Hi All,

I've been lurking, researching and learning - thanks to everyone for the invaluable help! I'm replacing an '05 base Cayenne, I have a February build for March 22nd European delivery in Leipzig. I couldn't get an allocation at my local dealer but I was able to get a build spot a state away in Wisconsin. I managed a 5% discount from MSRP. Here is my build:

Cayenne S Tiptronic

2T Jet Black Metallic
MA Standard Interior in Black
PU6 BOSEŽ Audio Package
PU1 Convenience Package
0M1 Extended Range Fuel Tank
1BZ Porsche Active Suspension Managmement (PASM)
CP5 20" RS Spyder Design Wheel
1NP Wheel Hub Cover with Colored Porsche Crest
4D3 Seat Ventilation Front
PP6 Light Comfort Package
4A3 Heated Front Seats
PE6 18-way Adaptive Sports Seats with Memory Package
4X4 Side Airbags Rear
1XJ Heated Three-spoke Multi-function Steering Wheel Walnut
PH4 Walnut Interior Package
TD5 Tourist Delivery Cayenne S

My lock date is December 10th. The last two options I'm mulling is Entry and Drive and PTV+. I've been researching PTV exhaustively and I'm still not sold. I don't drive too aggressively, but I do like the idea of it being there when I need it. I've driven a few 2011 Cayennes, but none with PTV.

I'm also torn about the 21" Sport Edition wheels with wheel extension. I think they look fabulous, but I'd need dedicated winter wheels for Minnesota. I also would have to rent winter wheels from Porsche for 500 euros for our European delivery in March. All of that pushes me to the 20" RS Spyder wheels.

Any input, especially regarding PTV would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jason

 

Congratulations Jason,

Excellent build; effective and to the point!

Day-to-day and effective = 20" RS.

PTV vs Entry and Drive - tough, but I would choose PTV. Explaining PTV is something that is equivalent to telling you what I hear and taste... There are videos on the subject; however, those are hard to distinguish or portray what is actually being done. It's going to be thing that you are going to have to experience for yourself or take a leap of faith and purchase.

Entry drive I love, but is it really worth the cost. You still have to turn the key and depending if the wife is driving, the all unlock may end up being disabled most of the time.

PTV will get more bang for the buck, especially if you are using it for the snow. The overseas delivery will give you a great opportunity to run all of the things that you would otherwise only guess on to ground.

If you do find something out please share.

Cliff

 

I have it on my MB GL and never having to remove the key from you pocket is fantastic. It is like a gift (albeit small) 6-10 times a day.

 

In a year or so, you can get some 21" sport wheels. Go with 20's and then upgrade later if it's worth it to you...

 

Hi again Jason, On second thought, you could ditch the walnut wood and get PTV, drive and entry or both (depending).

Also, as you know, the PU2 package comes with 14 way seats, if you select that package, you also get the PASM and a couple other throw in's. The question that w00t, I and a few others plan on asking our salesmen is: Why is the program defaulting the entire amount of the 18 way seats rather than taking into account the difference ($535)? My salesman stated that there was a work-around to the system that allows for them to take these types of differences into account. It probably would save you a few dollars and allow for you to get a couple of the "freebie" options that you would otherwise miss out on if you chose not to go with the aforementioned (PU2) package.

 

Great feedback, thanks!

-I agree with the 20" RS. As much as I like the look of the 21", I can always upgrade later. It is really only a $1000 or so more to buy the full set later (compared to the upgrade price on the configurator) , I checked them out on the Sunset website. I might even be able to find a set of take offs on eBay.

-I'm getting closer to going with PTV. Although it seems to be a software based system (controlling the rear differential), I see its' importance in handling/cornering. It puts the brake on the leading rear wheel and gives additional torque to the outside wheel. The only thing is that unlike PSM, you can't switch it off, it is always engaged.

-I originally had the premium package, but once I sat in the 18-way seats I was sold, I love how they grabbed you and held you in place. The only reason I lost the Prem Pkg was because I was paying for the seats twice. My dealer seems to be pretty on it, I'll talk to him about the work around with the packages.

-I'm excited about the Euro delivery, that is how I sold this whole concept to my wife.... When else am I going to be able to drive it between 120-150 MPH?

Thanks,
Jason

 

Jsonorous, what is your budget, and what is your preference

a) Performance over frills.
b) Frills over performance

PASM is a great option and just that alone would improve handling by leaps and bounds. How come no air-suspension ?
Benefits of PDCC: greater agility at every speed, stable load transfer increasing occupant comfort. PTV: AT slow and medium speeds it enhances agility and steering precision, at high speeds during fast cornering it ensures additional stability. Commonly mistaken notion is that one has to drive like maniac to reap the benefits of PDCC and PTV. Absolutely not. However if you see no twisties or uphill climbs and if you have no problems driving it like you would drive say a lexus in a docile fashion then your $$ are better spent on frills like pana roof, heated steering wheel and safety features such as back up camera (which the govt is going to make mandatory for all vehicles with production yr 2014). Answer my questions and I will give you my recommendation. Oh BTW, I would take PTV or entry and drive 101 out of 100 times. I strongly agree with the 20" RS spyder wheels and just going with the stock piano black trim to save $$ but I am biased since that is what I did to my build.

