I'm the new guy and look forward to being a part of the forum. I plan to buy a 2010-2011 Panamera within the next week and need some advice quick.

I am looking for one still under factory warranty at least with enough time/mileage left for me to make sure there are no underlying issues. I definitely want the V-8 and the turbo is out of my price range.

Now the main question to S or 4S ?? I am leaning towards the 4S, but need guidance. I live in the Atlanta area so winters aren't really a factor however we get a lot of rain. Is this something that should be a deal breaker if I find the color, options, miles, and price that I like?? I am really torn on this aspect. What are the advantages/disadvantages?

What are the "must have" options? I know it's to each their own, but I am a rookie with the Porsche brand and don't want to end up with regrets. For example, Sport Chrono package plus, Adaptive Air Suspension...are these the way to go? What are the functions of each? I have read up on them, but would like real world examples etc. I know I want front seat ventilation as it gets hot here in the south. I really want the 20" 911 Turbo II wheels. Adds a lot to the look in my opinion. I would like to have the adaptive cruise control, but haven't found one on the used market with this feature yet. I definitely want the rear camera with front/rear park assist. Is a heated steering wheel standard? Is the rear spoiler standard? Does the rear spoiler retract on all models? What controls this?

I have found one that has peaked my interest. The main thing holding me back on it is it's a "S," not 4S. Otherwise it has plenty of warranty left. No accidents or paint work. Sport Chrono Package Plus, Adaptive Air Suspension, 20" Turbo II Wheels, Front Seat Ventilation, Bluetooth, Park Assist with Rear Camera, Variable Assist Power Steering, Burmester Stereo, XM, Birch Anthracite Interior, Universal Audio Interface, Black Full Leather, Crest Front Headrests.

I would probably jump on this one because it is my top two color choice and has the options I mainly want. But....it's not the 4S...just S. And the seller is going to have to come down some more on the price, but you get my dilemma I hope.

I read somewhere that on some Panameras it isn't full leather? What's the deal with this? Is the Birch Anthracite real wood?

So please chime in. What options are you glad you have? What options do you wish you would have gotten? And the BIG question S or 4S or is it even that big of a deal? I'm sure I have forgot to ask some questions that I have thought up over the past week or so while shopping. Thanks for your time and I hope this thread blows up with guidance!!

Almost forgot....just how good is the Burmester stereo system?

 

Welcome!

The Burmester is awesome and sport chrono plus is a must. Any additional options are great but I would probably be happy without, especially for options with aftermarket alternatives like exhaust. I do really like the pdcc and ptv, but I suspect I really wouldnt miss them if I didnt have them.

If it were me, I would be happy with 2wd in Atlanta. Just use good sense in the rain.

 

It all comes down to your affordability. 4 or 4S, sports chrono or not - in normal driving conditions they are practically similar. Options and trims are bragging rights. If you mind, go for the highest trimmed Panny you can, so you don't have to regret afterwards.

You you don't mind, it comes down to which car gets you the best deal.

 

I am surprised at the small number of used 2010-2011 Panamera 4S's on the market.

 

Hmmm….that car has too many options to ignore. Sounds like mine, I have all those options plus the Alcantara headliner and shift ****. The Burmester sound is ridiculous and the Full Leather with 14-way seats is a must! I have the ‘S’. I test drove a 4S b4 I got the S…not that much diff if you ask me. Besides, you live in ATL so you don’t need it. If the seller is willing to come down more I suggest you get it pending a Carfax and PPI of course.
I absolutely love mine. I got it as my ‘weekend’ car but now it’s my DD.
Good luck man!

 

Appreciate all the advice. I hope to find/get one within a week. We shall see. I am aggressively looking.

 

"Within a week"???
Man, please don't rush. There are a bunch of new listings daily on Cars.com and the PorscheUSA pre-owned car locator http://www.porsche.com/usa/approvedu...ator/panamera/

Take your time!

 

I should have been more clear. It would be nice to find the car I want with the options and price within a week, but I will definitely take my time. I don't want to end up with regrets. Thanks for the link.

 

I agree completely. I wanted a 4S and got lucky...found it at the dealer while there doing test drives. My must haves would include the Chrono and PASM. The fact that you found a pre-owned S with these AND Burmester and the other options you mentioned is extraordinary. Trust me, someone is going to claim this car.

 

Which options are "critical" really depend on how you use the car.

