MR_Y
Well-known member
So, as per @VinceM thread, (https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/threads/how-long-do-you-keep-a-car.99467/unread) some of us are guilty of getting bored and changing cars often. This could have been one such story.
I visited Porsche for some routine work on my car and came across a pristine 2014 Cayenne 3.6 Petrol V6 at a very good price, with loads of spec.
Straight away, I thought that this would make a nice replacement for the wife's X3 (even though I had no intention of replacing the X3!).
The 3.6 NA is actually a version of the famous VW VR6 motor, as also found in the previous generation Passat 4Motion. 220kw and 400Nm. Not fireworks, but a proven and relatively reliable motor. Motorplan was also available for the next 3 years.
The car has all the bells and whistles. The motor sounds great. No sports exhaust, but that V6 is not muted and sounds excellent when revved.
Anyway, I took the car for a test drive:
- The lack of low down torque is evident on pull away. It does pick up steam as the revs rise, so would be good on the highway.
- It handles a bit like a boat, at least when compared to the more compact and lightweight G01 X3. You do feel the top heaviness of the car in the bends. Granted, this car is not an S or GTS model. It does have adaptive damping which helps a bit, but can't disguise the fact that this is a large and tall vehicle.
- Average fuel consumption is not bad for a V6 petrol at 12 litres per 100km in urban driving.
- Acceleration is not mind blowing (claim is 7.6 secs to 100kmh), but the engine sounds great.
So, the deal would have worked out with a clean trade in of the 2018 X3 for the 2014 Cayenne. No pay in.
However, as I came to my senses, I realised that this was a not a good move. While the Cayenne 958 is specced much better than the X3, has more space, is more solidly built and sounds great, it also uses much more fuel, is not really that much faster and is not as nimble as the X3 G01. Also, the 2014 958 is not the sexiest looking SUV. And, come resale time, people will prefer the 958 base model diesel, not the base V6 petrol
Anyway, I picked up my Macan S from the workshop and realised that next time I bring the car in I should stay away from the sales floor
So, in the end it was not an itch to be scratched. The G01 X3 20d is sufficient.
I visited Porsche for some routine work on my car and came across a pristine 2014 Cayenne 3.6 Petrol V6 at a very good price, with loads of spec.
Straight away, I thought that this would make a nice replacement for the wife's X3 (even though I had no intention of replacing the X3!).
The 3.6 NA is actually a version of the famous VW VR6 motor, as also found in the previous generation Passat 4Motion. 220kw and 400Nm. Not fireworks, but a proven and relatively reliable motor. Motorplan was also available for the next 3 years.
The car has all the bells and whistles. The motor sounds great. No sports exhaust, but that V6 is not muted and sounds excellent when revved.
Anyway, I took the car for a test drive:
- The lack of low down torque is evident on pull away. It does pick up steam as the revs rise, so would be good on the highway.
- It handles a bit like a boat, at least when compared to the more compact and lightweight G01 X3. You do feel the top heaviness of the car in the bends. Granted, this car is not an S or GTS model. It does have adaptive damping which helps a bit, but can't disguise the fact that this is a large and tall vehicle.
- Average fuel consumption is not bad for a V6 petrol at 12 litres per 100km in urban driving.
- Acceleration is not mind blowing (claim is 7.6 secs to 100kmh), but the engine sounds great.
So, the deal would have worked out with a clean trade in of the 2018 X3 for the 2014 Cayenne. No pay in.
However, as I came to my senses, I realised that this was a not a good move. While the Cayenne 958 is specced much better than the X3, has more space, is more solidly built and sounds great, it also uses much more fuel, is not really that much faster and is not as nimble as the X3 G01. Also, the 2014 958 is not the sexiest looking SUV. And, come resale time, people will prefer the 958 base model diesel, not the base V6 petrol
Anyway, I picked up my Macan S from the workshop and realised that next time I bring the car in I should stay away from the sales floor
So, in the end it was not an itch to be scratched. The G01 X3 20d is sufficient.
Last edited:
