Hi Folks,

I've had the 2011 Panny for almost 2 years now. Have loved the car but find the storage is lacking. Since leasing the car, we had a baby. The rear seat is great and holds the car seat perfectly. The problem I have though is that once I put the stroller in the hatch, there is little room for much else. Yes, we have my wife's GL450 but I don't enjoy driving that around town.

My previous car, a BMW 550i, had a huge trunk in comparison.

The other issue I have is that I'm getting tired of tip-toeing around the car in the garage because it leaves hardly any room on the driver's side and the front of the car to maneuver around. The S4 is a shorter car of course and would provide more space. I recently was given a new C250 for a loaner during service and it was so nice to have extra room in the garage without having to worry about luggage, bags or groceries being dragged on the car.

My dealer is a Mercedes, Porsche, Audi dealer and they're basically giving me a trade value for the car equal to the buy out on it so I can walk away clean. I'm also thinking now is a good time because the 2014s haven't been released yet and once they do, I'm sure the 2011 will depreciate further.

The A6 isn't of much interest to me and I'd probably just rather keep the Panny. Not really interested in a Cayenne either considering we already have a large SUV and will be replacing the GL450 with a 2014 Range Rover Sport that's on order. The E class just seems boring and I feel the S4 would be more desirable than the C class. I'm not looking at a C63 because I want the same or better fuel efficiency as the Panny. A Tesla Model S would be of interest but then I'd need to sell the Panny myself.

Anyone have a similar experience or have any recommendations? My wife thinks I'm crazy but she doesn't understand that if I keep the car the remaining 15 months that are remaining in the lease, the car will continue to depreciate and I'll end up paying over mileage fees.

Perhaps I'm just crazy...

 

It's your money.... so it's ultimately up to your choice/preference.

I'd check out the 6 Gran Coupe though....

Edit...

Oh, you want a a smaller car. M5!

 

If you are under 35, consider the S4....if not, move on and fine something else in the BMW realm if you must. It's a "ricky racer" car.... Go hug your wife, and she clearly has some good common sense!!

 

Compared to your Panamera, I think you would be disappointed in the S4 after not very long. The S4 is a very capable vehicle, but not in the same league as your Porsche in my opinion.

 

+1 to that

 

+911

I had a 2012 S4 for a little over a year ... found it very bland, getting rid of it.

I am picking up a V6 Panamera instead, I really like it.

 

Thanks for the replies!

I traded the Panny in on Friday for an S4. Loving it and not missing the Panny at all. Test Drove the S4 for a good 30 min or so and then drove my Panny again. I know the new car is the right one when I don't prefer my own car during this test.

Much more room in the garage that always bothered me as well as more space in the trunk with a stroller in it.

I'm sure I'll be back to the Porsche family when my daughter is older, however.

 

Give it a few weeks....you'll experience regrets .... :-)

Seriously, enjoy the new car in good health

 

Glad to hear you're enjoying the S4. I suppose I'm in the minority that would agree with you on the trade

 

The S4 is a great car. So is a 335ix although more bland in styling.

Interestingly, I acquired my 335d from a couple that had a 2nd baby and needed more room in the back seat.

Talk about a blatant misrepresentation.

 

My wife moved another state to take care our business and took the G37 with her. Plus we are planning to have baby when she moves back, that's why we picked the Panny S.
We have a TL but it's small for a family car. The S4 is even smaller than the TL I think. The Panny is roomy, has ton to space, moves like a sport car when you need it ().
I think Audi's styling is blank and easily outdated, except for the R8.

 

They have the executive coming out but i think they only added leg room. I haven't seen it in real life yet.

 

I saw the executive this weekend in the dealership...as you state, the only differences I could ascertain was the extra 6" or so of legroom in the rear. It made the car look more like a "maybach" style frankly, unless you are going to be chauffeured in it, does not seem worth it.

As stated before, I have the '13 GTS, and just love it!

 

As the owner of both an S4 and a Panamera (albeit a 4S), that's not a trade I would have done... but best of luck with the new car- a tune really opens it up.

 

Did it intrude on the trunk?

I ask because a good friend opted for a Cayenne over the Panny due to the limited trunk space for golf bags, projects, etc.