Porsche Owners File #9] Panamera 4 Sport Turismo Purchase, Options and Driving Review

Porsche Panamera

Hello everyone. This is Mina, the administrator of "A Porsche Came to My Home". I would like to share the real voices of various Porsche owners with you! This project was born from the request of our readers, "I want to share the real voices of various Porsche owners!Porsche Owner's FileThe 9th issue is from "Brindle" who lives in Yokohama City, Japan. The ninth installment was received from "Brindle-san," a resident of Yokohama City, Japan.Panamera 4 Sport TurismoThis is a review of the purchase, options, and driving experience of the "Panamera. "It's a Panamera and seats 5...what a great car!" I thought again, "This is a Panamera, but it seats 5 people. Please take a look.

〘Owner Information〙
Pen name: Brindle
Area of Residence: Yokohama
Family Structure: Wife and two children
Past car history:...
Main car]
Honda Prelude XZ (5MT) → Audi 80CC → Mazda Capella Coupe Limited Edition Anfini (5MT) → Audi 90 2.3E → Mercedes Benz W124 Station Wagon 220TE → Mercedes Benz W212 Station Wagon E350 4MATIC
[Second car] SLK230 -> Audi TT 3.2 Quattro S-Line -> Porsche 911 Turbo (991.2) - sold in June 2018
A word to the readers: I've only owned a Porsche for a little over a year, so I can't say much that might be helpful to you.Even the Paramera, which is considered to be more of a luxury sedan, still has sports car blood running through its veins.I realize that "the
Perhaps Porsche is "theNo matter which model of car you purchase, you will experience a different experience from cars made by other automakers.I believe that "I am a Porsche owner," and I encourage you to become a Porsche owner once you have the opportunity to do so.

(1) Background leading to purchase

Longing to buy a 911

For me, as a car enthusiast, it's "theRiding in a PorscheIt has been a longtime dream and goal of mine. So for the past 10 years, I have already been working on "I'll buy a Porsche (911) when I reach the age of 60.I had declared to my wife, "I'm not going to be able to do this.

When it came time to buy a 911, I didn't hesitate to choose the top-of-the-line Turbo model, and in September 2017, I got my wish.The Jet Black Metallic "911 Turbo" has arrived at our home.I chose the turbo because, "Complete your car selection by driving Porsche's top-of-the-line models from the start.I was going to do it because I was going to do it.(Since it has always been my ideal to have two cars, a Mercedes Benz four-wheel-drive station wagon and the newest 911)

Impression of 911 Turbo

itWhy did you decide to switch to the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo?
I actually sold my 911 Turbo 9 months after delivery, with only 5500 km on the odometer. It was the most expensive car I have ever purchased, but on the other hand, the one I have owned the least.

The Porsche 911 is a car that everyone dreams of driving. The 911 Turbo, which is the highest grade of the 911, can be said to be a car that goes above and beyond in a sense. However, the 911 Turbo that was delivered to me was not the car I was looking for.(When I was considering buying one, I did not test drive the latest 911 Turbo because the dealership did not have one.)

certainlyAs a "sports car for daily use," there is no better car.I still think it is a good idea. However, the hard ride that shakes you when the road surface is uneven, the noise that fills the cabin, and the acceleration on public roads that is not as good as expected... In the past, CG(Car Graphics)In a TV report on the new 991 Turbo test drive in South Africa, Editor-in-Chief Watanabe had this to say.

On the circuit, the car is unbeatable, but on the streets it seems rather sluggish.

And.

This is exactly how I felt, and I always felt that a Mercedes Benz wagon would be faster. It is true that you can get sharp acceleration by pressing down on the accelerator pedal deeply, but no amount of driver's license would be enough to drive like that on public roads in Japan.

Also, while the back of the 911 is very attractive, the turbo is too wide and seems to be disproportionately unbalanced, which I found a bit disappointing at times.
For various reasons, I rarely use my car anymore, and the 911 Turbo I had bought is still sitting in the basement of my apartment's mechanical parking garage, so I can't even look at it without having to leave it by my side. I have not been able to even look at it. I drive it only once a week or so.

In such a situation, "It is preferable to have one car on hand.The thought, "I want to be able to do this," grew stronger and stronger every day.

How I bought my Panamera

It had already been seven years since I purchased my Mercedes-Benz 350E 4MATIC wagon, so I thought, "If you have one car, this is the best opportunity to replace it with a new one.We decided it was "a good idea.

The prerequisites for purchase areIt has to be a four-door, four-wheel drive (since we're going skiing), and it has to be 1.55 meters tall and weigh no more than two tons (because of parking)."And the final choice was the "Paramera 4 Sport Turismo".

In fact, since owning a 911 Turbo, a super sports car that boasts a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 3.0 seconds, "I've been driving a 911 Turbo.Cars with high power engines are unnecessary and useless on Japanese roads.I began to think, "I'm not sure I want to buy a Porsche. However, I also wanted to discard Porsche's sportiness and brandability, so I searched for a Porsche that would satisfy all my requirements.The base grade Paramera 4 Sport Turismo was given the white feather.It depends.

Having had a bitter experience last time, we naturally took a test drive this time. We were allowed to test drive the Panamera Turbo and the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo. The Panamera Turbo seemed to have a "slightly heavier ride" similar to the 911 Turbo. In comparison, theThe Paramera 4 Sport Turismo had a very light driving feel, so "good enough" is what we felt!I was able to do so and was convinced that I had made the right choice.

(2) Options / Specifications

body color Carrara White Metallic ¥0
Interior Color & Seats Leather interior/leather seats Black
Electric seats with memory function (front seats)
¥646000
¥272000
exterior Without model logo
panoramic roof system
Heat-insulating and sound-insulating privacy glass
Door lever (high gloss black)
Exterior mirrors (high gloss black)
SKY Real Glass Coat
¥0
¥0
¥342000
¥44,000
¥82000
¥128,000
Transmission/Chassis Rear axle steering (including power steering plus)
Sport Chrono Package
Sports exhaust system (black high-gloss tailpipe)
¥325000
¥339000
¥614,000
light LED matrix headlights (including PDLSPlus)
Tinted LED taillights
¥366,000
¥125,000
Comfort functions/assistance systems Comfort Access
lane change assistant
Park assist with surround view
Adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist
¥199000
¥150000
¥134,000
¥504000
interior Heated seats (front and rear)
storage package
floor mat
Cup holder cover (front seat)
Heated steering wheel
¥89000
¥0
¥33,000
¥0
¥49,000
audio BOSE sound system ¥258,000
wheel Porsche Crest wheel center caps ¥30000
Option total ¥4729000

(*Options/specifications are as of the time of purchase)

In addition, the on-board camera & radar, since it was our habit to switch to studless from December to March to go skiing.Also purchased a set of 19" aluminum wheels + studless tires (Michelin)The total cost of the order exceeded 5 million yen. In the end, additional orders totaling over 5 million yen were placed.

(3) Process of vehicle delivery

The order was placed in June 2018 and the car was delivered in November of that year.

(4) Porsche's performance that you feel when you own one.

(1) Engine

The V6 2995cc turbo is more than adequate as far as Japanese public roads are concerned. I drove it on the Hakone Turnpike and the Karuizawa mountain pass, and I had no complaints.

The sport exhaust is also installed, and when the sport mode is selected, the heavy exhaust sound echoes and is a pleasant sensation.It is a very good car. If you are going to drive on a circuit, you may need a more powerful engine, but for everyday driving, it is satisfactory enough for both city, highway, and mountain driving. Compared to the V6 in the previous 970 Paramera, the new (971) V6 produces a powerful 450 Nm of torque from as low as 1340 rpm, so it is only natural.

The 0-100 km/h acceleration time is 5.3 seconds for a car equipped with the sports chrono, so unless you are drag racing around town (laughs), there should be no complaints. Also, the "Sport ChronoNo larger engines means less environmental impact.This also means that it is a "one-stop shop" and brings a sense of immunity that its performance is not wasted.

