

but I can feel the warm/hot air on my ankles when I exit the vehicle. This after turning off the engine. I presume it is the cooling radiator fan. Yes, the turbo oil pump is independent of the engine cooling fan...
   Glad to hear you enjoyed the trip and could haul asses while hauling [non-permissible content removed] down the freeway. What a great looking car....!

scottj4

It sure looks like prices are dropping on the Cayenne S. I figure they made too many, or priced it too high. Is $10k below MSRP too cheap? If you can buy one near there, are supposed to lease it?

highender

like all cars, are dropping due to economy and end of year need to clear out stocks. However, I do not think you can get $10,000 off the CayS, unless it is a demo or used car. $5000 off is about right.

highender

Just wondering if you went to the consumer ratings section of Edmunds. If you have not, then please find the time to check it out, and give your ratings. It is a most useful tool as it comes straight from the owners, and perhaps we can get Porsche to listen and improve the car.
   However, I see most people give low ratings for the fuel economy. Actually, it has great fuel economy, compared to a Toyota SR5, which gets similar gas mileage, but delivers less performance. A lot of less powerful, lighter SUV or cars have similar or worst EPA fuel economy. Same goes for fx45; for the amount of performance and utility, it gets great gas mileage.

tidester

You'll find them here: Consumer Ratings Index

tidester, host

scottj4

I seem to be getting $6,000 off easily, just looking for more.....

highender

good for you. I did not want to wait, so I bit the bullet and bought at the introduction month back in March/April 2003. Good Luck....I know you will love this car...!!!!

pathdoc

Edmunds still lists the TMV price for the S at less than $1000 off retail. Is this info outdated or are the stated discounts on this board fantasies?

tidester

TMV is based on what folks are actually paying and I believe the information to be up to date. Feel free to use the Feedback Form.

tidester, host

mudman2

Done

highender

great....just some fair feedback.

tidester & steve: thanks for investigating (I assume) and removing the rating by one guy who quite obviously does not own a Cayenne. He went on the ratings and posted 1's all over and dissed it from head to toe... and he spent $55K without any love or knowledge of the vehicle ?!!

taked5th

I have some problems with the garage door opener not being able to read the code from the transmitter, anyone else have this problem?

Also, my interior lights don't work properly and my radio shuts off after a few hours. I have taken it to Beverly Hills Porsche twice and they don't have a clue.

Thanks, Bill

albacore1

It's spent more time at the dealer being *fixed* than it has in my driveway. There has to be a gremlin living in the computer systems--everything from the comfort settings not sticking to the radio turning itself on and off randomly, to the intermittent wipers only working on one setting, to the constant error message re the nav system not working despite the presence of the nav disc in the dash player, too much more to go into. I'm so aggravated I could scream; I'm annoyed each time I get into the car. Such a bummer. It rides and drives beautifully (especially after a 2000 and 2002 Range Rover), but the aggraviation isn't worth it. Porsche is going to be taking this lemon back and I'm going to go get a new Rover.

mudman2

You need to wave the transmitter around the area indicated in the handbook. It takes time but does work. Also make sure its got fresh batteries

highender

wow, sounds like you got a hand full. I'm surprised because all my gadgets and electronics work fine. Which dealership is it ??? Perhaps you can call the general Porsche number to get some help. My dealer was great and I heard only good stuff from everyone there. Sorry to hear that you got so many problems. You could also try another dealership, perhaps their mechanic knows a few more tricks to tackle your gremlin. good luck

taked5th

I ran into someone who complained about similar problems as you. The dealer traded his car in as a Lemon and gave him a new car.

I have the problem with the radio, after calling Porsche in Atlanta, I was told that it was defective and that we all should get a recall letter regarding the software in the radio?

Regarding the other problems,Have you contacted Porsche HQ in Atlanta? I did, they were on top of trying to get the problems fixed and said they would drop off a loaner Cayenne to me at my house and take mine for repair. I just don't have the patients any more, after two attempts for them to fix it, I am over it.

albacore1

Don't get me wrong; the service dept involved Porsche rep very early on (guess it all sounded familiar to them)and they've all been polite, kind, and empathetic. Rep has made noises about taking as a lemon--last conversation about that was nearly four weeks ago, and I'm done being patient. Now I just want my $$ so I can go and get a more reliable vehicle that won't make me angry every time I get into it. If I don't feel better after speaking with rep again tomorrow, it's time for a call to Atlanta.

highender

I want them to be aware that this type of behaviour is not aacceptable and wish to protect our rights as consumers.

