Panamera (971) and towing

[Marshy]

I'm thinking of getting a Panamera, probably 971 era, probably a 4 e-hybrid. However, shamefully, I tow a shed a few times a year, because sleeping in tents at festivals is, frankly, horrific. A panamera potentially allows me to turn my current two car fleet into one, which for all sorts of reasons, appeals greatly.

(And having outed myself, let's just assume I've already hung my head in shame, you lot have taken the p155 roundly, and move past that bit )

Searching here and on rennlist seems to suggest that towbar fitment on a 970 is no bueno unless the factory preparation was ordered by the original buyer. Is that the same for the 971? My searching has been much less conclusive, so I'm hoping the PH hivemind may have insight. Otherwise, I'll phone a few OPCs and ask - what's the worst that can happen?

Edited by Marshy on Monday 17th May 22:36

[pete]

Last time I was messing about with the configurator, the Panamera had tow bar prep as an explicit option. Different to my Cayenne, which had tow bar prep as standard.

You should check this has always been the case with your OPC, but even better would be to find a car with the Porsche tow bar already fitted! They are much cheaper as an option on a brand new car. I'm going through the pain now of having the Porsche electrically retractable tow hitch retrofitted to my Cayenne, as it wasn't available as an option on the first batch of cars when I ordered mine. It's costing a whopping £2300, but it's the only way to tow (or fit a decent bike rack in my case) while preserving the Porsche extended warranty.

p.s. Double check with an OPC if a tow bar is even an option on the hybrid. You may find it was never offered, so your only choice would be to go aftermarket and run eithout a warranty (brave!), or find a third party warranty you're happy with.

Edited by pete on Tuesday 18th May 18:17

[Marshy]

pete said:

p.s. Double check with an OPC if a tow bar is even an option on the hybrid. You may find it was never offered, so your only choice would be to go aftermarket and run eithout a warranty (brave!), or find a third party warranty you're happy with.

I didn't even think to look at the configurator as I'm looking at used rather than new.

Your point was spot on: it's not even an option on the hybrid, at least not in the UK. On the basis that I've no intention of running without a Porsche warranty, I'll need to think about keeping another vehicle to drag sheds with.

Thanks.

[stef1808]

Marshy said:

A panamera potentially allows me to turn my current two car fleet into one, which for all sorts of reasons, appeals greatly.

1st mistake ..

[Marshy]

stef1808 said:

1st mistake ..

Ah, OK, please expand...

[stef1808]

stress and wear on the frame/gearbox/suspension/brakes/etc
Panamera's aren't designed to be a tow car, especially a hybrid

Personal opinion of course as I’m sure any car can be fitted to tow
Buy a porsche for the driving enjoyment and a dedicated tow car for the rest, a 1 car setup never works and is always less exciting

[Marshy]

stef1808 said:

stress and wear on the frame/gearbox/suspension/brakes/etc
Panamera's aren't designed to be a tow car, especially a hybrid

While the your points are technically valid, I tow literally about three times a year, with most of the miles on pretty flat motorways between Cambs and Shropshire/Norfolk/South Coast. As such, the wear angle would be minimal compared to "real" caravanners. And my current tow car is a Passat GTE - a FWD 1.4 PHEV, which by all accounts should be even less suitable, were it not for my very infrequent shed-dragging.

However, as per above discoveries via the configurator, it's all moot: there never was a factory towing prep option, and further digging suggests there's no "max braked trailer" rating for the hybrid, so it's potentially legaly dubious even if retrofittable.

I still want a Panamera hybrid though, so I'll reconsider the second car picture. No hurry there until we're out the other side of covid.

[stef1808]

Keep the Passat - upgrade the m2