I must say the only thing I am disappointed about with my 05 Cayenne S is the brakes. In my previous 06 BMW 550 they were unbelievable. Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do. They were serviced when I bought the Cayenne CPO 3500 miles ago.

 

If you just need more bite and less fade with repeated use, you can simply upgrade the pads and rotors to a higher performance ceramic based compound.

If you are looking for serious performance, then I would do a Brembo kit front and rear. For the Cayenne S, you have a variety of options from 4 and 6 piston kits as well as different rotor sizes.

 

tell us how much the brembo kit retails for? $6-7k ? no thanks

 

Yes, the CS brakes, as you put it, is a disappointment. So is the brakes on the 955 CTT. On the 955 CTTS, Porsche upgraded the brakes to 380 mm two-piece rotors. I'm going to upgrade my CTT to 380 mm at a minimum. You could upgrade your brakes to the CTTS configuration, but it will cost you between $7-8K, and canberk also mentioned the non-Porsche (aftermarket) upgrade.

Comparing the BMW sedan to the Porsche SUV is not an apple-2-apple comparison. If anyone has a BMW X5, I'd like to hear how the brakes perform.

Talk to your P-dealer if you want to know more about the factory upgraded brakes.

 

I saw the PCCB's for the new Turbo S. They're 400 mm!

 

I have driven the X5 many times, and the brakes are better. IMO BMW has great brakes..

 

You know, you can make a HUGE improvement by doing a front only Brembo kit and keeping your budget around $4k (rather than the full $6k-$7k someone mentioned earlier).

If you like the brakes on the X5, you'll probably wish that the Cayenne had a firmer pedal feel and more initial bite. The X5 felt crisp and responsive, while the Cayenne feels spongy and non-reactive until you really stand on the pedal. If you have aftermarket wheels, the Cayenne feels even worse due to the added weight.

Brake pads are one of the ways to improve the Porsche brakes (BMW actually uses really good pad compounds). Braided lines will help a bit as well, but for the Cayenne to have that firmer, higher, and more responsive pedal, you will need to reduce piston volume and increase the disc diameter. Reducing the weight of the disc is a great benefit, and getting a caliper that is stiffer and lighter completes the package.

 

Are you guys serious??? Porsche brakes are known as one of the best out there and I certainly do not feel the stock turbo brakes are lacking.

Maybe all of you just need to drive an American or Asian built SUV to appreciate them more. If your tracking your Cayenne then maybe the brakes could use an upgrade but for typical street stuff I think a 6 piston 330mm setup is fine.

David

 

Porsche brakes ARE without a doubt some of, if not, THE best OEM brakes out there.

We're specifically talking about the Cayenne S which feels nothing like any of the Porsche cars, and compared to the BMW X5 which has a sports car feel to their brakes, falls short in the confidence department.
The brakes do work well, but they can work better.
Even for daily driving in a sport SUV you want to feel confident in your brakes, and the Cayenne S just doesn't deliver in that department.

 

I see, I have a 2004 Turbo and the brakes seem fine. I am sure the aftermarket options are better but I do not yet see a need to upgrade. I did not know the S brakes were different, I thought they were the same as the Turbo. As mentioned above though, changing to different pads and adding stainless lines would improve the stock setup noticeably.

David

 

I think brakes are okay with my Cayenne S.. Can't complain..

 

Cayenne S Brakes = Cayenne Turbo Brakes ... correct? (Assuming no power kit on the turbo)

 

Porsche braking systems are widely acknowledged as the benchmark in performance and durability. The new Cayenne models continue to uphold this standard, offering excellent deceleration—even when fully loaded with five adult occupants, a full complement of luggage and a braked trailer load of up to 7,716 lbs.

All new Cayenne models are equipped with internally vented discs all around. This proven technology ensures consistent brake temperatures—a critical factor in maintaining optimal brake performance during heavy use.

The front disc dimensions (diameter/thickness) are 12.99 in./1.26 in. on the new Cayenne, 13.78 in./1.34 in. on the new Cayenne S and 14.49 in./1.42 in. (front) on the new Cayenne Turbo.

All three models have six-piston monobloc aluminum brake calipers at the front and fourpiston equivalents at the rear. To compensate for its increased engine performance, the Cayenne Turbo has much larger front calipers.

As a visual differentiation, the calipers are finished black on the Cayenne, silver on the Cayenne S and red on the Cayenne Turbo.

Braking is assisted by a tandem booster and a large-diameter brake master cylinder. The footoperated parking brake uses a Duo-Servo system mounted on each of the rear discs. The new evolution of Porsche Stability Management (PSM) features two additional brake functions: electronic brake pre-fill prior to an emergency stop, and all-wheel brake assist.

The pistons on the front calipers on all new Cayenne models are fitted with temperature-resistant synthetic insulation elements. By reducing heat transfer from the pads to the brake fluid, consistency and performance are enhanced.

The pads themselves are equipped with individual wear sensors. When new pads are required, a warning light is illuminated in the instrument cluster. The brake lines serving each of the rear calipers feature special protection against rocks and other off-road debris.

 

I hear you !!
So what's the best rotors and pads out there that better than stock if I don't upgrade the brake system.
I need to replace my front rotors and pads soon.

 

Porsche uses Brembo and ATE as their brake supplier for the majority of its models.

The factory Brembo brakes on my 955 CTT are inadequate in my very humble opinion. The feel / pedal force is sub-par.

My wifey's Honda CR-V has better brake feel / performance than our 955 CTT, and the CR-V only has front wheel disks. I want brakes to stop now, not later, and I don't want to "stand" on them to stop. Between our Honda, MB and Porsche, the Porsche currently has the least desirable brakes ... at least in my stable.

Again, Porsche themselves upgraded the brakes from the 955 CTT to the 955 CTTS - why? Because they knew they had an in-effective brake system.

Let's remember, the Cayenne is almost pushing 3 Tons of mass.