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In a few months I'll probably swap out my current daily driver/family car, a 2017 C63s sedan and looking to get into a Porsche. As a father of one and with the roads here not being springing a few surprises, I can't make a 911 work unfortunately, but am considering either a Cayenne or a Panamera. My main question, one that I can't find a clear answer to, is how much will I lose in terms of a driver experience when doing this swap? Ideally looking for opinions from people that owned or at least drove a 205 C63(s). I drove both a 991.2 and a 992 GTS for about 400kms each on mountain roads, so if you want to reference the dynamics of a 911 in the comparison, I will be able to understand it. I do a decent number of track days and can appreciate the downsides of a heavy car like the C63, especially when it comes to the twisty bits. My budget would allow me to get at most a GTS, so not the Turbo/Turbo S.
Essentially I'm looking for any kind of feedback on this change, be it in terms of driving dynamics (this interests me the most), but also other aspects. For example it would be great if, by only losing a bit in terms of driving dynamics, I gain a much comfortable ride. Hope that makes sense.
In a few months I'll probably swap out my current daily driver/family car, a 2017 C63s sedan and looking to get into a Porsche. As a father of one and with the roads here not being springing a few surprises, I can't make a 911 work unfortunately, but am considering either a Cayenne or a Panamera. My main question, one that I can't find a clear answer to, is how much will I lose in terms of a driver experience when doing this swap? Ideally looking for opinions from people that owned or at least drove a 205 C63(s). I drove both a 991.2 and a 992 GTS for about 400kms each on mountain roads, so if you want to reference the dynamics of a 911 in the comparison, I will be able to understand it. I do a decent number of track days and can appreciate the downsides of a heavy car like the C63, especially when it comes to the twisty bits. My budget would allow me to get at most a GTS, so not the Turbo/Turbo S.
Essentially I'm looking for any kind of feedback on this change, be it in terms of driving dynamics (this interests me the most), but also other aspects. For example it would be great if, by only losing a bit in terms of driving dynamics, I gain a much comfortable ride. Hope that makes sense.
Thanks!
Pros and cons here. I own a current platform Cayenne S.
Larger cars handle more poorly than smaller cars, all else being equal. The best handling Panamera or Cayenne will not handle as well as a comparably equipped 911 or C63.
The Panamera has been claimed to handle nearly as well as a 911. This would require the Panamera to have all performance options for example PDCC, RAS and PTV. As you know the Panamera is larger than the C63 and 911 so more space for luggage and passengers. It is a low car and less friendly to bad road quality.
The Cayenne is an excellent platform, capable of good handling when optioned properly. It is much larger than the C63 and 911. It emphasizes space, utility and comfort which it does well. The S delivers a great balance of power, handling, comfort, luxury and space. GTS or Turbo versions are best handling, same as with the Panamera. Having said this, S-trim can be optioned to GTS and Turbo levels except for the engine. So a properly optioned S can handle like a Turbo except for power. This is true across the Porsche lineup - they allow extreme option/customization.
Both the Panamera and Cayenne must be optioned with air suspension. In the comfort setting the air suspension is sublime. In sport+ setting the system plants the car firmly on the road. It is very good.
I like the Cayenne. I have done alot of research on the Panamera and it just doesn’t fit my use case. We do long distance road trips and I take my cars up mountain gravel rutted roads from time to time, and a Panamera isn’t the right tool for me.
Both the Panamera and Cayenne are great vehicles. They are meant for different purposes. And neither will handle as well as a 911, but the Panamera comes close.
How far away from the C63 is a well-optioned Cayenne in terms of driving "fun" ? Does it bring out any desire to push the car on a twisty road or does it make you immediately want to go back to just getting from A to B?
I've had 3 911's, Boxster non S, Cayman GTS, and a Macan Turbo. I drove an older Cayenne Turbo for an extended period of time and that was a great SUV. I recently drove a base Cayenne for a few weeks and was very disappointed in the ride, performance and ergonomics. If you are looking for an SUV(ish) ride, test drive a Macan Turbo. It isn't a 911 but it's a fun car to drive and beats the performance of a Cayenne. Outside of the 911, the Macan was my second favorite Porsche. Easy entry and access if that matters. If you want the drive of a 911 without paying the price, Boxster or Cayman S or GTS will give you that driving thrill. But they are small cars. Look at a pre-owned Audi TTRS if that is of any interest. I presently have a 2021 C63s Cabrio.
How far away from the C63 is a well-optioned Cayenne in terms of driving "fun" ? Does it bring out any desire to push the car on a twisty road or does it make you immediately want to go back to just getting from A to B?
