Don’t buy a used Macan without watching this video! | Porsche Model Guide

[@ToOpen6seven]

Issues to check for: 1. Timing Cover Seal Failure 2. Oil leaks in general 3. Porsche used aluminum hardware for the timing covers due to the timing covers being made of magnesium so steel makes it oxidize and have all sorts of corrosion and this causes the bolts to crack which can then lead to oil leaks. Updated hardware was released to remedy the issue but there's still a possibility that the valve covers or the timing cover seals themselves could actually fail causing excessive oil leakage. 4. Transfer case can slip causing a shuttering feel on acceleration (like was felt in that Audi I test drove) however this was updated so after it's been replaced, generally speaking, we don't see any issues with them anymore as the clutch pack materials were changed to be more durable. 5. Smaller issues -- a. Oil separators can fail b. Upper control arms every so often c. High pressure fuel pumps can fail d. Y pipes and coolant leaks (very pricey because the whole front end of the car has to be removed to gain access to water pump and thermostat as well as timing cover e. Vent lines between the cylinder heads that can get brittle over time and crack f. Water pump and thermostat can also fail6. First generation car - few items that require a front clip removal (changing drive belt, serpentine belt tensioner) 6. First generation car - few items that require a front clip removal (changing drive belt, serpentine belt tensioner) 7. Issues if water gets inside the car (from sunroof drains being blocked - rear drains can get stopped up) can cause electrical issues. The battery well can get filled with water as well as your current distributor which houses all the main power fuses for the vehicle.

[@noboringcars1227]

This was one of the best reviews and videos anywhere, not just clickbait. I am considering a Macan because I want both a hard sport edge but also the practicality of an SUV and to pull a small camper. I want an actual Sport Vehicle that has Utility. It will have kayaks on top. Going through each generation was useful.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MyCarfinder]

My first Macan was a CPO 2018 Macan Turbo I bought in 2021. I sold the car last week after putting 27k miles on it. It was my daily driver and also used for trips throughout California. Only required annual service. No problems with it at all. Special ordered a 2024 Macan GTS which should arrive later this week. Really enjoy driving the Macan but when I want to drive a sports car I also have a 2024 Boxster S in the garage.

[@jjmg2847]

What was your monthly service cost?

[@clarencecross7385]

Can you buy me one ?

[@sawwas4677]

best macan video on the net

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@TLBJ24]

Great video, thank you. I currently am one year / 15,000 miles into driving/owning a used 2018 Porsche Macan Sport Edition, which is basically a fully loaded base model that Porsche ran for one year (2018 only). It had 70k miles on it, 4 owners, and a clean Carfax when I bought it. I added a three year fully loaded extended warranty for a few thousand dollars, so $35k all in, I couldn't be happier. Even though I could buy or lease a newer model, I’m actually a fan of the older models with the tactile buttons versus the all digital panels. I like the way it looks and feels every time I climb into the vehicle. It has all the desired upgrades including 21in wheels and “Sports Plus” engine mode. For day to day driving, that’s plenty for me. I wasn't sure how committed I was going to be to the vehicle, and for some reason, the more electronic the vehicle is, the more I worry about something going wrong that I can't fix, so I prefer the older model. I think it's all about perspective, so I guess it just depends on what vehicle you are driving before you get into the Macan. I was driving a Jeep Cherokee, so this is a big change for me. Also I'm pleasantly surprised to be able to get 30mpg/Hwy in a six year old suv with 70k miles on it. For me, the "Sport Plus" mode is just the right amount of fun for my first Porsche. I do plan to upgrade to a newer Macan in a couple of years, but for now I'm having fun in my little pocket rocket. Plenty of room for my single person lifestyle.

[@theusefulchannel]

This video should be required viewing for anyone thinking about buying a Macan.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Glad you think so.

[@elkinsg2961]

Thanks for all the work you put in to producing this for us! I thought I knew a lot about the macan GTS prior to purchasing but the water drain is new info for me! Great job

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Our pleasure!

[@1jbunceiii]

I have a "launch" version of the 2015 S, new it was $87k, has PASM and the Chrono Package, and the carbon fiber package and the Burmeister radio. I got it used from Carvana, did an inspection at my local Porsche dealership and they were pretty impressed with it. Also the 21 inch wheels. It's a great car!

[@chinsanity9313]

Insanely great video! I feel a lot more confident about buying a used macan now

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Go for it!

[@DjHandicap]

I would LOVE a video like this for ANY car I want to buy!

