These Panamera things.......
Discussion
.... now no comments about them being ugly or similar, however would like to get a few thoughts from those that have actually lived with them. What are they really like? Pros & cons, what to look for.... that sort of stuff. Looking at used prices you do seem to get quite a lot of car for the money & my wife seems to like them!
GT03ROB said:
.... now no comments about them being ugly or similar, however would like to get a few thoughts from those that have actually lived with them. What are they really like? Pros & cons, what to look for.... that sort of stuff. Looking at used prices you do seem to get quite a lot of car for the money & my wife seems to like them!
Haven't owned one personally, tho' close friend does. Previously he's owned DB9, Bentleys, Mazza and many more similar cars. He loves the Panamera as a drive - once he got past the initial looks.All very subjective of course and you don't see stacks of them around which imo is a plus.
Lovely place to be, high quality interior. Fantastic on a longer run, very quiet and civilised. They are a big car though, I don't particularly like driving ours across town or on country roads but then it's my partners car and its size really doesn't bother her on the daily school run and commute etc. I always thought of them as a four door 911 but having since had a 911 991 for a long weekend I was surprised to find the Panamera a more sophisticated car. Better built and quieter.
We've got a hybrid (cheap company car), I imagine the turbo would be immense.
We've got a hybrid (cheap company car), I imagine the turbo would be immense.
Driven a couple. Nice luxury/sporting drive, but it is big (and aesthetically challenged 
). There was a mid-life 'facelift' which incorporated a few improvements.
A substantially 'new' model is imminent, and Autocar are doing a preview next week. I think it will be like the original Cayenne. First model wasn't so well received and always criticised for its awkward styling. Then, the second generation was introduced with better looks, economy and numerous improvements and they sold like hot cakes.
). There was a mid-life 'facelift' which incorporated a few improvements.A substantially 'new' model is imminent, and Autocar are doing a preview next week. I think it will be like the original Cayenne. First model wasn't so well received and always criticised for its awkward styling. Then, the second generation was introduced with better looks, economy and numerous improvements and they sold like hot cakes.
Had two diesels (old one and the facelift) one for 6 months, one for 1,5 years, 4S facelift for two months, Turbo facelift for one month, now onto an S-E Hybrid (8 months now). The Panamera is a car that one has to live with for a while to really appreciate it.
It is a really refined car still, even though it is showing it's age in places(infotainment, available optional extras etc.). IMHO there are very few cars that kill milage as this car does. It can do high speeds without much fuss or stress and is remarkably agile given its size and mass. In Germany it is also a car that in traffic attracts remarkably little attention given its size and presence (for me that is a good thing). It also has a very quiet cabin that still is a nice place to be. It is also one of the best (sporty) passenger cars to be in I think (especially the rear).
If you need something that can accomodate four, a bit of luggage (don't expect luggage for a family of four to fit without problems though!), has a sportscar feel to it and you do a lot of mileage (ideally a 1/3 mix of A/B roads and motorway) then this is definately a car for you.
The not so good bits:
- Satnav really old, slow and in a position that distracts a lot
- The small engines don't suit the car well acoustically - the diesel suits more so, as you'll have to rev the nuts of the baseline petrol engine which doesn't suit at all
- Boot space somewhat limited
- Limited optional extras (old Satnav unit, no HUD etc.)
My view on essential optional extras:
- I think the pdk doesn't suit the car as well as the auto box does
- I'd always go for air suspension - the car looks silly at normal ride height and on this car it makes a difference dynamically (at least subjectively)
- Servotronic
- Large wheels
- Full leather & LED interior lights (cabin appeal)
- Sourround view
- Sport Chrono
- LED front lights
If you go for the smaller engine, go for the diesel. Turbo is obviously quick, but the gearbox doesn't suit the car. I'd say the "S" is probably the best overall compromise(usability, driving pleasure, depreciation etc.).
Go for it and try one for a weekend, you won't regret it. One of the most marmite and underestimatet cars in my opinion - good deals to be had at OPC at the moment, too. Let us know how you get on.
