Considering a current gen Panamera 4s Diesel - a few Q’s
Discussion
Hi all
I’m considering a current gen Panny 4s diesel as a replacement for a 5 series that’s going back at end of a lease very soon. Prices are now new 5 series money for a 3 year old example with 20k on the clock which I think is good value for such a capable car. My slight worry is the whole diesel thing, but I think the car offers too much of a good package not to give it a try. Where else do you get tech, ride comfort, modernity, dynamics, and a V8 with 40mpg for under £50k. I don’t think petrol is so significantly better for the environment not to consider using diesel vehicles.
Just a few questions I hope others with experience of these cars can help with:
1. I’ll be buying used and probably outside of OPC network as there is much more choice, I see I can buy a third party warranty for around £800 per year which claims to cover almost everything. Is this nearly as good a combination as OPC buy with OPC warranty?
2. Does anybody know if a retractable/removable tow bar can be retrofitted to the saloon? (No real weight, just for a bike carrier)
3. What are the must have options for these cars? Air suspension I know about.
4. Just how comfortable is the ride on 21’s in comfort on air? My current gen 5 series is supposed to have fantastic ride quality according to reviews, but I don’t feel it’s great on 20” run flats. Will the panny improve on this?
5. Is rear wheel steer worth having or can it give a strange sensation as some reviews suggest?
6. Any independent finance recommendations, I’m looking for HP with balloon, with a decent deposit paid up front. I’ve been quoted 5.9% so far from magnitude which doesn’t seem very competitive given very low base rates at present.
Finally, are there any known issues with this model and or engine, or buying tips to look out for?
Thank you!
I’m considering a current gen Panny 4s diesel as a replacement for a 5 series that’s going back at end of a lease very soon. Prices are now new 5 series money for a 3 year old example with 20k on the clock which I think is good value for such a capable car. My slight worry is the whole diesel thing, but I think the car offers too much of a good package not to give it a try. Where else do you get tech, ride comfort, modernity, dynamics, and a V8 with 40mpg for under £50k. I don’t think petrol is so significantly better for the environment not to consider using diesel vehicles.
Just a few questions I hope others with experience of these cars can help with:
1. I’ll be buying used and probably outside of OPC network as there is much more choice, I see I can buy a third party warranty for around £800 per year which claims to cover almost everything. Is this nearly as good a combination as OPC buy with OPC warranty?
2. Does anybody know if a retractable/removable tow bar can be retrofitted to the saloon? (No real weight, just for a bike carrier)
3. What are the must have options for these cars? Air suspension I know about.
4. Just how comfortable is the ride on 21’s in comfort on air? My current gen 5 series is supposed to have fantastic ride quality according to reviews, but I don’t feel it’s great on 20” run flats. Will the panny improve on this?
5. Is rear wheel steer worth having or can it give a strange sensation as some reviews suggest?
6. Any independent finance recommendations, I’m looking for HP with balloon, with a decent deposit paid up front. I’ve been quoted 5.9% so far from magnitude which doesn’t seem very competitive given very low base rates at present.
Finally, are there any known issues with this model and or engine, or buying tips to look out for?
Thank you!
Can't comment on the warranty, as so many out there, each being different. OPC warranty ties you in to Porsche-priced tyres, brakes pads and other silliness though, so it's top, top-dollar going OPC.
I would have thought 21s would not do the ride any favours at all; although they might look good, it's all about unsprung weight and the weight goes up by the cube of the radius, so smaller is significantly better. I use 20s for summer and 19s for winter and the 19s feel noticeably better (tyres are different too, though).
Not sure about the diesel thing - not for me, thanks - but if you intend driving in/around big cities a lot, I would go hybrid instead.
But yes, they are fantastic cars.
I would have thought 21s would not do the ride any favours at all; although they might look good, it's all about unsprung weight and the weight goes up by the cube of the radius, so smaller is significantly better. I use 20s for summer and 19s for winter and the 19s feel noticeably better (tyres are different too, though).
Not sure about the diesel thing - not for me, thanks - but if you intend driving in/around big cities a lot, I would go hybrid instead.
But yes, they are fantastic cars.
Haven’t owned one but have driven one...they’re great cars but I wouldn’t own one without warranty because they’re expensive to fix like any other £100k car.
If you buy from an independent 3 months after purchase you can get a Porsche Warranty put on the car at any OPC. I think it may be possible to get a non-franchise dealer to do this before you buy it....get it included in the deal.
