Hi to all and thanks for the very professional board.

The S will be driven 20k miles per year of which the Mrs. (aged 66) is good for about 2k (art class/ Walmart) so I am the primary driver of HER car. She literally couldn’t stomach my E36 Dinan Supercharged and Sprung M3 but has little trouble riding in my EVO IXMR though we never take it anywhere because she needs tons of cargo on the fly. I know the EVO may sound plebian to most of you folks but the raw edge and easy ability to “kick the car loose” is masterful.

I’m looking for razor sharp steering and lightning lane changes while preserving her stomach. I’m certain the TT would frighten her. Please tell me where my logic is off.

Cayenne S with Premium to get PASM and AS. Add PTV and PDCC- the slalom videos on the net are just too compelling not to do so.... OR, is there some sort of emerging consensus that PTV tucks in the rear end so qucik and sweet that body roll is somehow minimized?

The pano roof seems popular but does anyone know what xtra weight it adds? High center of gravity = bad cornering- advice?

We are retired with a somewhat tight budget- can I/should I be foregoing any wheel tire upgrades? Mixed performance and unidirectionals are sooo expensive to keep up. Any thoughts on staying stock with above upgrades or will bigger tires give better return?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

AS, PASM, PDCC and PTV will probably give you what you're looking for. I orderd a TT with PTV but no PDCC because my build was at $119k without PDCC and I had to draw the line somehwere. Most on this forum say both make for the best choice, but I think the consensus was PTV if you have to choose one. However most of the feedback comes from people still waiting to take delivery.
I dont think the sunroof will add that much weight and lastly if you are on a budget good luck staying within it

 

I agree with OK-computadora's post/thoughts. It is always difficult to try balancing between frills and performance options. I suggest have a budget in mind. Look into all the performance options (PASM, AS, PDCC PTV etc) and the frills (some of which are conveniently packaged (ie. keyless entry and drive, full leather, heated seats, 4-zone climate, satellite radio, the pana roof, Bose etc). Please spend some time reading through all the threads dating back to early Sept 2010. The time spent would be priceless.

Order of must have peformance options in my book from most to least important:
PASM, AS, PTV and PDCC. PASM and air-suspension does make a noticeable difference. With the AS, one can cater the ride to the road. Many Cayenne owners permanently leave the AS setting on Low Level 1. This in addition to the aesthetic appeal, tends to reduce the natural tendency of all SUVs to understeer in tight corners during spirited driving. "They" say that one definitely feels the weight of the SUV more at the normal height partly due to the heightened centre of gravity.

For example: On smooth roads the Low level 1 setting of the adaptive suspension and the sport mode on the PASM would give it a sports car like handling. On bad roads: Normal height and comfort mode would give your PORSCHE a LEXUSY feel. The other major benefit of the air suspension for those who off road or tow and YES IT WILL kick in and lower at high speeds to help with handling.


The top frill options in my opinion include (full leather, premium sound system, pana roof and many love the entry and drive). Check out the differences between the two steering wheel options (on the sport steering wheel you have shift paadles but lose multifunction options and heated option), the three seating options ( 8 vs 14 vs 18 way). There is not much weight penalty for pana roof which is to die for but one has to balance the risks which may be rattles down the road or some lose of structural integrity. Also roof rails cannot be added at a later date. Good luck keep asking us questions as they come by. We are all learning together. I have already made some mistakes (like ordering a heated windshield and wheel arch extensions).

Disclaimer: I have never driven a Cayenne with PDCC, PTV, PDCC or AS. (Come Jan 2011 that disclaimer will no longer be valid )

 

IMO going any higher than 20 inch wheel is not going to get you any more performance. Many do it for the aesthetic appeal at the cost of a slightly harsher ride. Plus the cost of tire replacement is steep on the 21 inches. Some say that there is a wider selection of winter tires for 18s and 20s compared to the 19s.

 

Thanks wOOtPORSCE and ok_computadora.

I scoured the southeast for an S with the whole truckload of suspension options and came up with one being hidden/driven by the dealer's wife for a couple of months- think I'll oirder my own.

When I had the full blown Dinan M3 I also ran a Grand Cherokee with Super Swampers alternating weekends in the hills and hollers of eastern KY- the S should make one rather comprehnsive vehicle. Oh but what size wheels/tires when on a budget? Most car mag reviews are not that shot about the constant upsizing- what do others think?

On Edmunds, I did not see any packages that include entry/drive, 4 zone, full leather or pana roof. Are they better viewed somewhere else or perhaps a CTT is optioned differently than a CS. What do folks like so well about the entry/drive?

I am thinking beige with olive but might I be better off with things like full leather or wheel/tire upgrades. One can go crazy right into the poorhouse.

