[mmmmQuattro]

Currently we have a 2017 Macan S, which is highly optioned and suits us quite well - it drives nicely and handles well.
The 1st problem is, that I personally like the way BMW's drive more - my wife likes the Porsche feeling more and she drives it 90% of the time.
The 2nd real problem is that the Macan, even though it's only done 34k miles is starting to have niggling issues - A/C, coolant, oil leaking, random computer glitches, suspension arms etc. It's got air suspension, so I really don't want that to fail either
We are the original owners and have babied the car since new, so it's a bit disappointing.
I wanted to buy extended warranty and planned to do so, but as we had fitted aftermarket disc brake rotors (which are far superior to the crap that comes out of the Porsche factory, as they have lasted 2x+ longer) we were denied the privilege of paying for extended warranty.

So, we have a couple of options:

1. Buy another new Macan (Wife's preference)
2. Buy a X3M, X5 or similar (Compromise in looks, handling and ride)
3. Buy a M3 Touring (My preference)

The real question is how bad are 5+ year old Macans?
I read recently that the Macan / Cayannes are the most expensive midrange SUV's to run.

[Llarry]

Good question -- We have a two-and-a-half-year-old 2021 Macan GTS that my wife drives 90% of the time and she would like to keep forever. Sooner or later we will face the same problem, I think, and the annual maintenance for Porsche is more expensive. Like your '17, our '21 has not accumulated a lot of miles. Add in to the mix that our use case is pretty good for electric and we fill face tough choices in a few years.

There's a fair amount of anecdotal evidence that an older Macan will have issues, but I can't help you with anything concrete.

[c1pher]

I went from a 2017 Macan Turbo to a 2023 Macan GTS. While, in typical Porsche fashion, it doesn’t look like it, there are many improvements and enhancements. I much more prefer how a Porsche drives compared to a BMW unless it’s an M car. BMWs are too numb and Toyota like now IMO. If you don’t get the Macan and really want a BMW, I suspect the only way to tempt your wife is with an M3. But I have to say, once you’ve had a Porsche, if you truly like driving, almost anything else is a downgrade.

[Germanauto]

I love the way the Macan drives. My only gripe is understeer at the limit (which every SUV does). M3 Touring does sound compelling if you do enjoy pushing the car beyond 8/10s

I wholeheartedly do not suggest the X5. It's a luxo boat with lousy body control, lousy handling, and a lousy ride. Driving the Macan S back-to-back (which I did yesterday) there is no comparison.

The X5 used to be excellent to drive in the days of the E70, nowadays forget about it.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by haxoco

Good job!
When was the last time you served it?

If you are asking when I last had the Macan serviced, I had the annual service done last December at 12,600 miles. Oil & oil filter, interior filter, wiper blades, brake fluid. $1,086 total.

[itrocks4u]

I would not recommend X5 or any X variant unless you're going for M.

I did rent Macan at one point and was quite disappointed with it. It felt very much underpowered and not luxurious at all. I hated it. But it was also a rental from National so in sure very very basic. I'm sure S solves thar problem.

I really liked the drive of X3M. I think it's nice and sporty. I've also driven older X6M. While powerful and stunning looking, it was an older model (~5 years), rattled extensively and felt slow from a torque perspective. I ended up buying M3 at that point. When X3M came out, I really thought about it.

I'd encourage you to test drive X3M ans X5M to see if you like the drive. Looks wise, I think the X3M and X5M competition looks pretty damn aggressive when compared to Macan (but to each their own).

[chassis]

Happy wife happy life makes the decision easy.

X3M is jarring and the exhaust is droney.

Macan t/case and PDK are suspect at higher mileage. Personally I wouldn’t own a Macan long term. 3.0V6 seems generally reliable, much more so than the 3.6.

Cayenne is much bigger. I wouldn’t say more expensive to operate from a repair point of view. From a larger tires, larger brakes, higher fuel consumption point of view, yes slightly more expensive to operate and maintain than any smaller car.

If she wants a Macan, get her a Macan. The 2.9 or 3.0 V6s are good and the 2.0 four banger is a well-established EA888 VW engine, millions of them are on the road.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by chassis

Happy wife happy life makes the decision easy.

X3M is jarring and the exhaust is droney.

Macan t/case and PDK are suspect at higher mileage. Personally I wouldn’t own a Macan long term. 3.0V6 seems generally reliable, much more so than the 3.6.

Cayenne is much bigger. I wouldn’t say more expensive to operate from a repair point of view. From a larger tires, larger brakes maintenance point of view, yes slightly more expensive to maintain than any smaller car.

The Macan (othan the base or T) is a 2.9 not 3.0V6.

[chassis]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

The Macan (othan the base or T) is a 2.9 not 3.0V6.

Perfect. Add a turbo to the 3.0 and you have a 2.9. Both are EA839 and share the fundamentals. The 2.9 has a glorious sound in the Cayenne at 4500rpm+, probably even better in the Macan with smaller body and less insulation.