   I'm not having any problems with my car...but do not want my cayenne known as a problem car; that would drive down the resale value really fast..

highender

I called 1-800-PORSCHE , and they said they would look in to it and perhaps talk directly to the dealer. They recommended that you call them at the above number and talk to Jason. He said he would see how he could help you.

highender

just a note to see if you want to checkout the forum fx45 vs Cay vs BMW x5 vs Toaureg. Again, a lot of people are posting there with little knowledge of the car, but plenty of bias. Perhaps they feel intimidated by the car, and must put it down in order to make themselves feel better. I see it a lot. Sometimes when I read the posts I feel like I am in a convalescent home forum instead of a sport utility forum.
   You guys have first hand knowledge of the vehicle,so will be able to provide valuable insight and factual info to edmunds readers. Please do not let the discussion be hijacked by some biased people.

tidester

The discussion is here: Infiniti FX35/45 vs VW Touareg vs Porsche Cayenne vs BMW X5 vs Cadillac SRX

tidester, host

jrkim

I think you're doing a fine job over there. Sure, if you want performance and offroad ability, nothing compares with the Cayenne, but I can't really disupute that the FX45 is a better choice for most people who are never going to tow or go offroad and don't have a lot of extra $$$, regardless of whether or not it can be properly called an "SUV".

highender

thanks , it does have a nice package and costs less. But my point is that at this luxury performance level, cost should not be even a factor.....or else we should all include the Subaru Forrester Turbo, which can do a lot for only $26K and change.....Oh well, we are not really interested in performance only, or utility only.

imegary

NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I TRY I CANNOT GET HORN TO BEEP WITH REMOTE, AM I DOING SOMETHING WRONG IN THE PROGRAM OR IS THIS A DEALER THING?

I OWN AN S FOR 3 WEEKS, ALL OTHER OPTIONS SEEM TO WORK BUT THIS ONE HAS ME BAFFLED.

I PAID 5500.00 OFF STICKER IN FLORIDA

mudman2

Wow I will try to go thru it without a net.

Using the stalk control, hit the select button on MAIN MENU.

Scroll to Comfort, select
scroll to doors, select
scroll to lights, just after scroll to sound check box select.

then reverse out again

scuse me if my memory is lapsing, I dontr have the manual in my hand right now.

Highender am I close ?

scottj4

I have a brand new 2004 "S", both my wife and I love the car. The headlights have some moisture inside, does anyone know if that is a serious problem? Also, the lights in the footwell stay on, is that normal, or is it one of the many settings?

imegary

Thanks for your help...but no cigar...I cannot get horn to beep.

I check horn only...no beep....no lights

I check lights...I get lights

I check lights and horn...I get lights only.

My only other problem so far is the radio......

occasionally the speakers are muted....the radio and cd work perfectly...but no speaker action even
if I press mute...mute....mute etc.

If I restart the car the speakers work.

I thought board might be interested.

albacore1

None of the comfort settings on my S ever *stuck.* No matter how many times they were selected, they don't stay. Not surprised that yours don't...radio is doing exactly what mine has done and what they can't seem to *fix*...and as for the moisture in the headlamps, they tell me this is *normal* and that there are weep holes for the moisture to escape; also that as the lights heat up, the moisture dissipates. My car is back at dealer and I hope not to see it ever again. Sounds like yours and mine were built around the same time--good luck!

jrkim

My HID headlights fogged up in the first couple of days, but after that they cleared up and I haven't seen it again.

sbcooke

I thought I have seen it all. This weekend I saw a stretch cayenne limo.

scottj4

Has anyone noticed a "distorted" windshield? If you look through mine at an angle, the view is a bit distorted, like it was cut thicker than most. It is not a problem, in fact if it is "thicker", it may be better. Am I alone on this?

mudman2

You in philly ? I hear of 2 there

mudman2

Seen the other board lately ?

Flaming central

sbcooke

NE PA close to NJ is where we saw it...but it could be out of Philly?

mudman2

Welcome back. You saw the debacles over on the other board...hmmm.

