Panamera Diesel: Black Smoke & DPF Regen Issues

Had the same issue with my 2015 Cayenne Diesel last year at 78k km. The symptoms were identical, black smoke, rough acceleration, and failed regen cycles. Took it to the official Porsche service center, and they found the DPF was internally defective. The honeycomb structure inside had partially collapsed, blocking proper exhaust flow. They had to replace the entire DPF unit. Not a quick fix, car was in the shop for 4 days. It's definitely a serious issue since a failing DPF can cause more damage to other engine components if left untreated. Would strongly recommend going to an authorized Porsche dealer for this one. They have the right diagnostic tools and experience with these specific diesel systems. Since the repair, car's been running perfectly, no smoke, smooth acceleration, and normal regen cycles. Just make sure they check the sensors and exhaust pressure readings too, as these can contribute to DPF problems.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Really helpful to hear from someone who went through the same headache. The dealer route definitely sounds like the way to go here. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the whole repair? Also, has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other quirks pop up?

Hey again! Yeah, happy to help fill you in on the costs and aftermath. The total bill came to 1550€ for fixing the internally defective DPF, not exactly cheap, but worth every penny considering how well the car's running now. I'm actually really glad you asked about how it's been since then because I can tell you with confidence that it's been absolutely spot-on. The heavy load warning on the DPF that was driving me nuts before is completely gone. No more black smoke, no more jerking, and the engine's purring like a kitten. It's like having a new car again! Honestly, it's been about a year since the fix, and I haven't had a single DPF-related issue pop up. The regeneration cycles are working perfectly now, and the exhaust smell is back to normal. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and get it done properly at the dealer, you know? Definitely better than risking more damage with a dodgy repair job. Trust me, once you get it sorted, you'll notice the difference straight away. Let me know how you get on with yours!

Thanks really appreciate all the details! Finally bit the bullet and took it to the Porsche dealer yesterday. You were spot on about everything, they diagnosed a collapsed DPF, just like yours. Bill's going to be around 1600€, but after hearing how well yours turned out, I'm feeling much better about the investment. Funny story actually, when I pulled into the service center, the car decided to put on quite a show with extra smoke, almost like it was saying "See? I told you I needed fixing!" The mechanic just laughed and said he'd seen worse. They're keeping it for a few days, but they seem really confident about getting it sorted. Thanks again for steering me in the right direction. Definitely saved me from making another dodgy mechanic mistake! I'll update you once I get it back, but I'm already looking forward to having my smooth-running Panamera back. Sometimes you just need that push from someone who's been there, right? Cheers!