TRIED&TESTED PORSCHE CAYENNE V8 S (MANUAL) 2004 04-PLATE 108,588 MILES £6490 VALUE AT A GLANCE Condition Price Performance Overall
With roving tyre kicker, Kieron Fennelly
Most Cayennes have Porsche’s Tiptronic transmission and those few fitted with the manual gearbox tended to be the entry level 3.2. This six speed 4.5 V8 is then a rare beast and for this reason alone caught Tyrekicker’s eye. Like many of its generation, this Cayenne is finished in black and the paint has generally stood the test of time: there is no sign of new paint and a mechanical buffing should bring back the gloss. The plastic front valance though has faded badly and there is condensation in the nonetoo-clear headlight covers. Standard 19-inch rims have some slight corrosion, but protected by the tyre sidewalls show only one or two nicks. Those tyres are new Acceleratas on the rear and little worn Pirellis at the front. The front discs have recently been replaced and the backs have plenty of life.
Most striking about this four-owner Cayenne is the state of the interior: the leather upholstery is still supple and unmarked; the driver’s seat naturally has a few creases. Equipment all appears to function, the facia has no loose or malfunctioning controls and steering wheel, gearknob and door pockets and cubbies all exhibit surprisingly few signs of wear; door thresholds are unscuffed and the door shuts remarkably clean, looking as if they have always been kept this way and the hinges are well greased; the catch on the driver’s door needs minor adjustment to avoid having to slam it. The boot appears little used, though the hydraulic rams holding the heavy rear door are a little uncertain. The toolset and spacesaver wheel are complete and unused.
The service book is missing: the dealer had Porsche confirm OPC visits in 2008 at 63,000 miles and 2015 at 105,000miles. MOT in May 2015 mentioned an exhaust leak, but the most recent certificate dated May 2016 has no advisories. The seating position initially seems high, but the gear lever falls to hand, the clutch takes up smoothly at the mid-point of its travel and we are underway. The V8 emits a distant, cultured rumble, exhibiting plenty of torque and responding readily to the right foot. The manual transmission makes for a more involved and enjoyable driving experience: the gearshift feels loose, but still slots nicely into its chosen ratio. The Cayenne can be driven lazily in third gear, using its immense torque, or with more verve, stirring the cogs and taking advantage of an engine which revs readily and remarkably smoothly to 7000rpm. There is no lift-off shunt from the transmission or discernible propshaft vibration; ride is reasonably controlled if a little crashy over Surrey’s numerous potholes; the threeway adjustable dampers (the first fitting on a Porsche) seem to vary little between sport and comfort settings. More to the point there are no disconcerting rattles and the Cayenne steers with customary Porsche accuracy. The brakes bite well and pull this two-tonne leviathan up straight.
This very likeable budget Porsche will be sold with a fresh MOT and three months’ parts guarantee. Subject perhaps to a professional opinion, especially to look at the vulnerable cooling system, and maybe an oil analysis, for £6.5k this might well be the Cayenne you have always promised yourself. PW