If they made the 4S diesel as a Sport Turismo I would have one on the drive. Engine is brilliant and has to be one of the best Diesel engines ever made...very smooth and not like a diesel at all.
If you buy from an independent 3 months after purchase you can get a Porsche Warranty put on the car at any OPC. I think it may be possible to get a non-franchise dealer to do this before you buy it....get it included in the deal.
If they made the 4S diesel as a Sport Turismo I would have one on the drive. Engine is brilliant and has to be one of the best Diesel engines ever made...very smooth and not like a diesel at all.
Had one on extended loan a couple of years ago.
Love the Diesel engine, latest EU spec, perfect performance delivery for normal driving, and 35mpg without trying. Even sounded pretty good, especially under acceleration.
Not completely convinced by the looks, it still feels like a big car around you, more so as you sit relatively low.
Think the one I had was on 21”s but iirc with air and pasm, so ride wasn’t too bad, but 20” would be better. Also the 21”s much easier to scuff. Mine had had a few marks and I managed to scrape the nsf despite huge care.
I’m a big fan of the Porsche Warranty and would definitely want it, and full PSH, on something like this. Many will have been extended at 3 years and any private vendor hoping to get a decent price would need to be selling it with the Porsche warranty for most buyers to have confidence.
Love the Diesel engine, latest EU spec, perfect performance delivery for normal driving, and 35mpg without trying. Even sounded pretty good, especially under acceleration.
Not completely convinced by the looks, it still feels like a big car around you, more so as you sit relatively low.
Think the one I had was on 21”s but iirc with air and pasm, so ride wasn’t too bad, but 20” would be better. Also the 21”s much easier to scuff. Mine had had a few marks and I managed to scrape the nsf despite huge care.
I’m a big fan of the Porsche Warranty and would definitely want it, and full PSH, on something like this. Many will have been extended at 3 years and any private vendor hoping to get a decent price would need to be selling it with the Porsche warranty for most buyers to have confidence.
RWS makes it more nimble down a country lane....it is definitely more noticeable on the Panamera that it is on my GT3. I suspect that’s a) length of wheelbase and b) has probably been refined. Panny was first Porsche with RWS. I wouldn’t go looking for it but I wouldn’t let it put me off a car either. There are other options I’d want....for me Adaptive Cruise is a must on a car like this, others wouldn’t care.
Cheib said:
RWS makes it more nimble down a country lane....it is definitely more noticeable on the Panamera that it is on my GT3. I suspect that’s a) length of wheelbase and b) has probably been refined. Panny was first Porsche with RWS. I wouldn’t go looking for it but I wouldn’t let it put me off a car either. There are other options I’d want....for me Adaptive Cruise is a must on a car like this, others wouldn’t care.
I've owned two of these latest Panameras, both Hybrids..The first was with RAS and the second one was without it..I'm a huge fan of RAS especially on 991s and to a lesser extent on 992s however saw no real benefit on the Panamera..The non RAS Panamera has a surprising tight turning circle considering its 5M length..The RAS actually makes it feel less nimble at over 50MPH as all the wheels turn in the same direction..The most beneficial aspect of the RAS potentially was under 30MPH where its tighter turning makes it more wieldy however as i've already mentioned the non RAS is already good enough in this respect.
As you say Cheib, RAS is more of a 'nice to have' on Panameras but certainly not a 'must have' IME..
My next car is going to be an Air cooled 911 to complement my existing cars but really struggling on what direction i'm going ..I want it to be a reliable and very well sorted example with no rust issues..What i don't want is one which is too valuable to enjoy on a regular basis.
Another vote for the diesel.
Whatever engine you buy - diesel, petrol or hybrid, they all have an uncertain future.
But the latest advanced diesel engines really are very impressive in real world use.
Imo, the simpler the better - Coupe, narrow -body, normally aspirated, manual, rwd (although I did like the 993 C4).
It’s so important to buy well. The difference between a really nice, well sorted and set up example, and a tired, neglected one is ‘night and day’.
There are good ones out there, and some which may need minor fettling, and others that are basically sound but need more time and money - plus a lot that would just consume money and always be a compromise and heartache.
I had several, bought new to factory order, but also bought used in more recent years - always ‘privately’, and cars that were never advertised in the market place.
When buying, I prefer a thorough history, originality and a conscientious seller. But, I especially like ‘low(ish) mileage’.
Yes, you pay more, but it generally repays the future investment.
Whatever engine you buy - diesel, petrol or hybrid, they all have an uncertain future.
But the latest advanced diesel engines really are very impressive in real world use.
