First Generation Porsche Cayenne as a used purchase- Can you afford to maintain it?

I was recently asked by a reader on the possible maintenance costs of running a first generation Porsche Cayenne (2003-2010) in Malaysia. The first thing that crossed my mind was money. Lots of money required to do so. The infamous saying that if you have to ask means you cannot afford it comes to mind. But then again, this is Malaysia, there could be a hope in hell with all the Cayennes you see running around the country. Anyway, I asked a few people, poked around a bit and found out a bit more about the SUV that basically saved Porsche from an early death. I have informed the chap and I believe that I should share some of the findings with you folks out there.

The first generation Type 9PA (955/957) Porsche Cayenne is a luxury SUV/Crossover made by Porsche. It looks unmistakably Porsche. The initial development of this was by Porsche and Volkswagen of which the Touareg was born. The base/platform body shell and doors are shares with the Touareg but everything else is by Porsche (suspension mounts, extra chassis work, mechanicals, electrics, interior etc). The base model Cayenne 3.2 however shares a VW 3.2 VR6 engine with the Touareg (later with a 3.5liter VR6 – 2007 onwards). The 'full Porsche' Cayennes are the higher capacity ones with the 4.8liter V8 engines.

Anyway, the base Cayenne (250-280hp) is slow (0-100kmh in 8.1secs in automatic), heavy and consumes fuel due to its bad power to weight ratio. It weighs over 2050kg. Heavy shit. Enough said. So your better choices are the Cayenne S, GTS, Turbo and Turbo S variants (340-540hp). Of course, this means maintaining a 4.5liter V8. Lots of engine oil and lots of spark plugs too.

As for maintaining the first generation, expect the following sundry items. Note that the figures stated are ballpark estimates. If you can find cheaper parts. Good for you then.

Cayennes run 18inch wheels for the base model, 20inch and 21inch for the higher model S (optional spec), GTS and Turbos. Tyre costs for 20 inch tyres from RM900 for some cheapo Indonesian, China, Taiwan made tyres that actually tell me you cannot even afford proper brands to about RM2,000 for a proper set of tyres whose make comes from the same continent as the Porsche. Some run the 21 inch wheel and tyre combo. So pay more of course.

Brake pads can cost over rm600 per pair for non turbo and more for turbo models. Discs and pads package can cost rm4000 before you add in any labour. All Cayenne Turbo run full air suspension. Those that run Mercedes S-class would call them the airmatic suspension. Very comfortable and works for such a large and heavy car like the Cayenne but is prone to go because of the weight, the Malaysian humidity and also our road conditions. Which means if they go...which they usually do here in Malaysia like those using W220 and above Mercedes S-class will know. So expect to pay rm2000(+-500-1000) per strut excluding labour...not per pair when they do. In a Mercedes S-class you can get for about RM1,000 for a reconditioned one. Doubt you can get that price for a Porsche part here.

If the airmatic pump that controls the suspension goes, expect to pay RM4,500 without labour. If you feel this is too much, try the steel sprung GTS variant. But this too has variable damping rates from the PASM system. So dampers aren't cheap too but should last longer than the air suspended Turbo models.

Other parts like propshaft bearings cost rm600-700 before labour. This part is know to fail when the kilometers pile up. Usually after 120,000km or so. Starter motor around RM800-RM1,000. The fuel pump is anywhere from RM700 for non turbo to RM3,000 for turbo models. All depending on who the supplier is and how original the part is. The car is not cheap to maintain.

Now comes the regular servicing costs. You need at least two 4 liter packs of engine oil with the very, very recommended Porsche oil ratings. This would cost you about RM400+. No rubbish oil from Tesco or Carrefour if you want that engine to last. You do want that engine to last as you'd be looking at something over RM50,000 (just an estimate) for a complete Cayenne V8 rebuild.

The oil filter is anywhere from RM100-150 depending on your sources. The air filter is cheap as you can use a K&N filter that can be cleaned throughout ownership. This is under RM400 (RM100 or so for an OE filter that you need to change every 40,000km or so I believe). So expect even an oil change to be somewhere in the region of RM1,000.00 to RM2,500.00 depending on other small consumables (like eight long life spark plugs when they are due). There usually is considering that the oldest Cayenne is now over ten years old. If it were me, and I don't have at least RM5,000 in my pocket I would not head to the nearest mechanic to get my old Cayenne serviced.

Anyway, the first generation Porsche Cayenne also likes eating front tyres. Actually tyres all round as they are heavy. They consume petrol as they are heavy too. They consume propshaft center bearings too. Oh. A lot of V8 Cayennes have a problem with the Alusil cylinder bore liners. The aluminium silica (69%alu, 31%sil) lining is there to keep the cylinders running smooth with little friction but somehow they don't last. What you get out of this is engine knocking and sometimes, by the time you realise, its too late and you may have to spend over RM50,000 for a rebuild.

Some Cayenne Turbos are also notorious for engine oil consumption. Most probably because of the alusil liners being worn out prematurely. A brave friend of mine said that he once did a drive in his Cayenne Turbo to Lumut and back, and he had to top up some oil into the engine both ways. He suggests looking at the oil levels every 1,500km to make sure the oil level does not dip too low. He is a brave lad for running a Cayenne in my opinion.

Some also suffer from cooling pipe issues as some original cooling pipes have plastic V joints. If its not changed to the later aluminium replacement shit may happen.

So after gathering all of that and chatting to some first generation Cayenne owners.Some say avoid it at all costs. Some have suggested buying the second generation 2010 onwards Cayenne models. I have concluded that you CAN run a first generation Porsche Cayenne if you print money for a living. If you do not, you should be like me. I have decided that I cannot for the life of me afford to run a Cayenne. I know I can actually come up with the RM98,000 asking price of the Cayenne S pictured below from Mudah.my, but no. Nope. Never. Aside from the fact that I do not fancy SUVs and that the rear seats do not allow good posture to anyone sitting there, I Might as well shoot myself in the head, whilst asking a samurai to slice off my head at the same time together with someone administering a dose of lethal injection at one go. The maintenance costs are a tad too extravagant for a poor soul like me. Furthermore, I abhor frequenting the mechanic these days. Takes too much of my time. Which is why I prefer reliable cars like what I run these days. There are better things to do than look at cars that need help.

And with that, all you first generation Cayenne owners and ex-owners, you have my sympathy as well as my utmost respect for buying and then running one.