I saw you posted on RL. I will bump your post if no one chimes in. There are guys there who own both 911s and Cayennes, not sure if they can say much about the C63.
You must realize a tall, long, wide and heavy SUV will not handle like a shorter height/length, narrower and lighter AMG C63. You either need the space and comfort of a Cayenne (or any SUV), or you don't. With a Cayenne in GTS or Turbo trim you can create for yourself an outstanding sports car, but it will never be a 911 or C63.
I've had 3 911's, Boxster non S, Cayman GTS, and a Macan Turbo. I drove an older Cayenne Turbo for an extended period of time and that was a great SUV. I recently drove a base Cayenne for a few weeks and was very disappointed in the ride, performance and ergonomics. If you are looking for an SUV(ish) ride, test drive a Macan Turbo. It isn't a 911 but it's a fun car to drive and beats the performance of a Cayenne. Outside of the 911, the Macan was my second favorite Porsche. Easy entry and access if that matters. If you want the drive of a 911 without paying the price, Boxster or Cayman S or GTS will give you that driving thrill. But they are small cars. Look at a pre-owned Audi TTRS if that is of any interest. I presently have a 2021 C63s Cabrio.
How are you finding the C63s compared to the P-cars you owned, especially the Macan Turbo, which might be the ticket here. Did you get a chance to drive a Panamera as well?
The C63s is a fun car to drive but handling and nimbleness is where it falls short of a 911. I drove an earlier generation Panamera which was nice but not as engaging as the C63 or 911. If you could find a Panamerra Turismo, that might be a link between a C63 and SUV. Probably too expensive though. The Macan turbo really might be your best bet to test drive. It was the car that saved Porsche!
Thank you all! I'm pretty much settled on an X5 45e / M50i / 40d or a 540i / M550i. I decided that it's not worth the premium for a base Cayenne and I can't justify paying 50% more for a Porsche SUV to get nice performance.
I've had 3 911's, Boxster non S, Cayman GTS, and a Macan Turbo. I drove an older Cayenne Turbo for an extended period of time and that was a great SUV. I recently drove a base Cayenne for a few weeks and was very disappointed in the ride, performance and ergonomics. If you are looking for an SUV(ish) ride, test drive a Macan Turbo. It isn't a 911 but it's a fun car to drive and beats the performance of a Cayenne. Outside of the 911, the Macan was my second favorite Porsche. Easy entry and access if that matters. If you want the drive of a 911 without paying the price, Boxster or Cayman S or GTS will give you that driving thrill. But they are small cars. Look at a pre-owned Audi TTRS if that is of any interest. I presently have a 2021 C63s Cabrio.
The problem is that the TT is based on the Golf platform.
Thank you all! I'm pretty much settled on an X5 45e / M50i / 40d or a 540i / M550i. I decided that it's not worth the premium for a base Cayenne and I can't justify paying 50% more for a Porsche SUV to get nice performance.
Congrats, not a bad choice since you needed the extra room and since we are on an MB forum, I am curious why you didn't just get a GLC 63 S then unless I missed something you said, if so I am sorry. There is also E 63 S as well for the extra room.
As for Porsche, will be interesting to see what the new Cayenne will be like, the shortcomings as forum member chassis mentioned for the base Cayenne is quite significant, the only good thing about the base Cayenne is Porsche letting you option pretty much every option the highest tier Cayenne can, with all the good stitching, premium leather options, etc.
Not saying your decision on the BMW is bad but I was curious since your heart was set on Porsche since the start of the thread.
Congrats, not a bad choice since you needed the extra room and since we are on an MB forum, I am curious why you didn't just get a GLC 63 S then unless I missed something you said, if so I am sorry. There is also E 63 S as well for the extra room.
To be honest I wanted something different than an MB. I'm relatively young so didn't get a chance to experience many different brands (went from Fiat Stilo, Golf 5 GTI to C43 and then to C63s). As such I felt that after 6 years of MB ownership, I'm ready for something different. Saying that, I'm relatively confident I'll jump into an E63s in a few years, given how much electrification is happening around us.
Originally Posted by W205C43PFL
As for Porsche, will be interesting to see what the new Cayenne will be like, the shortcomings as forum member chassis mentioned for the base Cayenne is quite significant, the only good thing about the base Cayenne is Porsche letting you option pretty much every option the highest tier Cayenne can, with all the good stitching, premium leather options, etc.
Not saying your decision on the BMW is bad but I was curious since your heart was set on Porsche since the start of the thread.
