{"id":37310,"date":"2019-02-22T06:00:10","date_gmt":"2019-02-21T21:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=37310"},"modified":"2019-10-01T13:52:17","modified_gmt":"2019-10-01T04:52:17","slug":"porsche-owners-file-11-panamera4s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/en\/entry\/porsche-owners-file-11-panamera4s\/","title":{"rendered":"[Porsche Owners File #11] 971 Panamera 4S Purchase, Options, and Driving Review"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Hello everyone. This is Mina, the administrator of &#8220;Welcome Home, PORSCHE.&#8221; This project, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/entry\/category\/porscheownersfile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Porsche Owners File<\/a>, was born from readers\u2019 requests to share the authentic voices of various Porsche owners. The 11th installment features a purchase, options, and driving review of the &#8220;971 Panamera 4S&#8221; from &#8220;Manma-san,&#8221; who lives in Hokkaido.<\/p>\n<p>This blog contains a wealth of information about the Panamera, but the driving experience and feel differ significantly between the standard, 4, 4S, Turbo, and Hybrid models. So, how does the Panamera 4S fare in this review? Please enjoy reading.<\/p>\n<p class=\"well3\"><strong>\u3018Owner Information\u3019<\/strong><br \/>\n\u30fbFeatured car: 971 Panamera 4S (MY2018)<br \/>\n\u30fbPen name: Manma<br \/>\n\u30fbResidence: Hokkaido \/ Condominium<br \/>\n\u30fbFamily: Four members \u2014 wife <span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">(paper driver)<\/span>, middle schooler, elementary schooler<br \/>\n\u30fbPrevious cars:<br \/>\nHonda Prelude (BB4) \u2192 Honda Integra Type R (DB8) \u2192 Honda Odyssey (RB1) + NSX (NA1)<br \/>\n\u2192 Audi A6 Avant (C6) \u2192 Audi S4 (B8)<br \/>\n\u2192 BMW M3 Sedan (E90) \u2192 and finally, the first Porsche, the Panamera 4S, came to our home.<br \/>\n\u30fbMessage to readers: I hope this helps those considering purchasing a Panamera.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"style3a\">1) The Path to Purchase<\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2013 About My Car Selection<\/h4>\n<p>Looking back on my car history, I recalled that <strong>in the first half of my car life, I was particularly obsessed with Honda and especially VTEC engines.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After moving away from Honda, I happened to switch to German cars. I was attracted to Audi for its <strong>dazzling interior and exterior lighting<\/strong>, and I remember buying the BMW M3 Sedan because I fell for its <strong>muscular design with blister fenders and power dome<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Over time, as more acquaintances drove German cars, my interest naturally shifted there, but my criteria for choosing a car\u2014<strong>fast, cool, and with a beautiful dashboard<\/strong>\u2014have remained unchanged since my Honda Prelude days.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2013 Why I Became Interested in Porsche<\/h4>\n<p>One evening, I spotted a sleek <strong>991-generation 911 Carrera 4<\/strong> speeding by. The beauty of the 911\u2019s styling and the elegance of its taillights struck me like lightning, and I began to seriously think, <strong>&#8220;How can I bring a Porsche into our home?&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2013 Why I Chose the Panamera Among Porsches<\/h4>\n<p>The 991 911 Carrera 4 sparked my strong interest in Porsche <span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">(its all-around stunning design, especially the breathtaking rear view)<\/span>, but buying a 911 meant needing another car for full four-passenger use.<\/p>\n<p>Since maintaining two cars is difficult, I was about to give up on Porsche until I read in a magazine that <strong>the 971 Panamera\u2019s design resembles the 991 911<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"well2\">&#8220;Isn\u2019t the 971 Panamera incredibly cool? No, it\u2019s insanely cool! And it seats four!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s when I started seriously considering buying one.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-9129\" src=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_0896-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2013 What Made Me Choose the Panamera 4S<\/h4>\n<p>Switching from the BMW M3 Sedan, I considered the power balance and looked at three models: <strong>Panamera, Panamera 4, and Panamera 4S<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-9140\" src=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_0890-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Living in snowy Hokkaido, I didn\u2019t think all-wheel drive was essential <span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">(even the FR M3 Sedan handled snow well)<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>When I tried to get a quote for the cheapest FR Panamera, the dealer said, <strong>&#8220;Almost no one buys this (FR Panamera) (smile)&#8221;<\/strong>, implying FR models aren\u2019t popular (laughs). I thought, <strong>&#8220;No need to insist on FR then.