Gen 1 panamera. Thinking of hybrid or diesel?
Discussion
I ran a Gen 1 250BHP Panamera diesel for six years from new in 2013. I do frequent long runs to the south of France and it's a perfect car for the job offering comfort, good performance and ridiculous economy. Throughout my ownership I invariably enjoyed driving it even in London where I'd had concerns the size might be an impediment ; in fact I never found it so.
Passengers were always positive in their comments , especially about the rear bucket seats and the load-carrying capacity is prodigious. The 8-speed auto is a good match for the engine's characteristics and step-off in sport mode was properly lively.
When new it was an expensive car and the running costs will still be high. By way of example, tyres will be in the region of £250 a corner and being a heavy car you can expect to replace at 15 - 18K miles. I wouldn't run any modern Porsche without a warranty even though I've never experienced a major problem ... yet.
I've run big BMW, Mercedes and Astons in the past and none delivered such a good all-round package as the Panamera.
Passengers were always positive in their comments , especially about the rear bucket seats and the load-carrying capacity is prodigious. The 8-speed auto is a good match for the engine's characteristics and step-off in sport mode was properly lively.
When new it was an expensive car and the running costs will still be high. By way of example, tyres will be in the region of £250 a corner and being a heavy car you can expect to replace at 15 - 18K miles. I wouldn't run any modern Porsche without a warranty even though I've never experienced a major problem ... yet.
I've run big BMW, Mercedes and Astons in the past and none delivered such a good all-round package as the Panamera.
Hi Mike.
I run a 2011 Panemera Diesel since 2015, and done 100k miles over last 5 years. Now has 160k miles and counting, and no major issues. Its the 3 litre V6 diesel with 8 speed auto.
1. Very comfortable, a proper 4 seater and passengers find very comfortable.
2. Handling is great - it’s no 911, especially with the diesel, but I still enjoy b-roads. Handling is remarkedly good for a 2 tonne big car, you can chuck it round corners and it sticks! Lot less body roll than you’d expect.
3. Practical for long journeys - 42 MPG on mixed driving, 50mpg on motorway. Boot is deep but sloped window means its not very high. It has variable service intervals, which on my mileage and motorway use seems to want a minor service every year (20k) and major service every 2 years (40k).
Less keen on;
Pay attention to spec/options, as the standard factor spec is very mean. Everything is optional extra (eg auto dimming mirror, parking sensors, rear camara) so pay close attention to options on used models. Standard radio is weak.
8 speed Tiptronic gearbox is sluggish, fine for cruising, but Porsche PDK is much better for sporty driving. Depends how important that is to you.
Costs:
Biggest wear items are brakes and tyres, just due to the size and weight. Brakes every 40k miles, tyres every 20k miles.
I changed the gearbox oil at 120k and 150k as a preventative measure to prolong the triptronic gearbox. Its very expensive job at Porsche dealer, recommend finding a specialist for half the price.
A rear suspension spring broke, very unusual according to the garage, perhaps hit a curb. Not a tricky job to replace.
Air con stopped going cold and needed a new compressor, but not unusual for any 5+ year old car.
Other than that, no issues. Never let me down. No major costs.
I'm a big fan and hard to think what I'd replace it with... maybe another one
I run a 2011 Panemera Diesel since 2015, and done 100k miles over last 5 years. Now has 160k miles and counting, and no major issues. Its the 3 litre V6 diesel with 8 speed auto.
1. Very comfortable, a proper 4 seater and passengers find very comfortable.
2. Handling is great - it’s no 911, especially with the diesel, but I still enjoy b-roads. Handling is remarkedly good for a 2 tonne big car, you can chuck it round corners and it sticks! Lot less body roll than you’d expect.
3. Practical for long journeys - 42 MPG on mixed driving, 50mpg on motorway. Boot is deep but sloped window means its not very high. It has variable service intervals, which on my mileage and motorway use seems to want a minor service every year (20k) and major service every 2 years (40k).
Less keen on;
Pay attention to spec/options, as the standard factor spec is very mean. Everything is optional extra (eg auto dimming mirror, parking sensors, rear camara) so pay close attention to options on used models. Standard radio is weak.
8 speed Tiptronic gearbox is sluggish, fine for cruising, but Porsche PDK is much better for sporty driving. Depends how important that is to you.
Costs:
Biggest wear items are brakes and tyres, just due to the size and weight. Brakes every 40k miles, tyres every 20k miles.
I changed the gearbox oil at 120k and 150k as a preventative measure to prolong the triptronic gearbox. Its very expensive job at Porsche dealer, recommend finding a specialist for half the price.
A rear suspension spring broke, very unusual according to the garage, perhaps hit a curb. Not a tricky job to replace.
Air con stopped going cold and needed a new compressor, but not unusual for any 5+ year old car.
Other than that, no issues. Never let me down. No major costs.
I'm a big fan and hard to think what I'd replace it with... maybe another one
Sorry for the delay in responding to the earlier question. The load capacity with rear seats up is good for four cases and sundry bags plus odds and ends in the side compartments of the boot when the load cover is in place. Reeling the cover in gives further stacking room without impeding rear vision. If you fold either or both rear seats flat I'd estimate it adds about 70% to the platform and of course greater height for awkward items. Suffice to say that I came back from the south of France with enough wine to warrant an educational discussion with HM Customs plus all the usual bags and stuff for several weeks away.
On that note I'd add to my previous comments that my car had air suspension and I would always recommend it to a prospective buyer. The reversing camera is also a valuable addition to the basic specification.
On that note I'd add to my previous comments that my car had air suspension and I would always recommend it to a prospective buyer. The reversing camera is also a valuable addition to the basic specification.
