Early Panamera Diesel Daily Driver?
Discussion
Hi. I have run a 2011 Gen 1 Panemera Diesel as a daily drive for over 3 years and loved it.
I bought it in 2015, one owner with 55k miles. I’ve now done 120k miles and counting. In that time I’ve had no major issues.
It’s got variable servicing, which on my mileage seems to want a minor every year (20k) and major every 2 years (40k). It occasionally wants a top up of oil, say every 6 months.
Fuel average 42mpg on mixed driving, 50mpg on a long motorway drive.
Other costs;
Biggest wear items are brakes and tyres, just due to the size and weight. These aren’t cheap due to size. I’ve only done brakes once, tyres last about 25k miles.
At 120k I had the gearbox oil changed, which is expensive for the oil. Recommended to get done by Porsche.
A 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, not unusual for 5+ year old car.
Other than that, no issues. Never let me down. No major costs.
Things I like about it as a daily;
1. Very comfortable, I can drive for 6+ hours and feel fresh when I arrive.
2. Fun to drive. Ok it’s no 911, especially in diesel spec, but I still enjoy b-roads. Sport mode tightens it up, handling is excellent, less body roll than you’d expect.
3. Practical. MPG is excellent for big car. 4 adult size seats useful. Boot is reasonable, not huge.
Things I don’t like;
1. Standard spec is very mean. Everything is optional extra (eg auto dimming mirror) so pay close attention to options on used models. Standard radio is weak, try to get Bose.
2. It’s wide! And quite long, so parking spaces not always easy!
That’s it. Clearly I’m a big fan and will likely buy another one.
I bought it in 2015, one owner with 55k miles. I’ve now done 120k miles and counting. In that time I’ve had no major issues.
It’s got variable servicing, which on my mileage seems to want a minor every year (20k) and major every 2 years (40k). It occasionally wants a top up of oil, say every 6 months.
Fuel average 42mpg on mixed driving, 50mpg on a long motorway drive.
Other costs;
Biggest wear items are brakes and tyres, just due to the size and weight. These aren’t cheap due to size. I’ve only done brakes once, tyres last about 25k miles.
At 120k I had the gearbox oil changed, which is expensive for the oil. Recommended to get done by Porsche.
A 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, not unusual for 5+ year old car.
Other than that, no issues. Never let me down. No major costs.
Things I like about it as a daily;
1. Very comfortable, I can drive for 6+ hours and feel fresh when I arrive.
2. Fun to drive. Ok it’s no 911, especially in diesel spec, but I still enjoy b-roads. Sport mode tightens it up, handling is excellent, less body roll than you’d expect.
3. Practical. MPG is excellent for big car. 4 adult size seats useful. Boot is reasonable, not huge.
Things I don’t like;
1. Standard spec is very mean. Everything is optional extra (eg auto dimming mirror) so pay close attention to options on used models. Standard radio is weak, try to get Bose.
2. It’s wide! And quite long, so parking spaces not always easy!
That’s it. Clearly I’m a big fan and will likely buy another one.
As mentioned above, spec is everything with the panamera.
I took a 2011 Diesel out in 2015, I was sadly very underwhelmed with the way in which the engine performed - my older XJ felt so much more rewarding. The issue was so much so that I plumbed for a 4s instead, which is a total joy to drive - but the MPG may be a concern for you but that said on motorway trips I regularly get around 32 to 33mpg. I'd also be worried about diesel Armageddon which may start to impact older diesels.
Go drive one but make sure you research spec and get a car with a good options list.
I took a 2011 Diesel out in 2015, I was sadly very underwhelmed with the way in which the engine performed - my older XJ felt so much more rewarding. The issue was so much so that I plumbed for a 4s instead, which is a total joy to drive - but the MPG may be a concern for you but that said on motorway trips I regularly get around 32 to 33mpg. I'd also be worried about diesel Armageddon which may start to impact older diesels.
Go drive one but make sure you research spec and get a car with a good options list.
Just to add some essential options in my view
Pasm - especially on traditional shocks
Porsche warranty - worth it's weight in gold. You don't need to buy a car from porsche but get one that qualifies for it
4wd - not 100% essential but difference between an all weather car or not.
