Wilson Laidlaw

If the dealer does a full reload of the soft/firmware, be aware that the brakes may feel very odd and frankly not very good at low speeds for a few days after the update, until the software "learns" your braking style and apportions regenerative and hydraulic braking appropriately.

I have suggested before on this forum that folks learn to left foot brake, as this seems to suit the characteristics of the Panamera hybrid brakes better than shifting your right foot from brake to accelerator. In heavy traffic, this can be a good "fender bender" avoiding strategy, as left foot braking saves the nearly half a second delay in moving your right foot over from the accelerator pedal and that can represent quite a few feet of braking distance. In the early 90's, I bought an automatic gearbox Jaguar V12 Sovereign, to teach myself left foot braking, as I was changing my European hill climb championship car from a three pedal Ralt to a 2 pedal Lola (with hand clutch), where as the tunnel was split, left foot braking was obligatory. It is a technique I have never regretted learning. I have to make sure I switch my brain on when changing from the Panamera to my 1977 911 RSR with 3 pedals and very heavy non-servo assisted brakes .

Wilson

griffith_500

I used to always left foot brake in previous cars but the setup of the foot well in the Panamera does not suit me very much. The distance between foot rest and brake pedal is too big. The only option would be resting the left foot on the brake but that's not very clever either.

Wilson Laidlaw

I wonder if the pedal layout on RHD cars like mine, is better for left foot braking. It is very common for cars where the RHD version is secondary to the original design as a LHD car, for the right hand footwell to be narrower than the left hand.

The notorious example of this was the XK120 Jaguar, which although British, was designed mainly as a LHD car for export to the USA. Post war up to 1952, you had to get special permission from a government agency, to buy a new car in the UK, which used steel, then supposedly in short supply (in fact it was more to do with the then socialist government's levelling down/anti-middle/upper class agenda), so cars like the XK120 were mainly for export. The right hand footwell on the XK120 is so narrow, that the clutch pedal is basically sitting against the transmission tunnel and there is nowhere at all to rest your left foot. This was cured on the later XK140 with a reshaped transmission tunnel and the gearbox mounted slightly further to the left.

Wilson

HotV

Good info . I’ve never learned the skill of left foot breaking. Got the car back yesterday evening. They found a code which indicated that there was some kind of water mix in the oil. I was soon due for an oil change as it was on the 30 day countdown. So had them do that as well. Everything operating normally for now. I drive the car on 20 minute trips most days on city streets in hybrid mode. They suspected that not getting up to high operating temperatures and using hybrid mode doesn’t allow the “burning off” of moisture that can accumulate in the gas. I suppose this makes sense as the engine could shut off for hybrid mode and there could be some small amount of fuel that leaks in depending where the pistons are in the cycle, etc. I always use high-quality gas-Shell at almost every fill up.

They said there were no new software updates available for that car at this time but rumor was some thing was coming in the near future which had to do with emissions. Fingers crossed it was a relative fluke and will be fine.

SaratogaLefty

I also currently do most of my driving in full electric mode. But even when I'm a couple of miles from home and still have electric only range available, I always move selector to Sport mode to ensure the ICE fires up and has adequate time to warm up fully. Only talking about 1-2 miles on ICE but that is enough to get it up to proper temp and was told by dealer this is a good practice as it keeps the seals lubricated and has other benefits for the engine.

MKC91

SPOILER ALERT

With the warmer weather here ("Toronto, ON) my spoiler started behaving normally again. I had my car in for an unrelated matter and asked the above question again, since every winter I have this problem and wouldn't want ice buildup, external factors from a touchless car wash etc. to break the internals of the active spoiler. This time I got a different answer. Apparently, if you select the Individual drive mode, the rear spoiler can be extended or retracted and does not operate dependent on the driving speed.

Who knew this and didn't tell me? -- I will have to test this tonight, lol.

cometguy

I've been involved with this thread for three full years now, and I've read most (but not all) of what's been written here ... 2511 posts in this thread are a lot to read!
I don't think this question has been asked here before, but I apologize if it has been. I'd like to take a poll amongst E-Hybrid owners to see if you all leased or purchased your car.
I'll start by saying that I purchased mine after weighing both options carefully and deciding that I'd end out ahead by buying a holding the car's value instead of paying high lease prices and having no equity at lease end (plus it always gives me the option to sell or trade any time I want to, and I don't have to worry about mileage limits and about losing tax credits to a dealership).
But what about the rest of you? Did you buy or lease? (Buying includes financing, in which you pay off a loan.). And please state your country when you respond, if it's not in your avatar.
Thanks, all!

SaratogaLefty

I bought my 2018 E-Hybrid for cash up front. I have actually had some leases in the past with Lexus and Land Rover. They both had very attractive interest rates and high residuals so it made sense for me to go with the lease. The problem with Porsche is their interest rates are very high compared to other manufacturers and their residuals are not as attractive either. If I had a business that I could have written it off against, then maybe I would have gone with the lease. In any case, my intention is to keep this car for quite a while as I find it extremely pleasurable to drive in a relaxing manner or aggressively on mountain roads. This is my fourth Porsche.

Wilson Laidlaw

Since I retired, I normally keep my cars some considerable time. I had my previous 997 Turbo S with the Code 550 engine for over 10 years and the only reason I sold it was that my very fragile back (broken twice and 35 years of arthritis) could not live with lifting child seats in and out of the back of the 911 for transporting grandchildren. Also as they grow like weeds, just about the point they would no longer need child seats, they would outgrow the rear seats in a 911. I therefore bought my Panamera cash, with the thought that I would keep it around 8 years, by which time, hopefully solid state batteries with ultrafast charge times and 500+ miles range would be available on electric cars. In a normal year I drive down to my house in France from the UK, which is an 800 mile trip and I just could not put up with stopping three or four times to recharge on the current Taycan.