[Llarry]

If the worst were to happen and our '21 Macan GTS were stolen or totaled, I would replace it with a Macan S. I'd need to add an item or two from the current GTS standard equipment list, but I'd be perfectly happy with an S -- same 375 hp 2.9 as we have now and I prefer 20-inch wheels and tires to the 21s. I think the S is now the sweet spot.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by Llarry

If the worst were to happen and our '21 Macan GTS were stolen or totaled, I would replace it with a Macan S. I'd need to add an item or two from the current GTS standard equipment list, but I'd be perfectly happy with an S -- same 375 hp 2.9 as we have now and I prefer 20-inch wheels and tires to the 21s. I think the S is now the sweet spot.

The first gen Macan Turbo was 400 hp so it’s not like you’re losing out much with 25 less hp. It’s a fast car.

[PcarFan]

Originally Posted by Llarry

If you are asking when I last had the Macan serviced, I had the annual service done last December at 12,600 miles. Oil & oil filter, interior filter, wiper blades, brake fluid. $1,086 total.

You're talking to a bot, Llarry

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by PcarFan

You're talking to a bot, Llarry

LOL

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by chassis

Perfect. Add a turbo to the 3.0 and you have a 2.9. Both are EA839 and share the fundamentals. The 2.9 has a glorious sound in the Cayenne at 4500rpm+, probably even better in the Macan with smaller body and less insulation.

Sounds even better in my car

[Theruleslawyer]

I mean it sounds like its going to be her car. So long as you can afford it, let her pick.

Side note- They denied extended warranty over brake rotors? WTF. You can probably still get coverage through a 3rd party. If you still like the car, taking care of it will still be cheaper than depreciation on a new one.

[GTF]

My Macan was delivered on launch day (5/14/14). LOVED that car, but knew I would not keep after (extended 5yr 60K) warrantee due to potential costs. Trouble free for 5 years EXCEPT for the "timing cover oil leak" impacting many of the 3.0 liter motors. It was covered, but would have been $8-10K repair, since engine had to be completely removed. If your oil leak is this, you might move quickly (although some repairs Porche has addressed in post-warrantee partial coverage).
The resale was great....much better than any BMW I've owned. The new "S" is the Macan sweet spot, but is still based upon the dated 2014 platform (Porsche devoting $ to the electric Macan....good luck with that)
Too bad the Macan can't use the B58

[chassis]

Originally Posted by PcarFan

You're talking to a bot, Llarry

What percentage of userids on this site are bots do you think?

[chassis]

Originally Posted by GTF

My Macan was delivered on launch day (5/14/14). LOVED that car, but knew I would not keep after (extended 5yr 60K) warrantee due to potential costs. Trouble free for 5 years EXCEPT for the "timing cover oil leak" impacting many of the 3.0 liter motors. It was covered, but would have been $8-10K repair, since engine had to be completely removed. If your oil leak is this, you might move quickly (although some repairs Porche has addressed in post-warrantee partial coverage).
The resale was great....much better than any BMW I've owned. The new "S" is the Macan sweet spot, but is still based upon the dated 2014 platform (Porsche devoting $ to the electric Macan....good luck with that)
Too bad the Macan can't use the B58

S is the sweet spot imo for Cayenne also. Especially in 9Y0.2 now that S has the V8 from the .1 GTS. If you can get past the .2 interior…

[realdah]

Personally, I feel Macan is too old platform and it's a more expensive Q5. it is unwise to take it when it is almost in the last of its life cycles.

[PcarFan]

Originally Posted by chassis

What percentage of userids on this site are bots do you think?

I have no idea. I just noticed that it was a BOT because it added 2 links when it quoted Llarry

[allinon72]

As a former X3M owner, would not recommend to any but the most hardcore of wives.

[Arcades]

I would hold off of buying any Macan new at the moment. The only reason for this is due to the price increase. A new Macan GTS can run you into 100k easily and no matter how much I actually love driving the Macan, the GTS trim and even some S trims, don't really belong in that price category.

The T is still kind of worth the price but you have to be careful of the options as with any Porsche, it can easily run you far beyond the price range you want due to options.

Driving and handling wise though, there is literally no comparison. Any Macan handling and driving characteristic will feel better than any BMW equivalent (minus the cabin storage). I still don't like the 4 cylinders, including the Macan T. It doesn't fit the car. Porsche shoved a VW 4 cylinder that is in the Golf GTI, into a Macan that is 700+ lbs heavier. The Macan doesn't feel right with the 4 popper. The only thing BMW SUVs have above the Porsche SUVs is the speed. B48 and B58 are noticeably better engines compared to the corporate VW engines Porsche uses.

The only option I always suggest with the Macan is Porsche's Adaptive Air Suspension (PASM for short). It will change how you view SUVs and show you why BMW never gets their suspension setup correctly.