Hey guys,

I was planning on getting a sports car...996TT... BMW m3/5/6 or something old school, for my next car I havent had one for a while. I've been sporatically renting (btw hertz in NYC has a c63 amg available for rent and some other really cool stuff). Any way I am getting a SUV and it started because

My buddy has a stripped down (no back seat, stabalizer bars, lowered, crank,the works) e92 dinan M3...his car was in the shop and they gave him a 2011 BMW X5 35 diesel.

he came down to my beach house and was gushing about the SUV all weekend. Sunday he let me drive it back (he was sufficiently hammmered so he was forced to give me the keys) from my beach house to nyc. The car was a dream, he hates his M3 by comparision and is seriously getting a BMW X5 diesel SUV next, like before this winter. The passing power in the x5 Diesel was equivelent to being in 750 or 550 or 335... "luxurious thrust" is the only way i can describe it.

Anyway since then I've made some long drives with friends and tons of stuff from NYC to montauk in some rented and friends SUVs (Acura MDX, Chevy Traverse [suprisingly GOOD], and mercedes GL550)

I think SUV makes way more sense for my lifestyle (snow boarding/ skiing/ beach and just trasnporting friends)...the question is which one to get.

The cayenne Turbo S has always been on my radar. I wanted to pose the question to those that drive it and what they like/dislike how functional it is etc.

I basically am deciding between

CTS
Land Rover LR3
GL350d
BMW X535d

you may ask "why no Rover or Rover Sport Super Charged"? well there's really no contest between them and the CTS. The CTS is faster just as capable and IMHO the Porsche is better looking. Plus the CTS will blow the doors off that thing even before I chip it.

Thus I'm basically deciding between the sportiness of the CTS and the functionality/Fuel Economy of the othe 3 (diesels better MPG +chip >320 hp and >500lb/ft torque so performance is still solid/ LR3 has 3rd row and legendary off road performance and cheaper then the others)

Apologies for the long winded explanations but just curious as to how you current CTS owners view your vehicle.

any insight into CTS and if you have comparison experience please feel free to share.

 

So why not Cayenne diesel?

 

not avail in the states...

plus the other diesel cars have more storage/seating and with chip to the others performance BUMP is ridic

 

I won't comment on other features, but yes it is available in the States. I'm in Canada and mine arrives in two weeks. Check it out.

 

thx for the heads up will do...can you elaborate on why you went w/ Cayenne Diesel?

I assume X5 diesel and LR4 diesel were on your radar as well? as well as some variant of MB?

 

The CTTS is the only one on your list that can haul a boat/small family + dog/ski equipment in luxury on your way to your destination- then drop off the passengers, remove the gear, and have a blast carving up the winding backroads into town. If you are lucky, you might have a G35 (or equivalent) struggling in vein to keep up with a "truck" in the twisties (ask me how I know ). The duality of the CTT/S is truely mind-boggling.

If you plan on chipping it, then you will put many/most sports cars to shame. My modded CTT has better power to weight ratio than a E92 (MY12) BMW M3.

Power to weight:

E92 M3 = 8.94:1 < Modded CTT = 8.24:1

Absurd.

 

Actually no. Only the Cayenne. I have a thing about being a little bit different and in my neighborhood, Mercedes and BMWs are everywhere. Really wanted a Porsche and I have been thinking diesel for a long time. So when the Cayenne diesel was announced for North America, the choice was obvious. I read every review ever published on the diesel and I'm sure that I'll love it. Two weeks to go.

 

[/QUOTE]
If you plan on chipping it, then you will put many/most sports cars to shame. My modded CTT has better power to weight ratio than a E92 (MY12) BMW M3.

Power to weight:

E92 M3 = 8.94:1 < Modded CTT = 8.24:1

Absurd.
[/QUOTE]


I assume you mean Weight to Power?

E92 M3 8.94 LB : 1 HP < Modded CTT 8.24 LB : 1 HP

??

 

CTS. Not avaliable yet in 958 plattform. but a 958 Turbo would be nice, the 957 is not my cup of tea
Land Rover LR3, not reliable, drives like a Ford IMO.
GL350d. too big and too "americanized".
BMW X535d, Best diesel engine ever. but a full model change is due for next year.

I would go with the new Cayenne GTS for a fun DD. Its a fresh model, the V8 engine and exhaust sound awesome, looks and drives fantastic.
I had a 958 Cayenne diesel and it was boring, yes it will save you some money if you drive very high miles and also has some serious torque down low but thats about it, absolutely no punch at higher revs and it doesnt sounds like Porsche. maybe in a VW or Audi.

 

Yes, simple typo - like your double end-quote [/QUOTE]

 

Coming from a '03 X5 4.4i, the '09 CTTS has been a real upgrade. The two main niggling issues so far have been the unreliable PDCC system (still get occasional warning light after two trips to the dealer) and way too light steering feel. The heft of the BMW steering was so great, I still miss it.

 

To be clear i do not want the 958 (new body Cayenne)...

I probably 07 turbo or 06 Turbo S

the LR3 is not reliable? lots of issues? I assumed it wouldnt handle like the others, I would probably upgrade brakes and tires (cause its such a heavy car) but functionality and luxury its pretty on par for what i'm going for.

GL is americanized but the diesel (with tune would be interesting)

I agree the X5 35d is pretty much the best diesel engine ever.

I contemplated just getting 335d and chipping it (340hp & 520 lb/ft torq). Would smoke all e46's and probably beat e92 in qtr mile and get 36 mpg...