It is a really refined car still, even though it is showing it's age in places(infotainment, available optional extras etc.). IMHO there are very few cars that kill milage as this car does. It can do high speeds without much fuss or stress and is remarkably agile given its size and mass. In Germany it is also a car that in traffic attracts remarkably little attention given its size and presence (for me that is a good thing). It also has a very quiet cabin that still is a nice place to be. It is also one of the best (sporty) passenger cars to be in I think (especially the rear).
If you need something that can accomodate four, a bit of luggage (don't expect luggage for a family of four to fit without problems though!), has a sportscar feel to it and you do a lot of mileage (ideally a 1/3 mix of A/B roads and motorway) then this is definately a car for you.
The not so good bits:
- Satnav really old, slow and in a position that distracts a lot
- The small engines don't suit the car well acoustically - the diesel suits more so, as you'll have to rev the nuts of the baseline petrol engine which doesn't suit at all
- Boot space somewhat limited
- Limited optional extras (old Satnav unit, no HUD etc.)
My view on essential optional extras:
- I think the pdk doesn't suit the car as well as the auto box does
- I'd always go for air suspension - the car looks silly at normal ride height and on this car it makes a difference dynamically (at least subjectively)
- Servotronic
- Large wheels
- Full leather & LED interior lights (cabin appeal)
- Sourround view
- Sport Chrono
- LED front lights
If you go for the smaller engine, go for the diesel. Turbo is obviously quick, but the gearbox doesn't suit the car. I'd say the "S" is probably the best overall compromise(usability, driving pleasure, depreciation etc.).
Go for it and try one for a weekend, you won't regret it. One of the most marmite and underestimatet cars in my opinion - good deals to be had at OPC at the moment, too. Let us know how you get on.
I would not be buying a new one given there is a completely revised new car coming out soon, which will undoubtedly address the looks issue too!
In my eyes they are basically a Cayenne but a better drive. The downside is you lose the elevated driving position, which is both good for b-roads and motorway driving. Depends what's more important to you and whether you have other cars to drive.
In my eyes they are basically a Cayenne but a better drive. The downside is you lose the elevated driving position, which is both good for b-roads and motorway driving. Depends what's more important to you and whether you have other cars to drive.
Had a 4S and then a Turbo
very, very impressive cars.
Had a few issues with the 4S (suspension knock & coil packs - hey, it's a Porsche !)
Turbo faultless.
My Turbo had almost every option ticked by the first owner - I bought it year old with 8K miles on it
Sport design kit makes a massive improvement to looks
air suspension a must
20" wheels - tick
sport seats amazing
carbon interior suited it perfectly
sports exhaust a must
Drives like a proper sports car
and can leave pretty much most cars on the road behind !
198mph on the Vbox @ Bruntingthorpe - all day long
go for it...
very, very impressive cars.
Had a few issues with the 4S (suspension knock & coil packs - hey, it's a Porsche !)
Turbo faultless.
My Turbo had almost every option ticked by the first owner - I bought it year old with 8K miles on it
Sport design kit makes a massive improvement to looks
air suspension a must
20" wheels - tick
sport seats amazing
carbon interior suited it perfectly
sports exhaust a must
Drives like a proper sports car
and can leave pretty much most cars on the road behind !
198mph on the Vbox @ Bruntingthorpe - all day long
go for it...
Was loaned a hybrid and then Turbo S for few weeks whilst my 964 had some work done. As you might expect the Panamera felt huge and a bit of a culture shock with all the luxury and modern stuff inside. Hybrid was interesting as you could pootle about quite happily to the shops on electric only. The Turbo S was a very impressive beast and £%^&ing fast (and thirsty). Secondhand you seem to get a lot for the money.
Still was very happy to get my tiny 911 back afterwards but I do miss the DAB radio!
Still was very happy to get my tiny 911 back afterwards but I do miss the DAB radio!
Not particularly a comment on the looks per se. subjective and all that. I think their quite distinctive actually. More the longevity of the design. I just think they've been around quite a while now and need a significantly refreshed look anyway, whether you like them or not. Design has moved on. New fresher competitors out there.
Here's mine, which I bought as a Porsche Approved Used car almost exactly a year ago. It's a 62 plate GTS in GT Silver.