Wilson

MKC91

Purchased (Canada). I didn't want to deal with monthly payments and the interest rates were not favourable at all so it was a no brainer. I tend to keep my vehicles for a long time and was thinking of a CPO GTS or Turbo before the 4 e-Hybrid came out. Truly, the best of both worlds for me.

Dubbsbear

Great question. Here's my take. As I have matured (again MO) in responsibility both in regards to my finances and mindset (again, IMO), I have moved from the financing model as a necessity when I was younger to get the things I want to a full purchase model present day. This applies to most of my high ticket items homes, vehicles, golf clubs, etc... I will also qualify this as with the exception of one of my homes, I usually don't purchase new. My rationale is this, if depreciation is already accounted for and absorbed by the original owner, then my exposure to owning is usually reduced considerably. I tend to hold on to my cars for 2-4 years, but am not adverse to keeping them longer as long as they suit my needs and function well.

I just recently sold a 2013 Cayenne S that was a high option build at the time ($97K). I purchased this in cash for just under $21K in Feb. 2018, 92K miles which was still under CPO until Aug 2019. Literally sold it for $18,400 2 weeks ago, so my cost of ownership was realistically $3K/year including the obligatory maint. that was performed (and not including fuel). While I know that my deal isn't the norm, but they are out there if you're patient and keep to the plan on getting what you NEED instead of what you want (which at times I'm also guilty of giving in to).

Also just purchased a 2018 Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo for what I feel is a great deal. Purchased (cash) for just under $68K ($139K build sheet), 47.4 miles with a fresh CPO that now rolls out to 2024 with unlimited millage. I think I'm flatlined at a number that will be solid for at least a year or two IMO.

Lastly, bought a 2020 Cayenne S Coupe as a year-end Loaner/Leftover for $76K ($102K sticker), with 4K miles. Purchased (cash).

Already considering a Taycan Cross Turismo, but realistically I want to hold out for a long-range Panamera Sport Turismo.

works

I've decided to upgrade to one more hybrid on my way to pure electric and have mentally landed from a '17 530e to a base Panamera 4 e-hybrid '17-'19. I'm now locally shopping one and the trim levels do vary quite widely. This would be a question to the current owners: What were some of the things that you either thought that you absolutely need, but ended up not really using/appreciating and what are then in reverse some that you thought that nah, I'll live without it, but ended up regretting leaving out from the build sheet of from the used sample?

I'm starting to visit several different samples locally and having a test on whether or not my preconceived notions on what I think I'd need or want are in any way accurate. But as I'm doing this, it would be wonderful to read about others perspectives on this if any have theirs to share.

KW411

Hybrid is a good way to pave into the full electric future. But the infrastructure is not here yet. With more people shifting to electric/hybrid vehicles, it is hard to find empty charging stations these days. Some of us who live in single house is relatively easy and you can charge your car every time you get home. But for those live in high rise apartments, it may be difficult for them to find charging stations. Before we get into a full electric vehicle era, I would love to see cars with more efficient battery but still have a small gas tank (i,e, can do only100-200km) as a reserve.

Vintage12

I picked up a fairly well optioned E-Hybrid last year (50%+ in upgrades), what’s attractive as a buyer is the options don’t hold so much value in the used market so while you pay a small premium it is worth considering a well optioned example assuming you perceive some value.

Some of the options I grew to really appreciate include the Rear Axle Steering with Power Steering Plus, Park Assist, 7.2KW Onboard Charger, Premium Package Plus w/ Comfort Access, Soft Close Doors, Lane Change Assist, Seat Heating Front and Rear (could probably drop the LCA but it is in the package), Front Seat Ventilation, Steering Wheel Heating, Park Assist, LED Matrix Headlights PDLS+, 21” 911 Turbo Design Wheels.

The options I could probably live without include the Full Sports Exhaust & Tailpipes in Black (I expect this might be controversial, really thought this was a must have at the time), Carbon Fiber Interior Package, Rear Wiper, Sport Chrono in White. Adaptive 18-way Sports Seats (14-way would be just fine).

And then there are a few options that I could go either way. Club Leather interior, Leather Steering Column, Leather Cluster Surround, painted key in Leather pouch (all beautiful but perhaps not necessary), Burmester Surround System (kind of shocked myself I would downgrade this from a must have) – just don’t listen enough, Bose would probably be fine. I’ll add the Ambient Lighting package here.

The one quite spendy item I haven’t categorized is the Sport Design Package in High Gloss Black which in my case included additional touches like Door Handle inlays painted, Tinted LED Tailights, Window trim in High Gloss Black and more. I admit that gives the car a special look but I believe a great deal of this is included in the recent MY upgrade as standard. Very nice if you can find it or go with the newer MY.

There are a couple of options I thought I would want (but don’t have them), these include the 4-zone climate, and ACC – in reality I don’t miss having them at all.

Just my personal views, hope this helps you.

Brig993

This thread has been a wealth of knowledge and its been an amazing run with the Panamera. But the family needs have changed and it’s time to go back to a cayenne. If anyone is looking for an ehybrid I’m selling my low mile volcano grey over black/chalk 18’ ehybrid ST with 4 years of warranty/CPO. It’s going through the dealer I’m buying my cayenne Ehybrid from in NJ. Shoot me a PM.