I am planning to become an owner of a turbo version.
Waned to see if those who do their own work can chime in about how easy the car is to work on in general.
I am always wanting to learn and have been doing my own work on the Cayenne turbo.

Maybe it will happen next week, if I decide to pull the trigger.
Thank you in advance.

 

From an engine perspective, I don't expect that anything will be different for you. My 4S has been like any German car I've owned and relatively simple to work on. There are some things that I prefer the dealer to do but its all good.

 

You ll want a Durametric (or similar) handheld laptop plug in so you can re set the service indicators .

 

I haven't done much on my 4S but everything I have done has been easy. The car "makes sense" and is logical when it comes to removal / replacement. As long as you know how to do something (the procedure) the actual execution is pretty easy. You'll spend more time learning how something comes apart rather than actually taking it apart.

 

I already have durametric with 3 cars spots on it (one taken by my current CTT).
Assume the typical brakes, tires, fluids, etc are all standard. No questions there.

But plugs job, trannie fluid/filter replace, suspension, etc, should I assume same difficulty as on any other Pcar?

Drive shaft - no issues with these as was with CTT?


Thank you.

 

It doesn`t seem like many here do a lot of mechanical stuff on their Panameras. Most take it to the work shop it seems. Not many DIY on various stuff.

I like to do most stuff myself if possible. Currently building new exhaust system, and also going to overhaul the front differential.

Small stuff i have done myself is replacing the original turbo spoiler with a new one, and installed the vivid racing carbon Y-pipe.

Also, i cant find many options for carbon front splitter, so I am going to make one myself.

 

are you going make downpipes as well ?
and what's the reason for front differential overhaul ??

 

if you do this stuff, keep phone handy, take some pics and voila, here is a DIY article to post. Great value for entire community. Thanks.

 

The only thing I d stay away from servicing is the PDK trans... Maybe it just me not knowing enough about it and the expense . Think Porsche uses some special tools for measuring fluid etc..

 

.......
to see engine oil level diagnostic tool is need as well as there is no dipstick.

 

No, only from mid section and end pipes.
Reason for overhaul is that sometimes i can hear a very small bearing sound from it. And i have confirmed that it is from inside the diff. So i want to replace bearings and shims. But not even the porsche dealer could help me with the bearing numbers, because they always replaced it as a complete unit.
I have a front diff from a 3.6 l i have opened up, and if the turbo diff is the same, it is a easy job. But i would like to order the parts needed before i remove it.

 

Wow, dealer couldn't even see if they could order the parts individually? Porsche only sells it is a complete, replacement unit? That is surprising.

 

I cant imagine doing anything on Porsche without a diagnostic tool. Durametric I have came in handy ALWAYS, on my Cayenne turbo. Hoping for same on the Panamera turbo as well.

 

Agreed. Durametric doesn't have as many features (yet) as the Cayenne, from what I can tell. But it is definitely helpful for codes, resetting service lights, and basic diagnostics. Not as strong at some of the actual values and doesn't yet support calibrating the air suspension.

Also, hunt around and find a copy of the service manual. Many things are a lot of steps to do, but pretty straight forward.

 

Ive been told there is no service manual, all in piwis.
if you know places, let me know. Been on lookout for a week already. Thank you.