The cars preceding this were A8s and a couple of AMGs and in the 11k miles I have had mine, I have been very impressed with it. I wanted something that was as good a mile muncher as the A8s (with similar build quality) but a bit more engaging. I liked the naturally aspirated AMGs but never got on with my E63 biturbo, which felt cheaply built and was not a great long distance car. Amazingly, the E63 didn't come with a LSD as standard and had real trouble getting its power down in anything other than a straight line and even then, only in the dry.
When I was first looking at the Panamera, I considered Quattroportes, Ghiblis, CL63 AMGs, M5s, Audi S7s etc etc and I tried all of them but came away thinking the Panamera was the right car for me. It then came down to choosing which of the variants I needed and it took all of 2 minutes to realise I wanted a GTS. Handily, my local dealer had a used one in stock and I was sold after the test drive but that particular car was not in the right colour scheme. However, Porsche Aberdeen had mine in stock and I was able to buy through my local dealer.
I was given demonstrators at varying stages, sometimes for the weekend and have driven the diesel and hybrid for a couple of days at a time. I thought the 300hp diesel was quite accomplished but has traction issues in the wet (RWD only I believe). I think that car also only comes with the ZF auto, which was pretty good but not as quick or responsive as PDK (the only choice on the GTS and turbos as far as I am aware). Anyway, the diesel lacked character, as did the hybrid. The hybrid never really felt alive and the engine in it was a real disappointment.
I've not driven the Panamera Turbo but have driven a couple of Cayenne Turbos and didn't like the power delivery, lack of response, huge torque etc etc. I strongly prefer naturally aspirated engines and the engine in the GTS is fantastic, definitely not as fast as the turbo but it can be driven pretty hard without reaching really silly speeds. The GTS gets 4wd, PASM, hotter cams, higher redline, bit more power, wider track, black accents, alcantara trim, special seatbelts, switchable exhaust etc etc.
I would echo what the other posters have said; it handles very well for such a big car and is a far better drive than any of the other big German luxury barges. I have never found its size a problem and if anything, the length, width and weight make it a very stable car. I had mine up to an indicated 178mph on the autobahn and it felt solid as a rock and was still pulling.
Things I like:
Lovely interior for longer journeys and feels bomb-proof
Excellent traction and great handling - it does feel very light for its size
Characterful engine which thrives on revs and sounds amazing
Rarity of the GTS and the accessories it comes with
Superb stereo
The ride is truly comfortable in Comfort mode and makes long journeys relaxing, even more so if the sports exhaust is switched off
100 litre fuel tank is quite convenient
It's not even that thirsty; I get average 23mpg and long, 80mph runs can see indicated 30mpg.
Superb seats and interior space for a 6'10" driver
Things I don't like:
Dated sat nav and electronics in general
I wish I had a reversing camera and adaptive cruise control but GTSs aren't always easy to find and the colour combo was more important to me
Some other Panameras look pretty ugly but somehow I think mine 'works' (although I would say that!)
Lack of fifth seat maybe
Same parking issues as any other big car
Costs to date:
I have had one service at a cost of something like £600 from a Porsche OPC and understand the pricing is fixed in the OPC network. I had a few other items attended to at the same time such as brake fluid at £150 and some smaller bits of work done at relatively little cost. The whole service bill was around £1k. I will need new tyres soon and will probably go for Michelin Pilot Super Sports, at an all in cost of around £850. I have Pirellis at the moment but I hear the MPSS is a quieter, grippier, more durable tyre. We'll see!
I have had quite a lot of warranty work done, including a replacement A/C compressor, new suspension bushes (squeaking over speed bumps), rattling speaker covers in the front passenger door. Other than those things it's been trouble free... I thought it was quite strange to need new bushes on a 3.5 year old car with 35k miles.
The cars preceding this were A8s and a couple of AMGs and in the 11k miles I have had mine, I have been very impressed with it. I wanted something that was as good a mile muncher as the A8s (with similar build quality) but a bit more engaging. I liked the naturally aspirated AMGs but never got on with my E63 biturbo, which felt cheaply built and was not a great long distance car. Amazingly, the E63 didn't come with a LSD as standard and had real trouble getting its power down in anything other than a straight line and even then, only in the dry.
