I've been agonizing over my Cayenne purchase, with the other main contender being an X5. These forums and your comments have been great reading. Even though I had a lot more fun driving the Cayenne and think the 2011 redesign looks great, the potential maintenance issues mentioned in several threads have me highly concerned. I know all cars have issues, but BMW as a company and their dealers seem to be more responsive or reliable than Porsche (my impression).

So my question to you all... If you had a "do over", knowing what you know now, would you still buy the Cayenne?

 

I would buy the Cayenne again in a heartbeat. BTW I'm coming from 3 BMWs. All 3 had issues....true BMW does have full maitenance but my last BMW was in the shop at least 2 dozen times in the first 3 years.

 

well, mine is a 04 which i have for 2 months now.

YES, I would buy it again.

NO, I never leave the house anymore without my toolbox, laptop & durametric cable

 

No regrets, even though mine is only on order. I was torn with two other SUV's competing for my expectations to me with the Cayenne.

My philosophy is everything breaks down. So when it/if breaks down, I feel better knowing I bought was best for me. Try never to look back with woulda shoulda coulda.

 

What maintenance issues are you referring to with the 2011 Cayennes? Either I've missed those posts or I have selective memory and am blinded by my own silver '11? I think it's too early to tell whether this new generation will have the same issues as the previous, no?

To answer your question, I would absolutely make the purchase again. While the Cayenne vs. X5 debate can go in so many different directions, it's really about preference. One can make whatever justification he/she needs to make it a sound purchasing decision for them. Go with your gut... and enjoy your purchase. These are good decisions to have!

Good luck!

 

if you get the X5 get the 6 cylinder engine, a lot fewer problems the the V8..
and alot cheaper to maintain.

 

I've owned an '04 Turbo, an '09 Turbo S (still have) and have an '11 Turbo on order to replace the '09. It is an April build for May delivery. My wife presently has an '11 Turbo so I guess the answer to your question is - yes, I would buy another.

 

I have had my 2004 Cayenne S since 2005 and I would buy again.

(if I had the cash)

 

had 04 CS for 4 years, then current CTT for >3 years, will definitely buy again.

 

08 ctt here and have only been in the shop once for unplanned mait. We love the car and will buy again. Just @ 50,000 miles.

 

Although I've only had my '04 S (now with 101,300 miles) since Christmas eve (2010), I would definitely buy it again.

 

Not sure what the maintenance issues are with the 2011 Cayenne. Please educate me if there are any.

We have had our V6 Cayenne 2011 since October. It has been reliable, without any issues. It handles with remarkable aplomb and ease, especially in the treacherous Northeast winter we had this past winter season. So, yes, we would purchase it again, without question.

Except for a finicky Bose radio system, our 2008 Cayman has been very reliable too. However, to be truthful, the Cayman is only a low mileage summer recreational vehicle.

 

Kona I had a 2007 X5. It was a great car, but I would not buy one now. In 07 I test drove the cayenne and X5 and while the cayenne had nice performance, I didn't see the x5 lacking and I thought the styling was MUCH better.

But BMW is on a 6 year design cycle typically, and the X5 is likely to be updated in 2013. So basically 2 years from now your car will be the old model. Not to mention the resale value will drop significantly once the new model comes out. It's not worth it.

The new Cayenne has improved so much on the interior, I think it should be an easy decision. I loved the X5, and the BMW 550 I had, but the reliability really isn't that stellar. If I didn't have the extended warranty, I would've spent about $2k worth of repairs between 50k to 75k.

 

Some of the 2011 maintenance threads I'm referring to include:

-2011 oil consumption (burning a quart every 600 miles)
-issues with Porsche entry and drive

They arent big issues by any means, but considering widespread issues with the previous models... It's enough to make a girl nervous.

The 2013 redesign of the x5 is definitely a consideration, as is the fact that all the BMW sales people in my area are ridiculous in every possible way. I'd be pleased to not give them any of my money for several reasons!!

Your advice and comments have all been super helpful... Talking them over with the husband tonight.

 

W/r/t to oil consumption, that's not a maintenance issue. According to several on this and other forums, Porsche says that is normal for high performance engines, and that consumption should slow down as the engine breaks in. Plus, I'm not sure if you're looking at the V6, CS, or CTT, but the V6 doesn't consume the same amount of oil, not at least within my first 1,500 miles. I haven't added any oil.

I have entry/drive on my V6 and haven't had a single problem, it does everything it's supposed to, just like on my other vehicles- great option IMO.