Both of my cars have been 4wd, since it's my ski car.

4wd adds cost, weight and complexity. The trade off is better traction in rain and snow. Traditionally, people think of the 2 wheel system as being more performance oriented... but the turbo, turbo s and GTS - all the performance versions of the Panamera - are all 4 wheel drive. I've driven both, both drive well. For me 4wd was the only choice, but if I didn't ski I might have had a 2wd version.

My 4S had parking sensors but didn't have the back-up camera. My GTS has the camera. I would have loved to have had that on the 4S - but since I didn't I learned to live without it. Now that I have it, I find I seldom look at it. But if you're not already accustomed to the dubious rear visibility in a Panny, then by all means get the camera. All things considered, I really think it should come standard on all Panameras.

My 4S had air suspension, as does the GTS. I think it's excellent. The ride is terrific. You can adjust the suspension for standard, sports or sports plus. Each setting becomes more responsive, and sports plus lowers the car another couple of centimeters. You can also raise the suspension for bumps, driveways, or deep snow.

The 4S didn't have sports chrono - the GTS does. The stopwatch is pretty useless, I think, but it brings with it a sports plus setting for the throttle response and transmission, as well as launch control. It's nice having it but I wouldn't miss it if I didn't have it. Launch control is useless - this is NOT a stoplight dragster. The improved throttle response and quicker shifting are nice on a canyon or mountain road, but I don't get much use from it.

I had the anthracite birch wood interior in the 4S - carbon fiber in the GTS. The wood is genuine and suited the car - and the carbon fiber suits the sportier GTS. Nice, but hardly essential.

Both the 4S and GTS have/had Bose stereos. They sound fine to me. I've read that Burmester is exceptional, but I've never heard one in person so don't have an opinion. I doubt I'd pay that much extra for it.

My 4S had multifunction steering wheel with buttons, as does my GTS. I'm familiar with the paddles, though, because my last couple of 911's have had them. I wouldn't want the 911 without paddles because that's my DE/AX car, but for my cruiser (any Panny) I prefer the multifunction wheel. The shift buttons don't bother me.

ALL Panameras have automatic retracting spoilers. It extends at around 65 mph, and retracts around 50 mph. There's a button on the console that lets you extend it all the time, if that strikes your fancy.

Other big-buck options include carbon ceramic brakes and PDCC, the trick suspension that prevents the car from leaning in a turn. I've never had the ceramics - too rich for me. I have the trick suspension (PDCC) on my 911. I suppose it would be nice on the Panamera but the car handles fantastically well without it.

Wheels are purely a matter of personal taste. I've had the 20" Spyder wheels for summer rims on both my Panameras. I had 18" wheels for winter on the 4S. Those won't fit over the big brakes on the GTS, so I now have a set of 19" winter wheels for it.

I had the 14 way seats on the 4S and now have the 18 way sport adaptive seats in both my GTS and my 911. The adaptive seats are terrific. I wish I'd had them in the 4S. Heated and/or cooled seats are purely a matter of personal convenience based on your location. I like the heated seats for skiing. If I was in the deep south I'd want the cooled seats as well.

My 4S had a standard exhaust - the GTS has sports exhaust. The GTS sounds WAY better!!

No Panamera (except maybe the turbos) comes with a FULL leather interior. It's an option, and both of my cars have had it. Although in the GTS many of the surfaces are Alcantara, which I like better than leather.

Even if you get a "full leather" interior, there are still lots of things that won't be leather unless you pay extra for them. IIRC leather is a $5K option, but you can spend several thousand $ more to get EVERYthing in leather.

I hope this helps!

DMoore
'13 Panamera GTS
'13 Carrera S

 

Update.... First all thanks for the advice and information. I am really leaning towards the S described in my original post. Has all the options I want except its a S not 4S. In addition it has a 100K warranty with only 44K current miles. That is definitely comforting. Haven't pulled the trigger yet, but am real close.

 

crocketthood check your visitor message

 

This is a great write up, agree with everything you pointed out. I have the '14 PGTS with the alcantara and agree like it better than the full leather in my 911 4S. My PGTS has all the options you mention, carbon (std), multi function, PDCC, but no ceramic nor burmester (too pricey for the incremental improvement).

 

My Panamera should be here Saturday. Thanks for all the advice guys.

 

Terrific! So, did you get that S? Congrats!