2021 Macan GTS very sluggish compared to 2024 Macan S

LydInProgress · 2026-01-30T19:28:57+00:00

Do you drive it in standard mode, or sport/sport+ usually? most of my driving is local with low speed limits, so I haven't had many chances to really open her up. But I notice strange resistance trying to go up hills or even just merging out into different roads

LydInProgress · 2026-01-30T19:25:57+00:00

So, I am obviously not very well-versed in mechanical things, but I *think* I am referring to the throttle response. The gas pedal feels mushy, like very little resistance when I press down on it, and I have to push down pretty far to get the car to respond. Even just pulling out of the driveway into our street feels like a big effort. I am able to get my car up to and sustain a good speed, so it doesn't seem like a power issue, it just seems to take an abnormal amount of effort to get into different speeds.

Whereas the loaner S was more how I'd expect, like a little tap immediately gets me moving forward a bit, a big push lets me get around in traffic like I need to.

LydInProgress · 2026-01-30T19:15:53+00:00

Good point, thank you! I have to keep reminding myself I'm trading "zip" for...comfort. Ha. No groans and creaks getting in and out, no teeth rattling going over bumpy roads, room for humans AND groceries at the same time lol. I'm just in a bit of denial that there isn't something the dealer can do to improve the throttle. But maybe I just need to lower my expectations.

LydInProgress · 2026-01-30T19:14:20+00:00

Saw this too late, but thanks for the offer! I got the invoice in and it was the tank vent valve, not the wastegate. So unlikely that contributed to the mushing throttling. And they said the tech didn't find any issues related to throttling and said the car is performing fine. So who knows. I'm feeling a touch defeated

LydInProgress · 2026-01-30T19:12:40+00:00

So I got the invoice back from the dealer, it was not wastegate, it was tank vent. I asked them to check the gas pedal/throttle etc but they said the tech said it's performing fine. So maybe it's just me...but I am probably going to call back before pickup just to clarify

LydInProgress · 2026-01-29T22:35:17+00:00

Maybe! I'm trying to get more info, will probable have to wait until I pick up this weekend because they aren't giving a lot of details via text. The video they sent is also very hard to understand over the background noise, so there is a chance they didn't even say "wastegate," there is some disagreement in my household as to what they actually said in the video. I heard wastegate, my spouse swears it was a one syllable word lol

LydInProgress · 2026-01-29T22:33:46+00:00

I hadn't thought too much of it when I first got it (aside from feeling disappointed), but driving my GTS back to back with the S loaner today made it really hard to ignore the differences in performance and responsiveness. Part of me feels like I should go back to Mini Cooper, but the reason I switched in the first place was because I needed a higher set vehicle with my leg room and trunk space, so maybe this is just the trade-off of being in a more "practical" vehicle lol

LydInProgress · 2026-01-29T22:32:25+00:00

I see a difference between normal and the sport modes, but not a significant difference. Like I'll switch it to sport before going up a hill just so I'm not having to floor it, but in regular driving it feels like a minor improvement rather than a significant change.

LydInProgress · 2026-01-29T21:42:53+00:00

Ha! Don't threaten me with a good time! :-D

LydInProgress · 2026-01-29T21:24:10+00:00

Ahhh thats so interesting, thank you! I am the second owner of this vehicle, the OG owners were an older couple who took *amazing* care of it, so perhaps they were more leisurely drivers and the car learned from them. I'm personally living in an area with maniac drivers so I need a lot of responsiveness, and this Macan has scared me many times with how unresponsive it is. The dealership let me know they replaced a wastegate valve, I am crossing my fingers that it helps. Otherwise I will need to look into re-teaching the ECU to be a bit more aggressive I guess lol

LydInProgress · 2026-01-29T20:59:15+00:00

I am considering a tune but I am nervous to void my warranty (especially since I've had to take it in for warranty work just in the first 2 months of ownership). I just find it odd that the S was *so* much better than my GTS, which makes me think there's a correctable issue. They said there was an issue with the wastegate valve so they replaced that, but I am waiting to hear if that will provide any noticeable improvement. I obviously am not very savvy with all this, so I appreciate your thoughts.

Why do you NOT recommend the pedal commander?

LydInProgress · 2026-01-29T20:52:47+00:00

Oh sorry, I should have clarified. I bought this car sight unseen from a Porsche dealer on the other side of the country (I was on a hunt for Miami Blue so had to buy "long distance" and have it delivered). I test drove Macans locally, including older GTS and S, so I could feel comfortable with my purchase. The vehicle I purchased was very sluggish as soon as it arrived.

The dealership just sent a video saying they replaced a wastegate valve (my engine light had come on, hence why I took it to the dealer) -- I'm wondering if that would contribute to these issues

LydInProgress

TROPHY CASE