Taffy66 said:
My next car is going to be an Air cooled 911 to complement my existing cars but really struggling on what direction i'm going ..I want it to be a reliable and very well sorted example with no rust issues..What i don't want is one which is too valuable to enjoy on a regular basis.
A really nice ‘aircooled’ 911 is such a lovely thing. The more usable end of the range was during the final 10 years - G50 3.2 Carrera, 964, 993. Imo, the simpler the better - Coupe, narrow -body, normally aspirated, manual, rwd (although I did like the 993 C4).
It’s so important to buy well. The difference between a really nice, well sorted and set up example, and a tired, neglected one is ‘night and day’.
There are good ones out there, and some which may need minor fettling, and others that are basically sound but need more time and money - plus a lot that would just consume money and always be a compromise and heartache.
I had several, bought new to factory order, but also bought used in more recent years - always ‘privately’, and cars that were never advertised in the market place.
When buying, I prefer a thorough history, originality and a conscientious seller. But, I especially like ‘low(ish) mileage’.
Yes, you pay more, but it generally repays the future investment.
Geneve said:
A really nice ‘aircooled’ 911 is such a lovely thing. The more usable end of the range was during the final 10 years - G50 3.2 Carrera, 964, 993.
Imo, the simpler the better - Coupe, narrow -body, normally aspirated, manual, rwd (although I did like the 993 C4).
It’s so important to buy well. The difference between a really nice, well sorted and set up example, and a tired, neglected one is ‘night and day’.
There are good ones out there, and some which may need minor fettling, and others that are basically sound but need more time and money - plus a lot that would just consume money and always be a compromise and heartache.
I had several, bought new to factory order, but also bought used in more recent years - always ‘privately’, and cars that were never advertised in the market place.
When buying, I prefer a thorough history, originality and a conscientious seller. But, I especially like ‘low(ish) mileage’.
Yes, you pay more, but it generally repays the future investment.
Thanks for this great advice..Pretty much concurs with my thought process, so its nice to hear it from someone who actually understands these cars.Imo, the simpler the better - Coupe, narrow -body, normally aspirated, manual, rwd (although I did like the 993 C4).
It’s so important to buy well. The difference between a really nice, well sorted and set up example, and a tired, neglected one is ‘night and day’.
There are good ones out there, and some which may need minor fettling, and others that are basically sound but need more time and money - plus a lot that would just consume money and always be a compromise and heartache.
I had several, bought new to factory order, but also bought used in more recent years - always ‘privately’, and cars that were never advertised in the market place.
When buying, I prefer a thorough history, originality and a conscientious seller. But, I especially like ‘low(ish) mileage’.
Yes, you pay more, but it generally repays the future investment.
I had used one as a courtesy car for ten days and enjoyed it.
My normal car is a 911 GTS and jumping from this into the Panemera 4SD, I still enjoyed the drive.... less so the parking!
The engineering is deeply impressive and the performance fantastic it is a great engine, and the Panamera interior is to my mind one of the best. I seriously considered buying one afterwards. The only issue I had that would prevent me owning one is the size, and especially how large it 'feels'. I have had a number of Range Rovers and found them far easier to park and drive around town. After ten days I never reached a point where I would say I was comfortable parking it.
On the move, it is a truly fabulous place to be and the finish inside is excellent. The car I had was certainly not over specced, and I would not get too drawn into the 'must haves' such as air suspension as the car I drive was on normal suspension and I found it perfectly acceptable.
I certainly echo the previous comments regarding warranty, for example the engine was only made for a short time, and it is not the same as the other VAG group diesel V8s. The performance is very good, the fuel consumption impressive for such performance but not exactly impressive outside of that context.
My normal car is a 911 GTS and jumping from this into the Panemera 4SD, I still enjoyed the drive.... less so the parking!
The engineering is deeply impressive and the performance fantastic it is a great engine, and the Panamera interior is to my mind one of the best. I seriously considered buying one afterwards. The only issue I had that would prevent me owning one is the size, and especially how large it 'feels'. I have had a number of Range Rovers and found them far easier to park and drive around town. After ten days I never reached a point where I would say I was comfortable parking it.
On the move, it is a truly fabulous place to be and the finish inside is excellent. The car I had was certainly not over specced, and I would not get too drawn into the 'must haves' such as air suspension as the car I drive was on normal suspension and I found it perfectly acceptable.
I certainly echo the previous comments regarding warranty, for example the engine was only made for a short time, and it is not the same as the other VAG group diesel V8s. The performance is very good, the fuel consumption impressive for such performance but not exactly impressive outside of that context.
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