&#8221;<\/strong> So I compared the Panamera 4 and 4S.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-9130\" src=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/214\u51ac\u30bf\u30a4\u30e41-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2013 High Gloss Black Interior Package<\/h4>\n<p>The Panamera 4 and 4S have different standard equipment, but with extra cost, you can add options to make them nearly identical.<\/p>\n<p>However, <strong>the &#8220;High Gloss Black Interior Package&#8221; is selectable on the Panamera 4 but not on the Panamera 4S<\/strong>. <span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">(Though the catalog shows it\u2019s available for 4S, the configurator doesn\u2019t list it, and the dealer confirmed it\u2019s unavailable. It is available on the Turbo model.)<\/span> Since I was considering either black or carbon interiors,  <\/p>\n<p class=\"well2\">&#8220;Why can the Panamera 4 and Turbo choose the High Gloss Black Interior Package, but the 4S can\u2019t? Is the 4S being left out?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>I was a bit bothered by this, but since the limiting factor would be the powertrain performance anyway, I decided, <strong>&#8220;If I pick Panamera 4, I\u2019ll go black; if 4S, then carbon.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, I chose the Panamera 4S because I thought, <strong>&#8220;If I pick a Panamera with less horsepower and torque than my BMW M3 Sedan, I might feel it\u2019s lacking.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Panamera 4\u2019s power and torque are sufficient, and I never felt underpowered during test drives, but emotionally, I was drawn to the &#8220;S&#8221; badge.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"style3a\">2) Options \/ Specifications<\/h3>\n<p class=\"well2\">\u25a0 Exterior color: Carrara White Metallic<br \/>\n\u25a0 Wheels: 20-inch Panamera Turbo wheels<br \/>\n\u25a0 Wheel accessories: Porsche Crest wheel center caps<br \/>\n\u25a0 Interior color: Saddle Brown \/ Luxor Beige<br \/>\n\u25a0 Seats: 8-way electric comfort seats (standard)<br \/>\n\u25a0 Exterior: LED matrix headlights (including PDLS plus), tinted LED taillights, comfort access, park assist with surround view, privacy glass, soft-close doors, air outlet grille (body color finish), exterior mirrors (painted)<br \/>\n\u25a0 Transmission \/ chassis: PDK (standard), Sport Chrono Package<br \/>\n\u25a0 Interior: 4-zone automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, floor mats, cup holder cover, white dial meter panel, white stopwatch dial<br \/>\nCarbon interior: Carbon interior package, illuminated carbon door sill guards<br \/>\n\u25a0 Others: Leather key pouch, 19-inch aftermarket aluminum wheels &#038; studless tires<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2013 Why I Chose These Options and Specs<\/h4>\n<p>Initially, I planned to order a 4S, but I was offered a nearly identical vehicle stored by Porsche Japan, so I ended up purchasing that one.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-9131\" src=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/\u4fdd\u7ba1\u8eca\u4e211-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It wasn\u2019t a perfect match to my order, but it included all the key options I cared about, and missing features could mostly be added later. Plus, delivery was possible within weeks, so I decided to go for it. My key preferences were:  <\/p>\n<p class=\"well2\">&#8220;Carrara White Metallic,&#8221; &#8220;Saddle Brown \/ Luxor Beige,&#8221; &#8220;LED matrix headlights (including PDLS plus),&#8221; &#8220;comfort access,&#8221; &#8220;Sport Chrono Package,&#8221; &#8220;4-zone automatic climate control,&#8221; and &#8220;carbon interior package.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>I had planned to add ambient lighting, but the stored Panamera didn\u2019t have it, and it couldn\u2019t be retrofitted, so I gave up on that.<\/p>\n<p>The stored Panamera also had many unexpected options. While some might consider them unnecessary extras, I thought, <strong>&#8220;If it\u2019s included, it might come in handy.&#8221;<\/strong> I was satisfied with my purchase. I will discuss the actual evaluation of these options after delivery.<\/p>\n<p>In the end, I bought the stored vehicle minus ambient lighting plus some extras <sup>(quite a few, actually (^_^;))<\/sup>, predicting little difference between MY2018 and MY2019.