whats up guys, Ive currently got a 2010 Carrera ... Im debating trading it in for a 2010 Panamera S... how do you guys like your car, it will be a Daily Driver...

 

PGF - were you a member of the 55k forum at MBWorld???

 

Yes Sir...I am Guilty of being the Same PersianGodFatha ... Whats Up buddy

 

Hi PGF

welcome - I am a new Panny S owner myself, and I would encourage you to get this vehicle, IF YOU NEED A VEHICLE WITH 4-DOORS as I do, but I would highly reccommend getting the TURBO, with your AMG history.

ENGINE
If you search my posts in this forum you will see that I have been pretty disappointed at the lack of power of the Panny S compared to the AMG motors, but it stands to reason - 500HP vs 410HP and simliar lack of TQ.

The price of the Panny S is similar to the E63 and CLS 63 cars. Ultimately the Turbo would have been a MUCH better choice for me but I did not want to pay the premium - $30-50K more than the comparable AMG vehicles.

TRANSMISSION
The tranny is great, Sport mode holds onto the gears well, very intuitively, and lets the upshift happen when its obvious you are no longer wailing on the throttle. The rev-matching throttle blip on downshift is lovely and matches the RPMS perfectly. There is zero wheel hop even when slamming through the gears and wailing on the brakes so much that the ABS is kicking in!!!

I mainly drive in manual, but I dislike the two-way wheel buttons - much preferered the Right = UP and the Left = DOWN buttons/paddles on the AMG's, and I very much dislike the gearshift direction for up and downshifting - Forward = UP and Backward = DOWN - totally counterintuitive IMO, and unlike any sequential track car I have ever driven.

Even the MB left/right shift pattern on the tunnel was better, and was great when ice driving in Sweden (there is no way to know which paddles/buttons are which when you are throwing the wheel around on the ice, so having the tunnel mounted shifter is a godsend)

THE RIDE
The ride is similar to the AMG's, but I have not thrown it around an autocross track or any demanding twisties. One attribute that is perplexing is the porpoising over speed bumps at slow speed, irrespective of suspension mode. The lower valence scrapes on the tarmac, something that never happened on the AMG's, even with lowered suspension.

And so far I have not found a way to completely disengage the PSM, which will absolutely shut down the throttle the minute it even gets remotely sideways, even when the PSM is set to OFF. Miss the backdoor way of getting into Dyno mode - but I am sure with time someone here will figure it out.

It cruises effortlessly on highways, a simple stomp will downshift several gears to get it accelerating. In fact when driving sedately it will upshift to 5th or 6th gear before you are even at 30mph and do it so silently and smoothly you will only know by the gear indicator on the dash

INTERIOR
The Panamera inside is very refined and luxurious withuot being over the top - lovely German elegance - as good as or better than the Mercs. Bluetooth and Navigation are light years better than the MB. Seats are great as is dash. There is an annoying reflection on the windshield from the dash mounted clock/chrono bezel.

EXTERIOR
The overall look is still growing on me. It does not have that immediately appealing shape like the CLS. Make no mistake, the front is lovely - definite P-car silhouette, but the fat *** was very disturbing at first but I am slowly warming to it and the overall look is growing on me.

I am really enjoying mine, and I love driving it. I have debadged it totally so most people have no idea what it is, but those that do seem genuinely interested and enthusiastic.

Anyway - good luck with your decision - let us know what you decide to do

 

Umm...the Panamera isn't a sports car...in face a BMW 335i is more similar to a 911 carrera than a Panamera.

Panamera is best described as a Sports tourer -- its a great highway cruiser; and great status symbol!!

Amazing vehicle, but not a replacement for a 911. It doesn't have that same nimble, agile, tight feel that the 911 has. The Panamera is not as tossable -- all these things are for very obvious reasons: its very big, and was not designed to be a large 911; it has to be comfortable too.

It is however IMO way better than a 7 series (one very point, looks, drive, interior, status etc) and better than the S class (looks, exclusivity, drive) -- hence why we have one.

Certainly has very little to do with a 911. aspects of the 911's driving parameters (PASM, sport plus modes, chrono) have been added to the Panamera as sales gimmicks -- but this car is not supposed to be a 911, nor is it. Still best in class and MAN, does it ever have road presence.

It is such a unique shape, and its so new that people double back constantly to look at it! I had one guy stop blowing his snow just to stare at it. You'll never get that with an S class or A8, or 7.

 

TheRox - I agree with you on the sports tourer aspect, but I would suggest that the Panamera is much closer to MB's E and CLS class than it is to the S class in most aspects (other than price). Much closer in terms of length, weight, interior head room and leg room (especially in the back).

Nevertheless there are still some of us that like to have FUN with our grocery getters and daily drivers: - I autocrossed my E and CLS and took them both to the drag strip several times. Just for fun. But the minute you start getting near the 4,000 lb mark, no car is much fun around a track, way too destructive to brakes and tires.

 

I traded an 09 C2S PDK for a P2S and have had major mixed emotions about it. I love the P2S as it's roomy, powerful and catches more attention than a C2S ever will. Interior is top-notch, the car is rock solid, Sport Chrono and Air Suspension allow me to adapt the driving experience to the current situation (read: whether the wife is in the car) and I have tons of room for more than 1 passenger.

But those are exactly the reasons that make me yearn for my Sports Car again...it was small, (still) powerful, NIMBLE, and didn't catch much attention as 911s/Boxsters are a dime a dozen around here. I also LOVE the sound of that flat-6 coming from BEHIND me. Never been much for the rumble of a V8. I actually brought my P2S in for a few TSBs this week and was so excited to drive a base Cayman PDK for a few days.

All told, the Panamera has been a fantastic compromise for the family life, but it's still been a compromise. I love it...don't plan on getting rid of it...but will be buying a Porsche SPORTS CAR the moment this one is paid off (yes, I do plan on keeping it).

If you want a Sports Car, stick with the 911. If you NEED a passenger car and want a sporty feeling, go to the Panamera.

 

thanks for your assessment on the C2S vs PS> If you dont mind asking - what TSB's was your PS called in for? And when was your car purchased? Have not received anything from Porsche myself, so merely curious. Much appreciated.

 

I was in at my Dealer to check on my newly installed H&R Sport Springs and they made me aware of two TSB's for my Panamera S - WA55 a computer update and WA65 which changes out the drain tip on the A/C condensation line (the oe tip was apparently too restrictive and holding water in the line). Dealer said that both are not critical so they are taking care of them when you bring your car in for normal service. I'm taking mine in this Friday for both.

 

Those were 2 of them, the other was related to preventing leaves from covering the holes that allow rain/water to drain. I called in because my PCM went through a brief spell of constant rebooting (it stopped before the TSB was applied). My car was built late 2009.

Back to the original topic...All I want for Christmas is...

 

This car is a great daily driver. You will not regret it. It could use a bit more power, but the tranny and AWD make up for it. Not bad for a big car though. The handling is great and the looks will grow on you. Trust me....

 

I came out of a S63 into a P4S - the P4 is way more fun to drive but unless you get the Turbo you will certainly miss the extra 100 HP.

If I had to do over the only choice would be the Panamera Turbo.

As for build quality compared to the Mercedes there is no comparison - the MB is far better in every aspect as far as I'm concerned. It wil take Porsche a few more years to step up and deliver cars that are meant to be daily drivers.