Rear parking camera - the cars as big as the qe2
Stereo - upgraded. I'm fortunate in having a burmester but not essential but that or the other upgrade
Sat nav, if it doesn't have the postcode update negotiate the cost. Latest maps are 2015 but the system is good. No need to upgrade after that. It's old tech but rerouted and much nicer than having a window mounted one. I sometimes use my android via Bluetooth audio whilst streaming music (put android in dual audio mode)
Cooled seats - don't underestimate the summer comfort value!
You can live without them but spec does alter the experience. If i could I'd love adaptive cruise.
The centre console will give you a hint at how well spec a car is, the more buttons the better!
Pasm - especially on traditional shocks
Porsche warranty - worth it's weight in gold. You don't need to buy a car from porsche but get one that qualifies for it
4wd - not 100% essential but difference between an all weather car or not.
Rear parking camera - the cars as big as the qe2
Stereo - upgraded. I'm fortunate in having a burmester but not essential but that or the other upgrade
Sat nav, if it doesn't have the postcode update negotiate the cost. Latest maps are 2015 but the system is good. No need to upgrade after that. It's old tech but rerouted and much nicer than having a window mounted one. I sometimes use my android via Bluetooth audio whilst streaming music (put android in dual audio mode)
Cooled seats - don't underestimate the summer comfort value!
You can live without them but spec does alter the experience. If i could I'd love adaptive cruise.
The centre console will give you a hint at how well spec a car is, the more buttons the better!
One last thing... once you buy it's virtually impossible to find a replacement.
Other than a new one I can't think what to buy. I prefer the 970 looks, bit more elegant but prefer the rear on the new one.
Seats down I can load more stuff in it than my old discovery, super practical.
Echo above on comfort, long trip from Bordeaux to wiltshire single trip no aches, arrived refreshed.
Daughter loves it, def go for 300bhp diesel but I found it so refined the delivery was too linear! Not a bad thing just a preference thing
Other than a new one I can't think what to buy. I prefer the 970 looks, bit more elegant but prefer the rear on the new one.
Seats down I can load more stuff in it than my old discovery, super practical.
Echo above on comfort, long trip from Bordeaux to wiltshire single trip no aches, arrived refreshed.
Daughter loves it, def go for 300bhp diesel but I found it so refined the delivery was too linear! Not a bad thing just a preference thing
Hi,
I have a 2015 Panamera diesel from new with 40k on the clock. Here in 2020, both rear doors are going rusty even though they are aluminium- YES, oxidation is causing lots of unsightly bubbling, just like rust on a normal metal car.
Of course, rightly, everyone is taking the mickey of my £70,000 plus car which is going rusty. But wait, Porsche offers a 12 year rust warranty???
They have told me its the wrong type of rust so they will not cover it. The local paint shop tell me they wont touch it as its a Porsche problem they should be fixing so I get some kind of warranty. so I am now stuck
Porsche say it's my fault? Won't say why it's just my fault, even though their repair garage told me it's a known problem now fixed by putting clear film on the lower part of the rear doors????
Disgusting treatment from Porsche. Stones are being kicked back by front wheels, which hit the flared rear door arches, which then go rusty. My other cars have stone chips but they don't go rusty?
I have a 2015 Panamera diesel from new with 40k on the clock. Here in 2020, both rear doors are going rusty even though they are aluminium- YES, oxidation is causing lots of unsightly bubbling, just like rust on a normal metal car.
Of course, rightly, everyone is taking the mickey of my £70,000 plus car which is going rusty. But wait, Porsche offers a 12 year rust warranty???
They have told me its the wrong type of rust so they will not cover it. The local paint shop tell me they wont touch it as its a Porsche problem they should be fixing so I get some kind of warranty. so I am now stuck
Porsche say it's my fault? Won't say why it's just my fault, even though their repair garage told me it's a known problem now fixed by putting clear film on the lower part of the rear doors????
Disgusting treatment from Porsche. Stones are being kicked back by front wheels, which hit the flared rear door arches, which then go rusty. My other cars have stone chips but they don't go rusty?
Im thinking of getting one of these cars, and never heard of this before....will make sure i get it checked out.