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"style3a\">3) Delivery Process<\/h3>\n<p>Order: late September 2018 \u2192 Delivery: mid-October 2018<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-9135\" src=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_0893-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"well3\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/entry\/porsche-owners-file-11-panamera4s\/2\/\">Next page \u2192 Panamera 4S engine, acceleration, and additional impressions after six months<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"style3a\">4) Porsche Performance Impressions After Ownership<\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2460 Engine<\/h4>\n<p>For my usage\u2014<strong>city driving plus highway cruising and occasional suburban trips<\/strong>\u2014there\u2019s no way I could be dissatisfied with the output of the world-class sports car manufacturer Porsche Panamera 4S.<\/p>\n<p>When I suddenly need to accelerate and press the pedal hard, the sound transforms dramatically, and the acceleration feels like a storm, reminiscent of Honda\u2019s VTEC engine.<\/p>\n<p>The phrase, <strong>&#8220;Speed is freedom or solitude,&#8221;<\/strong> a famous racehorse\u2019s slogan, comes to mind, and I\u2019m moved every day by its swift performance.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-9141\" src=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/\u4fdd\u7ba1\u8eca\u4e212-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Regarding the engine sound, whether starting the engine by turning the control unit, driving normally, accelerating, downshifting, switching to sport or sport plus mode, or pressing the accelerator strongly, <strong>I\u2019m genuinely satisfied with the Panamera 4S\u2019s fierce and exciting roar every time.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>By the way, after purchase, I learned that <strong>the Panamera 4 (2995cc) uses an Audi-made V6, while the 4S (2894cc) uses a Porsche-made V6<\/strong>. This might have influenced my choice. It may vary by model year, but this is the case for MY2018.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2461 PDK<\/h4>\n<p>Comparing to the M3\u2019s DCT: At low speeds, DCT tends to hold gears longer and delay upshifts, but <strong>PDK shifts quickly and smoothly with no shock.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>During deceleration, DCT quickly downshifts to keep the engine response at the ideal point <span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">(always ready to accelerate)<\/span>, while <strong>PDK downshifts gently and smoothly, making it very comfortable for passengers.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Regarding shift response, <strong>DCT was lightning-fast, while PDK feels a bit slower.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Also, DCT\u2019s blipping sound was quite aggressive, whereas PDK\u2019s is more refined <span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">(relative comparison)<\/span>. These impressions are from normal mode; sport and sport plus modes may differ.<\/p>\n<p>Though different models, detailed info is available in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/entry\/panamera-pdk-response\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">main blog post about Porsche\u2019s PDK response<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2462 Handling<\/h4>\n<p>Driving the Panamera, I truly feel it\u2019s not just &#8220;horse and rider as one,&#8221; but <strong>&#8220;man and car perfectly fused.&#8221;<\/strong> It shows no unnecessary behavior and follows the steering input exactly as intended. It\u2019s simply amazing.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m always impressed by the Panamera\u2019s agility and speed.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-9133\" src=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/\u624b\u7a324\u30a4\u30f3\u30b9\u30c8\u30eb\u30e1\u30f3\u30c8\u30fb\u30af\u30e9\u30b9\u30bf\u30fc1-800x600.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" \/><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2463 Fuel Economy<\/h4>\n<p>About <strong>6\u20137 km\/l in the city and 10\u201312 km\/l on highways.<\/strong> The tank is large, so it\u2019s hard to say, but I don\u2019t feel I refuel very often. Considering the engine output and vehicle weight, it\u2019s impressively efficient.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2464 Ride Comfort and Feel<\/h4>\n<p>The ride is best described as <strong>&#8220;supple.&#8221;<\/strong> Whether it\u2019s highway joints, small bumps, or rough snowy roads typical of northern regions, the road contact feels very comfortable.<\/p>\n<p class=\"well2\">It\u2019s a simple expression, but it truly feels &#8220;pleasant.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Though the Panamera\u2019s body is large, <strong>the sense of width is very easy to grasp, and checking safety from all directions is surprisingly easy.