I'm first on the list at my BMW dealer for the upcoming F10 M5 (prob close to 600 HP, est. $90K MSRP, with options probably just over $100K). I'm also seriously considering the Panamera 4S. The Panamera is listing pretty high at $117,850 with the following: Black with Two-tone Marsala Red/Cream, Bose Pkg, Park Assist with camera, Monochrome black, Porsche entry and drive, Sport chrono plus, PDCC and Adaptive Air, PDK, 19" Panamera Turbo wheels with all-season tires, 5mm spacers, Heated steering wheel, Ventilated 14 way seats. I'll also pay another $1,500 for the Techart paddles on the multifunction wheel.

I'm a certified Porsche Instructor and I race, and I'm looking for a really responsive car that I can have some fun with on the back roads. I also need an excellent hwy cruiser as well. I've got almost 120,000 miles on my E60 M5 so I'll drive this car a lot.

Is the Panamera worth the extra $'s??

 

The Pana is a sportscar (with 2 more doors as usual). The M5 is legendary but it is and will always be a pimped 5-series, a sporty GT.
The HP advantage of the M5 is significant tho, it is clearly in Panamera Turbo territory.

P.S. Why the 4S with AWD? I think the S is probably a bit more fun on the track and it is a tad cheaper.

 

You're right on the S vs 4S and this is actually one of the biggest reasons I'm looking at the Panamera. I've driven my M5 for 5 winters now, and of course it has to have snow tires once the temp gets below 40F. So, for 5 months out of the year here in Cincinnati, I'm driving a high performance sedan on tires that make it feel like a Buick. It doesn't snow much here, so 95% of the time I'm driving on clear roads. I also drive north a fair amount, and I'll have to put 400lbs in the trunk to get decent traction if the weather is really bad. I've tried all the top snow tires for the car, and the Pirelli Sottozero's are the best so far, and if I get them in the OEM size they are OK, but I'm still driving a different car almost half the year.

With the Panamera 4S I'm getting the 19's with all-weather tires and I would drive the car with that setup all year round.

 

This might not be the review you are looking for but my father has a Panamera TT and I have the F10 550 M sport.

My father drives about 120 miles daily and I drive about 100 miles daily. It might be cause of my "maturing age" but every year this commute gets more brutal on my body. I used to commute in the 997 911, then my Cayenne GTS and now my 550i. I always equated the word smooth and soft riding with such hatred and disdain it was just gross. I can appreciate what I bought the 550 for: a good commuter, great riding, all the technology in the world with the side/top view cameras, heated/vented seats, adjustable suspension, safe, decent handling, excellent speed and the ability to hold a conference call in the car without too much outside noise disturbance. But you have to realize this car gained a ton of weight doing so. It feels obese when trying to make quick and sharp inputs. I have a certified truck scale at my yard and this car came in 4100 pounds half tank. That is about 200 more then an E60 on a FULL tank!

I went to a drivers event before the Panamera came out and got to drive the S and Turbo on the track. This car is simply amazing. If my commute was a bit shorter, drove on better roads and could live with the extra attention, I would of got this. It just simply drives like an athletic sprinter. I do 90% highway and I get an overall 21MPG (my calcs not the cars electronics). My father, who is also a pretty aggressive driver gets 22MPG overall. Thats pretty impressive if you ask me...

 

I'm impressed with the 120K miles on the E60 M5. I'm considering a switch from the M5 also, but with 26K on mine, I think I may be able to keep it much longer if you have yours running at 120K.

Let us know what you decide on.

 

I have to tell you, the car is running like new (knock on wood). This car has been on the track and dragstrip dozens of times, but it was retired a couple years ago. The V10 engine is a marvel - the best mass produced engine ever built IMO. I just love the response, the ride, the handling and it's got all the options so it really is a luxury car. My problem with the upcoming F10 is the same as Fkim011's comment - it could be obese. Thanks for the input on the handling of the 5-series vs the Panamera - I've noted the same thing.

The problem is the F10 M5 will be built on the 5-series chassis, and BMW has actually gone back to an all-steel design from a part aluminum to save $'s. The Porsche started with a goal of minimal weight and that's why they can get a 4wd car to weigh the same as my E60 and probably 300 lbs less than the F10 M5.

 

The new M5 will be a sweet car but the big issue i see is AWD. You need it. The e60 had no traction in hot weather with high performance tires, so cold weather must be tough. Since you are looking for responsivness the panny S will be better than the F10 (no turbos). The comfort settings and quiet cabin in the Porsche make it my choice. I had a modded e39 and e60 and love the PTT. Even on the track.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag9ExBvbY8U

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoIt-V4FvQs

 

Actually, there are strong rumors circulating the internet that the new M5 will be offered with AWD as well as the standard RWD. Gasp! That may throw an additional curve at your decision making process....

 

True. But the curb weight of the 550ix is 4,519 and the M5 AWD will be heavier. I can't see myself driving a 4,600 lb 'performance sedan'.

 

????


Panamera is a status GT Car. It is NOT a sports car by any measure. A BMW 3 series is a more engaging car than a Panamera.

Panamera is bought b/c it probably will have better handling and badge status than the M5 with its turbo engine.

Panamera can be tracked in that sense...but its not a 911 or Cayman. FOr obvious reasons, but comes closer than any other car to that mark.

 

How did you end up n Oiho of all places.

 

It's been a tough place to live for the last 6 years, but I'll always fly the colors.

Go Blue!

 

Took my Turbo to VIR on a surprise trip. 2 other guys in the practice took their 2010 AMG E63 and a 2011 Cayman R respectively. The Panny handled the AMG and the Cayman R got destroyed!!! Upon getting out the brand new Cayman owner who just returned from Germany after taking delivery for a few weeks said "I should have listened to you and waited on the new 911" Panny is a much better track car than the Cayman, not even close. VIR is very twisty in some sections so I thought the Cayman would perform better than it did.

 

Just cruising the Panamera forums to see what I am missing; actually in the market for a 2012 Cayenne. The Panamera is quite a car, however. I hope you enjoy your purchase regardless of your decision.

As to tOSU, I believe change is in the wind. Go Blue.

 

Optho, dont mean to nitpick but VIR is not the place to compare the Panny TT with the Cayman R.

VIR has 3 of the longest straights in road racing, (5th gear + on all three for most cars - Only Road America comes close), and comparing 500+ HP to 360HP more than compensates for the weight difference. Uphill esses are flat, so its really only T1, Nascar3, T4/5 Oaktree and Hogpen where the Cayman has an advantage, the rest of the track its being crushed by straightline speed.

Now take both to Barber and I suspect you will see a very diffrerent picture.

I dont have a dog in this hunt but VIR does not shed any light on this comparison