Planning to buy a 2006 S - What should I look for?

[shyster77]

Folks,

The need for more space than in my 2000 Boxster S and the want for an offroad capable vehicle with the drive feel of the Boxster, got me looking at Cayenne S.

Found this 2006 S - single owner, 66K miles, private party sale - in good cosmetic condition.

The owner has replaced the coolant tubes, and has had regular maintenance done to it.

Planning to have a PPI done next week including the compression tests.

Anything else that I need to look out for that could make or break this deal?

Also how has your experience been with Cayenne in terms of running costs?

Anyone pushing 100K+ on the Cayenne?

My Boxster has been relatively pain-free but for an unfortunate AC breakdown in the July Phoenix heat a few years ago, and dollops of fun to drive, while pushing 112K.

Appreciate your thoughts,

Cheers!

Edited June 18, 2011 by shyster77

[deilenberger]

Other points to concern you are:

1 - Driveshaft (although it isn't clear to me this is a problem with the '06 model year. Porsche changed the PN quite a few times, and my hope is - that was because of an improved design/construction.) There are some DIY's on rebuilding the shaft yourself with an $80 replacement bearing, or you can buy rebuilt ones from one of several vendors (claiming to be better then the original) for about 1/2 of Porsche prices on it.

2 - Coils. They can go bad. Not an awful thing - an owner can replace them (it's a PITA, but you CAN do it.. you do need a few special - but inexpensive - tools.) Porsche has a extended warranty on coils they replaced under warranty, or - and this isn't clear - they may be warranting ALL the coils. Only Porsche and their dealers seem to know for sure.

You might ask the seller about these items.

Other then that - the beasts seem pretty much like any German car. You can expect oddball electrical stuff. It's good to buy a Durametric code reader. Overall the build quality seems superior to BMW, and perhaps Mercedes, and certainly Audi/VW.

Running costs - it has a reputation for eating brakes/tires - but I suspect a lot of this is related to driving enthusiasm. If you're a DIY - lots of aftermarket brake options are available at much less cost then from Porsche. If is a big HEAVY vehicle so fuel mileage isn't great - mine does 13-14 around town, up to about 16 on occasion. On the highway, at 75MPH with cruise control set - it will top 20MPG. It's comfortable, drives much lighter/smaller then it is (and then most SUVs.) Oil change is 8-9 quarts of Mobil1 0W-40, and a $20 filter. 60k service is a DIY if you're a DIY'er - nothing too horrible. Plugs are $$$ at a dealer, and can be found for about $5-6 each on Amazon (same identical Bosch plug.) Ditto on air filters and the cabin filter.

The PPI is an excellent idea. I just completed the cooling pipe replacement on mine, I'm carrying a spare driveshaft center bearing and a spare coil in the spare-tire well. My law of spare parts ("You'll never need what you have..") should make those parts unneeded.

[mudman2]

130k from new others over 200k exist

[PKN]

I can confirm that the Cardan shaft on my 06 was replaced during it warranty so yes, get it checked out

PKN

[deilenberger]

I can confirm that the Cardan shaft on my 06 was replaced during it warranty so yes, get it checked out

PKN

Good to know. I've examined mine - looks newish. No rust on it, paper PN tag on it, rubber mount looks fine. No record of it being done, but I have no records from the first owner, only records from the second owner who bought it CPO and then sold it 8 months later at a very substantial discount. I'm still taking the spare bearing with me when I drive to California and back.. :)

Edited June 19, 2011 by deilenberger

[PKN]

My dealer was able to tell me all of the warranty work done on my car using my vin number even though the car came from California. They dont share service records but do share warranty info. Worth a trip to your local Porsche service department. Mine was really helpful

PKN

[deilenberger]

My dealer was able to tell me all of the warranty work done on my car using my vin number even though the car came from California. They dont share service records but do share warranty info. Worth a trip to your local Porsche service department. Mine was really helpful

PKN

BTDT - and they did share the CPO warranty claims they did on the car.. but none of the original owner's warranty info. I have a friend... so maybe I can get that info..

[shyster77]

Wonderful, Gents!

Thank you very much for the detailed inputs, deilenberger!

The fuel mileage isn't exciting but my commute is 60% highway so hoping to get to the late teens on the mpg. The Boxster S avgs 19-20 (though the top being down does increase drag) so I would ecstatic if I can get anywhere close to that and still haul people or just myself on long road trips.

The current owner mentioned that the truck just got back after the coolant replacement and service - will check to see if this was the 60K service.

PPI will be done at my current independent mechanic's so should set things very clear for me.