<\/strong> This shows Porsche\u2019s philosophy and consideration for practicality.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2465 Family\u2019s Reaction<\/h4>\n<p>Compared to our previous car, <strong>the rear seat comfort has greatly improved, earning praise from my family, especially the kids.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>They particularly like the cozy feeling, spacious foot space, and seat heaters. They also cheer every time the 4-zone automatic climate control screen shows the engine start demo <span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">(though they\u2019ll probably get used to it eventually)<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>My wife doesn\u2019t understand why I spend so much on a car but seems to accept it as <strong>&#8220;if it motivates her husband\u2019s work.&#8221;<\/strong> (laughs)<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2466 Favorite Points<\/h4>\n<p>I enjoy the combination of Saddle Brown \/ Luxor Beige, the smooth leather texture, and the luxurious instrument cluster. The display is especially beautiful in the evening when it gets a bit dark.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-9132\" src=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_0895-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Speaking of light, the rear view with taillights on is breathtakingly beautiful. I think it\u2019s no exaggeration to say, <strong>&#8220;There\u2019s no other saloon as elegantly refined as this.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"style3a\">5) Options<\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2013 Options I\u2019m Glad I Chose<\/h4>\n<h5 class=\"style5a\">\u2460 Saddle Brown \/ Luxor Beige Leather Interior<\/h5>\n<p>Though it stains easily, I chose it hoping <strong>&#8220;cleaners and conditioners can manage it.&#8221;<\/strong> Indeed, I immediately clean any stains with genuine cleaner, keeping it in good condition.<\/p>\n<h5 class=\"style5a\">\u2461 Park Assist with Surround View<\/h5>\n<p>Essential for the large Panamera. Initially unplanned, but very useful.<\/p>\n<h5 class=\"style5a\">\u2462 Air Outlet Grille (Body Color Finish)<\/h5>\n<p>The stored vehicle had a high gloss black air outlet, while the lower door mirror was body color, creating a mismatched look. After delivery, I changed the air outlet to body color via equipment accessories.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-9134\" src=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/\u30db\u3099\u30c6\u3099\u30a3\u540c\u8272\u30a8\u30a2\u30a2\u30a6\u30c8\u30ec\u30c3\u30c82-600x800.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The paint and labor cost as much as the part itself, but I\u2019m glad I matched it to the body color.<\/p>\n<h5 class=\"style5a\">\u2463 Comfort Access<\/h5>\n<p>I thought keyless entry was standard <span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">(standard on Turbo models)<\/span>. Porsche requires turning the control unit to start the engine, and some owners might prefer inserting and turning a key, but for me, this is essential.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-9136\" src=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/1104\u671d\u91cc-1-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2013 Options I Didn\u2019t Choose but Wish I Had<\/h4>\n<h5 class=\"style5a\">\u2460 14-way Memory Electric Seats (Front)<\/h5>\n<p>As mentioned in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/entry\/about-touch-panel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">previous blog post about controlling the passenger seat from the driver\u2019s seat<\/a>, I wish I had known beforehand that <strong>the standard 4S seats don\u2019t support this, and the 14-way memory electric seat option is required.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The shock of discovering no &#8220;passenger seat position&#8221; setting after navigating the touch panel was significant.<\/p>\n<p>Also, this option includes electric steering column adjustment, improving easy entry. <span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">(Standard seats only open windows; seats and steering don\u2019t move.)<\/span> I will definitely add this next time.<\/p>\n<h5 class=\"style5a\">\u2461 8-way Rear Comfort Seats<\/h5>\n<p>I preferred a 4:2:4 split backrest, but didn\u2019t want to choose this option just for that. The stored vehicle\u2019s 6:4 split is somewhat inconvenient for my use. I plan to insist on 4:2:4 in the future.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2013 Options I Chose but Now Think Were Unnecessary<\/h4>\n<h5 class=\"style5a\">\u2460 LED Matrix Headlights<\/h5>\n<p>They make highway signs easier to see, but overall, I don\u2019t feel much benefit. <strong>PDLS-equipped LED headlights are sufficient.