looking for real life info on road noise for Panamera models; 2009 PTT, 2014 S-E hybrid, 2014 GTS comparison to cars like our Cayenne 2013 and our Merc GLS350 and then others like Bentley Flying Spur, Merc S, Audi A8, Audi A7.
From what I read, the panamera is still noisy on anything but smooth surfaces. There is quite a big difference between the Cayenne and GLS on coarsse roads, not so much on smooth. Cayenne is so much nicer to drive, hence why I want to move the GLS on.

I live in Oz and we have draconian speed limits and fines, so quiet and comfy is more important than outright performance. I do about 30,000km a year, to the snow and beach, a lot of freeway driving at 100kmh [60mph], hence my road noise enquiry.

I have added about 50kg of sound deadening to my 928S4, and that made a big difference in its GT status for trips!

Tha panamera would be great up the mountain, 12km and another section of 40km twisties going to the snow, but for the other 200km, quiet is better...hence my Bentley thought! Not really interested in the others, but the A8 is compelling value. Would probably get rid of the GLS, though it does take a lot od stuff!

Being able to fit roof racks to the Pana is a bonus, less so with others, like not possible with a Jag XJ. Very few ever come to OZ with the ski hatch option, in fact most here are very poorly optioned. Bentley has ski hatch and 4wd

ta, Nigel

 

I don't know where you're hearing that the Panamera is noisy. I don't even have the double insulated sound glazing option, and its the quietest car I've ever owned.

My SRT8 Jeep was the worst. The tire noise was Terrible. The 295/45/20's just roared. Almost no sound dampening and the aggressive camber just hummed on the inside. I loved driving it, and I'd love a Trackhawk, but the noise was just deafening.
My SRT300 was pretty good, but suffered some wind noise.
My CTSV Coupe was ok - rear tire noise in particular was bad with sticky summer pilot sports. The suspension did a really smooth job of dampening noise.
My RS7 was pretty quiet, but I could hear a bit of wind noise. It was ok with tires noise and great with soaking up road imperfections. Many reviewers have stated in comparison tests the Audi RS7 is quieter than the Panamera, and having had both I don't agree. The Audi was very solidly put together, and great, but the Porsche a tad better.

The Panamera has zero wind noise, and pretty low tire noise for being low slung running performance 35 series tires. If you want quiet, get 19" wheels with some 40 series rubber and touring tires. The door seals themselves are one of the most comprehensive and impressive things I've ever seen on a car. The noise canceling of the Burmester at low volume blends very well to which enhances it. Yes you hear some tiny road bumps a bit, and you feel them slighting in the steering, BUT I want that feedback, and I believe it to be by design. Where the Panamera shines, is extreme road changes the active air suspension really floats you right through. I don't even think the ride is harsh in Sport Chrono either. You just stay stuck to the road. In general I think the Panamera is very very good.

I can't provide feedback to a Bently, though I would bet money there is nothing astronomically different. A fully loaded S550 (not AMG) might be a bit more quiet because of touring tires, and sound dampening. Tire size and choice make a huge difference.

 

It is impossible not to get at least occasional noise with tires this wide on some surfaces unless you go with more noise insulation than cars will have with this performance potential. I have to agree tangentially with the gentleman above me in that it's good in it's own right despite the tires, stiff chassis, etc. The example I can make readily is that the car is as quiet as the Lexus Mrs Crab drives, more or less. In other words I didn't go out with a decibel meter and measure but to my ear there is little difference in road noise. Exhaust is a different matter and I should say that I have the sports exhaust and it may be masking some road noise but I've no way to know if that's true. IMO go test drive one and whichever way it goes I suspect you'll have your answer.

 

I just moved from 19” wheels to 20” wheels on my Panamera S with active air suspension, and there has been a slight increase in tire noise. And I really mean slight. Even with the 20s, my Panamera is incredibly quiet - there’s virtually no wind noise or road noise, whatsoever. It’s worth pointing out that I had roughly the same sized 20” rubber on my F-Type, and the amount of tire noise, wind noise, and general road noise on that car was significantly louder. Porsche has really engineered a bit of a miracle in creating a car with this level of pure performance and precision driving dynamics, while keeping the noise to an absolute minimum.

i really think the only way you’ll find anything quieter would be to go with a Bentley, Rolls Royce, or a MB S-Class.

