Should I have gotten a Panamera?

when car shopping almost a year ago today, i was 99% bent on the facelifted S Class--being a benz driver for the past decade, but it was a 3 month order. the Panamera was being previewed with only 2 cars available, then the 7 was just 2 weeks out in the market with around 6 cars on the lot. when i saw the 7, i fell out of love with the S, but the ff day when i saw the panamera......i had a new found love. sadly...2 weeks down the line, both unsold panameras went into other's garages. so feeling the urge to have a car Now...i went with the 7 since the panamera was also a 3 month wait and bmw gave me an irresistable deal.

fast forward 1 year......it seems im not too keen on driving my 7 anymore, i feel old (im in my early 30s) driving the car, though it really is fast and comfy and full of technological wizadry....its seems i like driving my New Mini JCW more.

i like to mod my cars slightly...my 7 seems too formal to add anything, its kinda starting to bore me?????? im usually in love with my cars for the first 3 years, but with the 7, its barely a year and it seems i already fell out of love with it.

Look into replicating the look of an Alpina B7; might give you more visual "joy". Front lower apron and rear spoiler are available, as well as the wheels and rear lower diffuser, but the exhaust tips would need to be fabricated in one-off fashion by a shop. Otherwise, don't live with regets and go shopping soon again; Panamara 4S it shall be; you can always come back! Then again, springing for an actual, real, B7 might do the job too...

It's a difficult car to mod; from the halo headlights to the rims there are so many check systems in place it's almost like the German Gistapo technology division is riding with you constantly.

I understand. I like the Panamera, but it just looks like a contorted 911. I can't get over the strangeness of the car's appearance. I know it drives nice though.

Originally Posted by BMR2009

It's a diffiult car to mod; from the halo headlights to the rims there are so many check systems in place it's almost like the German Gistapo technology division is riding with you constantly.

I understand. I like the Panamera, but it just looks like a contorted 911. I can't get over the strangeness of the car's appearance. I know it drives nice though.

I test drove the Panamera too. Great car to drive. But hard to live with due to its ugly butt and hard seats.

But it is a big seller for Porsche, so I guess it works for some!

Originally Posted by azbimmer

but hard to live with due to its ugly butt and hard seats

+1

I too feel "old" in my 750i...I am in my early 30's. I love the comfort, technology, performance and besides from a few super minor issues; great reliability!!

Originally Posted by Deutsch100

I too feel "old" in my 750i...I am in my early 30's. I love the comfort, technology, performance and besides from a few super minor issues; great reliability!!

I feel the same exact way.... I am 30 and my lease on my 2008 M5 is almost up. I doubt I'll get a good buyout deal so Im assuming its good-bye M5. My dilemma is what to get next. The 5 series is just too small for me - exception obviously made if its an M5.... The 750i is an awesome car - really comfortable and tons of tech... but I, too think its a bit too "old" for me.

The Panamera is butt ugly. Great car, great performer, uncomfortable for long periods.... and BUTT UGLY.

Have you considered the Maserati Quattroporte? There are some awesome deals out there on those right now.

The 750 M-Sport is probably what u will need to get that young feel, the looks alone separates it just enough to add that youth! If not wait for the M5...As for the guy who was too anxious to wait, Ive learned my lesson long ago not to go with a car just because its available u have to be patient...

Originally Posted by Deutsch100

I too feel "old" in my 750i...I am in my early 30's. I love the comfort, technology, performance and besides from a few super minor issues; great reliability!!

I am in my mid 20's and on my third seven. I made a decision recently, even though I am not even a year into my lease, I am going to try and get out of my lease via SwapALease. Every time I think about getting an M5 or M6, somehow I kept going back to the 7.

I decided that I will be most likely getting the new m5 coming out next year. Something about the speculated 578hp really stands out. I can't till the Geneva Motor Show where it will be unveiled.

This would be my first ///M purchase, any veterans have any suggestions, thanks!

Originally Posted by hammadurb

This would be my first ///M purchase, any veterans have any suggestions, thanks!

From my experience with the M6 you need to give this car lots of gas. It likes to be driven hard. In fact, it tends to hesitate when not given lots of gas.

If you want to have fun with a car, you can't do better than this car. It loves being driven aggressively. If you want to relax, the 7er is pure luxury.

Huge difference between the two cars, both great in what they do.

In addition to my 2010 750i, parked next to her in the garage is a 2010 M6 It is a hot, beautiful, fun and also surprisingly reliable car! It is an ok daily driver, but it does "take a lot of gas" as LovinM6 said. Keeping the car in "automatic" mode, the car hesitates a lot, starts are slow and can be jerky, down and up shifts are odd and generally the car is just not smooth. Paddling shifting or using the gear knob will give you more precise and ligthning fast shifts, but then you must do all the shifting yourself...make sure you really want a clutchless manual. If I had to choose one car between the 750 and M6...I would choose the 750 in as NY minute. The 750 just does EVERYTHING better. Transmission is leaps & bound better. HVAC is way better. Entertainment, Navi, controls, comfort, gas mileage, interior quality, interior design, etc, etc is light years ahead in the 750!!!

The new M5/M6 will be a COMPLETELY different experience from the E39 & E60. The high-revving fun will be gone and we'll be looking at a redline in the 6700 rpm range instead of the awesome 7700 we have now.

A totally different ball game but Im sure Ill end up with one anyways..... however I am going to wait a couple of model years for the kinks to be worked out on the new ones... there are ALWAYS kinks with the new M cars!

Originally Posted by bruno787

when car shopping almost a year ago today, i was 99% bent on the facelifted S Class--being a benz driver for the past decade, but it was a 3 month order. the Panamera was being previewed with only 2 cars available, then the 7 was just 2 weeks out in the market with around 6 cars on the lot. when i saw the 7, i fell out of love with the S, but the ff day when i saw the panamera......i had a new found love. sadly...2 weeks down the line, both unsold panameras went into other's garages. so feeling the urge to have a car Now...i went with the 7 since the panamera was also a 3 month wait and bmw gave me an irresistable deal.

fast forward 1 year......it seems im not too keen on driving my 7 anymore, i feel old (im in my early 30s) driving the car, though it really is fast and comfy and full of technological wizadry....its seems i like driving my New Mini JCW more.

i like to mod my cars slightly...my 7 seems too formal to add anything, its kinda starting to bore me?????? im usually in love with my cars for the first 3 years, but with the 7, its barely a year and it seems i already fell out of love with it.

Originally Posted by Deutsch100

I too feel "old" in my 750i...I am in my early 30's. I love the comfort, technology, performance and besides from a few super minor issues; great reliability!!

Originally Posted by hammadurb

I am in my mid 20's and on my third seven. I made a decision recently, even though I am not even a year into my lease, I am going to try and get out of my lease via SwapALease. Every time I think about getting an M5 or M6, somehow I kept going back to the 7.

I decided that I will be most likely getting the new m5 coming out next year. Something about the speculated 578hp really stands out. I can't till the Geneva Motor Show where it will be unveiled.

This would be my first ///M purchase, any veterans have any suggestions, thanks!

Guys, you should feel old. You are nowhere near the target market for a 7er. The 7er market is executives in their 50s+ (maybe late 40s) and wealthy retired folks. I am in my forties and I can't imagine owning a 7er. I'll probably be driving a 3er 'til I'm in my 70s. I might go for a 5er when I hit my 80s.

Originally Posted by avi8tir

I feel the same exact way.... I am 30 and my lease on my 2008 M5 is almost up. I doubt I'll get a good buyout deal so Im assuming its good-bye M5. My dilemma is what to get next. The 5 series is just too small for me - exception obviously made if its an M5.... The 750i is an awesome car - really comfortable and tons of tech... but I, too think its a bit too "old" for me.

The Panamera is butt ugly. Great car, great performer, uncomfortable for long periods.... and BUTT UGLY.

Have you considered the Maserati Quattroporte? There are some awesome deals out there on those right now.

Dude, how can the 5er be too small for a 30 year old? Do you already have a big family? Do you tote around big wig clients on a regular basis? You should do a two year lease on a new 550 and then when that's up you can pick up a new ///M5.

Personally, I can't imagine a 30 y.o. driving anything bigger than a 3er.

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Personally, I can't imagine a 30 y.o. driving anything bigger than a 3er.

Different strokes for different folks.

After 8 years of 3 series I'm jumping up to an X6. No kids, just my dog and ripe old age of 29. Probably not the most practical car but I'm finding that I do need more room for other stuff (not a family....).

On a side note, a close friend (25) has a 750 (short wheelbase, last body style). Finds he can't drive anything smaller now. Come to think of it, a good many of my friends that do own BMWs are driving something larger than a 3 (my lawyer in a new 7, my best friend an 8).

Everytime a friend sees my car for the first time...they are honestly shocked at the size! While I love the comfort and everyday ease of use....I have almost no driving excitement (although for the size and weight of the 750....it handles and accelerates shockingly well!!!)! I can't count how many times I've been asked why I didn't get a 335i, 535i or 550i!! I feel the car is too big for me, and very conservative! At the same time, I love the classic (un-Bangle) lines of the 7 Series, and my car has been so reliable...the most reliable BMW I have had since the early 2000's. At the time of my 750i purchase, the new 5 Series was still about 6 months away, and I had a 2006 330i..and the 3 Series feels too small (back seat & trunk are cramped). Personally, the 535i and 550i offer the best of the 3er and 7er...but at the time I had to choose between a 335i and a 750i, and of course the 750i won!

I'm in my early 60's and very tall so i have a fit problem with most cars. I have an e36 M3 as a track car that I fit in because of the lowered racing seat and seating position, a 2000 Dinan S2 M5 that is my "sports car" because I sort of fit after modifying the counsel, and a Porsche Cayenne Turbo S as my DD (I live in snow country).
I have had virtually every big German sedan made and haven't kept them long because they're too refined or they don't handle (S class AMG's).
I should have a long sedan to haul clients and friends but my passion for driving excitement trumps my need to haul every time.
I'd "kill" to fit in a new M3. It would be in my garage in a heartbeat!

Originally Posted by BsmithNP

Different strokes for different folks.

After 8 years of 3 series I'm jumping up to an X6. No kids, just my dog and ripe old age of 29. Probably not the most practical car but I'm finding that I do need more room for other stuff (not a family....).

On a side note, a close friend (25) has a 750 (short wheelbase, last body style). Finds he can't drive anything smaller now. Come to think of it, a good many of my friends that do own BMWs are driving something larger than a 3 (my lawyer in a new 7, my best friend an 8).

I'll give you an X6 (no, not literally). It's a car for a guy with lots of 29 year old testosterone.

Originally Posted by Copasetic22

I'm in my early 60's and very tall so i have a fit problem with most cars. I have an e36 M3 as a track car that I fit in because of the lowered racing seat and seating position, a 2000 Dinan S2 M5 that is my "sports car" because I sort of fit after modifying the counsel, and a Porsche Cayenne Turbo S as my DD (I live in snow country).
I have had virtually every big German sedan made and haven't kept them long because they're too refined or they don't handle (S class AMG's).
I should have a long sedan to haul clients and friends but my passion for driving excitement trumps my need to haul every time.
I'd "kill" to fit in a new M3. It would be in my garage in a heartbeat!

You may think I'm crazy and you may or may not like the looks, but you should go try out a 5er GT with Active Roll Stabilization. It will almost certainly fit your height and even leave room for a tall passenger to sit behind you. It really is quite an amazing car and it is great for someone who has to carry clients around. They will love you for it.

Originally Posted by tturedraider

I'll give you an X6 (no, not literally). It's a car for a guy with lots of 29 year old testosterone. .

If only I'd have known that you would give me one.... it wouldn't have been as much hassle at the dealership!

Probably not so much testosterone but more a guy that inherited his dad's lead foot. I figure maybe something bigger will keep me a little slower

so what do you ppl think???

Would the Panamera been a better choice for a more exciting drive?

the Pana's butt looks ugly in pics, but with 20" rims, in person, it looks nice (for me).

Originally Posted by bruno787

when car shopping almost a year ago today, i was 99% bent on the facelifted S Class--being a benz driver for the past decade, but it was a 3 month order. the Panamera was being previewed with only 2 cars available, then the 7 was just 2 weeks out in the market with around 6 cars on the lot. when i saw the 7, i fell out of love with the S, but the ff day when i saw the panamera......i had a new found love. sadly...2 weeks down the line, both unsold panameras went into other's garages. so feeling the urge to have a car Now...i went with the 7 since the panamera was also a 3 month wait and bmw gave me an irresistable deal.

fast forward 1 year......it seems im not too keen on driving my 7 anymore, i feel old (im in my early 30s) driving the car, though it really is fast and comfy and full of technological wizadry....its seems i like driving my New Mini JCW more.

i like to mod my cars slightly...my 7 seems too formal to add anything, its kinda starting to bore me?????? im usually in love with my cars for the first 3 years, but with the 7, its barely a year and it seems i already fell out of love with it.

Get a stripper M3 or M5 and mod the H out of em"

Originally Posted by bruno787

so what do you ppl think???

Would the Panamera been a better choice for a more exciting drive?

the Pana's butt looks ugly in pics, but with 20" rims, in person, it looks nice (for me).

I know that this is going to be the vaguest answer in the thread but really, only YOU can make that determination. In the end it sounds to me like you already have your answer but you're looking for validation. Go with your gut on this one.....

You could be the first person that has a Procede on his N54 powered 7 series .

I'm 34 and I love my 7, it's my first BMW and I love the way it looks, the luxurious feel and it suits my lifestyle. I'm a businessman, I entertain my buyers, bankers, perfect to take my son in on the weekends. My car is now in the workshop putting in the M kit. Pics to follow next week.

I just purchased a 2009 BMW 750li with about 12k miles on it. Before I did, I test drove both the S550 and the Panamera. The Porsche was fast and handled just as good as the 750LI. However, it is ugly. I hate the wagon look of the Panamera. Additionally, the back seat only hold two and not comfortably. I could bearly get in the back seat. If you need a little more horsepower, try the Dinan upgraded software. It boosts the power of your 750li to 495 and lifts the 159 mph electronically controlled speed limiter. It will cost you $3000, provide you a faster and more luxurious car than Panamera.

I could buy any car I want, within reason, and chose the 750LI. Its more luxurious and much more room, especially in the back seat. With the Dinan upgrade, you can beat the Panamera and the Panamera S on speed as well.

Return to your first love....

The rear quaters of the Panamera kills the way it looks. Also it wontage well. The 7 will still look good 3-4 years down the road where the Panamera will start looking slopy, just my opinion.