I never thought that I'd even consider the Panamera, but I decided to take a test drive in the new Pan 4---wanted to see what the 300-hp V6 would feel like (the V8 variants are outside my budget parameter). It's no V8, but it is powerful and does move, albeit somewhat lacking in the low-end torque department. The car I drove didn't have the air suspension, so I'm gonna do another drive in one that does.

I know, I know---a totally different set up vs. the D4, with more of a sports car ride/feel than the A8. Don't know if I'd be happy with it longterm with the mostly highway driving that I do, but it was lots of fun for the half-hour I was in it. I was surprised that the seats were as comfortable as they were, and I may even be liking the dedicated buttons, as opposed to working things through an MMI setup. Even that nasty butt design is growing on me a bit.

Anyone else juggling a choice between the two?

I drove the Panamera a few months ago just to see how it drove. The result was that it is impressive. Problem came when I got out of the car and had to look at it - yikes. I love Porsches, own a 911S but can't see myself in one of these.

I have a new A8 on order, hopefully it will arrive soon.

I picked up a Panamera 4S right after I had seen one on the street in black. I felt that in this color at least, it had a lot of presence. I test drove the car three times and decided to take the plunge. It usually takes me about a month to form an opinion and after that period of time with the Panamera, I was unhappy.

I felt that the performance and handling was as advertised, but these characteristics are not the only important ones to me in a luxury sedan. I feel that they biased the Panamera too far over on the performance scale and skimped on the luxury side. I found the seats very narrow, hard and confining (I am 5'5" and weigh 135 pounds). By contract the seats in the new Porsche Cayenne are more comfortable for me. I also felt that the rear visibility was pretty awful and that I was driving from inside a cave. The ride quality even with the air suspension was not as forgiving with passengers aboard. The fuel economy was nowhere close to EPA estimates and I averaged less than 18 mpg with a light foot. My biggest objection with the Panamera was with the transmission. I just don't feel that a dual clutch automated manual is appropriate for this vehicle. The eight speed from the Cayenne makes more sense to me. Starting out from rest was always a herky jerky affair.

I also tried the BMW 750 which I found too aloof and artifical. The Mercedes S Class makes me feel like I am 100 years old. The Audi A8 really has my attention.

Jayshoes--thanks for the feedback. I'm testing another Pan w/air suspension on Saturday. While my experience with the seat comfort is opposite what you felt, I do see your point about the cavernous feeling inside the car---low and enclosed. The "herky jerky" feeling sort of agrees with some initial reviews about the ponderous feeling the car has at low speed (like in heavy traffic, which I find myself in a fair amount of the time). It'll be a back-to-back test between the Pan and the A8 --- with the A8 Drive Select set to Dynamic for most/all vehicle control settings.

Thanks again.

actually, I'm wrestling in between the MB S550 and the D4 NWB. I cant make up my mind. I have driven both of them and neither stands alone. The porsche visually does absolutely nothing for me and neither does the BMW 7. Maybe I need to keep shopping? =(

actually, I'm wrestling in between the MB S550 and the D4 NWB. I cant make up my mind. I have driven both of them and neither stands alone. The porsche visually does absolutely nothing for me and neither does the BMW 7. Maybe I need to keep shopping? =(

In terms of pure driving fun, IMO the Panamera tops all those you mentioned. Having said that, it's still a question of what you're looking for in a car you'll be driving in a variety of conditions and situations. I'll be re-testing the Pan---this time with an air suspension--- this weekend to see how that setup meets my typical needs and re-compare with the D4. The Panamera (even with it's styling) keeps calling to my heart, but my head says the A8 will be (as it has been in the past) better suited to my particular driving needs---as boring as it looks and feels vs. the Porsche.

BTW, have you driven the A8 with the Drive Select set to some different vehicle control settings?---It may cause you to re-evaluate how it compares to the Merc. Just a thought.

In terms of pure driving fun, IMO the Panamera tops all those you mentioned. Having said that, it's still a question of what you're looking for in a car you'll be driving in a variety of conditions and situations. I'll be re-testing the Pan---this time with an air suspension--- this weekend to see how that setup meets my typical needs and re-compare with the D4. The Panamera (even with it's styling) keeps calling to my heart, but my head says the A8 will be (as it has been in the past) better suited to my particular driving needs---as boring as it looks and feels vs. the Porsche.

BTW, have you driven the A8 with the Drive Select set to some different vehicle control settings?---It may cause you to re-evaluate how it compares to the Merc. Just a thought.

No, I didnt play with the different driving type options in the car. I just took a quick spin around the block in it. Im looking for the ultimate sport luxury sedan (within my budget). The car for me will be not an everyday driver seeing as I have a truck I drive daily, do to my line of work and my wife has a SUV for the kiddies so this will be a weekend driver and toy. Its time to add a luxury sedan to my garage but feel lost on what I want. I always thought the MB was the way to go but honestly it doesnt impress me to the point that I must have it. I loved the cockpit of the audi and the feeling of driving it. So thats the direction Im leaning towards but I have never owned an audi and I want to make the right choice.

Agree about the heart and head thing. The Pan 4S is a very satisfying car to drive. Indeed, it surpasses the 996 4S of a few years ago that I had. The Pan design is also growing on me as I see a few around town. Aside from the significant difference in price of a NWB D4 with the options you chose and the Pan 4S, I am afraid the Pan might be a bit too intense for short drives that I tend to do. I found the seats and suspension to be perfect on the 4S, although entry and egress are definitely closer to those of a sports car than a large sedan, which it is. The D4 and 4S are quite different in concept and implementation. For a drive through the country the Pan is my choice, but for the daily driving of about 15 miles, the D4 with a bit more power will be my choice. Of course, if Audi leaves the D4 engine as it is for next year's model, S8 may be the way I go. For now, I'll just drive the '08 D3 for a year more. Maybe I am just outgrowing Porsches.

"For a drive through the country the Pan is my choice, but for the daily driving of about 15 miles, the D4 with a bit more power will be my choice"

My typical driving would be weekend commuting from NYC to Eastern Long Island---200+ miles on highway (with some part in heavy stop & go traffic), and country roads while driving locally. Both cars would have their +/- factors for the type of driving I'll be doing. Who knows, perhaps the A7 is a better practical compromise.