 

You got that right. I would not recommend going to Edmunds for checking out the options. Go to http://www.porsche.com/usa/ and build your own Cayenne. Also get a brochure from your dealer and check out all the options available. Many like the connvenience of not digging into their bags/coat pockets to find the key to start their cars (especially in the cold winter months when their hands are full with other stuff they may carry) . That's why they get the E&D. I did not order it. Other than that option (and the PCCB, DVD) I have practically ordered everything available to please myself (PASM, AS, PDCC, PTV, Burmester), my wife (insul glass, LCA, rear camera, two tone natural leather, heated windshield, ***, 20 inch RS wheels ), my kids (pana roof, 4-zone climate control, heated backrow seats) and future buyer (roof rails and towing package) I will take a huge hit during resale since it is more expensive than a base turbo. That gives me a strong reason not to sell it for years to come

 

I got the 21" turbo II wheel.. the ride is still good because of the AS. I have an RR with 20's and AS and the ride is comparable. I think many pass on the e&d because you still need to use the key to start the car. it really only helps in unlocking the car.

 

No offense but tight budget and Cayenne dont go hand in hand...........I recommend an 06-07 S or T before you sink into a car that depreciates 20k off the lot.........

No sense in not saying anything to a couple on fixed income or some large repair that may effect the assets you do have in place.

I think a used 25-30k S is easy to find that can knock your socks off and Go with a used Turbo in this range........win win..??

 

thanks guys. I'm still not smart enough to understand why the stock 18 wheels with summer tires, given all the suspension goodies, would not do the trick for me playing boy racer and the mrs. getting her creamy ride. can you explain the bennies in upgrading wheels and tires?

 

You don't use the actual keyfob to start the car, that can stay in your pocket. There is a plastic keylike piece that goes into the ignition that apparently doesn't need to come out of the car at all. You turn that to start and stop the car (the car can only be started if the keyfob is within range). A bit different from the BMW and Lexus implementations I've used in the past, but something that once you have, you don't want to go without.

 

cordsig79- I do apologize for wearing my budget on my sleeve- I believe this car to be a tremendous value and hope to buy one within the week.

 

Biting the bullet and ordering today. Will report later. thanx to all.

 

There is no reason to apologize, I just know sometimes how much of a pain it is for established retirees to get back in the job market if something financially catastrophic were to happen........

I still think on the tires of course a wider fatter tire is probably better and a 20-21 would do ok on the track but you begin to lose alot of sidewall above 20......there are some racer tire conversations I have seen but they are mainly on 911, GT2, GT3 forum......

If its the form and fit of the new ones.......I guess go for it. But if its brute force power......go with Turbo or get the wife a used S and yourself a track car

 

Track car? Autocrossing? The CS should be significantly lighter and far better handling at low speeds.

While I could give up the turbos next time, I could not live without Porsche entery & Drive. Having that seat open up (roll back AND down) when I want to get out is wonderful.

Likewise, air suspension is a MUST!

When I want more road comfort, raising the suspension to Terrain Level actually increases comfort over the normal level.

That piece of glass adds heft to the topwhere do don't wnat it for track use. Plus, it is vulnerable and costly to repair. Still if one wanted open air driving, it dman near makes a convertible out of your SUV and adds to the flexibility.

However, get all the suspension goodies for track use, including PVT+ and PDDC.

As far as wheel sizes, I have three complete sets. While the 20" feel wonderful on good tarmac, they don't last long and are just plain expensive to replace!

I have a set of 18's with snow tires. Check your car's brakes because I can't put 17's on my CTT. On the new 2011 CTT tire size lower limit is 19".

And I have a set of all season AT tires I use for autocrossing and all around driving. The 18's definitely give a softe ride than the 20's. The tires last about five to ten times longer! And they cost half as much to replace. Besides, they are more durable on our rough roads and gravel raods that Michellin Diamaris.

The CS would also lag Turbo Lag and be easier to drive well as compared to the CTT. I think I would prefer non-Turbo for autocross and winter driving. But, this baby will pull stumps and tows huge weights yet feels like nothing is back there.

AND I could not live without the backup camera! With litigation and expanded criminalization, the last thing I would want to face is the legal system because of backing over a child with my SUV! The park assist program helps as well.

I hope this arrives in time to help. We've never had so many options and decisions are taxing on one of these.

 

ronl,

I would recommend all the usual suspension options (PASM, AS, PDCC, PTV). They make a huge difference. I just came out of a loaded 2010 X5M into my 2011 Cayenne Turbo with all the suspension options, pano, E/D, ACC, Rear camera, Bose, and 20 inch SportDesign wheels. Ride is amazing, yet can be just as raw and real feeling as my X5M and M5 before it with the right suspension settings.

I read in your post that you were running around the hollers of Eastern KY. I live in Eastern KY and would love to know where you were running around.

Anyway, good luck with your hunt. My dealer that I bought my CTT from had tons of S in stock, some with PDCC, PASM, AS and PTV on board.

J