I'm considering the purchase of a 2010 Cayenne base model (6-cylinder). Just under 55,000 miles on the odometer. Originally delivered on a 3-year lease in northern Ohio, then sold at auction at about 36,000 miles upon lease expiration. Second owner in Pennsylvania had it for about 6 months, put about 15,000 miles on it, then sold it after the factory warranty expired at 50,000 miles. Third owner here in North Carolina had it for about 4 months, put about 4,000 miles on it, then traded it for an Escalade because she wanted a larger and more luxurious SUV.

Looks to be in good condition (I've crawled all over it and under it). A small amount of surface rust underneath, I assume from the salt-covered winter roads in northern Ohio. I saw no paint issues. Carfax shows no accidents or problems, but we all know that Carfax often misses things.

I'll be researching the maintenance history tomorrow (Tuesday) by talking with the original selling dealership's service manager by phone.

I've read about the Cardan Shaft issues. Do they go bad primarily on the higher torque 8-cylinder turbo models, or are the base 6-cylinder models just as susceptible to this failure? And how effective is the aftermarket support bracket kit that you supposedly can install without having to remove the drive shaft?

I've also heard that on the 2008 Cayennes, the thermostat tends to get stuck in the thermostat housing. The 2010 models supposedly have the same parts and the same design . Do the 2010 thermostats tend to stick as well?

Where is the oil filter in this vehicle, and is it changed from above or from underneath?

Is there a belly pan (some call it an undertray)? I didn't see one on the 2010 Cayenne I looked at today. If there is a belly pan, what type of fasteners hold it in place and how many fasteners are there supposed to be?

When replacing brake pads (front and rear), can the brake caliper pistons be pushed in with a C-clamp or is a special tool that spins the pistons as it compresses them required?

I've heard that the 6-cylinder engine requires anywhere from 7.3 to 9 quarts of oil. What is ideal?

I read that oil consumption of 1.5 quarts per 1,000 miles driven is normal, even when running Mobil1 full synthetic oil. Given today's very tight engine tolerances, that sure sounds very 1960s to me. What's going on?

Any pertinent "watch out for this problem" advice on a 2010 Cayenne base model would be much appreciated. I'm not going to decide whether or not to make an offer on this SUV until I get feedback from some of you long-time expert owners.

I've been DIYing the majority of the maintenance and repairs on all of our vehicles since the early 1980s. My current Dodge Ram pickup is easy, our many prior Jeep Cherokees and Grand Cherokees were easy, my wife's two prior Lexus SUVs (an RX300 and an RX330) were easy, and our two current Jaguars (an S-Type sedan and an XK8 ragtop) are more challenging but I've managed to keep them in good shape thanks to an excellent Jaguar forum. If we indeed wind up purchasing this 2010 Cayenne, I'm sure this Porsche forum will quickly become the most important tool in my toolbox for keeping it healthy and strong. My philosophy is always that if I must rely on the dealership or even an indy shop to maintain a vehicle, I cannot afford to own the vehicle. So being able to DIY the primary care and feeding of this Cayenne is mandatory.

Thanks so much for putting up with this long post. Information is power and I won't pull the trigger on this Cayenne unless I'm able to obtain the information here that I'm looking for. As previously stated, any pertinent advice regarding the 2010 Cayenne base model is much appreciated....

 

A lot of these questions you have can be found throughout the forum. Speaking from my opinion I would stay away from the V6 models (I havent heard about the 3.6 motor) because they are under powered for the vehicle they are in. As for oil consumption I have zero. I change it every 5K with 9 quarts of mobil 1 0w40. Any of these cayennes can be DIY'd with patience and due dilagence. Again other than the oil, which I know for fact, is my opinion. I think you would better enjoy a V8.

 

Thanks for your feedback. Given the weight of the vehicle, I can understand why you consider a V6 to be underpowered in this application.

Any other experienced owners out there willing to answer my questions?

 

I have a 2010 GTS but it is a v8 (4.8L). I had to replace the thermostat at about 27K because it was sticking (got check engine light). My V8 uses very little oil, after 10K and it is still within the max/min marks. My Cayenne has a belly pan (I assume the v6 should have one as well, for aerodynamics and to keep mud/dirt out). I did a complete brake job at about 24K (pads/rotors) the pistons were easy to push in ( I used a padded screwdriver). Oil filter location is completely different on the V6, so I can't answer that. It has been relatively trouble free other than normal maintenance items. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for your feedback. Every additional bit of information does indeed help. I've gathered quite a bit today and I still have not decided whether to make an offer on this vehicle. The cardan shaft issue concerns me, as does the high cost (and seemingly short lifespan) of a brake job.

Anyone else?

 

I did the brakes myself (pads, rotors, sensors, misc bolts) for right around $400-500.

 

Thanks for your information. $400 to $500 sure beats $1,800 at the dealership.

Do these OEM rotors typically last through two or three sets of brake pads? I am not crazy about having to install new rotors with every new set of brake pads.

 

From what I have seen on here most guys/gals change their rotors every other brake job.

