2006 TTS Brake Replacement

[denverpete]

Hello all!

Basically my first post though I have been on here for some time while owning my previous Boxster and now my 2006 Cayenne Turbo S. I have a few questions I'm hoping you all can answer. These questions have arisen due to the need to replace brakes and my impending 60,000 mile service.

Before I begin, I want to throw out that I have owned this TTS for just over 1 year and that it is covered by a certified pre-owned warranty (learned that one the hard way when my Boxster's engine grenaded 26 days into ownership). My brake replacement light came on so I'm obviously due. This isn't really a huge issue, but it did surprise me and got me to thinking...

1) I get that a certified pre-owned warranty doesn't cover replaceable components... But isn't it also supposed to represent a vehicle that is, according to Porsche, in "almost new condition?" What I'm getting at is, I certainly wouldn't expect to have to replace my brakes after 1 year on a new vehicle. I've searched what the 100+ point CPO inspection covers and found this (emphasis mine):

Under Vehicle-This portion of the check includes the frame, exhaust system, brake pads and shoes, calipers, rotors and drums, tires and wheels, struts, control arms, steering/linkage, axles, driveline, suspension system, gear and parking brake cable.

Now before you take me to task about the obvious fact that brake pads are consumables and therefore not covered - consider that there is no way that any Porsche would be offered as a CPO with completely worn brakes or tires that visually would need replacing after 10,000 miles. It just wouldn't happen. So obviously there is some median point at which it is considered acceptable. So at what point (or how many miles) would be acceptable for these items? Would you be upset if the brake indicator came on 10,000 miles in? What about 1,000 miles in? What about 100 miles?

2) I've searched the forums and found some excellent help on replacing brakes and rotors. However, when doing an internet search for the components I'm a bit leery. To wit, my vehicle is a TTS and yet so many of the sites claim to offer components that seem to fit all Cayenne vehicles. There's just no way that's possible. Between the massive front rotor and 6-piston caliper, I just can't fathom that the same pads for a V6 (or even a Turbo) fit my Turbo S.

So... What specs should I be looking for? And yes, I have looked on Sunset's site - but their quoted prices are ridiculous. Not to mention that the post here on Renntech is for summer and doesn't seem to include the Turbo S. I'd just like to know what questions to ask regarding size or specifications.

3) What sort of cost should I expect for my 60,000 mile scheduled maintenance? And what is involved?

As always, I appreciate you knowledge and insight...

Thank you!

~Pete

[denverpete]

Oh... I just found a post that showed what the CPO inspection covers and it states that pads under 50% must be replaced. So I guess the question now would be: How long do TTS brake pads last???

[mudman2]

anything between 12000 and 35000 miles depending how you drive and on what types of roads

[PTEC]

Oh... I just found a post that showed what the CPO inspection covers and it states that pads under 50% must be replaced. So I guess the question now would be: How long do TTS brake pads last???

So basically yeah, a vehicle cannot be put up on the front lot and sold as a certified vehicle with brakes that have less than 50% pad remaining. Now take into consideration that your brake wear warning light will come on at approx 20-30% pad remaining. It sounds like you went 10,000 miles and the brake wear light came on. Thats not ideal obviously but consider the money you saved buying your Turbo used as opposed to new and I think you're still sitting pretty.

Also yes you are blessed/cursed with a Turbo S and you have the Gigantic (expesive) front brakes that are only found on the Turbo S or regular Turbos that have the E81 power kit. The discs are 380mm vs the standard 355mm. As far as the pads, sensors, and hardware, I'm not sure what else is different.

[bigbuzuki]

Don't be surprised if you are requested to change the disk rotors as well with the pad change.

They reach minimum thickness at approximately every second pad change depending on driving habits.

Edited March 1, 2010 by bigbuzuki

[denverpete]

Not the advice I was hoping for - but I appreciate it. Thank you!

And yes, I realize that I saved a pretty penny by not buying new. But I'm still a little bent that I'm on the hook for pads and rotors after 1 year. Particularly since nearly all the miles I have put on it are highway. Oh well...

I guess I'll call around tomorrow and ensure that the pads I want work for the 380mm disks.

[odix]

For the cost of the 60k service in Northern California it ranges from $900 to $1300. I called every local Porsche dealer and asked for pricing to get a baseline. I went to the dealer I bought my Cayenne ('04 S) because it was a CPO and they have taken great care of me. Plus, it's the closest dealer to me. I did not haggle with them -- for $200 it was not worth the hassle to annoy them. But, I mentioned I called around out of curiosity and they did work with me. You can find 20%-off Porsche part coupons for dealerships. That makes a difference with the spark plugs and other parts, but it's still more than Sunset Imports if you DIY. Since I'm still under CPO, while they were doing the service they'd fix any warranty issues they locate, this is what tipped me to using the dealer vs. independent mechanic or doing it myself -- and if I did it myself it would have taken a full day and I may have broken something. That said, do not pay for the pollen (interior) air filter replacement. It's a $30 part and a ten minute job. Really.

If you become a contributing member here on Renntech (do it, money well spent) you can download the service spec sheets. Some dealers do more than others -- flush brake fluid, etc. You can do it all yourself as well -- plugs, oil, visual check. And a lot of posts in Renntech exist about the 60k service -- pros and cons of doing it yourself, dealer or independent mechanic, etc.

As to the brakes, I think you have the answer. Even though you drove mostly highway miles enough subjectivity is in play (a year has elapsed) that you don't want to be too angry with the dealer. CPOs are awesome -- it's the best of both worlds. And there is an excellent brake replacement DIY in the forums here as well.

And nice vehicle you have -- the Turbo S's are stunning.

Edited March 1, 2010 by odix

[bfong]

Don't ever believe the CPO things again. I bought a 04 cayenne S cpo on internet, when the car arrived, it is totally different from what the cpo report described the car. The hatch door strut doesn't support the hatch door, the microswitch on the hatch was broken, the bumper had a big patch of touched up scratch, side molding came off, I just replaced all 4 brakes and rotors (less than a yr), wipers was bad, changed the drive shaft last month and the back bumper spoiler are all scratched etc. All the above items were not covered by the cpo except the drive shaft.

I called the dealer and they ignored me, I called pcna and they ignored me too.

CPO is only PCNA and dealers' marketing scam, it doesn't reflect the condition of the car. The dealers found a car and it "looks" ok", then they will pay PCNA for a extended warranty and take a chance to sell it to you !