 

[quote=w00tPORSCHE;3056980]Jsonorous, what is your budget, and what is your preference

a) Performance over frills.
b) Frills over performance

Hi w00t,

My budget started out as an '11 base lightly equipped, around 55K. It then became a well equipped base at 65K. Well, the S starts at 63,700, so why not a lightly equipped S, around 74K. I'm at 82,630 without the discount. When do you quit? Budget has been thrown out the window, I'll keep it for 5-7 years so it was easy to rationalize the 25K difference over that amount of time. I'm glad my lock date is next week.

I am shooting for a nice balance of performance and frills. I will never autocross the car, it will be our family mobile (I have a Boxster for spirited driving, but that spills into my overall driving habits). I originally had the leather steering wheel and standard interior, the walnut was a splurge that I'm sticking with at this point.

I just drove home in slippery conditions (new snow over ice) and it was difficult to make my base '05 Cayenne fishtail, it actually drove quite well in the inclement conditions. I don't understand exactly how PTV is going to help in these conditions. I did see PSM and PTM kick in on the instrument cluster, it did its' job.

Thanks,
Jason

 

Congrats

 

Jsonorous: My budget started out ....When do you quit? Budget has been thrown out the window:

I totally hear ya. That was the same problem I was facing. Conventional wisdom would say if you change cars every three yrs and if resale is important to you don't over spec options as you WILL take a bigger hit when your car changes hands. But when you spec a car you hate to compromise on certain features. Many CS models that dealers have on their lot are spec'd by them for a reason. They want to move cars and bear in mind that there is a vast majority of the Cayenne shoppers who are not Porsche enthusiasts want a high end SUV with all the frills (like heated seats, pana roof, Bose, leather, rear view camera). If you add even a few of the performance options to the build along with the frills the cost will easily exceed most buyer's budget. Hence you will at the most see PASM, even rarer air-susp, and almost never PDCC and PTV on the v6 and NA V8 models.

In order of importance this are the must have performance options IMO from most to least.
PASM>Air Susp>PDCC/PTV (I got it all for the exact reason that you cited. I have a 911 for spirited driving and wanted that to spills into my driving of our family car and trust me I despise bodyroll). Contrary to what many believe you dont have to drive like a madman to derive the benefits of all those above listed performance upgrades.

Frill options:

Full leather, heated seats/steering wheel in MN, pana roof. It would be nice to look into the rear view Camera and LCA as they are fast becoming standard safety feature in most production cars (for a valid reason).

I love the wheels that you picked and the delivery option so don't skimp on those to. As to the rest of the build ... show us how your build changes with your thoughts and we will post a follow-up opinion.

 

Driving feel like a high quality SUV: No PTV
Driving feel like a Viper/Corvette/Miata: PTV

If you enjoy the driving feel of a rear wheel drive sports car then you must option the PTV. If you only care about getting the groceries home, don't wast your money.

Really a simple choice...

 

I'm almost completely on board with the PTV. I think it is a go. I've been reading non stop and I have a good grasp of the technology. For the cost (1490) it is a gamble I'm willing to take, I think the benefit will be great enough to justify it. I would rather get it and be disappointed (I doubt I will) than wish I had it for the next 5-7 years. It seems like it will be standard on vehicles in the future as much as PSM and PTM. 5 more days until there is a lock on my order.

Here is an interesting link that discusses Torque Managment vs Torque Vectoring and the TV trend in SUVs:
http://www.just-auto.com/analysis/to...d_id96601.aspx

Here is another excellent explanation, albeit technical, on Torque Vectoring in electronic cars, but the concept still applies to our Cayenne's:
http://autospeed.com/cms/title_Elect...5/article.html

Does anyone know the mechanical roots of the Porsche Torque Vectoring, is it the Ricardo or ZF designed system?

 

In my opinion, PTV plus is better than PDDC or air suspension if you want a more sportier feel to the Cayenne. I don't know how if many of you have driven with a limited slip differential but PTV plus pretty much acts the same way. I think a car is more fun with a little more oversteer than undrsteer and the PTV plus will give the Cayenne just that. During cornering, once you hit the apex and push on the throttle, instead of the understeer you might get on a lot of vehicles, a Cayenne with PTV plus will put more torque on the outside wheel and pull the Cayenne in giving more oversteer and balancing out the car during turns. Once you know what the Cayenne can do with PTV plus you will definitely feel more comfortable during corners.

I added a Quaife limited slip differential on my previous car and on the track and corners, it is night and day compared to the car without it. You will want to accelerate even harder on corners because the PTV plus will allow you to.

 

Nice points on the PTV Aperture. Any update on your build allocation ?

 

My build is still in planned production for a January build. Im trying to wait patiently but seeing pics in this forum is making it a lot harder!