[@bm_sfl]

Great overview. The info about the 3rd gen base model increasing 40hp is not accurate. The third gen went up 13 hp from 248 to 261 and peak tq to 295 up from 273. Another factor in the third gen being "peppier" is that the final drive ratio went from 4.13 to 4.67. You can feel it immediately off idle. I was looking at a 2018 GTS with higher mileage but ended up with a low mileage 2021 Base CPO, that had 5 years of warranty, between factory + CPO. The base has far fewer issues considering less options that may cause issues such as leather dash or air suspension. The lighter weight from the lack of the extra components and particularly the engine, which is nearly 200lbs lighter on the front end, results in a better handling car. The engine is a 4 cyl VW (a throwback to Porsche's first cars) but its the workhorse of the VAG world with far higher production numbers and revisions to arrive at its current, reliable revision. There's tons of room in the bay for easy maintenance. I added a tune to mine, which objectively, from datlogs, makes it as quick as an S from 30-70mph, perhaps greater and definitely has better throttle response for city driving. Depends on the end user and their needs. I also added thicker sway bars, lowering springs and sport chrono to make it an extremely fun, utilitarian and reliable car. Don't overlook the base or T model, it has a ton of potential with far fewer headaches.

[@rtsmith3921]

Excellent job guys and thank you for another great video. Here in the St. Louis region we find more and more Macan owners are becoming active members and this information is invaluable for those who are entering the brand.

[@twentieth_r]

Thanks for posting this! I have been so confused about the different models and what not, but I've been shopping Macans like mad. So what I've settled with, is I want an '18 Turbo, so I can keep the 3.6 V6 rather than shifting to the 2.9 EA839 found in the RS5.

[@TTT-1961.]

I have a 2021 GTS, and have had a number of other Porsche’s. It is among my fav - it does it all.

[@emmahmusicchannel2383]

Great video! I have owned three Macans since 2016: 2016 Macan S (E1), 2019 Macan (E2), and 2022 Macan (E3). Totally agree with the coolant problems on the 2016 (E1) Macan. Mine had the same issue and it was a nasty service to fix. Luckily it was under warranty, but dealer told me it was like $10k if out of pocket. My 2019 and 2022 Macans have been problem free. My only complaint is the brakes wear out quick. They last only 20-25k miles, so keep that in mind. My 2022 is likely my last Macan. It’s been a great car, but the ICE version is looking dated now and prices are nuts on them. My same spec is $8k more than it was when I leased it in 2022.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Double8R]

The exhaust note on the first gen 95b.1/E1 3.0 & 3.6 with or without the PSE is arguably better than the two facelifts (2019+). This may only matter to the more visceral enthusiast and those considering modifying the 95b. The newer Macan models have a raspy buzz rather than a guttural growl.

[@alexm.4621]

Agreed, the 3.0 sounds amazing with the exhaust bypass open. I love the exhaust burp at high rpm’s between shifts especially!

[@thomascutter642]

You might have considered including the 2017 and 2018 Macan Turbo with Performance Package. It was not an option for the turbo but actually a separate model. It had a bigger motor with 440 hp and about the same increase in torque, bigger brakes, the air suspension from the GTS, and some other trim items. PTV was still an option as were PCCB. I think of it as a hot rod GTS. They imported a very limited number. 2017 saw 122 delivered and 2018 had a bit more than that. Very special car, very rare car. I love mine so much I spent a small fortune to extend the warranty for four more years after CPO ran out.

[@thomascutter642]

I should add that other Porsche models would have called this version a Turbo S but because those include ceramic brakes and Porsche did not want to up the cost of the Macon by an additional $8000, they made PCCB optional. I was fortunate to get one that has it. Truly, the ultimate first generation Macan.

[@bourbontraveler]

Isn’t gen sounds like everything breaks

[@zzzly4038]

I think Turbo pp is the best because not many people got a chance to drive so they don't have much information about it .I'm glad I able to got one and she's a keeper

[@michaelgagliano881]

Well said. The PP is a unique machine. How’d you hear about those import numbers? Is that for the US?

[@daveferranda9379]

I have a E3 S loaner while my E1 turbo is in for maintenance. Although you can argue reliability benefits there is a definite dumbing down of driving enjoyability in the later models. (engine tone and lighter steering) Issues with the first gen are typically fixed as they come up. There is no chance you will find one with all the potential issues fixed, even CPO. Also, amongst Macan owners I have never heard of E1,E2 and E3. They are usually referred to as 95b.1, .2, .3.

[@KArione-z2k]

I went to purchase a new macan last Saturday at my local dealer. I walked out with a 991.1 4S instead. As part of the deal they agreed to fix an item so I took the car home for the weekend and dropped it back off Monday, got a loaner 24 macan, so glad I bought the 911 instead.

[@ronpinchback3639]

I had a 4 cylinder 2017 Macan. I had the problem where the leather pulled loose on the dash. At 107,000 miles I had to replace the turbo charger and water pump. I also had the cam seal leak.

