SOT: Talking about Cayennes..., Who's got one? Options

[McMark]

I was looking at the early generation Cayennes and thinking about trading the Rabbit in. I haven't really heard of any problems with these 'trucks' but maybe I'm missing something...

Anyone own one of these guys? What do you think? How long have you had it?
Anyone heard of common problems with the drivetrain?

Looking into it for a tow vehicle.

[Eric_Shea]

Me...

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Here's my thoughts coming from a Mercedes ML320:

I needed the power to tow and... I'm just not a truck guy. Is it a tow vehicle? Not really but it does very well. Here's what you want to look out for in Gen1 cars:

1. Cardon Shaft replacement.
2. Coils (8 of them). They crack and should have been replaced under warranty. There have been many replacements and the latest part number ends in 13 I believe.
3. Plastic coolant pipes. Sounds odd but, they are molded plastic. They Crack. Replacements are cast metal. Our local dealer did mine for a flat rate of $1600.00. Intake needs to come off for the top lines. Quite involved.
4. Tranny valve body issues. These have been sporatic but, there's enough of them for you to wonder.

Coming from the Mercedes. I like the standard hydraulic (I had Bilsteins) suspension of the Mercedes. The Cayenne has 5 level settings which is "cute" but, not really usable unless you are rock crawling, which a Cayenne "can" do (that the BMW can't) but 99.99999% of the owners won't. Here's why I think it's a cutsie thing; set it on low and, it raises itself back up after 30mph. Set it on high and it lowers itself at 30mph. Cute... useful? Again, Crawling in Moab (let's do it)?; sure. So, the big airbags are cute but, I think a one size fits all hydraulic system would be better. Some interesting features, otherwise just hydraulics feel much better. Odd... my wife's E500 wagon has a similar system to the Cayenne but it's not as choppy on bumps.

Same goes for the comfort settings on the suspension. There's three. What's the middle one for (I don't even remember what it's called and I drive it every day)? It's an SUV... set it on comfort and forget it. I've used sport and it tightents up the body roll but, it also let's you know about every pot hole, which, I don't think this suspension is that great at anyway (read above).

Interior - Seats are awesome. Features are awesome. Everyone has their own AC and seat heaters. Everything is within reach. The PCM leaves a bit to be desired but, for the most part, it does what it's suppose to. The Bose system is very good but, video and GPS are a bit lacking. Want to replace it with a 2U unit? It's fiber optic so... everything has to go. $4k later... you're $4k poorer.

Gas mileage is around 20-22 with the Cayenne S on the highway. Towing will net you 13 in the flatlands and 10-11 on grades.

It has a six-speed tip-tronic tranny. Shifters on each side of the wheel make towing a breeze. It has plenty of torque for around town and ends up in 5th many times going 35 down a city thoroughfare. This scares you when you tow and need to have it in the 4 - 6k range to get up hills but, it's below redline. I've found myself in 3rd going 65mph on some of the Utah grades.

It has a brake controller pigtail by the e-brake which is cool. A trip to the VW dealer (Toureg) will net you the insert for the 7-pin ($29.00). After that and a few creative wiring suggestions, you simply hook up and go. I use an E-qualizer hitch and I SWEAR BY THEM. Makes towing a breeze. I'm towing roughly 4800lbs loaded. It easily keeps at 65mph for most Utah backroad speeds and it's been known to cruise along at 80mph on I-15 down around Scipio, UT where that's the legal speed (not sure if that's the legal speed with a trailer though...)

Brakes are amazing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

There's a lot of positive that outweighs what you're reading. I just wanted you to know the issues before you launch into one. You can drive mine in September if your planning on venturing to Planet Utah to view he salmon colored rocks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

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P.S. Never heard of the engine issues that Rick mentions. Try Rennlist. They have a Cayenne group there that is pretty funny and tongue-in-cheek about the car they call "Pigs"