Porsche Macan S Review - Are the "experts" wrong? 😳

In May 2023 Porsche Centre Nottingham handed me the keys to this Porsche Macan S - Paint to sample Olive Green - loaded with beautiful specification - 18 way adjustable seats, leather upgrades with mamba green stitching - sports chrono pack to name just a few!
I have - I will admit held a biased towards these cars for a number of years. reading numerous reviews around them not living up to the hype.
But could the "experts" be wrong?
Tom Hale at porsche Centre Nottingham reckons this is THE car to prove so...
Lets find out!!!
Cheers as always - CMD X

[@shelloiluk]

I have a 992 S and had a Macan S and three other Porsches. I love the Macan. The 911 S is great but day to day the Macan is awesome.

[@CarMadDad]

Lovely input chap - great decision to make each day I guess 👌

[@user-zk8bq1bv7v]

Sure you do.

[@shelloiluk]

@@user-zk8bq1bv7v jealous maybe 🤔

[@kevinmcg6747]

Always had a soft spot for the Macan and what a lovely example you had for the test drive. Looking forward to seeing more of you and the 911 ownership when you have the time. Thanks for the timely reminder of the USP for CMD, the charity ethos is spot on. Cheers, Kevin

[@CarMadDad]

Afternoon Kev 👍 Yeah cracking example of how to spec your Macan… I’ll be sure to get some more 911 content up - struggling to think what might be an exciting bit of content for it???? What would you like to see??

[@kevinmcg6747]

@@CarMadDad Well you must be nearing 12 months ownership and likely had an MOT so I'm thinking any surprises over that time period? You've been testing a wide range of cars of late so what gets closest in your opinion to 911 ownership and tho I'm not suggesting you are looking to change but where do you go after a 911? To be fair Dale I went back and reviewed your previous vlogs on the 911 and you do cover a lot of ground however can't go wrong with a. bit more coverage :)

[@scowil456]

Thanks so much for this. Massively helpful 👍

[@CarMadDad]

Your very welcome x

[@TheHarry012]

Great video, just waiting for my high spec Macan S to arrive. Really enjoyed the commetery.

[@CarMadDad]

Oh awesome dude - cheers and congrats 👌

[@dominicrusho]

Very nice. Looks good in green. Nice Tudor GMT on the wrist too!

[@CarMadDad]

Why thank you 🤩

[@andrewcapone3345]

Nice review! I'm in the market but haven't test drove yet so you gave me some good considerations. I watched a test drive here in the states that was an "S" but def not the same interior speck! thanks mate!

[@CarMadDad]

Glad it was helpful! 👍

[@andy3407]

great video as I also have a Macan S with virtually all the same specs (minus the paint to sample). with the same engine as the GTS (just detuned), my thought process was less engine wear / tear (to your point, this isn't exactly a sports car) with a greater emphasis on premium features. and who knows, after my warranty is up might just give it a stage 1 / 2 tune :)

[@CarMadDad]

Cheers chappy

[@Macca5]

Well done mate enjoyed the review, I’m just about to buy one 😁👍🏼

[@CarMadDad]

Cheers Ian 👌 Enjoy the purchase 😀

[@RobinH8869]

Another great video, Thank you! What was the total price and the price of the options? Would have been great to have shown the spec and the cost breakdown a la Harry's Garage

[@CarMadDad]

Cheers Robin A few people have mentioned this and Harry’s way of going through spec. Not sure on this occasion- will make sure it’s covered in future videos 👍 Cheers for the view and comment 👌

[@franki68]

My macan s has similar spec but it was hard to find ,there were only 2 for sale with such a spec . Only downside of the car is the fuel economy is not great ,dropping the diesel was a mistake .

[@CarMadDad]

Thanks for the view and thoughts chappy 👌

[@lifetree4623]

The current S was upgraded to the 2.9 litre engine, slightly detuned from the GTS spec

[@CarMadDad]

Noted 📝

[@TomHaleRacing]

Long love the Zafira 🤣 Recognise the car 😉

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

I drove all the small and mid sized SUV and the Macan was the most fun to drive! Now my main concerns are long term reliability and maintenance costs and how to get comfortable seats in it!

[@CarMadDad]

Maybe some forum research chap?

[@rykehuss3435]

The GTS is just a waste of money. Less practical for more money, for increased performance. In a SUV? Just get a Cayman or something if you want a sports car. I think this Macan S is the version to get, the base version is a bit sluggish for a Porsche badge. You cant get proper winter tyres on the GTS nor Porsche snow chains if memory serves because the brake discs are so large. And of course not any decent off road tyres if youre interested in that kind of adventuring (probably not a single Macan owner ever ventures off tarmac, though that applies to Defender owners too, but I digress)

[@soulz23]

8:38 comment. Yeah definitely can't see a big Ranger Rover Sport with nearly the same handling dynamics as this. SQ5 coupe maybe but the closest thing is probably a RSQ3.

[@CarMadDad]

Agreed

[@ThomasJohnson-fr4gp]

Would love to see its 0-60 time on a race box.

[@CarMadDad]

Would be interesting chap 🤔

[@PocketRockets]

Interesting you mention the ride from the 'S' to the 'GTS', my mums got the 'GTS' and I have to say I'm slightly disappointed with it Macan is a cracking platform and for the market segment it's in, I don't think there is anything comparable or as good Hope you're well mate!