Is it VAG engine? as per the Biturbo A7?
Is it VAG engine? as per the Biturbo A7?
Rusty Panamera said:
Hi,
I have a 2015 Panamera diesel from new with 40k on the clock. Here in 2020, both rear doors are going rusty even though they are aluminium- YES, oxidation is causing lots of unsightly bubbling, just like rust on a normal metal car.
Of course, rightly, everyone is taking the mickey of my £70,000 plus car which is going rusty. But wait, Porsche offers a 12 year rust warranty???
They have told me its the wrong type of rust so they will not cover it. The local paint shop tell me they wont touch it as its a Porsche problem they should be fixing so I get some kind of warranty. so I am now stuck
Porsche say it's my fault? Won't say why it's just my fault, even though their repair garage told me it's a known problem now fixed by putting clear film on the lower part of the rear doors????
Disgusting treatment from Porsche. Stones are being kicked back by front wheels, which hit the flared rear door arches, which then go rusty. My other cars have stone chips but they don't go rusty?
I have a 2015 Panamera diesel from new with 40k on the clock. Here in 2020, both rear doors are going rusty even though they are aluminium- YES, oxidation is causing lots of unsightly bubbling, just like rust on a normal metal car.
Of course, rightly, everyone is taking the mickey of my £70,000 plus car which is going rusty. But wait, Porsche offers a 12 year rust warranty???
They have told me its the wrong type of rust so they will not cover it. The local paint shop tell me they wont touch it as its a Porsche problem they should be fixing so I get some kind of warranty. so I am now stuck
Porsche say it's my fault? Won't say why it's just my fault, even though their repair garage told me it's a known problem now fixed by putting clear film on the lower part of the rear doors????
Disgusting treatment from Porsche. Stones are being kicked back by front wheels, which hit the flared rear door arches, which then go rusty. My other cars have stone chips but they don't go rusty?
Rusty Panamera said:
Hi,
I have a 2015 Panamera diesel from new with 40k on the clock. Here in 2020, both rear doors are going rusty even though they are aluminium- YES, oxidation is causing lots of unsightly bubbling, just like rust on a normal metal car.
Of course, rightly, everyone is taking the mickey of my £70,000 plus car which is going rusty. But wait, Porsche offers a 12 year rust warranty???
They have told me its the wrong type of rust so they will not cover it. The local paint shop tell me they wont touch it as its a Porsche problem they should be fixing so I get some kind of warranty. so I am now stuck
Porsche say it's my fault? Won't say why it's just my fault, even though their repair garage told me it's a known problem now fixed by putting clear film on the lower part of the rear doors????
Disgusting treatment from Porsche. Stones are being kicked back by front wheels, which hit the flared rear door arches, which then go rusty. My other cars have stone chips but they don't go rusty?
The oxidisation (essentially caused by a bad bond between the aluminium and paint) was a well known issue on VW Phaetons. VW also tried to argue "it's not rust" to which my response was "well the paint's faulty then". Given I bought as a daily for £6k and at 6 years old, I sold it to WBAC before getting the issue resolved. I had got as far as a 50% contribution to repainting the affected doors. BUT - on line forum research suggested that on a global basis all first time owners with the same problem got the problem resolved at VWs cost -often involving the supply of 4 new doors. Worth persevering, and maybe going direct to Porsche in Germany. I have a 2015 Panamera diesel from new with 40k on the clock. Here in 2020, both rear doors are going rusty even though they are aluminium- YES, oxidation is causing lots of unsightly bubbling, just like rust on a normal metal car.
Of course, rightly, everyone is taking the mickey of my £70,000 plus car which is going rusty. But wait, Porsche offers a 12 year rust warranty???
They have told me its the wrong type of rust so they will not cover it. The local paint shop tell me they wont touch it as its a Porsche problem they should be fixing so I get some kind of warranty. so I am now stuck
Porsche say it's my fault? Won't say why it's just my fault, even though their repair garage told me it's a known problem now fixed by putting clear film on the lower part of the rear doors????
Disgusting treatment from Porsche. Stones are being kicked back by front wheels, which hit the flared rear door arches, which then go rusty. My other cars have stone chips but they don't go rusty?
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