When I was first looking at the Panamera, I considered Quattroportes, Ghiblis, CL63 AMGs, M5s, Audi S7s etc etc and I tried all of them but came away thinking the Panamera was the right car for me. It then came down to choosing which of the variants I needed and it took all of 2 minutes to realise I wanted a GTS. Handily, my local dealer had a used one in stock and I was sold after the test drive but that particular car was not in the right colour scheme. However, Porsche Aberdeen had mine in stock and I was able to buy through my local dealer.
I was given demonstrators at varying stages, sometimes for the weekend and have driven the diesel and hybrid for a couple of days at a time. I thought the 300hp diesel was quite accomplished but has traction issues in the wet (RWD only I believe). I think that car also only comes with the ZF auto, which was pretty good but not as quick or responsive as PDK (the only choice on the GTS and turbos as far as I am aware). Anyway, the diesel lacked character, as did the hybrid. The hybrid never really felt alive and the engine in it was a real disappointment.
I've not driven the Panamera Turbo but have driven a couple of Cayenne Turbos and didn't like the power delivery, lack of response, huge torque etc etc. I strongly prefer naturally aspirated engines and the engine in the GTS is fantastic, definitely not as fast as the turbo but it can be driven pretty hard without reaching really silly speeds. The GTS gets 4wd, PASM, hotter cams, higher redline, bit more power, wider track, black accents, alcantara trim, special seatbelts, switchable exhaust etc etc.
I would echo what the other posters have said; it handles very well for such a big car and is a far better drive than any of the other big German luxury barges. I have never found its size a problem and if anything, the length, width and weight make it a very stable car. I had mine up to an indicated 178mph on the autobahn and it felt solid as a rock and was still pulling.
Things I like:
Lovely interior for longer journeys and feels bomb-proof
Excellent traction and great handling - it does feel very light for its size
Characterful engine which thrives on revs and sounds amazing
Rarity of the GTS and the accessories it comes with
Superb stereo
The ride is truly comfortable in Comfort mode and makes long journeys relaxing, even more so if the sports exhaust is switched off
100 litre fuel tank is quite convenient
It's not even that thirsty; I get average 23mpg and long, 80mph runs can see indicated 30mpg.
Superb seats and interior space for a 6'10" driver
Things I don't like:
Dated sat nav and electronics in general
I wish I had a reversing camera and adaptive cruise control but GTSs aren't always easy to find and the colour combo was more important to me
Some other Panameras look pretty ugly but somehow I think mine 'works' (although I would say that!)
Lack of fifth seat maybe
Same parking issues as any other big car
Costs to date:
I have had one service at a cost of something like £600 from a Porsche OPC and understand the pricing is fixed in the OPC network. I had a few other items attended to at the same time such as brake fluid at £150 and some smaller bits of work done at relatively little cost. The whole service bill was around £1k. I will need new tyres soon and will probably go for Michelin Pilot Super Sports, at an all in cost of around £850. I have Pirellis at the moment but I hear the MPSS is a quieter, grippier, more durable tyre. We'll see!
I have had quite a lot of warranty work done, including a replacement A/C compressor, new suspension bushes (squeaking over speed bumps), rattling speaker covers in the front passenger door. Other than those things it's been trouble free... I thought it was quite strange to need new bushes on a 3.5 year old car with 35k miles.
I've very regularly been given Panamera Diesels when the 911's been in at OPC. I've been - very much to my own surprise - very, very impressed. Handling is truly excellent and the engine both refined and powerful - it actually feels like more than 300bhp. Which, given that I happily use the power, means that the fact that I've never got less than 45mpg quite startling. That's on a mixture of motorway and Highland A roads, driven in manner enthusiastic. The boot is huge but quite shallow and rear access isn't the greatest, but no worse than many large saloons. What would put me off owning one at any point though is the sheer size of the thing, especially width, which is a complete liability on our mountain and single-track roads. First time I parked in a bay on our local high street, I looked back at it, thought, "hell, that's a crap piece of parking" - it was well overlapping the offside edge of the marked bay - and went back to try again, only to find that I was actually parked within an inch of the kerb. It's got a bigger footprint than my X5 and the lower driving position means that it lacks that cars imperious sight lines. In size and general feel, it's rather reminiscent of a better-built Tesla Model S.
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