[@964Luftballoon]

Very informative video. Great job! Looks like the E2 is a good compromise of all three generations. As an aircooled owner E1 definitely gets a no with the oil drips. Don't need another vehicle that does it haha. While CPO is optimal for peace of mind. I think discussing aftermarket warranty like Fidelity, etc would've been beneficial as well for those looking at a used non-CPO Macan

[@michaelr.ingelsby1975]

Is the Fidelity aftermarket warranty something you can acquire at any time? 15' Porsche Macon S

[@Cajundaddydave]

Thanks guys! We are considering a Macan as our somewhat more domesticated Porsche. The reliability and serviceability of the E2 and later are very attractive.

[@sheltonshepherd5048]

Overall, a great and informative video. I think the technician and ambassador were fairly honest about the issues of the 1st generation. I was surprised there was no mentioned of the introduction of the touch screens (haptic buttons) in 2022. I own a 2023 Macan T. I am hesitant about keeping it pass the 4-year/50,000 warranty period. However, I drive it less than 8,000 miles a year, so it’ll probably be fine for the long haul with proper maintenance.

[@JazzyBlueBalls]

Great stuff here guys. Really appreciate the depth of the topic. I'm a big DIY guy and will likely tackle removal of the front end in my 17 GTS soon. Got that nasty oil leak from the timing cover. May as well do all the rest of the front end stuff while in there. Thankfully I'm retired now and have all kinds of time, something I'll surely need to get this job completed. Hey, when I'm done maybe I'll have some time to do some volunteer work. Then again, my 16 BGTS will probably need some maintenance by then I'm sure.

[@MrPle007]

Outstanding video! Very informative for potential buyers and even current owners. Keep up the good works and Thank You!

[@noboringcars1227]

I was liking most everything up to the $12,000.00 replacement for the “surface” coated brakes! Can you replace them with something less expensive once they wear out? I’ve driven M’s and AMG’s on the track and don’t need ceramics or $12k brakes.

[@red95gts]

Great overview! To clarify on the E1/E2 exterior trim pieces - they can be purchased online. Cost for all 6 pieces (3 per side) is less than $300 for Genuine Porsche parts. If you are a competent DIY’er, these are not a big deal to change yourself and not terribly expensive.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Thanks for the info!

[@deanfisher1656]

Love my 22 Macan GTS ….My 911 on stilts. My wife drives an SQ5 and there is no comparison in all aspects of the driving experience. Really pleased with the purchase …..but one must prepare themselves for the full “Porsche experience” including elevated options expense and service expense.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Thanks for sharing!

[@JimLico]

Really useful explanation of the evolution of the model and what to watch out for. Thanks!

[@daverph]

Great job guys! Thanks so much for sharing the wisdom! Did you get a model year that the mechanics feel is the best for least service issues / best reliabiity?

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

2019 and newer are their favs.

[@clarkrehberg]

I have owned three Macan-S 2015 (picked up in Germany on 17 May 2014), 2018 Macan-S, and 2022 Macan GTS. I enjoyed the video but there one problem with the 2015 model that I either did not hear mentioned or it was missed in the presentation. I was a recall of the transfer case which was not smoothly working. It was discovered as a problem sometime in 2017-18

[@38supercolt45]

I currently own the 2018 macan S, any tips? How reliable was yours? Thanks in advance!

[@kirk8359]

He mentions it at 16:22

[@Tailspin80]

4:45 I was looking at the Macan because I don’t want an Audi like everyone else. Now you tell me it’s an Audi!

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Yes, but better ;)

[@BillDeanCycle]

Terrific info!! Thanks guys. Does CPO cover Transmission, Engine, Exhaust issues? Oil leaks, Cooling system, water pump replacement covered?

[@Voncid]

Vu for the leaks on the drive way I have always used a drip pan with quick dry powder also, it help locate the specific area of the leak.

[@VuNguyen-PCA]

Thanks!

[@hotrail8295]

My 95B.E1 Macan S has its own drip pan, so you'll never see the leaks! Not sure if that's really a benefit though. LOL.

[@ivansno.1garage909]

Very informative video PCA. Wow 10hrs to remove a thermostat etc..are Porsche just making it purposely difficult to access engine bay to justify huge servicing cost.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Luxury and high-end performance vehicles tend to be tighter packages, with more tech, luxury, and powerful engines being squeezed into a compact SUV, in this case. They're tougher and more expensive to work on, a tradeoff buyers usually are willing to make. So no, Porsche isn't trying to make it purposefully difficult to work on these cars. Starting with the E2 Macan, Porsche made it much easier to service things like the serpentine belt, thermostat, etc. Hope this helps!

