I've been lurking for a bit so I figured I'd register, introduce myself and ask some pertinent questions.

Name is Kunle and I'm coming from an Audi D3 S8 (v10) which met an unfortunate demise due to another negligent driver. In any case, I'm now looking for a replacement vehicle and the Panamera is high on my list.

Coming from the Audi I am thinking that I would prefer to have at least a 4 or 4S, but in retrospect my preview BMWs were all rear wheel drive, so its not necessarily a necessity.

In any case I'm very handy with regards to my vehicles and often invest in the right tools to minimize my visits to the dealer. With that said, I utilize Vag-Com on my Audis and I'm wondering if folks on here find DuraMetric to be a useful tool. If not what other alternatives do you use?

I was going to ask about the difference in gas consumption on the various models, but coming from a V10 I should probably just be happy I'll be saving $$...LOL.

In all my searches I haven't found anything that seems to be a grenade waiting to go with these cars, outside of the possibilities for the aluminum bolts on the cam backing out and possibly destroying the motor.

Thanks for any insight and I hope to be joining this club soon.

 

Welcome to the 6! I use Durametric and it is very handy especially when owning multiple Porsches. I'm not sure the V6 will suffice since you're coming from the V10. Have you driven a Panamera? Good luck with your search!

 

I also use Durametric (Enthusiast version) for resetting the maintenance/service reminders and clearing fault codes. If you expect to do more, investigate the Durametric Pro version. It does more, but not the more advance programming.

With the V8 on the GTS, I am seeing about 18mpg for mixed city and highway. Upwards of 24mpg to 25mpg at a steady highway pace. If you are aggressive, then more like 21mpg on the highway. If the car has the larger gas tank (26.5 gal), you'll have 500+ mile range with highway driving.

It is a great long distance cruiser and performs equally well on the twisties.

 

Hearing about the Durametric is good...and no I have not driven one yet, still in withdrawal from the Audi...

Not bad at all...considering the GTS is a unicorn of sorts we'll see what we find. I see you're in Delaware, is there a good crew of members around the PA/NJ/DE area...?

 

Aside from HP difference, engine on the "S" and "4S" are not significantly different than the GTS.

Have not been in DE very long and sorting it out. Start with your local PCA chapter. Also, local dealerships may sponsor events.

 

Much obliged.

 

I have a 2012 V6 and get 30 mpg on a flat road at altitude in Colorado and other high states

 

I have a 2010 4s and my MPG avg's around 19 when driving relatively conservatively (no track).

One thing to keep in mind is that the panny has a huge gas tank compared other vehicles in the class. If I remember right its tank is 5-6 gallons bigger than the S7/S8/7series/etc. Honestly the cost of gas is not the biggest cost of owning the car but not having to fill up as often is a huge convenience.

I would recommend getting a CPO or aftermarket warranty if you are going to get a Panamera as when things break they tend to be very expensive to fix.

 

Thanks for the insight 2thfxr & hammyton

 

I miss my s6 v10 dearly. Had similar situation, I actually had a cayenne gts at the same time, so I've been just driving that full time after I lost the Audi

If you want soul and similar feel get a panny gts. I go back on this all the time, but I think I will own another d3 s8 or c6 s6 within the next year or two. Just to big of a fan to not have one.

With that said you might be happy with a fully loaded 4s with the sporting features but if hold out for a gts , you'll enjoy that car for as long as you did with your s8. I do miss the v10 roar but the v8 sounds pretty good

 

Actually drove a 2010 Panny 4S today with the AWE Tuning exhaust and had a pretty good feeling. The handling on the Panny is heads and shoulders above my D3 S8, as well as the seating position and support.

Like you I'd like another D3 S8, but mine was special (Bang Olufsen, Carbon Fiber trim) and was female driven prior to me. So that search may be harder than it was years ago when I found it.

 

The 2010 4s will be a good deal and awe wakes up the car. I just would miss the suede and alcantara every where also the transmission is more aggressive in the gts as well as the suspension. I would test drive if you can find one

The s8 is more subdued more sure but as you know they are special.

If you are o.k with turbos a pre owned c7 S6 or S7 wth an awe exhaust and a tune is impossible to beat for the money. Not as much soul as the two aforementioned cars but your get the tech and handling is much improved over the d3 S8, it's almost like a mini d4 S8 wth better handling. No soul like the GTs of any Porwhe variant tho

 

Funny the Panny I'm looking at has the alcantara liner, and while I considered the S6, my issue with that is space. I'm 6'4" and my kids wouldn't fit comfortably, and while I like the S7 its no P-car.

 

I feel ya. I'm 6'4 230 lbs

So yeah s8 or panny with a v8, yes on alcantara headliner! With gts it's suede everywhere armrests, seats door panels. Is he deal good on the panny your are looking at?

Is is really that much bigger than a s6? How about a pre owned d4 s8 I've seen some in the 50s and 60s cpo

 

A couple of things.

1. I trust the guy I'm possibly buying the Panny from, this would be my 3rd car from him (D3 S8, E70 X5 for my mother) and he has to live me with me as a friend so I know the car is solid

2. The Panny is Basalt black on black with black trim (no wood)

3. I may be able to get the car with 45K miles for around $45K

While I had the bells on my D3 S8 including air suspension, alcantara everywhere, the only thing that this car is missing that I would have liked but are not must haves are rear automatic shades and rear seat heaters. But since I don't sit there and the car has light tint...I can get over that and so can my kids.