Here are some of my thoughts after 20,000 miles in the GTS.

First, I couldn’t be happier with my choice. The overall driving experience is better than I’ve ever had in a luxury sedan. The car has a fantastic driver involvement and connection to the road. The precision, responsiveness and ability of this car to change directions just defies belief for an AWD car of it’s size and weight.

Right now I have the 19" Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 tires on the car, and the handling is still better than my E60 M5 was with summer tires. The ride is miles better – very comfortable in comfort setting. No problem or complaints taking my wife’s parents out to dinner.

For me, the power is perfectly matched to the car. More power would always be nice, but I wouldn’t want to give up the response and the sound. Feeling all 4 tires scrambling for traction as you modulate the throttle through a turn is way more fun for me than pushing the go pedal in a straight line on the highway. (I’ve probably overdosed on that with my highly modified E60 M5).

I probably use the air suspension/sport-plus setting several times a day. The exhaust note is just addictive – especially the throttle blips on downshifts. I never get tired of that note. I will say that the exhaust in normal mode is significantly louder than the other Pannys, and this could be a problem for some people. Not bad, just significantly louder.

The alcantara 17-way seats are some of the best I’ve ever sat in. The alcantara stays warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than the leather, and you don’t slide around on the seats. This is also one of the best features of the GTS.

I was concerned about not getting the multifunction wheel, but after using the auxillary stalk to change stations and functions for a while, I actually prefer it over the small wheel adjustment I’ve had on some of the loaner multifunction wheels. The paddles and wheel design is the best I’ve seen on any car.

I initially ordered the retractable hatch cover, and I would recommend against it. I had it replaced with the solid cover and am much happier. The retractable cover looked cheap, and is actually harder to remove than the solid cover. I don’t see why anyone would order one.

I had the Pirelli tires replaced with Michelin Pilot Sports after 12,000 miles because of a puncture (nice dealer gave me 4 new M’s for the price of the single tire). There is no comparison – the Michelins take the car to another level over the Pirellis. I would insist on the Michelins if you can.

With the GTS rear-wheel biased AWD, you really believe you’re driving a RWD car. The steering precision is amazing for an AWD. Driving the car in the snow and rain is a joy. No more worrying about the rear end traction. I have complete confidence in the snow with 19” Michelin snow tires.

I’ve always liked the exterior look of the car, and I’ve gotten many compliments from people, and a fair number of pictures taken. The interior has gotten better every month – especially now that I’ve removed the bright yellow idiot stickers from the visors. This is the best-looking interior I’ve ever seen in a mass produced car.

The only problem I’ve had with the car is an occasional echo with the radio reception. There is evidently a work program to fix this.

Of course, there are some negatives. The car is really wide, and it’s a big car. The visibility is the worst of any car I’ve ever driven. If you set your side mirrors properly you’re fine, but you MUST get the rear view camera. Running around in parking lots at Xmas time was not a lot of fun.

I also think the nav system and the overall interface is way behind the times. BMW and Audi have much more sophisticated systems.

And finally, nobody will give this car a prize for value. You really pay for every feature that you get, and there are quite a few that you can’t get (ventilated sport seats, multifunction wheel with real paddles, heated sports wheel). But what you do get is such high quality; I do feel I’ve gotten more than my money’s worth.

I find this car to be the perfect balance between a practical luxury sedan and a sports car. If you are looking more for luxury, I’d go for the PTT or 4S. If you’re looking for the most involving and connected ride you can get in a luxury sedan and lean more towards the sports-car than the luxury car, then this is the ticket.

 

Great recap!!! i cant wait to get to 20k miles on mine ... the power, noise and handling is better than any car ive owned.

 

i have until the end of the month to grab a GTS allocation at my dealor and customize it and reading this makes it hard to pass. great overall review of the cars.

i have only had panny's for a couple of weekends but do identify with much of what you say. its funny though, the thing looks huge, and with the lack of rear view seems so when moving slowly but it is only 10 cm or 4 inches wider than a new 911. now it is 20 inches longer but a lot of the other large sedans are another 4 to 10 inches longer than the panamera, so within the sedan context, it is about the size of the current A6's.

i think the low height makes it look bigger - again only 4 inches higher than a 911.

i prefer the rear assist without the camera - have you tried those?

i can't remember UM, r u down to one car with this?

 

Down to one street car, and my race car.

You really need the r.v. camera. It's really quite good, especially when you're pulling out of a parking space and need to see oncoming cars - it gives you a view out from the rear that is excellent.

 

i was looking at some sizes and an audi TT is an inch wider than the panamera. the A7 is 8 inches wider but the same width. an A8 is 12 inches longer and like the A7 about 8 inches wider - those are big numbers imo.

never thought about that use for the camera. i can't understand how those cameras can work through winter though - back of my cars get caked in snow.

 

How could you PREFER rear assist without the camera?

 

i like the picture more. i know what is behind me not just exctly where - have rear assit on my 911 and it is great with the pic in the screen.

 

Thanks for the 20k update. Nice summary of your experience. Makes me want to trade mine in for a GTS!

The Panamera is a wide car. Not sure what measurements or dimensions you guys are referring to. It is 9 mm wider than the Audi TT, 2 mm wider than the A7, 12.5 mm wider than the 991, and 5 mm wider than the W221 S-class. The Continental GT is 1.3 mm wider than the Panamera. (25.4 mm = 1 inch)

The width makes it tougher to park in small parking spaces and navigate in narrow lanes like the CA-110 in Pasadena. Of course the handling more than makes up for this and the width makes the interior more space and comfortable.

Agree that rear view camera is a must, especially in crowded parking lots with little kids running around.

Side mirrors have to be adjusted correctly to eliminate blind spots, particularly on the passenger side.

 

Nice you Are enjoying your car, from b-polar backwards visibility is zero. Camera works fine in winter, only problems come with highway heavy rain, then its blurred. The soft cover allows you to pack above window level and still not get hit by stuff in the head when braking, what would be the best solution is net between cargo bay and back seat, and no sensor for closing hatch, then you could actually use it.

 

Glad you are enjoying your car and that you are "driving" your car. 20,000 miles in what 8 months is impressive. That is what the cars are made for and why it makes so much sense to own a DD you can use 12 months a year and enjoy everyday. Even though I agree the value prospect of the Panamera is not good, the fun and enjoyment factor more than offset that for me. And like you I drive it most everyday, so the difference is simply part of my entertainment budget!

 

Don't know where you get your info, but TT is about 20cm narrower than Panamera and also A7 is a little narrower, actually only a8 is less than 2cm wider.

 

i got all my numbers right from the audi canada site so i went back. it looks like the width they give includes the mirrors but it is not disclosed as such on those cars - i found the reference on the A4 dimensions. kinda stupid to include mirrors.

looks like A7 is 22mm narrower

 

I have to say that thanks to the OP, I chose the PGTS over a F10 M5 to replace my E92 M3. His comments are spot on in my short experience with the PGTS. A matter of fact, all of the reviews I have read are very accurate.

I think any more power, esp torque, would make this car unbeatable and non-replaceable.

For the select few that want a sport car experience in a large sedan, there is no other car better.

 

This is a great review. Not too much info on long term impressions for the PGTS.

 

Great review and I agree 100%. I went back and forth between a turbo and a GTS. I just liked the look of the GTS better and it's a more involving car to drive. I really expected to walk away with the turbo but the GTS won me over. It's an awesome car.