Panamera DPF Issues: Black Smoke & Power Loss Problems

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2017 Cayenne Diesel last year (I've got some experience working on cars, but nothing too fancy). Those symptoms sound exactly like what I went through, black smoke, sluggish performance, the whole nine yards. Turned out my exhaust back pressure sensor was shot. Took it to my trusted workshop, and they diagnosed it pretty quickly. Total repair cost me about 250€, and the car's been running like a charm since then. Quick question, have you scanned for error codes? Also, how many miles/km does your Panamera have? This info could help confirm if we're dealing with the same problem.

Had mine at 93583 KM and just had it serviced last month. You're spot on about the back pressure sensor symptoms, that's exactly what I was dealing with initially. In my case, the workshop also found that the DPF sensor wiring was a bit corroded, which was throwing off the readings. Got both issues sorted, and it's running smooth as butter now. The repair was pretty straightforward, though I'd definitely recommend getting it checked soon before it potentially causes any bigger issues. If you're anywhere near Stuttgart, I can recommend a great specialist who knows these engines inside out.

Hey again! Thanks for sharing those details about your Panamera. Really glad you got it sorted! Yeah, those sensor issues can be really tricky, had almost identical mileage on my Cayenne (around 95K km) when I ran into trouble. You're absolutely right about the corrosion problem too. After my initial repair, I actually had my mechanic do a thorough check of all the sensor wiring, and we found some minor corrosion starting on other connections as well. Better safe than sorry, right? I actually ended up getting all the wiring harness connectors cleaned and protected, cost a bit extra but totally worth it for peace of mind. Haven't had a single issue since then (about 15K km and counting). Quick tip for anyone else reading this, if you're getting these symptoms, don't wait around hoping it'll fix itself. The sooner you get it checked, the less likely you'll end up with bigger problems. These Porsche diesels are great engines, but they can be sensitive about their sensors! And thanks for the Stuttgart recommendation! I'm actually based near Munich, but it's always good to know reliable specialists. Might keep that in mind if I'm ever in that area.

Thanks everyone for the great advice! This thread has been super helpful. The Munich/Stuttgart tips are really valuable, always good to know where the reliable specialists are. You're absolutely right about the preventive maintenance, wish I'd known about checking those wiring harnesses earlier. I'll definitely keep an eye on the other sensor connections now. Might even get them all checked and protected during the next service, just to be on the safe side. Really appreciate everyone sharing their experiences. It's reassuring to know others have dealt with similar issues and found solutions. Time to close this thread, got all the info I needed and more! Take care.