Considering Macan S (leaving BMW X3)
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From: Phila
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Current X3 owner here. Last year I was considering ordering the updated X3 but decided against it at the last moment. Although the refreshed X3 is worlds improvement over the first generation the entire BMW lineup has a 'worn & tired' look. I don't think they've made enough styling improvements on both interior & exterior. Side by side I believe the Macan will beat the X3 but of course at a significant price increase. That said, Porsche PCM could use some smoothing into the dash. It looks like an afterthought compared to the updated center console. I had a head up on my C6 and do miss it on my other cars if for nothing other than needing to look down at the speedo. I sat in the Macan at the Chicago Autoshow. The driver's area has comparable space to the previous X3, less than the current model. I expect the driving experience will be on the same level as other Porsches - no need for me to drive it before ordering one. If I 'hate it' I'l leave no problem selling in a few months with the lack of suppy.
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Rear legroom is not bad . The most noticeable space compromise compared to the Cayenne I noticed was in the driver/passenger section . Here's a photo of me sitting in the rear seat . I am 5'9" 160 . Also the front seat is not moved forward . i had just sat in the drivers seat and it was set to my seating height.
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Rear legroom is not bad . The most noticeable space compromise compared to the Cayenne I noticed was in the driver/passenger section .
Here's a photo of me sitting in the rear seat . I am 5'9" 160 . Also the front seat is not moved forward . i had just sat in the drivers seat and it was set to my seating height.
Here's a photo of me sitting in the rear seat . I am 5'9" 160 . Also the front seat is not moved forward . i had just sat in the drivers seat and it was set to my seating height.
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By "long term" if you mean that you are intending to buy the macan then my vote goes to the macan. If however you choose to lease the car i have never seen a Porsche lease which impressed me in the manner which BMW lease programs do . BMW's are great cars but there are certain driving refinements which Porsche has . When you test drive a Macan or any other Porsche it will become clear that "there is no substitute" 
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By "long term" if you mean that you are intending to buy the macan then my vote goes to the macan. If however you choose to lease the car i have never seen a Porsche lease which impressed me in the manner which BMW lease programs do . BMW's are great cars but there are certain driving refinements which Porsche has . When you test drive a Macan or any other Porsche it will become clear that "there is no substitute" .
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From: Phila
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Current X3 owner here. Last year I was considering ordering the updated X3 but decided against it at the last moment. Although the refreshed X3 is worlds improvement over the first generation the entire BMW lineup has a 'worn & tired' look. I don't think they've made enough styling improvements on both interior & exterior. Side by side I believe the Macan will beat the X3 but of course at a significant price increase. That said, Porsche PCM could use some smoothing into the dash. It looks like an afterthought compared to the updated center console. I had a head up on my C6 and do miss it on my other cars if for nothing other than needing to look down at the speedo. I sat in the Macan at the Chicago Autoshow. The driver's area has comparable space to the previous X3, less than the current model. I expect the driving experience will be on the same level as other Porsches - no need for me to drive it before ordering one. If I 'hate it' I'l leave no problem selling in a few months with the lack of suppy.
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No doubt the Macan is smaller than the current X3 lineup but I was comfortable in the front at my 6'2". I'm not concerned about rear passenger space since I rarely carry people. If you need more space then a base Cayenne at a comparable price may be a better choice. Size is very similar to the Q5 - I sat in these back2back at the show. I actually felt less room in the A5 if you can believe that.
I went back to look at the X3 and many other vehicles am am sad to say those interiors look cheap and again, due for a massive refresh. I would compare it to the C6 vs C7 Corvette or updated Jag interiors. There's no comparison to the previous model. You would have thought BMW would have done an update with all the 3/4-series rebranding but nope; same old interior.
I see a lot of people agonizing over buying a Macan here and on macanforum. Lots of worry over the size & what options to pick. I picked out the options I wanted along with PCM for resale value and haven't looked back. Not wasting time thinking about PTV & Chrono, air suspension- things I'd use once - my money is better spent elsewhere. If you can find an allocation, I say put an order in. If you hate the car I don't think we'll be losing much over the course of six months.