[@johnbee7729]

I am leery of small capacity turbocharged engines, and thus have been avoiding the Macan. I wonder what its longevity will be like as it gets past 150,000 miles or so

[@cosmicquasar1747]

All Macans have Audi pdks - the DL501. E2 and E3 had Audi engines. I wouldn’t call that just 20% Audi 😂. The E1 Porsche designed engine had numerous costly faults as noted in this video. Interesting that there was no discussion on PDK reliability and repairability. A large number of E1 owners had their complete PDK replaced as Porsche does not repair mechanical faults.

[@charlesreaddy6585]

Exactly. Pretty bad when you have compressor A/ C issues that require you to remove the front dash to access and fix. Cheap VW plastic parts as well . Air/ oil separator valves etc . The cars need major repairs before 60k miles . Porsche NEEDS to do better , but they won’t! Not the same company since VW takeover

[@Affiliates-Corners]

Thanks! I am looking at 2019 and newer...

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Good luck!

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

Critical info here guys, thankyou

[@wally6193]

Good video. Now you need to do one on the Cayenne, say 2017 to present. How much of those are VW/Audi, especially the mechanicals(eng/tran). Thanks.

[@frankdonato8377]

Great video guys!!

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@StarOfAthenry]

17:00 in…how tall is that mechanic??!

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

VERY tall lol

[@RPMATX]

Love my GTS. Keeper

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Enjoy!

[@Khoragg]

23’ GTS also can have the water drain problem?

[@laptopdragon]

idk...toying with the maserati, but I really want to see a Macan run and win the Baja1000 or the Dakar.

[@user-sk6tv5ci6d]

So, the 2018 Base Macan (4cl) does or does not have to have the front end removed to do the maintenance items discussed in the video? It isn’t clear from the video since that discussion was prior to the discussion about the base into in 2017.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

You bring up a good point. One would think the smaller engine would make work easier. We will be back with an answer to this question.

[@TheRacingShawn]

The issues you mentioned about E1 are minor to me. Do you know any shop in US which can repair DL501 (OB5) DCT at reasonable price? The repair kit cheap. But it's hard to find good shops specialized in this transmission.

[@jamestaylorUDHi]

How can the track forward button on the steering wheel be programed to move to the next Serius favorite, rather than the next radio station?

[@kerolek]

excellent video! can someone direct me to which PCA video showed how to clean/unclog the water drains? not obvious in the video titles but I remember it was fairly recent...

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

kzbin.infopn5Nfmyz61s?si=bOqmuk-cfnBda6oE

[@Voncid]

Does Porsche still have the Blaupunkt stereos as the factory systems. Every since the 60s Blaupunkt audio was a audio system for Porsche cars.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Now it's Bose or Burmester

[@zkjel125]

Is CPO transferrable?

[@MrJustZo]

Can Porsche specialist sell CPO Porsche or is this something only Porsche dealers can offer?

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Only a Porsche dealer can sell a Certified Pre-Owned Porsche.

[@Daddyhack2174]

Do not TOUCH anything pre 2019. Don't do it. Unless CPO but just shop 2019 and newer.

[@wojtekp3212]

Why?

[@ryanmatthew511]

The pillars are not thousands to replace...AND they are covered under warranty no questions asked...not CPO though

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Thanks for sharing!

[@hughmann1908]

I don’t think I will keep mine after the warranty expires, too many expensive issues. It’s all a lot of bad design choices by Porsche. Great fun suv though

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

It's a fantastic design, most people love them

[@hughmann1908]

@@ArtVandelayOfficial I was speaking of the engine, cooling and drain system

[@RichmondTerminal]

@@hughmann1908 What year and model is your Macan? The early ones had some known mechanical issues, but the later versions are thought to be solid.

[@hughmann1908]

@@RichmondTerminal 2018 GTS, already had the water take out the rear control unit, TCC bolts (it’s leaking again), transfer case, cross-over coolant tube at the rear of the engine (25 hours labour). Yes it should be issue free from now on, but without warranty these costs are insane…

[@charlesreaddy6585]

Poor engine design for mechanical work . A/C system sucks . Shares too many crappy parts with VW . Small parts break .

[@JerryHAHA_4311]

I would like to say dont buy used Macan.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Why not?

[@Cool12354]

Macan = AUDI

[@Daddyhack2174]

Is this a good thing?

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Glad I watched this. Now I can take my dream car, a Macan S or GTS, off my list. Not a chance I'm going to buy an SUV that requires the entire front end to come off to replace a drive belt. Absurd. Porsche - give your head a shake.

[@PorscheClubofAmerica]

Just get a 2019 or newer one and keep the dream alive.