Drove the "base" 3.6l V-6 today, all I got to say is....
 

WOW, what a great engine!! Powerful, great torque, smooth power band.

I cant believe how well this car drives for its size with this engine!

Honestly, for 99% of panny owners I cant see why you would ever want or need anything more??

(people on this forum dont count!!)

wow....seriously Tom? that is impressive... I have not driven any variant other than the GTS, but it is so intoxicating, I cannot imagine being happy with anything other than this one, or the PTS baby!

I completely agree with you Tom.

I would go out on the limb and say, if you were to do a blind sampling test between the V6 and the NA V8, it would be hard to differentiate the difference between them.

I do agree with this statement, however...

When first looking at the Panamera I originally drove the V6 and thought it was impressive for a V6, but not great overall. It could move reasonably fast but it felt like it was at its limit doing so. Then I tried out a GTS and found the performance I would expect for that type of car. I bought a GTS.

My GTS has been in the shop for a week and I have a V6 loaner. I still find a very big difference in their performance. I notice the V6 laboring at going up hills and doing things like making a quick left turn before oncoming traffic that I would never even notice in the GTS.

yeah, ah you dont count, you would be crushed with the V-6, totally quiet. I was trying to give Porsche kudos cause I was surprised at how proficient the engine really was. Darn close to V-8 I agree.

no were close to the visceral feel of the GTS or the sterile power of a turbo but come on guys it still for 99% pretty darn good!

just a thought:rolleyes:

Thanks for the post.. You have a baseline of experience in a higher performance Panamera, so your opinion is valued

I am one who went from a 2011 S to the 2013 V6 Platinum... I was hesitant going from the V8 to the V6, but I am actually very satisfied with the V6 after driving it for a six weeks.

For 90% of my daily driving the V6 is perfect... Its a great power band for city driving, and it is smooth and responsive, although from time to time I might miss just a bit of the V8's grunt when I am doing a highway passing drill. My mileage is about 5 mpg better with the V6, and I also think it handles as well -- or even better than my S because its a bit lighter in the front end (note that both of my cars had same 20" wheels)

By the way, the 2013 version of the tranny has a better balanced gearing than the 2011 version that I drove when I first leased my Panamera S.. I did not like the V6 as much at that time---but the 2013 feels more responsive.

I should also comment that most people do not even notice I changed cars... The only folks who know the difference are Porsche owners and a few enthusiasts.

By the way, the base V6 in the 2014 is supposed to gain 10 HP and get even quicker.....

I agree that for highway driving and simple daily driving around town the V6 is great. If you had no experience driving any other flavor of panamera it would more the suffice. I had one as a loaner recently, it was nice. Certainly I like my GTS better, but V6 is good car; just needs 20s though.

When I bought my V6 I purposely only test drove this first....if I was happy with it I was not even going to tease myself with trying out any other the higher models bc it was out of my budget. Only problem was as they were putting on my new plate on the lot, this GTS starts his car up right beside me....drool!

you are still ok swap out your mufflers:)

Uh. I have done a back to back and u can definitely feel a diff. But the base car is more than enough to have fun and enjoy. Extremely competent. And given its not a sports car, why do you need more? If its going to be your only P car, then get the S or IMO the GTS is the best car in the platform. But if you have another sports car not sure why you would NEED more. Now if money is not object well.....

Any recommendations on which mufflers to get that won't burn a hole in the pocket. Getting married soon and wedding costs are holding me down...scared that after the wedding I'm going to have the chains on ...haha

dont want to blow your wedding money. I would keep an eye out on ebay they pop up all the time. as for make, honestly yours is so quite and restrictive any major brand name would be a HUGE difference in sound.

for cheap you could delete the resonator pipe and replace it with Fabspeeds X pipe, they also have a good V-6 muffler. Vivid has some nice choices also.

good luck with the car and marriage!!

Spend like there is no tomorrow as marriage indeed bringeth the handcuffs for the wallet. Upgrade your wheels, flash your ECU get carbon fiber hood before its too late!!! Lol. Jk. Congrats. I think tubi is the best balance of tone and quality

I was also impressed by the base model when I drove my first Panamera... The trick is to not drive the others, and live in the bliss. lol!

Once you're tainted by the GTS, Turbo, or Executive, etc..., it's game over.

Best advice that I can give you is to either DO IT NOW BEFORE or have a stash money somewhere AFTER and use it wisely stupid (wisely as exhaust, ECU, wheels, body kits, etc... not the other wise ;))

Good luck with your plans and have a happily ever married life (or try to)hilarious