In the case of the 911 Turbo I used to own, I usually didn't even use 10% of its performance and it seemed useless. To use an analogy, "Eating rice with a giant crane instead of chopsticks.I don't know what to call it.... Anyway, I also felt a sense of pity for the car.

The engine in the Paramera 4, on the other hand, is very smart, with good fuel economy, low taxes, and an eco-friendly feel.

(2) PDK Evaluation

When I drove the car for the first time after delivery, I felt some discomfort with the PDK's jitteriness at low speeds.But, perhaps because the PDK learned while running, it became smoother and smoother.The next day, I had no problems at all.

As long as the car is driven quietly, the engine speed is maintained at a low RPM, and if the driver does not step on the accelerator pedal on a level highway, the car coasts and glides along smoothly and quietly, just like a glide.

(3) Handling

The Paramera is classified as a flagship sedan along with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and Audi A8, butThe precision, nimbleness, and stability of the handling when driving are completely different from those of other manufacturers' cars.I think so.(I didn't actually compare all of them...)

The rear axle steering system may have had some effect, but the vehicle rolls less and is much faster in corners than other vehicles I have ridden in. Therefore, even when driving on a mountain road with ninety-nine folds, you do not feel the size of the car.Instead, you get the impression that you are driving a smaller car.This is where the most "Ah, I'm driving a Porsche, after all, it's a sports car feeling.This is the part where you realize that you are not the only one.

4) Fuel consumption

If I drive only in the city, it is about 6~7Km/l, but if I drive on a trip, mixing highways, mountainous areas, and city areas, it is usually around 12~13Km/l. My previous Mercedes-Benz E3504MATIC was 8~9Km/l, so I think it is sufficient.

(5) Ride comfort, glide taste

The wheels are left at the standard 19". The reason is that "More emphasis on ride comfort than appearance.From.

Much of the ride quality of a car is determined by its tires.The Paramera is equipped with thicker tires, 265/45ZR19-inch front and 295/40ZR19-inch rear, even as standard.The 20" and 21" options are even larger and fatter tires. On flat, well-paved roads, this would not be a problem, but when the road surface becomes rough, the large tires would have a negative impact on ride comfort.

I had learned my lesson from the uncomfortable ride on uneven surfaces when I drove a 911 Turbo with 20-inch wheels, and the indescribably gentle and comfortable "I've been driving a Mercedes-Benz wagon for many years.Benz RideI had no hesitation at all regarding the choice of tires for the Panamera, as I really liked the ride quality, which is said to be "very comfortable".

Also, in the case of these high-value vehicles, "The standard tire setting recommended by the manufacturer from the outset is what brings out the true performance of the carI believe that the "21" is a good idea. In fact, when we test drove the Paramera Turbo with 21-inch wheels, we felt some roughness at low speeds in the city. However, a later test drive of the Paramera 4 Sport Turismo with 20-inch wheels was not so unpleasant.

If so.19" should be even more comfortableI thought that was a good idea.

In fact, theThe ride of the Paramera is comfort itself.It is. It is very quiet, perhaps due in part to the sound insulation glass, and although it is not a Mercedes-Benz ride, it has a reasonably sporty and calm suspension that does not fluff up, and I am very pleased with it.

There was a previous article on this blog that stated, "Porsche steering mechanisms do not use Ackermann geometry, so when steering at very low speeds, such as on a cold winter day, you can feel the tires gurgling, but that is the sign of a sports car.

I just don't want to be a "I want my car to run smoothly at all times.I think that the tires are "the best", so the gurgling sensation I felt when I was driving my 911 when I first started driving in the winter was unpleasant and unacceptable.

However, I had heard that AMG and other brands have a similar gurgling feeling, and I had also read online that the previous generation 970 Paramera had the same feeling, so I was only concerned about it. However, I have no such discomfort at all, probably because I replaced the tires with studless ones at the beginning of December last year.