 

Thanks for replies. I’ve only driven around the block in a turbo, it had a light interior and I wouldn’t go further with that due to sun reflecting back onto screen.
A small market here, so I need to convince some owner to let me find a freeway! I feel like I can’t do that to someone, just to satisfy my curiosity as I’m not fully into purchase mode. Just doesn’t seem right. Maybe at the next Porsche club meeting I can find an owner....
even at the dealer today, chatting with an old mate, he kinda agreed the road noise can be a bit much!

question! Does the Burmiester noise cancelling work on mute or only if playing? Is it volume dependant? Basically how does it work!

 

normally when I am in my Bentley I use my driver and I am in the back partying with the stereo jamming, so I can't really compare that to the road noise in the Panamera

It's way quieter than either of my Lambo's or my Ferrari tho....

In all seriousness - I agree it's the quietest car I've owned as well - certainly compared to BMW 5 and 7 series where I have the most relevant experience for comparison.

 

I have a 2014 Turbo S, with the insulated glass. It's really quiet on relatively smooth roads, especially with all season tires. The summer tires are obviously more noisy.. as they transmit more vibration into the car. The Panamera is a sporty car, so it can't be as quiet as a much more luxury oriented car.

That said, my car does transmit more suspension noise than I'd prefer, when driving over uneven surfaces and bumps. I know that Australia can have really smooth roads and quite bumpy roads.. at least when I've driven around between Sydney and Melbourne. To me, the Panamera on bumpy and noisy roads is not quite as quiet as my old E60 5 series, but it's about the same as my F10 5 series was.

The Panamera is really great at limiting wind noise.. as mentioned, the door seals are really comprehensive, and the noise insulated glass is an option as well. But less can be done about vibrations from the road.

 

ya that's a good point - there is a reasonable amount of suspension noise, but I don't even notice much tire noise and I have the 20" summer tires on Turbo wheels. standard glass here. car is pretty quiet overall but especially so on the highway.

 

OP maybe change the title of the thread asking if there are any owners in your city? (If you were in the NYC area I'd happily let you drive mine). My take: not a noisy car.

 

I find the car very quiet at highway speeds, I have tinnitus pretty bad, in most cars the road noise is enough that I can either have a conversion with who's ever in the car or I can turn the radio up loud enough for me to hear the music, but not both at the same time.
Not the case with my 4S, I can have both

Oh, I have 19" wheels

 

Panamera quieter than S7 (on 20in and 21in rims) and RS7 (21in rims)
Not as quiet as A7 (21 in rims)
A8 Quieter and S8 about the same as panamera. (21in rims)

 

Also I will say that the drives are obviously going to be different:
the panamera feels more cohesive and uniform and responsive, even at low speeds. Just feels tight all around.
The audis are great, and feel like they have more give and bounce (not in a bad way)

The panamera is as though you are driving in Audi's "Auto" setting (or even dynamic at times) all the time, there is nothing equivalent to Audi's "comfort" in the panamera.

 

Being a car guy of the type that goes to meets and that sort of thing I think you might be surprised at the number of people who would be happy to take you for a spin. I'd work that angle if you're seriously considering and it's deal breaker type issue.

 

I would echo this statement. Audi's soft setting, as well as all of the settings are softer and less planted than they are in the Panamera. Its a very comfortable smooth everyday driving car. In addition, the Sport mode in the Audi is considerably more harsh than Sport Chrono is in the Porsche, but without the tightness. I can drive around all day in the stiffest mode in the Turbo S because although tight its not harsh. I don't know if its just "smarter" or more electronically active with road conditions or what, but it was apparent the moment I drove it for the first time.

The Audi feels like a luxury sedan with a sport mode.

The Panamera feels like a sports car with a luxury mode.