Saying Goodbye to the Panamera Edition

Yesterday, our Panamera finally left home.

The dealership representative, Mr. H, was due to pick it up at 1 p.m. At around 12:45, I went out to the garage to retrieve something I’d left in my pocket, only to find him already waiting. He’d arrived early and had kindly waited in front of the house.

“Sorry to keep you waiting!” I said, hurrying off to get my husband. Then we scooped up the kids and headed to the garage. After checking that we hadn’t left anything behind, Mr. H asked:

“Shall we go ahead?”

…

…

…I’m not ready for this(´-﹏-`；)

Honestly, I wasn’t ready. The Panamera was such a wonderful car, and I would have loved to keep it with us. But there was no point in making a fuss, so I put on my grown-up face and said, “Yes, that’s fine. Thank you so much.” w Before I even had time to take it all in, the Panamera was already driving away.

Goodbyes can be surprisingly quick. We’d driven 13,800 km together over one year and seven months. I hope this Panamera finds its way to a new owner who’ll cherish it just as much.

My Loaner Car: The BMW 523i

The new Panamera Turbo won’t be delivered for another couple of weeks. In the meantime, the dealership has kindly provided a BMW 523i with the M Sport package as a loaner. It’s a generous choice for a courtesy car, so we took it for a spin on the Royu Driveway with the whole family.

My husband seemed happy behind the wheel, saying,

“Ah, that classic BMW feel. Though if I could choose, I’d rather have a 3 Series.”

(He used to drive a 318i a long time ago, and still wishes he could drive one again.) After taking the BMW for a spin yesterday, here are my impressions of how it compares with the Panamera.

1　The Back Seat Ride Is Uncomfortable

I started out in the back seat, and perhaps because I’m used to the Panamera, I found the up-and-down and side-to-side motion really noticeable. Honestly, I thought a long drive would get tiring. Apparently, BMWs use run-flat tires, which let you continue driving for a limited distance even after a puncture.

Run-flat tires have somewhat less give in the rubber than conventional tires, so bumps and uneven road surfaces can make their way into the cabin more easily. They seem to have improved considerably, of course. It’s probably unfair to compare the BMW with the Panamera, and this one has the M Sport package rather than being a luxury-focused sedan. Still, if I were choosing a seat, I’d take the front passenger seat or the driver’s seat over the back.

2　The Driver’s Seat Makes for a Comfortable, Engaging Drive

I was surprised by how different the ride felt from the back seat versus the driver’s seat. The BMW 523i is exceptionally comfortable from behind the wheel. In the Panamera, the back seat actually feels more comfortable, so it’s the complete opposite. (That makes sense, given what each car is designed for.) From the driver’s seat, the vibrations weren’t an issue, and the car felt smooth to drive. With no family in the back, I could imagine enjoying the drive even more and really focusing on the road.

It’s exactly what BMW means by “The Joy of Driving.”

3　The Interior Feels a Little Cheap

The interior felt a bit flimsy. (I wonder if “flimsy” captures the Kansai expression I used!) My husband said, “This interior is very BMW,” but given that a new one costs just under ¥7 million, I’d have liked it to feel a little more premium.

4　The Steering Feels a Little Vague

What on earth do I mean by “vague”? (lol) I couldn’t think of a better way to describe it, but if the Panamera’s steering feels accurate to within a millimeter, the BMW’s feels accurate to within a centimeter. I didn’t get that “Wow, it turns exactly where I point it!” feeling.

My husband says that in a 3 Series, the steering is precise and the car is fun to drive exactly the way you want. Maybe it’s just because this is a 5 Series.

5　A Well-Balanced, Practical All-Rounder

The BMW 5 Series loaner measures 4,920 × 1,860 × 1,470 mm (L × W × H). Compared with our old Panamera, it’s about 7 cm narrower and 4 cm shorter. That makes it easy to go anywhere without worrying about parking—even a quick stop at a convenience store. Most automatic car washes can accommodate cars under 1,900 mm wide, so that shouldn’t be a problem either. Add in an enjoyable drive and seating for five, and it feels like a great-value car that can do just about everything.

So, delivery of the new Panamera Turbo is finally set for Thursday, October 12. We’ll be relying on this BMW until then.

The countdown is on!