Following on from my previous post a while back I thought I would update how my search has been going, I've decided against an ML and RR Sport and am going to go for an early L322 again-not the TD6 either I have now driven one and didn't personally like it, a bit too little power for the car so 4.4 V8, have viewed a couple when I've been able but both seemed to be not as described and worse for wear and I'm in no great hurry, have seen plenty of petrol versions that look decent between £8k and £10k so am going to get on with viewing a few more.

The only thing now though is after ruling out the Sport and ML I've noticed you can get a decent early Cayenne Turbo for around the £11k mark!!, so before I commit to a FFRR I've got to test drive one at least if only to rule it out. I think the interior looks nicer in the FFRR but one thing the Cayenne does have in its favour is the blistering performance, not sure how they fare on reliability though, I've had a FFRR before so am more leaning to a 'better the devil you know' approach, I know early V8s are mostly air suspension issues and it's not great if the alternator goes which happened to me before but I can live with that.

I'm also not sure how the Cayenne fares in regards to off road ability, they have low range,adjustable ride height, locking diffs etc so I would actually think they arnt a million miles away from the RR, I would be using either machine off road occasionally, may even venture down to Sailsbury Plain and whatever one I got would have to be decent if it snows again this winter etc.

Also just have to say this about the Cayenne, it's certainly no oil painting and I generally like Porsches.

I will keep everyone updated and hopefully be adding pics of a new car soon!!.

having had a couple of Porsches, admittedly not Cayennes, butthe service costs can be on the high side unless you know a good independant, bit like the RR I suppose.

Early Cayennes weren't the best looking cars on the road, but over the years they have softened up a bit and don't look so bad these days, but I'm guessing at £11k, you're looking at a very early model.

I think your biggest issue, and what goes a long way to explaining the low cost, is the eye-watering fuel consumption of the turbo (even compared to an SC RR).

Cheers Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Oh, their economy is worse than a petrol RR?, I quite like Porsches in general, have driven a 911 and was impressed, don't really know about the Cayenne though, I just thought they represent good value for what they are, I have to admit I do like the RR more as a car though.

From what I gather, yes.

If you're making your decision based on driving a 911, please don't, they're worlds apart.

I went from a Boxster to a 911 and hated the 911, as it felt too light at the front.

Nothing feels like a 911, wether that's a good thing, or bad, it's a personal thing. For me it was bad. Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Ah no, I wouldn't make the decision based on driving a 911 as they are such different cars, I just thought the Cayenne seemed good value for what it offers but am probably 80% decided on a FFRR.
I drove a 997 Turbo and was hugely impressed with it,although sadly a bit out of my price range!!.

I think it would really be down to drving both and deciding which one feels best for you.

I still think the reason they're so cheap is their appetite for petrol (and their looks)!  Got - 2017 SDV8 Autobiography in Loire Blue
Had- 2008 TDV8 Vogue SE in Java black
Had - 2007 S/C in Stornoway Grey

Do the early V8 Cayenne's potentially suffer some engine issues now ? or something ?

My cousin, who's into his exotica and owned a couple of Ferrari 575M's mentioned to me a few weeks ago.

Says you can buy them cheaply enough, but the issue could cost you more than the car to fix ?

http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/...rbo-Engine

http://www.edmunds.com/porsche/cayenne/2004/consumer-reviews.html

There may be nothing in it, but I'd do a bit of research if you drive one and decide its what you want. 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8

Previous cars :
2003 Range Rover Vogue TD6
1999 Discovery Td5 ES
1995 BMW M5 3.8 6 speed
1992 Range Rover 3.9 Efi Vogue
1992 BMW M5 3.8
1988 BMW 735i SE
1989 Ford Sierra XR4x4 2.9i
1981 Ford Fiesta Supersport

I've owned a Cayenne S for just under 2 years...

The two areas of concern on any V8 Engine Cayenne's are:

1. Coolant Pipes, original plastic, WILL NEED replaced, Aluminium replacements £960 incl Labour from Porsche.

2. Cardan Shaft - original design poor, replaced mine recently £850 incl Labour from Porsche.

Other than that they are very reliable, engine and electics/electronics fantastic, great build quality, great off-road, (see Youtube). Cabin not as plush as FFRR. Servicing as per Porsche is every 2 Years and my last 120K service was £600 approx. I do however get a Oil and Filters changed every year regardless of mileage. I have averaged 15.8 mpg during my ownership, 90% city rush hour driving, had over 26mpg on Motorway cruise...