 

Thanks for your feedback. Glad to hear that these rotors are good for more than just one set of pads.

 

I'd skip the VR6 VW motor for several reasons.

The V8 Cayennes tend to come with far more options than meet the eye out of the box, especially the Turbos. The driving experience is much more than just the HP/TQ difference.

All the V8 models come with much bigger and more common brakes. So there are more options for aftermarket parts, which keeps cost down. Not to mention the safety aspect of having real brakes vs the "adequate" brakes of the V6.

The suspension differences are very notable. Especially with the air suspension.

The real world fuel economy difference is very minor. Almost nill.


The V8 Cayennes will always be more desirable so ultimately worth more and easier to sell later.

Towing! The Cayenne is actually an awesome two vehicle with the V8s, big brakes and air suspension.

This is an enthusiast forum. Most of the "enthusiasts" buy V8s and Turbos. Most of the people that buy the V6 just for the name. They also tend to be people that just take a car in for service rather than search forums for the answers.

So, right there at the first step we don't tend to see all the issues here.

BUT........ if you go to a forum where the VR6 motor in the Cayenne is the big dog enthusiast motor, like in Jettas, Golfs, EOS, R36, and even the Touareg(and various Audis) you get a MUCH larger sample size of users and issues.

You will discover that they actually have similar issues with coils and the "crackpipe" plastic cooling pipe, etc

But the VR6 issues are many and run deep when you have them.

Here are some examples:

catastrophic engine failure due to oil pump bolt

one of dozens of timing chain replacement threads

shaking issues

intake carbon sludge issues


Also go look up vr6 crack pipe, coils, cam tensioners, chain guides, thermostat housing, waterpump, variable intake, throttle body, rough running, etc

Not saying they can't be great reliable motors. But, the Cayenne V8s, especially the turbo, have proven to be far more reliable.

Fwiw, I own a Cayenne Turbo and a VW Eurovan with the 24v VR6. Both weight about the same. The Eurovan is painfully slow. But more importantly. I've put far more money into maintaining the VR6 than the Cayenne Turbo V8.(Even before the new crate VR6 engine went in last year)

 

......for the money. You would be better off with an older Turbo than a newer V6!

 

Thanks for your detailed information.

I don't want any part of the air suspension. Regardless of the automotive badge on the hood, they all eventually become horrendously expensive repair nightmares.

We don't need a V8. My wife would be the primary driver of this SUV. I can count on one hand the number of times she has exceeded 80 miles per hour in 44 years of driving. This vehicle's primary purpose would be getting her safely from our home in North Carolina to her mother's home in Florida and back on the solo trips that she makes five to six times per year.

The more I've researched the Cayenne this week, the closer I've come to ruling out making an offer. Her previous two SUVs were both Lexus RX models. Easy and inexpensive routine maintenance for me was a given with both of them. That is very likely not the case with a Cayenne regardless of whether it is the V6 or the V8. She is intrigued with this particular Cayenne due to its appearance and her perceived status of the Porsche marque. I'm much more skeptical, primarily because I'm the one who will have to do the work maintaining whatever vehicle we decide upon, if any.

Thanks again for your feedback.

 

The facts are against you on this one. You sound like many people in the 80s complaining about power windows.

Experience and technology have evolved.

Caddilac and Audi (Allroad) have had horrible air suspension issues. Not the case with Porsche.

The ride quality and control is much better over the steel springs.

If the car is for your wife and all she is going to due is drive it like a luxury SUV the "sports car" steel springs will probably disappoint her. They can be harsh at times. That's why they higher end versions of the car have air.

You seem to be missing the two points here.

1. The V8 is the more reliable engine, with no notable increase in fuel cost.

2. The vehicle and the luxury driving experience change dramatically with the engine choice. You will get 10x more options included on a V8 model that had to be added to a V6(base) model. There are so many options and differences I can't even begin to list them.



If you really do your research you will find that Porsche is one of the most reliable car companies on earths right up there exchanging places with Lexus year to year.

The couple of random known issues on a Cayenne are very minor, simple and cheap to fix. They are more well know because its a enthusiast brand. More so than something like a Lexus SUV that is a utility brand. People have their issues, they just don't hang out on the web talking about them.



Good luck in whatever you choose.

 

I dont think this car will meet you needs. If you are worried about high costs of repair you might want to look for a comparable mid-sized SUV. Some on the market today get the MPG that will make you smile, and the V6 cayenne even though it may get better than the V8 is still nothing to write home about. Just my 2 cents.

 

As many mentioned the V8 are more flexible than V6 but as you also mentioned the way your wife will use the vehicle could be a good fit or comparable to the Lexus (maybe have the wife test drive and approve it).
I gave my friend a lift one day and his had Lexus cars all his life and was impress on how comfortable the Cayenne was. I think this is due to the air ride on the V8 Cayenne (I do agree since I also had Lexus). Unfortunately it does not come V6 if not mistaken.
Maintenance would probably be more on the Cayenne compared to Lexus but since your a DIY guy it should not be a big deal.