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-9137\" src=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_0894-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"style5a\">\u2461 Soft-Close Doors<\/h5>\n<p>My wife still slams doors loudly despite reminders, so this feature might be ahead of its time for us. I like the refined scenario of gently closing doors when escorting others.<\/p>\n<h5 class=\"style5a\">\u2462 Tinted LED Taillights<\/h5>\n<p>An unplanned extra option. Since the body color is white, standard lights are perfectly fine.<\/p>\n<h5 class=\"style5a\">\u2463 Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist<\/h5>\n<p>After several months, I haven\u2019t used it yet. It might be premature to judge, but currently, I consider it unnecessary.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"style3a\">6) Concerns<\/h3>\n<p>The Carrara White body color sometimes looks bluish depending on light, which occasionally doesn\u2019t match my preference. I\u2019ve always bought white cars out of habit, but black and blue Panameras are also beautiful.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Next time I buy a Porsche, I want to consider various colors.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"style3a\">7) Overall Impression<\/h3>\n<p>Quoting the catalog, the Panamera is a <strong>&#8220;four-seater sports car that combines a luxurious atmosphere with agile and dynamic driving&#8221;<\/strong> and a <strong>&#8220;true sports car with excellent practicality.&#8221;<\/strong> I think this is spot on.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-9138\" src=\"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/IMG_0891-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" \/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"style3a\">8) What Porsche Means to Me<\/h3>\n<p>To me, Porsche is  <\/p>\n<p class=\"well3\">&#8220;a teacher who taught me what a sports car truly is and the real joy of driving,&#8221; and &#8220;a good partner.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>I want to gradually raise my car knowledge and enjoy a thrilling, exciting car life, and I\u2019m deeply grateful to the Porsche Panamera for inspiring these feelings.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"style3a\">Panamera 4S Additional Notes<\/h3>\n<p>Six months after this article, Manma-san kindly shared the following updates. Please compare the initial impressions with those after six months. <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">[Update 2019.7.10]<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2460 About Choosing the Panamera 4S<\/h4>\n<p>Upon reflection, as a car novice who <strong>couldn\u2019t possibly have fully unleashed the true power of my previous M3 Sedan<\/strong>, I now think there was no rational reason to choose the 4S from a power balance perspective, and <strong>the Panamera or Panamera 4 would have been sufficient in performance.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Certainly, the 4S accelerates impressively when flooring the pedal, but since I rarely take it to circuits or mountain passes, it\u2019s more power than I need.<\/p>\n<p>The phrase, &#8220;Both the M3 Sedan and Panamera 4S are monsters,&#8221; often runs through my mind like a manga line.<\/p>\n<p>I bought the M3 Sedan largely for its looks, so power wasn\u2019t a big concern. Even if it had a V8 instead of an inline-six, I probably would have bought it.<\/p>\n<p>Now that the 280-hp limit era is over, 333 hp of the S4 is enough. It\u2019s strange that horsepower increased with each car change; looking back, I was somewhat superficial.<\/p>\n<p>Also, <strong>the price difference between my fully optioned Panamera 4S and a moderately optioned Panamera GTS<\/strong> <span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">(which has many standard features)<\/span> is minimal, making the 4S\u2019s position unclear.<\/p>\n<p>In short, I don\u2019t see much benefit in buying the 4S at that price. So, <strong>if I reconsidered buying a Panamera, I\u2019d carefully select the model and options.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Regarding models, I leave that to buyers\u2019 circumstances, but I\u2019d like to share my thoughts on options.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2461 About Options<\/h4>\n<p>The 14-way seats are definitely essential and highly recommended. I often want to recline the passenger seat for a sleeping child from the driver\u2019s seat, so being able to control the passenger seat remotely is invaluable.<\/p>\n<p>Also, manual steering adjustment on such an expensive car is disappointing. With easy entry included, I will definitely add 14-way seats next time.<\/p>\n<p>Regarding matrix headlights, I consider them a delete option. While matrix high beams are convenient, you must always pass through normal high beam to deactivate matrix mode, and sometimes on matrix mode, oncoming cars flash their lights at you.