I will look into the drive shaft warranty item, PKN - the car was purchased and maintained at the local dealership, so they should have all warranty records.

mudman - Your comment has put my mind at peace. I'd like to keep the Cayenne for at least 5 yrs. My work commute would be approx 10K a year and with road trips, say if I do get to 15K/yr, hoping to land these miles more on the Cayenne and less on the Boxster.

[bigbuzuki]

As has been mentioned already, the 3 C's.

Coolant tubes, Coils, Carden shaft.

Take care of these and you will be a happy camper. :thumbup:

Edited June 20, 2011 by bigbuzuki

[shyster77]

Will do, mate! A colleague of mine had the Turbo for a while and she'd take off from the lights, leaving the rest of us going :thumbup:

Edited June 20, 2011 by shyster77

[shyster77]

***Update****

PPI came out - Coolant tubes changed. Cardan shaft and Coils look good. My mechanic's quote "Cleanest Cayenne S I have ever seen. It is a BUY"! :clapping:

So plan to drive it home tomorrow.

Thank you for all your help, gentlemen! :thankyou:

Looking forward to going places where my Boxster can't take me :drive:

[PKN]

Congrats - You are gonna love that car!

PKN

[shyster77]

Thanks, PKN!

Absolutely enjoyed the drive back home. The Boxster S is like a go-kart - wants to zoom around.

The Cayenne S, in contrary, seems to want to be majestic and imposing on the road. Can't wait for a road trip!

Edited June 26, 2011 by shyster77

[shyster77]

PKN and Deilenberger,

Please help - I found these (two) under the Cayenne after the drive back home. Phoenix is a sweltering 118F today and my drive home from work, was a 16 mile commute with a couple of stops.

The drip doesn't smell and feels greasy. It was on the concrete and must have dried up quickly.

The car had 66,157 when I bought it on Saturday. I looked up the records and the coolant assembly (from plastic to metal) was changed at 66,010 (6 months ago - yep - this 2006 S was sitting in the garage cos the seller had bought a 2011 S) and the 60k mile service was done last July at 59,000 at the local dealership. As per my PPI, no leaks were detected and all fluids looked good.

Never seen this under my 2000 Boxster S, even though it has had coolant leaks in the past.

Any idea what this could be?

Edited June 28, 2011 by shyster77

[deilenberger]

If I had to guess - it's something that was on your driveway before you pulled up in the Cayenne..

I can't think of much of anything in a vehicle that would look like that..

[CdnRD]

Looks like it might be Waxoil or some other cavity protectant? Had similar looking stuff drip out of my Passat years ago and it was protectant. Hard to say from a picture though.

[shyster77]

Thanks, deilenberger, I was suspecting the same - at least from the PPI - no drips were found.

Interesting, CdnRD - I will be on the lookout - it certainly felt waxy, now that you mentioned so.

Been driving the CS (my first SUV) since I got it on Saturday, and delightfully enjoying every minute behind the wheel!

[shyster77]

After going thru almost a tank full, I noticed 15.29 mpg today (based on the miles run/fuel refilled).The CS is running Michelin Latitude Tour HP tires. My commute is 55/45% highway/city and city is mostly 45mph zone (where I'm 50mph) and on the highway with 65mph (where I'm 70mph). I don't accelerate hard either.

Any tips to improve fuel efficiency here?

I'd love to get it close to the 17ish to not miss my Boxster S, just for the relative fuel efficiency :notworthy:

Boxster S gets me 19-21mpg, even after very spirited driving (which is very hard not to resist!). :clapping:

[deilenberger]

Given your mix of driving, gonna be tough getting it over 16.. but as a hint - hit the TRIP button on your PCM. The MPG display there can be reset easily and quickly, and responds quickly to changes in driving style/conditions. If you drive it like there is an uncooked egg between your foot and the fun-pedal, I can promise you the mileage will go up, but that's awfully hard to do when "inferior" cars are leaving the traffic light next to you.. :)

I was playing with mine yesterday - found that suburban highways marked 50MPH will result in > 18MPG if I set the cruise control to 50, and then just don't touch the pedals.

Edited July 3, 2011 by deilenberger

[shyster77]

LOL @ your comment about drive it like there there is an uncooked egg between your foot and the fun-pedal - cos that's how I drive it!:clapping:

It doesn't want to be rushed either.

I tried the cruise control idea yesterday, - and yes, at 50mph on suburban highways and 70mph on state highway - the truck stabilizes on the fuel economy (the MLS to refuel stays constant and then increases when that state of equilibrium is reached from the engine/fuel consumption) and as long as the pedal is untouched. At this point, mpg indicated 18+. :thumbup: