I went to McKenna Porsche to test drive a Cayenne Turbo yesterday and man, what a disappointment.

This CT in particular was BRAND SPANKING NEW...about 5 miles on the odo. I was the very first test drive for it. While the speed & handling were fun, there were a number of issues that left me concerned about buying a pepper.

1. The radio would not turn on. The PCM screen would just default to the Porsche logo on the screen, and even that would occassionally flicker and die.

2. The headlight washer trim pieces were practically falling off.

3. Every time we would idle, there would be an excessive amount of smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. I understand that this might be cosmolene or something else getting "broken in", but there was so much smoke that I thought the car was on fire at first.

4. Turbo lag was extremely horrible. It could conceivably be a saftey issue if you need to gun it to get out of a hairy situation.

The salesperson, in a rare moment of truth, admitted that the Cayenne has seen its share of issues but said that the service department would work with me to resolve them as I find them. Gee, thanks!

He also made some lame-*** statement that the Cayenne is designed to be a mass market car, and as such it is inherently not as well-built as a handcrafted 911 or Boxster. Maybe someone should take this guy back to sales-school. This comment didn't exactly inspire me to whip out my checkbook...

 

Although not a CT, my CS has had a few minor problems. Squealing brakes, vibration and warm ac. All but the brakes have been taken care of and McKenna changed brake pads so it isn't like they were trying. With all of that said, the CS is the best SUV I have ever driven.

 

Don't feel bad, I don't. I love my CS. Sounds like the dealership should have gone over the vehicle (and salesman) before sending them out on a test.

 

I love my CS also, it's my fav car to drive daily...even more than the 911.

 

Don't feel bad. I luv my CT. Doesn't burn oil and other than the headlight fog issue, no problems....

 

hmm...maybe I test drove one of the "problem" ones...

 

I love mine too haha

 

I think you hit it on the head. Unfortunately, uniformity in quality control seems to be at issue. I would never order a Cayenne. Better off buying a model on the lot after a careful test drive and scrutiny.

 

I love my CS. almost 20k and I drive it hard during sunny or snowy day

 

Funny when I bought the Cayenne to drive everyday, I thought I would miss the 996. I havent taken the 996 out of the garage in three weeks. What does that tell ya?????????

 

I drive my S everyday, and it's been great! 12K miles and counting

 

I hated my wife's Cayenne S from the 1st day, TONS of problems!
I traded it and bought her an '04 M3 cab and will never look back

If I didnt own a 996 turbo along with the Cayenne it would have been my 1st and last Porsche but I know Porsche can build great cars, I think they should stick to that and let someone else build trucks

I think I had a giant lemon!!!!!!!

 

And you thought I was a broken record. In it's short life, the Cayenne has managed to produce over 100 TSBs!!!! And, there are no TSB's for many of the problems that still exist (including the unacceptable and dangerous hesitation which is not turbo lag).

 

No, but they sure do token acts to make you think so. This one is interesting:

Memorandum
To: From: Date
Porsche Service Managers Porsche AfterSales Publications 9-27-04
Subject:
Cayenne Quality-Improvement Workshop Campaign FalljWinter 2004
Replaces Memorandum dated 9-21-04
Note: Please replace the previous memorandum that was featured in the W501-W525
Binder with this updated memorandum. See information in bold text below.
For Vehicles in Dealer Inventory during October, November and December 2004
Porsche Cars North America is initiating a quality-improvementworkshop campaign on
2003 Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles as well as 2004 Cayenne (V6), Cayenne S
and Cayenne Turbo vehicles. The affected vehicles are currently in your Porsche dealer
inventory during the month of October, November and December of 2004. There are also a
limited number of 2005 Cayenne (V6); Cayenne S and Cayenne Turbo vehicles that may be
affected by this quality-improvement workshop campaign as well.
A VIN specific list of vehicles in your inventory is included in this information package. We
will provide you with an updated list through out this workshop campaign.
The listed work procedure within the framework of these workshop campaigns
must be completed before the vehicles are delivered to the new Porsche Owners.
This series of actions will be applicable to the vehicles listed in the VIN-range
including the vehicles that may have already been delivered to retail customers.
Please complete these affected vehicles if they return to your dealership for any
reason during this time period.
We ask you to perform the following checks in addition to the normal PDI procedure for
vehicles in your New-Car inventory. A PDI "New Vehicle Arrival" check sheet (from Service
Technical Information Bulletin, Group 0, #0302) has been included at the end of the Quality-
Improvement information in this binder for your convenience.
Each dealership will receive an initial supply of parts required for the range of workshop
actions. Please order additional parts as required. There are some actions where only limited
parts are available. This is noted below the Workshop Action and Parts Customer
Service will have to release parts in these cases.
Campaign Check #1:
W501 Workshop Campaign:
Check and Adjust Rear Window in Tailgate to correct rattle
850 Vehicles involved
1
Memorandum
Campaign Check #2
W502 Workshop Campaign
Check and Adjust Rear Lid to correct rattle in Rear
562 Vehicles involved
Campaign Check #3
W503 Workshop Campaign (for Kessy and without Kessy)
Door Handle does not return to rest position after actuating
4,469 Vehicles involved
Campaign Check #4
W505 Workshop Campaign
New Wiper Blades - Install
411 Vehicles involved
Campaign Check #5
W506 Workshop Campaign
Remote Radio Control for Doors and/or Rear Door does not function
322 Vehicles involved
Campaign Check #6
W507 Workshop Campaign
Check and/or Replace the Air Conditioning Control Panel
492 Vehicles involved
Limited parts are available for this workshop campaign. Please contact Parts Customer Service to release
parts 955.653.105.02 and 955.653.106.02.
Campaign Check #7
W508 Workshop Campaign
Check and/or Replace Rear Window Washer Nozzle
414 Vehicles involved
Campaign Check #8
W509 Workshop Campaign
Replacing Brake Pads
91 Vehicles involved
Campaign Check #9
W510 Workshop Campaign
Insufficient Range of Remote Control
6,406 Vehicles involved
Campaign Check #10
W511 Workshop Campaign
Checking Front and Rear Door Locks
5,611 Vehicles involved
Most vehicles will require only the Scope 1 function test. Very few vehicles will actually require Scope 2 or 3;
as a result, limited parts are available for this workshop campaign. Please contact Parts Customer Service to
release the required parts.
Campaign Check #11
W513 Workshop Campaign
Retrofitting Cover for Window Guide on Front Door Window
2,315 Vehicles involved
2
Memorandum
Campaign Check #12
W515 Workshop Campaign
Replacing the Tiptronic ECU
5,569 Vehicles involved
Campaign Check #13
W517 Workshop Campaign
Replacing Rear Wiper Arm and Cap
3,866 Vehicles involved
Campaign Check #14
W518 Workshop Campaign
Replacing Rear Wiper Arm Cap
676 Vehicles involved
Campaign Check #15
W520 Workshop Campaign
Wiper Blades smear and rub
6,482 Vehicles involved
Campaign Check #16
W521 Workshop Campaign
Noise in Rear when braking
664 Vehicles involved
Replace Parts Only if Necessary. Limited parts are available for this workshop action. Please contact
Parts Customer Service to release the required parts.
Campaign Check #17
W523 Workshop Campaign
Replacing both Spring Shocks for Rear Lid
1,136 Vehicles involved
Campaign Check #18
W525 Workshop Campaign
Replacing Trim Strips
1,276 Vehicles involved
Limited parts are available for this workshop action. Please contact Parts Customer Service to release parts
000.043.206.02 and 955.559.038.01.4W9.
Porsche Owners who have recently taken delivery of a Cayenne vehicle mayor may not be affected by these
actions. If they are in the VIN-range however, please complete these eligible vehicles as well.
Warranty Administration Procedures:
Please review each Workshop Campaign for their individual labor operations and scopes.
Labor and Parts will be automatically inserted based on the scope of the Workshop Campaign being claimed.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc., AfterSales Publications
RSjrs
9/27/04
3

 

but at least they are doing something actively to put things right. Ever owned a MB or GM or Ford