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Aside from the Nav/Radio I think it's waves above the X3. Even without a full leather package the stock interior is much nicer. The standard Porsche leather beats the X3 hands down but of course will not compare to my Aston.... but that's a different level of car. No doubt the Macan is smaller than the current X3 lineup but I was comfortable in the front at my 6'2". I'm not concerned about rear passenger space since I rarely carry people. If you need more space then a base Cayenne at a comparable price may be a better choice. Size is very similar to the Q5 - I sat in these back2back at the show. I actually felt less room in the A5 if you can believe that. I went back to look at the X3 and many other vehicles am am sad to say those interiors look cheap and again, due for a massive refresh. I would compare it to the C6 vs C7 Corvette or updated Jag interiors. There's no comparison to the previous model. You would have thought BMW would have done an update with all the 3/4-series rebranding but nope; same old interior. I see a lot of people agonizing over buying a Macan here and on macanforum. Lots of worry over the size & what options to pick. I picked out the options I wanted along with PCM for resale value and haven't looked back. Not wasting time thinking about PTV & Chrono, air suspension- things I'd use once - my money is better spent elsewhere. If you can find an allocation, I say put an order in. If you hate the car I don't think we'll be losing much over the course of six months.
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Sport Chrono
-Analog & Digital Stopwatch
-Sport Plus Button - changes throttle characteristics
-Launch Control
This is an SUV, not a race car. Why would I need a stopwatch? And I'm gonna use Launch Control at stoplights???? There are plenty of other threads with people saying these are 'essential'. I'm sure I can get to work & Walmart just fine in their absence.
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PTV provides additional torque changes between front/rear wheels beyond what you get standard. Sport Chrono -Analog & Digital Stopwatch -Sport Plus Button - changes throttle characteristics -Launch Control This is an SUV, not a race car. Why would I need a stopwatch? And I'm gonna use Launch Control at stoplights???? There are plenty of other threads with people saying these are 'essential'. I'm sure I can get to work & Walmart just fine in their absence.
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PTV provides additional torque changes between front/rear wheels beyond what you get standard. Sport Chrono -Analog & Digital Stopwatch -Sport Plus Button - changes throttle characteristics -Launch Control This is an SUV, not a race car. Why would I need a stopwatch? And I'm gonna use Launch Control at stoplights???? There are plenty of other threads with people saying these are 'essential'. I'm sure I can get to work & Walmart just fine in their absence.
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PTV provides additional torque changes between front/rear wheels beyond what you get standard.
Sport Chrono
-Analog & Digital Stopwatch
-Sport Plus Button - changes throttle characteristics
-Launch Control
This is an SUV, not a race car. Why would I need a stopwatch? And I'm gonna use Launch Control at stoplights???? There are plenty of other threads with people saying these are 'essential'. I'm sure I can get to work & Walmart just fine in their absence.
Sport Chrono
-Analog & Digital Stopwatch
-Sport Plus Button - changes throttle characteristics
-Launch Control
This is an SUV, not a race car. Why would I need a stopwatch? And I'm gonna use Launch Control at stoplights???? There are plenty of other threads with people saying these are 'essential'. I'm sure I can get to work & Walmart just fine in their absence.
It's not a race car but there are many owners who do decide to join PCA and take the car to the track . A Macan does have track capability.
SC is relatively inexpensive and helps tremendously in resale.
It's even more imperative in a Turbo . SC provides an overboost function .
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[QUOTE="yrralis1;4069721"] SC is not just a stopwatch . PDK (which is Porsche's most impressive and sophiticated component) becomes an incomplete system if sport chrono is omitted . It can not be retrofitted. For many a PDK car without SC is a dealbreaker . It's not a race car but there are many owners who do decide to join PCA and take the car to the track . A Macan does have track capability. SC is relatively inexpensive and helps tremendously in resale. It's even more imperative in a Turbo . SC provides an overboost function .[/QUOTE
Thank you for the insight!
Thank you for the insight!
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Some information that a lot of people do not know (I didn't either) is that the "PDK" is not really Porsche's PDK, but Audi's S-Tronic dual clutch transmission, with a tuned software.
Not that it is a bad thing though.... The S-Tronic is a great transmission and Porsche has tuned the software to be "sportier". Reaction time is faster than in the Audi models.
Suzy991 (iOS app)
Not that it is a bad thing though.... The S-Tronic is a great transmission and Porsche has tuned the software to be "sportier". Reaction time is faster than in the Audi models.
Suzy991 (iOS app)
Some information that a lot of people do not know (I didn't either) is that the "PDK" is not really Porsche's PDK, but Audi's S-Tronic dual clutch transmission, with a tuned software.
Not that it is a bad thing though.... The S-Tronic is a great transmission and Porsche has tuned the software to be "sportier". Reaction time is faster than in the Audi models.
Suzy991 (iOS app)
Not that it is a bad thing though.... The S-Tronic is a great transmission and Porsche has tuned the software to be "sportier". Reaction time is faster than in the Audi models.
Suzy991 (iOS app)
khabah