I bought the wrong car

[George Smiley]

Well, technically not as I love it and cannot see myself getting rid of it any time soon but the Panamera, it is big. We know it is big but you have no appreciation of just how big until you end up trying to park it in anything other than a 1x1 acre plot.

As a GT it is superb. Arrived in Paris in time and comfort but even the generous parking in the hotel was like trying to park the Exon Valdez, only I suspect a better turning circle even though it has sunk.

[Koln-RS]

I've had a couple 'on loan', and whilst I've enjoyed the Panameras on longer m-way trips, they are 'big' for most of the situations we encounter in the UK - roads and cities.

I gather Porsche are bringing out a Panamera Junior 'Pajun' - closer to the BMW 3/5-Series in size, but still a couple of years away..

[George Smiley]

I took it to Leeds, stayed in the Hilton. It warns about tall cars but nothing about length or girth. Got up 1st story ok but it forces you to go up before you can go down. 30 minutes later I got up. You need a man with a red flag to walk up front and to let you know you have 3ft of space even if the sensors say red.

Still as a mile eater, it is unbeatable.

[Green1man]

Leeds Hilton car park is a nightmare even with a normal car as it shown by the copious amounts of car paint on the down ramp walls. I frequently saw Range Rovers and the like in there and did not envy their efforts to get out. Any large car with poor lock (aka Panamera) would be a nightmare.

[George Smiley]

I cried on the inside.

Made it out and its easy with someone to guide you to ignore sensors.

Currently under the pullman in paris. Wasnt as bad but difficult. Getting out will be fun.

[red997]

I've marked my old Panamera in the Leeds Hilton - many years ago - and yes, it was a total fking bh
managed no damage but I swore I would never stay there again !

Other than that, I didn't find it that difficult to park.
in fact, it's easier than our current baby carrier, a new X5.
those wheels attract kerbs....

[Pesty]

try leeds general hospital multi story if you want to cry with a big car

[Cheib]

We could have a "worst car park" thread. I'd nominate the Waitrose on Finchley Road, London NW3. The car park is in the basement of what used to be an old department store. It's a proper test of your skills at the wheel...the exit has a sharp turn which I reckon there's no way a Panamera can get round in one go.

[paul789]

Cheib said:

We could have a "worst car park" thread. I'd nominate the Waitrose on Finchley Road, London NW3. The car park is in the basement of what used to be an old department store. It's a proper test of your skills at the wheel...the exit has a sharp turn which I reckon there's no way a Panamera can get round in one go.

Ah Broad Street Mall car park in Reading. Knowledge of this denotes 3 layers of punishment:

1. Evil, high curbs on exit, jutting out with the intent purely to damage your car.
2. Even using that mall lands you in the caaaancil thread.
3. It means you are in, or have at some point visited, Reading.

[George Smiley]

Oh god that car park in Reading...

Still. We have just ate a huge chunk out of France. Daughter still happy and we are returning great mpg even at 80. Next stop Bordeaux.

Ska classics through the stereo but now Pete Tong classical trance is showing the Bermester as a sage choice.

[paul789]

George Smiley said:

Oh god that car park in Reading...

Still. We have just ate a huge chunk out of France. Daughter still happy and we are returning great mpg even at 80. Next stop Bordeaux.

Ska classics through the stereo but now Pete Tong classical trance is showing the Bermester as a sage choice.

Paris - brave man! In a panny, very brave!

[George Smiley]

paul789 said:

George Smiley said:

Oh god that car park in Reading...

Still. We have just ate a huge chunk out of France. Daughter still happy and we are returning great mpg even at 80. Next stop Bordeaux.

Ska classics through the stereo but now Pete Tong classical trance is showing the Bermester as a sage choice.

Paris - brave man! In a panny, very brave!

Some would say foolish. It was perfect other than the parking issue. I did however shout at it this evening when the detour it took me on to avoid the traffic I was queueing in, took me 3 miles around to join the back of the traffic I had just left only now 1 mile further back.

[Pip1968]

Exxon Valdez (double 'X' by the way.... like the films ... ) apart from the size is it because it is an oil burner - ?

My wife got one as a loan car when she dropped my car off at Porsche. I think she liked it for the presence and comfort but said it was a bit of a nightmare for pulling out at junctions especailly on uphills. I dont think she could see much off the bonnet and complained of blind spots. I should imagine any big car is a pleasure on a long transit. I remeber my old V8 M5, a proper autobahn eater.

As for parking in Paris I think it is hotels only with a Panamera especially when you see all the dinks on cars parked in the street.

911 in Brighton Marina multi storey car park.... ? Drive in to ground floor, discover the steep ramps and reverse straight back out the way you came in . Luckily there was not any traffic coming in that day.

Any pictures?

Pip

[George Smiley]

Its a v8 not a diseasle, its stablemate is a classic v8 m5 too!

Pictures somewhere but mostly of me having cpr following the car park entry!