<\/p>\n<p>Maybe my usage was unusual, but standard PDLS seems sufficient.<\/p>\n<p>Adaptive cruise control, initially considered unnecessary, has been useful on highways, but I feel the deceleration shock is stronger than other brands. I\u2019d like Mina\u2019s opinion on this.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">(\u2192 From the blog admin: Keeping the longest following distance reduces this shock, but at closer distances, braking feels delayed and the shock stronger.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Soft-close doors, initially undervalued, have become indispensable after trying them. The silent closing is elegant and I love it.<\/p>\n<p>Also, <strong>Panamera doors stop firmly at any opening angle.<\/strong> Usually, doors stop with a slight jolt at a certain angle, but Panamera stops smoothly at any angle, which is great for avoiding damage to nearby cars or walls.<\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t think other German cars have this; I wonder how other brands handle it.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, choosing between 4-zone climate control and 5-seat configuration is tough. I personally dislike the large storage compartment in the latter.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Choosing 5 seats means inevitably comparing with the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Since the 4-seater isn\u2019t yet introduced in Japan (or maybe never), the Panamera is the only choice for a 4-seater.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2462 Overall Concerns<\/h4>\n<p>I\u2019m frustrated by the <strong>shallow and small trunk capacity.<\/strong> Compared to the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe\u2019s deep and spacious trunk, the Panamera falls short.<\/p>\n<p>Despite the larger body, I often have to be creative or can\u2019t fit luggage that fit easily in the M3 Sedan. This was disappointing.<\/p>\n<p>Also, this might apply to Porsches in general, but <strong>you feel others\u2019 gazes strongly, for better or worse<\/strong> <span style=\"font-size: 8pt;\">(maybe overly conscious though, haha).<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Female staff at work get excited when I bring the car, showing Porsche\u2019s magnetic appeal. Ah, if only I were younger\u2026<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"style4b\">\u2463 Final Thoughts<\/h4>\n<p>The description, <strong>&#8220;a four-seater sports car with a luxurious atmosphere and agile, dynamic driving,&#8221;<\/strong> is neither an exaggeration nor falsehood\u2014it\u2019s absolutely true. This feeling hasn\u2019t changed since delivery.<\/p>\n<p>The phrase <strong>&#8220;a true sports car with excellent practicality&#8221;<\/strong> also fits perfectly, as my family of four can get in and out without stress and relax comfortably inside.<\/p>\n<p>Comments on trunk size and cost performance depend on usage and personal preference; I\u2019m a typical late-40s office worker mainly using the car for family drives and leisure.<\/p>\n<p>The Panamera\u2019s exterior design surpasses competitors by a wide margin. If you love this design, it\u2019s definitely worth buying. Sorry for the long and rambling post. I hope it helps those considering a Panamera.<\/p>\n<p class=\"well3\"><strong>\u3018Blog Admin\u2019s Thoughts\u3019<\/strong><br \/>\nReading Manma-san\u2019s report, I learned that <strong>even within the same Panamera, some options and specs are unavailable depending on the grade.<\/strong> If you\u2019re buying a Porsche, you want to get exactly what you want, so I plan to introduce these subtle differences in the blog. Thank you, Manma-san!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u30d6\u30ed\u30b0\u300c\u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u304c\u308f\u304c\u5bb6\u306b\u3084\u3063\u3066\u304d\u305f\u300d\u306e\u8aad\u8005\u69d8\u304b\u3089\u9802\u3044\u305f\u611b\u8eca\u306e\u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u3092\u7d39\u4ecb\u3059\u308b\u8a18\u4e8b\u306e\u7b2c11\u5f3e\u3067\u3059\u3002\u4eca\u56de\u306f971 \u30d1\u30ca\u30e1\u30fc\u30e9 4S\u306e\u30ec\u30d3\u30e5\u30fc\u3067\u3059\u3002","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":9128,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/www.panamera-life.com\/?p=9116"},"categories":[31,56],"tags":[221,238],"yoast_head":"<title>[Porsche Owners File #11] 971 Panamera 4S Purchase, Options, and Driving Review - \u30dd\u30eb\u30b7\u30a7\u304c\u308f\u304c\u5bb6\u306b\u3084\u3063\u3066\u304d\u305f - \u30aa\u30fc\u30ca\u30fc\u30ba\u30d6\u30ed\u30b0<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A detailed review of the 971 Panamera 4S by a Hokkaido owner, covering purchase reasons, options, driving impressions, and family feedback. 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