1900+ miles miles and just did a 320-mile roundtrip in complete comfort and w/o any noises or drama. Base radio is inadequate but that's my bad: I should've opted for the Burmester. Otherwise, the car has been near flawless.

 

Zelig, maybe also involve the Porsche North-America reps. I did once, and they really can bring additional resources to bear. Also, it would be a way to make sure that no stone has gone unturned?

 

John M,

Thank you. I filled out a survey and based on it Porsche has a factory tech involved now. Am assuming this is what you mean by the Porsche- NA reps?
Best scenario is the car gets fixed this time around and the "punch-list"ends. I love my 991 and would repurchase and recommend it again. It is the best car I have ever owned bar none!

 

Yeah, that's what I meant!
They sent a rep down to the dealer and offered the assistance of PNA. It gave me a good feeling! It is good to have Porsche in on it. If it turns out that it really can't be solved, PNA will be there for you.

The funny thing is that some small problem, like a loose intake or something else, could be really serious sounding. Once they find the bolt, the car is like new.

When I went to pick up my E92M3, the sales manager actually said that he "smelled burnt-clutch" odor. He refused to give me the car until they found out what was wrong. It turned out that "back at the Port", they had the clutch freeze and it burnt out. (Or someone did some doughnuts! LOL!)
Anyway, I get the car and it has an INSANE rattle in the dash. There was also a loud "clunk" in the rear that sounded like the exhaust and diff was falling off. I videoed it, and put it on a message board. A BMWNA rep who watches the Boards, contacted me and said to bring it to the dealer ASAP!
When they got it, it turned out that when they fixed the clutch, they neglected to re-tighten the entire intake manifold. It was banging against the firewall. They also did not re-install several exhaust parts and the hangers were finger-tight. There were a hundred other little things wrong too! Anyway, the dealer was like, "give us 2 days, and you will be super-happy".
Yep, 2 days later, car is like-new. Not a single problem in the 18 months since. But, you could not have convinced me that all would be fixed..ever.
Sorry for the long story, but the gist of it is, "it could be just a few bolts or a clip"
All they have to do is find it!

 

What I dislike about the panamera is that it is a demographics car.. It was created to fill a gap and capture markets hate from BMW and Mercedes .. That in itself isn't terrible because that is what the cayanne is all about as well. But the panamera is a wanna be car. It steals from the 911 but isn't..

To a true 911 lover, it just shouldn't exist.. I'd respect porsche more if it created a 4 door sedan that was clean slate..

I feel the same way about a panamera that I feel about minivans which no one really wants. My opinion is people don't wNt me but they get them because they have to.. I wanted a 911 but I need a 4 door..

Not suggesting my opinion is wide spread so don't debate me on it. Because I really don't care about the mass market opinions.. But a porsche is about sports car and everything else dilutes the brand..

 

It would have been interesting if Porsche designed their sedan as a true 4 door coupe like the Aston Martin Rapide.

 

Agree +1

 

12 months & 10K miles (Jan. 2014):

Both tail lights replaced for condensation - new ones have the same problem & I'm living with it. Evaporates in a day or so. Driving in the rain seems to be the cause.

Defective XM pod antenna (on the engine cover) replaced - XM working now.

PDK software update. I can't tell much difference vs before & after

Overall I'm satisfied with my car's build quality & reliability.

 

Beautiful though it is, the interior is cramped, the outward view nearly impossible due to low overhang of the windshield, and ingress/egress to the rear seats is comical, at best.

 

True but those characteristics are true of the DB9 too. The design is consistent.

 

Easy to say with a 911 still inbound...I don't know what makes you more of a 911 or Porsche lover than other owners. I have owned both, each car has it's merits. Because a 911 fits you currently does not mean there is no room for another vehicle in the Porsche's line up. It is not a wanna be car. It is a car with Porsche DNA for a different market segment. To say it steals from the 911 is a farce as it is an entirely different vehicle. Before you rush to make statements without background knowledge, go drive a panamera GTS or Turbo and take 3 adults with you. Then drive an M5 or CLS AMG, you'll understand why there is a market for the Panamera in that class and why it sells well. Be glad Porsche sell other cars as the brand would have gotten into trouble without the derided Cayenne - which is a great SUV. THe question is what then would have become of the 911 we all love...

 

For enough money, you can get JD Powers to create a category that you are No. 1 in, if for no other reason that they never asked anyone else about.
And even if it was not a completely bogus survey, if you are the 1 out of 100 that has a problem - the survey offers little comfort.


Make them fix it! Bring a lemon law action if you need. I hope it is all resolved and that you get to enjoy your beautiful ride!

 

As I mentioned I don't expect my opinion to be widespread since panameras make up a large pcr of sales.. Just to expressly an opinion which is admittedly purest.. And why I have always been attracted to the porsch brand..

But then again minivans sell huge as well so debating taste is a waste of time.. I don't really care what the mass market likes this I'm not interested in debating.. It goes nowhere..

arrogant and presumptuous on your part however because you assume a lot.. Not my first Porsche, and I'owned m5s and driven amg I just find the BMW, Mercedes . and others very temporal.. They are rarely revered other than when new.. They don't have any soul that lasts other than the guy who owned one..

That said I find the panameras an attractive car just in the way I find an Audi attractive but it doesn't capture my imagination in any way because it is based on. Demographics and built on the back of another car. Just like a sitcom spin off..

 

Panamera GTS is one helluva car!! Almost bought one late 2012.

 

No car is perfect...crackling sounds from seat? Odd - maybe airbag sensor? And for such a pricey sound system, losing an amp? Hmm, interesting. On park assist, mine shows up in PCM below speeds of 8 mph...and if it snows a lot, it will stay on because snow is on the sensors.