Hey Guys,

I am getting ready to place my order for a 2012 V6 Base Cayenne with manual transmission. I think I have everything I need in place, just not sure which of the suspension handling items are truly necessary as they are pretty big ticket cost adders. Do I need PASM, air suspension, PDCC?

What are your guys thoughts and opinions? I'd like to be able to stiffen up the suspension for occasional fun driving but I would imagine the bone stock suspension ain't too shabby either.

 

Well, you don't need any of them, but do you want them? Yes, most definitely. If you want to have a "stiffer" suspension, then yes, you should get it. Basically, it's an active suspension system. Controls roll and balance.

 

I would recommend talking with your dealer about the steering wheel. I have a '12 manual on order and I still can't get my dealer or Porsche North America to confirm the multifunction steering wheel is standard.

In the Porsche Cayenne brochure it is listed as standard, however, if you go through the online 'build your Porsche' tool, it specifies a 'three spoke steering wheel with the Porsche crest'... no mention of multifunction and I missed this tiny detail when I reviewed my order. The only obvious option would have been the 'heated multi-function steering wheel' and I didn't need that... but will miss the controls if it comes without them.

In addition to the above, if you look through the photos on the Porsche site you can see examples of a 'plain' steering wheel, which is what got me asking questions.

I'm frustrated with Porsche for not being more clear and because when I called them directly they told me to talk to my dealer. ???

Good luck with your car... ours arrives late Sept.

 

I have a 2012 V6 stick shift Cayenne and it has the multi-function steering wheel. The three spoke wheel was not an option with the stick.

 

That is excellent news. Since PNA and my dealer couldn't confirm this I was getting worried after seeing the photos on porsche.com.

Thanks for the information...

 

Most who have Air PASM, PDCC, and PTV swear by it. I've read a from a few that don't care for PASM, read great reviews on PDCC & PTV, and I know at least one other forum member has a '11 manual with PASM, hopefully he reads your post!

I have the stock suspension on my '11 V6 tip, and it's great. My first Porsche, and you don't know what you don't know- I've never experienced the suspension options first hand. Like 92 said, you don't need any of them. Sounds like you should at least opt for PASM since you want to tighten up the suspension from time to time. I can only imagine having all the suspension goodies will make what is already a great driving truck just exceptional.

Good luck, these are good decisions to have!

 

No problem - I should add though, that our car has the Premium Package with the heated, power adjustable steering wheel.

 

Exactly. So I'm left wondering again.

 

instead of 10k in options id get a v8, the manual is fun for a week... after that. eh..

8 speed offers so many perks!

 

So jealous your getting manual. The 8 speed auto is good but MT would be amazing. I have PASM and PDCC - I think in city driving they are pointless but if you have some nice roads to conquer go for PASM at minimum.

 

Also have PtV and don't really notice unless your whipping hard around a turn.

 

IMHO, if you have the $$ then go for the options. You can always select the "Soft" button if you feel it is too stiff.

I love my PDCC and PTV, they really work well. My rear thinks the car is not stiff (well, compare to 911), but my wife always select the soft button when she drives the car

 

Yep - Nothing is as fun as having an automatic that shifts into 8 gear at 35 MPH to conserve fuel. No thanks - I'm sticking with the stick for as long as it remains available.

 

In that case you have the sport buttom. its awesome in the V8

 

Right, but I would choose the V8 over the V6 any day of the week if it meant a whole lot more horse power (100hp difference) and a difference of 1.5s in 0-60 time. Not sure if the sport button is standard on the S model, but that would definitely make shifting a lot more aggressive. Plus, while I still love manual, sometimes when you're in stop-and-go traffic, you just want to let the car shift gears by itself.