I recently came across this list of maintenance costs for the Panamera:




I can almost understand the second on the list - the result of a colossal design blunder but it's the last that is really puzzling. I've watched several videos of the process and would estimate that a fumble fingered DIYer might need half an hour but an experienced tech should accomplish the task in 15-20 minutes. The only explanation that I can come up with is that the price includes overnight air delivery of a battery from Germany to the US

 

If you could point me in the direction of the $100 Transmission Fluid change I'll make my appointment tomorrow!

And AGM batteries are certainly expensive, but that price is a bit high for sure. I know BMW uses similar size/style batteries and even at the dealer they would go for around $500. A good indy will do it for around half of that.

 

An AGM battery, identical in size, shape, attachments (including the vent tube fitting) and rating to the typically Varta original can be found for ~ $250.

 

Much of this is off base. Changing the oil is easy/hard. You have to remove the underbody panel, which is a time consuming PITA. Otherwise, it's easy. I've done my own at home, but this week had my Independent Garage do it, since the car was in for its annual and PDK service,. The Indy charged $280., including the oil, filter and new plug. Transmission oil doesn't get changed except in conjunction with PDK service, which requires buying and installing a new transmission oil pan, which has the filtration built in, at a parts cost of $430, plus the fluids, plus the labor, a grand total for the PDK exercise of about $1,000.

You can change your own battery. No big deal. Same for the pollen filters, which are inexpensive.

 

My Pacifica Hybrid uses the same H8 AGM battery as the Panamera. $160 at Costco.

I am increasingly convinced that the reason Porsche can get away with this level of gouging is that they are increasingly a fashion statement and many owners take a perverse pleasure from paying exorbitant fees for the most basic of services / parts. It makes them feel rich and special. "My car has a $1,000 battery with a Porsche sticker on it. Not like your ordinary, but otherwise identical Interstate AGM battery, without a sticker, that you paid only $200 for."

 

The Panamera is wonderful to look at and a delight to drive. It has been an anchor point in my current review of possible next cars. The accumulating evidence of design that egregiously ignores serviceability (dismantle front end to change air filter, transmission fluid filter "built in" to pan) coupled with blatant price gouging for service and spares has reached the point where, irrespective of any significant financial considerations, it would annoy me to a degree that would diminish my enjoyment of the car. I do not suffer fools gladly nor do I wish to be taken for one.

 

$600 dollars for an oil and filter change??? Is that a typo? If not, do they drop the engine or something to change the oil? That can't be correct, is it?????

 

sounds about right tbh, I was quoted over £500 over in the Uk for the same at local OPC, it’s crazy ...