I had heard that "changing to softer studless tires would make the tires less grueling."Regarding the 971 Panamera, with summer tires installed, will there be a gurgling sensation when starting in the winter when the temperature is cooler?I would love to hear from all of you.(In the case of the blogger's 971 Panamera, I feel a gurgling sensation every morning)

(6) Family reaction

Good. The other day, my daughter, who was back home, got in the back seat and said, "The most comfortable car I have ever driven.My wife also drives one. My wife also drives, and at first she said, "I don't like such a big car," but now she really likes it.

(7) Favorite point

Basically everything (laughs). Styling, ride quality, driving feel, "satisfaction of owning a Porsche," etc. The most important thing is that it is moderately sporty.If I had to pick my favorite point, I would say, "It's fun to drive."I guess that is the point.

(5) Options you would like to add in the future

In terms of the purchase of the Paramera, I'd like to talk about the followingsoft-close doorIt is. Initially I thought it was unnecessary, but perhaps because the Panamera is more airtight than I thought, it sometimes has half doors. I contacted the dealer and asked if it was possible to retrofit, but unfortunately they refused to offer it.

(6) Areas of concern

Car size

The size of the car is still a concern. In particular, the car is 1,937 mm wide, so I have to be careful when parking on narrow roads.(The 911 Turbo also had a width of 1910 mm, but the overall length was compact, so it didn't bother me too much.)

However, parking is surprisingly easy because of the latest driver support systems, easier than in a Mercedes Benz wagon. This is.Rear Axle Steering and Park Assist with Surround ViewThis is thanks to the Therefore, I believe that these two are essential options.(Although we think that such a basic system should be standard equipment for such an expensive car.)

Trunk capacity

The cargo space is not very large. It has a capacity of 520 liters, but due to the sloping angle of the rear hatch, two large suitcases just won't fit. As for the cargo space, the E-Class wagon wins hands down.

In addition, theAlthough the rear seats are intended to accommodate three people, in reality they can only accommodate two adults.The middle seat is for emergencies.(I still think it's important to be able to legally carry five people)

(7) General comments

I have driven many cars and the Panamera 4 Sport Turismo is the best of them all!It is. It felt good to be driving and to be able to say, "I want to keep driving like this all the time.I even think, "What is it about this place that makes it so special?

I am glad that I experienced the 911 Turbo first this time. If I had driven the Paramera from the beginning, I would have thought "911 should definitely be more wonderful" and I would not have been so satisfied.

The 911 and the Panamera are completely different genres.The 911 is the pinnacle of real sports cars for everyday use.andParamara Sport Turismo is a luxury shooting break with the sporting feel of a PorscheIt is. And that is what I was really looking for now, a car.

8) What is Porsche to you?

For me, Porsche was my "dream.

Most people who love cars would like to drive a Porsche at least once. But what we realize now is that "At my age, they're still an important part of my life, teaching me how fun it is to drive again.It is to say, "I'm not a fan of this.

Blog manager's opinion.
Brindle's report has many aspects that I can relate to as a Panamera fan, and just reading it made me very happy. I am very glad to read your report, and I am sorry to hear that the Panamera Turbo engine is not in its full potential.

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  1. neriten

    Very interesting report and I enjoyed reading it.
    My car is also a Carrara White Sport Turismo 4. It was delivered last April.
    I am replacing a Panamera 4S (970) that I drove for 7 years. Options are about 4.5 million.
    It is mostly for family trips. The kids are small so the +1 in the back seat helps.
    Compared to the previous 4S, it does not provide the same sense of acceleration as the Don, but I think it is more fun to drive as a sports car.

    It never occurred to me that two large suitcases would not fit.
    The information is very helpful unless you actually do it.

    • Mina.Mina.

      neriten acid
      It's been a while! Thank you for your comment!

      >My car is also a Carrara White Sport Turismo 4. It was delivered last April.

      Oh... from a Panamera 4S to a Sport Turismo 4! Lovely!
      Certainly when the children are small, being able to ride +1 in the back seems like something that would come in handy.

      >Although it does not provide the same sense of acceleration as the previous 4S, I think it is more fun to drive as a sports car.
      I see! Very interesting, coming from someone who knows 970!
      I was reminded once again that Porsche is still evolving.

      I found it very helpful that I could not fit two large suitcases.
      Thank you for your continued support!