Anyway just thought I would tell you that I had Cat Bypass Pipes fitted yesterday and the difference is amazing, the sound alone makes it worthwhile.

Theres also a noticable gain in pure pick up and go, to soon to be more factual than that, give me a week of driving and I will have a better feel.

I got them from Fabspeed (www.fabspeed.com) $550 + $100 to fit. Could have done it myself but don't have much spare time anymore and the weather is changing for the worse.

Mike

highender

hi. My headlights never fogged up, even in foggy San Francisco. I think all headlights have the outer housing to protect the actual light (inner) , which encloses the bulb. This inner housing should not be fogged, though the outer one could be.

highender

yeah, just got back from LA and the fires. Now I am glad I got the Cay, who knows when one is going to kick the bucket, ?? Too bad I did not drive it to LA.

I think you were close on the topic of horn beeping. You have to use the computer to adjust the horn defeat. I am at work, so don't have the manual with me,,,,but you could work it out. If not , perhaps it is an alarm problem.

Yes , I caught up with the heated discussion on the other boards. I think you were right,,, there is no right or wrong answer to which is good. It depends on your luck, your preferences, your needs, tastes, spouse, etc. It does make for interesting debate , though.

   One thing that seems to be going on is that all the newer cars have some type of problems that are befuddling their owners. I hear it in the fx45, Volvo, Caddy, etc forums.. I am sorry to hear about albacore1's experience, but I think it is something that can and should be fixed immediately. I called Porsche and they said they would do something for her/him . ALBACORE: did they fix the problem , or are they working on it ?

mudman2

check this, www.thinaico.com/c2.mpg play loud

mudman2

www.thinairco.com/c2.mpg

highender

awesome sound.....is that your spiced up Cayenne with the new exhaust ?? I read that some experts think that the Cayenne exhaust is too restrictive in order to satisfy some luxury cruisers who want a dead quiet cabin. You should get 10% nincrease in hp. Is it true the sounds that I heard ?

mudman2

Yes, it was a bit of a hassle recording it tho', first onto my DV Camcorder and then converting it so it was not huge and getting rid of the video etc etc. but thats truly what it sounds like now.

Talk about a head turner to start with, now it actually asks to be looked at.

I was by myself when I did the recording in my driveway so I could not reproduce the video that Fabspeed have on the website. but to be honest I think mine sounds better than their prototype.

It certainly feels stronger especially in 4 and 5, it really pulls at low revs which implies a torque increase I think.

I have not experienced any lag since Friday, although Saturday is my day to reset the drive by wire so it may be to soon to say its gone with any degree of confidence.

There is also no increase in cockpit noise, apart from opening the window to listen that is ...haha. WOW

highender

   Great sound! And this counters one complaint from one of the journalists; who said that the engine sounds too tame..no roar to indicate its power. I'm going to check out the website and plan my add-ons to extract the potential out of this state-of-art engine. They had to detune it to allow for some one accidentally putting in 87 octane gas....then you would not damage the valves, etc.
   The new super cars MB SLR , Ford GT400, Enzo , etc , all have this dry sump lubrication system and oil spray nozzles for the pistons.....wow...but mentioning it to non-enthusiasts or people on the other forum is futile. The potential and power of this engine is increidible. Wow ....to have the technology of a supercar that costs $200 to $600K for the price of a comparatively inexpensive $60K...!

   I think maybe in a few years the other manufacturers may get into this tech for their regular lineups,,, but Porsche has this tech right now. The factory will probably unleash the latent potential when there is a real threat to its dominant position. Meanwhile, we can rest assured the engine is being protected by the best technology on the horizon.....period.

highender

Hi again. Do you know why Porsche chose the Aisin transmission ? I'm just curious.

I also saw the fabspeed site. It has more stuff than other tuners, like the powerchip company. So they can do alot of simple bolt on stuff....I'm still waiting til 15000 miles before I change the air filter to BMC/fabspeed, then perhaps do what you did with the cat bypass. Those are my goals for next year.... but probably will NOT do the power chip.

mudman2

I am torn on the chip, its very expensive and to tell the truth if I wanted more power for what I do I would be better trading for the TT.

Power is really good (for now) haha