Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

As you may know, I like big driving holidays and will always take the car rather than fly if it’s remotely possible. For this reason I’ve always liked the idea of the Panamera, a true trans-continental sports saloon.

With the intrigue in my mind, I put my 997 in for some warranty work after our last Euro trip and took out a Panamera Diesel for a couple of days. I really enjoyed the change actually!

I’m afraid I didn’t take any photos of the actual car but I’m sure you all know what one looks like and if you don’t, here’s a similar one:





Interior Front:


The Panamera is a fantastic place to sit. For such a big car it cossets you with the high centre console and low driving position, very sports car like. It’s extremely comfortable and well appointed, you want for nothing.

Interior Rear:


Two individual seats, this obviously divides opinion and the potential usage of the car. For us it’s great with only two kids, the option of a middle seat probably wouldn’t have killed anyone! For me though, it makes the car that bit more special than your BMW, Mercedes etc and adds to the appeal. If I had another child though (God forbid!), I wouldn’t be as enthusiastic!

Rear passengers have fully independent and 3 way adjustable climate control each side just like the front together with heated seats and plenty of storage options. I believe you can even specify adjustable seats in the rear!
I can sit very comfortably in the rear with the front seat placed to my liking and I’m 6ft and on the larger side (powerfully built company director ) and enjoyed travelling in the back. The front seats are very narrow in the back which gives an exceptional view out of the front of the car also.

My 11 year old son however did point out that the piano black trim and all the buttons and flip out storage areas would be broken in no time between him and his 8 year old brother! Great!

The boot is a decent size and would just about fit our mad springer spaniel in it I reckon and some luggage but would be more than ample for just the family and touring luggage. The floor however is a little high and the threshold also a bit high leaving not much height in it to be honest. Perfectly useable though.

The powerplant is a 3.0 V6 turbo diesel which even at 250bhp is [and I can’t quite believe I’m saying this] is more than up to the job of hauling this beast around. Plenty of torque gives lots of shove and overtaking possibility. Make no mistake, this is not slow, I’d describe it as a quick car.

The gearbox, although perfectly matched to the car (8 speed tiptronic with paddle shift) is not my preference but works very well with the package. I would prefer a manual but suspect it would actually spoil the diesel version of the car.

Overall I did around 300 miles in the couple of days I had the car, half on the motorway, half on very narrow B roads. On the motorway, as expected it’s brilliant and my passengers also were impressed with it. I could also hustle it down bumpy, narrow b roads with ease, the car just shrinks around you.

Giving the car a good workout most of the time, we averaged over 36mpg which I think is awesome.
The big thing is this though. Would I replace my 911 with it?

I thought long and hard about this given my family situation. Both my boys want me to change from the 911 due to rear seat accommodation. My wife and I both prefer the 911 as a drive. Therefore we stick with the 911! The only rational reasoning I can apply to this is asking myself the question “Would I get up early at the weekend just to go for a drive?” 911 yes, Panamera I don’t think so.

If I’d tested this before I looked at the 997 after having had the 996 I would probably have bought it. Now the 997 is here, it’s a definite step up from the 996 and I’m glad I went that way now. It’s unbelievable to say it but it really is that close (with the caveat of my situation). Obviously as outright cars without any external factors it’s 911 every time!

Taking the example of a European tour, this Panamera makes a lot of sense. Getting on for 700 miles range, diesel being cheaper in Europe are difficult factors to ignore. However, for me it comes down to the fact that I need a pee every 150 miles and the rest of the mileage in this country, diesel is more expensive.

Therefore, impressive as the diesel is, it would be a manual V8 for me!

The answer to the whole conundrum though turned out to be obvious after two days thinking. When the Panamera reaches £25k in a couple of years, we get one to compliment the 997. Easy

Interesting comparison, I agree they will be a bargain in a few years.

I can't help feeling that they will follow a similar pattern to the 928. Lots of gizmos being expensive to fix and more difficult to DIY spanner than the 928.

I guess you're probably right there Sean, it's a complicated car.

I suppose in a couple of years time with a two year warranty thrown in it should be OK but in 10-15 years time there could be big trouble!

You pair of old farts
I remember my Dad saying to me he wouldn't buy a certain car because it had electric windows and think of it when they go wrong...

garyw

Paul a very good read thanks..... still think the overall design leaves a little to be desired, but as you point out the driving and specifications are impressive...... and 36mpg!!!!!!!

Thanks Gary

Andrew, you're right but the car does look much better in the flesh, believe me. And anything that achieves 36mpg with me in the main chair has got to be a bit special!

I thought 36mpg was a typo

I was lucky enough to take part in the Panamera challenge at Silverstone, where the winning team won a trip to the Ice school.
We were cheated out of the win obviously but part of the event was an hours drive out in a Panamera and we were given the diesel version..
After an hours pre-set route the car returned 50mpg- yes fifty!! the drive wasn't the most exciting I've ever been on but I can confirm that they are most comfy in the back
Another part of the day was drifting a GT3 RS around the low friction area- a point for every bend drifted around..
If you see it advertised next year - just do it!

garyw

Hi Paul

Thanks for the interesting read

If it had been the Petrol S Turbo...(which are meant to have huge amounts of power)...would it have made any difference in the discussion about keeping the 911 ?

All the best Brett

Gary I'll definitely keep a look out for that one, sounds great.

Brett, I'm definitely not going to be test driving a turbo for that very reason! Oh and the fact I can't afford it

I'd also anticipate that these cars, all the variants, are going to see some big and fast depreciation at some point so need to keep on the right side of that to avoid tears at bedtime!

My boss has recently got a Pana 4, nearly got it for a week as he wanted to use my S Max to go on holiday in, but last minute change of plan scuppered that

been seriously considering chopping in the KN for a Pana turbo;
still just too high in price though;
Had every version on test;
for me it would be either the turbo or the Diesel;
boot space is a bit of an issue coming from the KN too, but not a blocker

driving dynamics are great for a car thsi size, and the long range cruise is nothing short of spectacular
not selling the GT3(s) though...

Have had a panamera 4s for 2 years. I drove it to Spain + back up in summer and it never missed a beat.It's not bad on fuel on motorways. Too many buttons on dash, think I counted about 80 separate ones. Still think it looks fugly side on.

does it feel like a sports car though or just another german sports saloon?

To be fair, you could say that about any car nowadays.