[@CarMadDad]

Cheers for the view and thoughts chap - yes I haven’t driven a GTS but Tom at Nottingham raves above the S in comparison 👍 All good fella - how’s the new ride!!!???

[@PocketRockets]

@Car Mad Dad No worries, sorry I haven't been on your channel in a while - always difficult to catch up with everyone's content Car is mega mate, need to get out and do some content with it now 👌🏼

[@CarMadDad]

Mate NEVER apologise for not visiting the Chanel - we’ve all got our own sh** going on. If I make a video worth your while - happy to have you on board 😉

[@pierrelabonte2539]

I bought a new 23 Cayenne no s or gts without test driving, and I'm disappointed in the way it drives, I call my little wanderer, it's all over the road, and yes I've been to the dealer, and I owned a macan s, now that drives great.

[@johnyacoub69]

can you point to the reviews that you say you read that the car is not as good as its reputation? That hasn't been my experience at all (with the reviews or the car).

[@CarMadDad]

You won’t have to look far chap - clarkson in the times. Some of the collecting cars boys…

[@matttownsend473]

Maybe take a shot of the spec sheet and flash it up so we can see it. Harry Metcalfe often does that and it works well. Oh, and keep at least one hand on the steering wheel 🙂

[@CarMadDad]

All noted Matt - cheers 👌

[@TheHUNTERTIGER]

Bit of an odd opening comment when you say you wouldn’t naturally associate it with the Porsche brand. The Cayenne’s been around since 2002 and the Macan since 2014. How long does a vehicle have to be around before you associate it with its maker?

[@CarMadDad]

Porsche cars for ME are the 911 and Cayman / Boxster when I think of the brand SUV - I think Land Rover

[@TheHUNTERTIGER]

@@CarMadDad There’s a heck of a lot more to Porsche than 3 models great as though those 3 may be. The latter 2 didn’t even come into existence until the late 90’s. Anyway you have your opinion and others like myself have ours. Still think your comments ought to be up to date. On a positive its a great thing you do for charity so bravo to you for that 👏🏻 👍🏻

[@CarMadDad]

I hear you chap - both entitled to our opinions (be sure to remember that my opinion is certainly not factual) and like usual - against that of a majority 😂 Cracking car - v impressed - cheers 👍

[@andyz9455]

Does the test car have air suspension?

[@CarMadDad]

Hi chap - yes Official answer - Adaptive air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) £1,148.00 Fully load-bearing air-spring struts, a total of three ride-height positions and possibility to lower rear axle to Loading Level, variable damping system with continuous regulation of damping force to reduce body movements as the situation demands, PASM damper mapping with three manually selectable modes. Includes self-levelling function Hope that helps 👍

[@jamesbarclay738]

Trying to make s look like gts. May as well get gts.

[@CarMadDad]

Think of the pennies you would save though 👌

[@stephenhooper26]

Nice review first one of yours I’ve actually watched , one annoying point please keep both hands on the steering wheel. Nice car

[@CarMadDad]

Thanks, will do!

[@hillbillyflipper3843]

Hahaha oook

[@26NEWERA]

Biggest problem with the Macan is its a little dated now, yes they have done very subtle tweaks, added the light bar on the back but showing its age now. It is also pretty tight in the back compared to Q5’s, X3m and the GLC. Its more similar inside for size as a Q3. They are nice to drive. however i would not be spending £60-£80k on a car when the new model is imminently due for arrival.

[@CarMadDad]

👍

[@Chrisss98]

The new one will be electric though?

[@26NEWERA]

@@Chrisss98 sadly yes and probably a £80k starting price.

[@Chrisss98]

@@26NEWERA expensive, i went with this final years GTS model and doing European delivery in December.

[@benyen3210]

@@Chrisss98hello Chriss, How is your delivery ??

[@Strictlybusiness79]

To me it looks dated. I know that purists like the traditional gauges but it needs a full digital cockpit. The rest of the tech seems thrown together and not a coherent design throughout the interior. It’s a pass for me.

[@CarMadDad]

Cheers for the view and comment chappy

[@phantpwr]

Digital gauges are cheaper to make than analog gauges and analog is more premium looking.

[@Strictlybusiness79]

@@phantpwr cost aside, I would pay extra for digital. Analog is for my parents

[@kmotch]

I have a full digital in my current Audi, I’ve ordered my porsche S and love the old school dials. It shows everything you need to know and the way the rev counter pings from the pdk is a joy

[@BounceHeaven]

Whilst it being out of your budget regardless, you should see if Porsche will allow you to sit in one at your local dealer, it’s stunning.

[@bertraminc9412]

Everyone raves about the Macan so this video makes no sense.

[@CarMadDad]

Not everyone 🤔

[@PeterSdrolias]

I have the S. Love the interior and the analog dial. Digital rev dials are overrated. Also, I don’t about everyone else but love the styling too. Everyone looks at it when it is on the road! Lastly, when I put it in sports+ I can get an adrenaline surge. The thing is a rocket!

[@eyesurgeon69]

Who specs a paint to sample Macan S? Great car at the price point but that PTS money is gone with the wind. OK on a special Porsche but this is a few options away from being the service loaner car.

[@CarMadDad]

Think this was a Porsche uk order allocated to Nottingham dealership chap