I had a Hybrid as a stop-gap car for a few months. I actually wish I'd kept it, a very likeable car. Lovely ride, decent handling, nice steering. Generally just a nice place to spend time on a long journey
In terms of the powertrain, I don't think the Hybrid setup is for everyone and it's a bit flawed in a few areas but I actually really liked it. Pootling to and from work on electric power was a novelty that didn't actually wear off and starting every journey with what is effectively a 'free' gallon of petrol really did make a difference to fuel economy even on longer journeys. I averaged high 30's mpg but I'm heavy footed, live in a reasonably rural area and do a lot of long journeys so well outside the best use case. If I didn't have any longer journeys planned I could go for a few weeks at a time using virtually no fuel at all. Also had the added bonus of better parking at EV charge points in a lot of places!
Reliability wise I know the previous owner had some issues with the electrically driven A/C system and possibly the clutch too, but I put about 15k on it without it missing a beat.
One thing to note is that I believe the boot is a bit more restricted in the hybrid as the battery is mounted to the sides and underneath. It was fine for two of us using the rear seats for luggage and people occasionally but you couldn't load it up with a family for a week away.
In terms of the powertrain, I don't think the Hybrid setup is for everyone and it's a bit flawed in a few areas but I actually really liked it. Pootling to and from work on electric power was a novelty that didn't actually wear off and starting every journey with what is effectively a 'free' gallon of petrol really did make a difference to fuel economy even on longer journeys. I averaged high 30's mpg but I'm heavy footed, live in a reasonably rural area and do a lot of long journeys so well outside the best use case. If I didn't have any longer journeys planned I could go for a few weeks at a time using virtually no fuel at all. Also had the added bonus of better parking at EV charge points in a lot of places!
Reliability wise I know the previous owner had some issues with the electrically driven A/C system and possibly the clutch too, but I put about 15k on it without it missing a beat.
One thing to note is that I believe the boot is a bit more restricted in the hybrid as the battery is mounted to the sides and underneath. It was fine for two of us using the rear seats for luggage and people occasionally but you couldn't load it up with a family for a week away.
Great reply, just what I was looking for, I’m after a used 3.0d too, I think they look great cars and perfect for a 100 mile daily commute, I always think I never see any of the diesels for sale with much over 100k miles on. Me thinking they are prob getting clocked but I guess people are just keeping hold of them. Are you looking at selling anytime soon?
matfinch said:
Hi Mike.
I run a 2011 Panemera Diesel since 2015, and done 100k miles over last 5 years. Now has 160k miles and counting, and no major issues. Its the 3 litre V6 diesel with 8 speed auto.
1. Very comfortable, a proper 4 seater and passengers find very comfortable.
2. Handling is great - it’s no 911, especially with the diesel, but I still enjoy b-roads. Handling is remarkedly good for a 2 tonne big car, you can chuck it round corners and it sticks! Lot less body roll than you’d expect.
3. Practical for long journeys - 42 MPG on mixed driving, 50mpg on motorway. Boot is deep but sloped window means its not very high. It has variable service intervals, which on my mileage and motorway use seems to want a minor service every year (20k) and major service every 2 years (40k).
Less keen on;
Pay attention to spec/options, as the standard factor spec is very mean. Everything is optional extra (eg auto dimming mirror, parking sensors, rear camara) so pay close attention to options on used models. Standard radio is weak.
8 speed Tiptronic gearbox is sluggish, fine for cruising, but Porsche PDK is much better for sporty driving. Depends how important that is to you.
Costs:
Biggest wear items are brakes and tyres, just due to the size and weight. Brakes every 40k miles, tyres every 20k miles.
I changed the gearbox oil at 120k and 150k as a preventative measure to prolong the triptronic gearbox. Its very expensive job at Porsche dealer, recommend finding a specialist for half the price.
A rear suspension spring broke, very unusual according to the garage, perhaps hit a curb. Not a tricky job to replace.
Air con stopped going cold and needed a new compressor, but not unusual for any 5+ year old car.
Other than that, no issues. Never let me down. No major costs.
I'm a big fan and hard to think what I'd replace it with... maybe another one
I run a 2011 Panemera Diesel since 2015, and done 100k miles over last 5 years. Now has 160k miles and counting, and no major issues. Its the 3 litre V6 diesel with 8 speed auto.
1. Very comfortable, a proper 4 seater and passengers find very comfortable.
2. Handling is great - it’s no 911, especially with the diesel, but I still enjoy b-roads. Handling is remarkedly good for a 2 tonne big car, you can chuck it round corners and it sticks! Lot less body roll than you’d expect.
3. Practical for long journeys - 42 MPG on mixed driving, 50mpg on motorway. Boot is deep but sloped window means its not very high. It has variable service intervals, which on my mileage and motorway use seems to want a minor service every year (20k) and major service every 2 years (40k).
Less keen on;
Pay attention to spec/options, as the standard factor spec is very mean. Everything is optional extra (eg auto dimming mirror, parking sensors, rear camara) so pay close attention to options on used models. Standard radio is weak.
8 speed Tiptronic gearbox is sluggish, fine for cruising, but Porsche PDK is much better for sporty driving. Depends how important that is to you.
Costs:
Biggest wear items are brakes and tyres, just due to the size and weight. Brakes every 40k miles, tyres every 20k miles.
I changed the gearbox oil at 120k and 150k as a preventative measure to prolong the triptronic gearbox. Its very expensive job at Porsche dealer, recommend finding a specialist for half the price.
A rear suspension spring broke, very unusual according to the garage, perhaps hit a curb. Not a tricky job to replace.
Air con stopped going cold and needed a new compressor, but not unusual for any 5+ year old car.
Other than that, no issues. Never let me down. No major costs.
I'm a big fan and hard to think what I'd replace it with... maybe another one
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