Trying to decide on which suspension options to chose on a V6 build.I've driven a S model with PASM and then a Turbo with PASM + Air Suspension. I understand that the PASM/Air package gives you the most choices in suspension settings, but for me a comfortable ride is most important. If I had a car with PASM/Air I would keep it set on Comfort 95% of the time. The S with PASM on "Comfort" was a great ride as was the Turbo set to "Comfort". Here's my question - Is the base suspension on a V6 basically a "Comfort" ride at all times? Is the ride quality of PASM on "Comfort" better than a base setup? Does Air enhance the ride or just raise an lower the vehicle for the condition? I also am leaning towards 20" wheels and have read that without PASM+Air the 20s ride very harsh. Hope some of you guys that know about all 3 suspension configurations can clear this up for me. If a base suspension with 19s will give me the ride I'm looking for, I will direct that money to other options such as sound systems, seats and leather.

Thanks

 

PASM is standard on the S model. Air suspension definitely makes the ride more comfortable. I have the 20" Turbo II on mine and when i'm driving alone, I tend to leave the suspension in Sport as sometimes it's too soft.

 

comfort to me also means a little less handling. this is a big heavy car and I like the option of sport suspension also.

If money is not a problem I would get the air suspension, I dont think you will regret it.

tom

 

+1 Air suspension all the way.

 

I would say the steel sprung car feels like "normal" in a air suspension Panamera. The car is still very comfortable and even though I ended up getting a car with PASM, I would be happy daily driving a steel sprung Panamera.

The new Cayenne on the other hand really needs PASM, the steel sprung car can be a really rough ride at times.

 

Air suspension! So much nicer and lowering so much easier, just a module to lower it. They even have a kit that you can control the height from your iPhone.

 

One of the biggest things I regret not getting is the air suspension. I'd love to lower it, but I think it may be too harsh a ride for the rest of the family. It's infinitely better looking dropped too.

 

And to get back to the OP, mine is a steel-sprung S model on 20s and I'd consider it just a touch firmer than I would subjectively consider "normal". If an E550 were at one end of the spectrum, and an M3 at the other, I would say it fell right in the middle.

 

MPac, Doesn't your S model have PASM as standard equipment? If so, with Normal selected aren't you riding on a coil spring and a variable hydraulic shock with the valving set to a softer ride? A base steel spring car would have only the coil spring and the fixed shock absorber, right? If the coil springs are the same, the only difference would be in the shock absorber. A fixed unit vs. a variable one. Adding air suspension would replace the steel coil spring with the air spring, but does that result in a more comfortable ride or just height adjustment? Bear with me, I'm just trying to get my head around these suspension options before I order.

Sidenote: Dealer informed me only Platinums can be ordered now and they have PASM standard. Adding air would be the choice I would have to make.

 

Your description is spot-on. I suppose the term "steel-sprung implies a completely passive suspension, which PASM is not. After reading Porsche's description of their adaptive air suspension, it sounds to me that it does 3 things:

1) level the car regardless of load
2) adjust ride height
3) change spring rate

Of the three, #3 is what you're probably most concerned with. The spring rate determines how much it compresses with a given weight/force. We could presume that the steel coil springs have a spring rate within the range of what the air springs are capable of. Since you're primarily interested in one end of the spectrum, the question would be if the spring rate of the steel coils are toward the firm end or the soft end. Having said that, the biggest variance would be if it fell right in the middle of the air coils' spring rate, which would then distill the question to: is it worth the $x to get air suspension for the (air spring rate / 2) difference plus the less-important-to-you(?) benefits of leveling and ride height adjustment?

Here's the original text:

The Panamera S Hybrid and the Panamera Turbo models are equipped with adaptive air suspension and PASM as standard. This combined system enhances both driving dynamics and comfort at the same time. For all other Panamera models, adaptive air suspension is available as an option.

It comprises a levelling system, a manual lift function, ride-height adjustment capability and the ability to vary the spring rate. The purpose of the levelling system is to automatically keep the vehicle level constant, regardless of load distribution. For manoeuvring, the manual lift function enables you to raise the vehicle body by 20 mm to minimise the risk of grounding, e.g. when entering garages.* When you select the ‘SPORT PLUS’ chassis programme, the height of the body automatically drops to Low Level (–25 mm). At the same time, a harder spring rating is achieved through a reduction in the amount of air stored in the air suspension. In simple terms, it’s a sports chassis at the push of a button.