Panamera Diesel DPF Woes: Black Smoke & Poor Performance

Hey there, I had a similar issue with my 2015 Porsche Cayenne Diesel last year at 98k km. The symptoms were exactly what you're describing, drop in power, black smoke, and that distinct exhaust smell. The DPF was definitely clogged and struggling with regeneration. Took it to my local Porsche specialist where they diagnosed a faulty DPF sensor and damaged particulate filter. They had to replace both components since cleaning wasn't enough due to the extensive clogging. It was quite a serious job that took about two days to complete, but it solved the problem completely. My advice? Don't wait too long, these issues can lead to more engine damage if left unchecked. Make sure to find a certified Porsche specialist who has experience with diesel engines, particularly the DPF systems. It's not something you want a general mechanic to handle. The car runs like new now, but I've been more careful about ensuring it gets enough highway driving to complete regular regeneration cycles. Hope this helps.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That sounds exactly like what I'm going through. Just wondering, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? And has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you had any other DPF-related issues pop up? I'm trying to get an idea of what I'm in for cost-wise and whether this is likely to be a one-off fix or something I'll need to keep an eye on.

Hey again! Yeah, happy to share the costs, I just got the final bill last month actually. The total came to 1550€ for fixing the DPF system. The good news is that since getting it sorted, my Cayenne's been running absolutely perfect! The heavy DPF loading issue that was causing all those problems is completely gone now. Just to put your mind at ease, since the repair, no more black smoke, no more sluggish performance, and definitely no more check engine lights. The mechanic explained that the high mileage had taken its toll on the original DPF system, but with the new components installed, it's like having a fresh start. I'd say it's definitely more of a one-off fix as long as you keep up with regular maintenance and make sure to get some good highway runs in. I've been making a point of taking longer routes on the motorway when I can, just to help with the regeneration cycles, and it seems to be working great. Trust me, once you get it sorted, you'll notice the difference straight away. The car feels like new again! Hope this info helps with your planning. Let me know if you need anything else!

Really appreciate the detailed response, especially about the costs! Finally got my Panamera looked at today, and you won't believe it, turns out it was pretty much identical to your situation. The mechanic I found was actually great, really knew his stuff about Porsches. The whole repair set me back about 1700€, a bit more than yours but I guess that's inflation for you! They replaced both the sensor and the filter, just like in your case. Got the car back this afternoon and wow, what a difference! No more black smoke, engine's responsive again, and that horrible smell is gone. Feels like I'm driving a different car! Thanks for helping me make the decision to get it fixed right away. You were spot on about not waiting, the mechanic said I caught it just in time before it could cause any serious engine damage. Going to take your advice about those highway runs too. Really glad I asked here, saved me a lot of worry and probably a bigger repair bill down the line. Thanks again for all your help!