Handling is much better than FFRR but ride is stiffer, Tiptronic gearbox is also a lot of fun when you wish a quick overtake etc...

Thinking of selling mine soon though as time for a change....

If you want to know anymore, ask away, I was originally after a FFRR but at the time every one I viewed was a shed... I will however scratch the FFRR itch someday....

Thanks for that Paulo, the fuel economy doesn't really sound any worse than the V8 petrol FFRR, thanks for the heads up RE coolant pipes, just curious but what sort of mileage did these let go on yours?, I have seen a few shed FFRRs too but I'm sure there are some good early ones out there, I'm not even that bothered about getting an HSE and I actually want the V8 petrol too so there are bargains to be had.

I've heard with the Cayenne that the S and the Turbo arnt very different fuel economy wise?, is there anything to look out for particularly that has been done in a cars service history?, gearbox oil change, diff oil, things like that?, sorry for my ignorance on the subject just I haven't even really considered one until a couple of days ago.

My twopenneth for what it's worth is that £11k cayenne turbos are fantastic for the price but the previous owners Only see the ticket price and forget that it's still a £80k+ car for maintenance and therefore alot of it is missed leaving the next buyer with a huge bill. 07MY SC VSE (on its way)

The list of previous cars is long & some are boring there has been two RRC's and a very pimped hilux

I would probably stretch my budget a bit and go on condition and service history more, I'm never one to skimp on maintenence and understand your point as it's very frustrating when that sort of thing happens.
My FFRR suffered the gearbox overheat issue due to the previous owner not changing the radiator so I got this done as well as changing the gearbox oil and filter etc as soon as the issue showed itself.

Restless wrote:

Thanks for that Paulo, the fuel economy doesn't really sound any worse than the V8 petrol FFRR, thanks for the heads up RE coolant pipes, just curious but what sort of mileage did these let go on yours?, I have seen a few shed FFRRs too but I'm sure there are some good early ones out there, I'm not even that bothered about getting an HSE and I actually want the V8 petrol too so there are bargains to be had.

I've heard with the Cayenne that the S and the Turbo arnt very different fuel economy wise?, is there anything to look out for particularly that has been done in a cars service history?, gearbox oil change, diff oil, things like that?, sorry for my ignorance on the subject just I haven't even really considered one until a couple of days ago.

Another little cost to add is tyres. I had its cheapskate brother, the Touareg with the lowly 3.0TDi V6, sitting on low profiles on 20" rims. Even that wore its tyres out approx every 10k miles, and I reckon a Cayenne Turbo would easily reduce that with some enthusiastic driving.

I do about 30k miles a year, 12 tyres a year is no joke when they are £200 a pop for semi reasonable ones! I read somewhere on this forum that if careful I might get up to 30k miles out of my Vredestein Wintracs on the FFRR. Perhaps optimistic but 6k miles into my ownership and they are not 60% worn out so for sure the FFRR is miles easier on its tyres. Lloyd Barnes

Current
Crendon 427 Sideoiler Cobra in build... 7 litres of madness!

Gone
2008 TDV8 Vogue - Black with Ivory/Grand Black Lacquer
2008 VW Touareg 3.0Tdi
6.3litre Dax Cobra - 12.34 Second 1/4mile at 114mph

That's a very good point too, I think I'm more sold on the FFRR, it is less to buy and probably to run too, will probably go for a V8 to avoid the TD6 gearbox issues, and I like and know the engine as I've had one previously.

Just a thought but if you are comparing a cayenne turbo and a 4.4 ffrr then you should consider the 4.2 sc surely.

I have moved from a Jag XKR to the 4.4 v8 and am wishing I had the 4.2sc now, overtaking is a scary thing by comparison so the 4.2 sc is on my buy list. 03 4.4 V8 petrol / lpg. 1st of many hopefully. I love my Rangie