Ended up getting a base 2019 Cayenne with pretty sweet options. I was almost dead set on an X45e, but after reading about so many issues with the hybrid part and then thinking I'll have to sell it at 6-7-8 years old when probably the electric technology will be even more advanced, I decided against it. Plus I kinda always wanted the Porsche.
To be honest I wanted something different than an MB. I'm relatively young so didn't get a chance to experience many different brands (went from Fiat Stilo, Golf 5 GTI to C43 and then to C63s). As such I felt that after 6 years of MB ownership, I'm ready for something different. Saying that, I'm relatively confident I'll jump into an E63s in a few years, given how much electrification is happening around us.
Ended up getting a base 2019 Cayenne with pretty sweet options. I was almost dead set on an X45e, but after reading about so many issues with the hybrid part and then thinking I'll have to sell it at 6-7-8 years old when probably the electric technology will be even more advanced, I decided against it. Plus I kinda always wanted the Porsche.
Congrats! Pics! Welcome to 9Y0 ownership, there is a good crew of owners on RL.
To be honest I wanted something different than an MB. I'm relatively young so didn't get a chance to experience many different brands (went from Fiat Stilo, Golf 5 GTI to C43 and then to C63s). As such I felt that after 6 years of MB ownership, I'm ready for something different. Saying that, I'm relatively confident I'll jump into an E63s in a few years, given how much electrification is happening around us.
Ended up getting a base 2019 Cayenne with pretty sweet options. I was almost dead set on an X45e, but after reading about so many issues with the hybrid part and then thinking I'll have to sell it at 6-7-8 years old when probably the electric technology will be even more advanced, I decided against it. Plus I kinda always wanted the Porsche.
Thank you, both! Pics attached. It's a bit different than the initial car I had set my eyes on (unfortunately that didn't have a deductible VAT, so had to choose another). Options I wanted:
- Panorama roof (V)
- BOSE sound system (V)
- Adaptive cruise control (V)
- Surround camera (X - this is probably the biggest disappointment)
- Light colour interior leather (X)
It has ambient lighting, comfort access and soft-close, nice options, but not something I was desperate to have. And I'm a bit scared about the 22" wheels.
Thank you, both! Pics attached. It's a bit different than the initial car I had set my eyes on (unfortunately that didn't have a deductible VAT, so had to choose another). Options I wanted:
- Panorama roof (V)
- BOSE sound system (V)
- Adaptive cruise control (V)
- Surround camera (X - this is probably the biggest disappointment)
- Light colour interior leather (X)
It has ambient lighting, comfort access and soft-close, nice options, but not something I was desperate to have. And I'm a bit scared about the 22" wheels.
Very nice, thanks for your pictures, enjoy it! As for 22s, if it is forged I think that would help in a way (from cracking, bending etc.), check with them if it is forged.
Thank you, both! Pics attached. It's a bit different than the initial car I had set my eyes on (unfortunately that didn't have a deductible VAT, so had to choose another). Options I wanted:
- Panorama roof (V)
- BOSE sound system (V)
- Adaptive cruise control (V)
- Surround camera (X - this is probably the biggest disappointment)
- Light colour interior leather (X)
It has ambient lighting, comfort access and soft-close, nice options, but not something I was desperate to have. And I'm a bit scared about the 22" wheels.
Congrats! PSC, sport tailpipes and Bose are great options. Looks like leather interiori also. Great job on 18-way sport seats - best seats ever.
Be sure to use a lossless audio source (Tidal, Apple Music) in the Bose wiht a wired connection and you will be pleased with the listening experience.
Congrats! PSC, sport tailpipes and Bose are great options. Looks like leather interiori also. Great job on 18-way sport seats - best seats ever.
Be sure to use a lossless audio source (Tidal, Apple Music) in the Bose wiht a wired connection and you will be pleased with the listening experience.
How do you find the ingress/egress of 18-ways though, I heard it is harder for certain builds compared to 14-way? A lot of my friends hated the 18-way and regret not just getting 14-way instead. Curious about your opinion.
Love the 18-ways, best seats ever. Truly. The bottom side bolster is a "climb-over" affair. I position my seat bottom at the lowest height, so no worries.
"Husky" or "broad-shouldered" (aka heavy) people might not like 18-ways. They are narrower and >normal BMI doesn't work with that.
There is a guy on rennlist who is 6' 11" and 255lbs or so and likes 18-ways. 18-ways seem to be for generally narrower people.
Love the 18-ways, best seats ever. Truly. The bottom side bolster is a "climb-over" affair. I position my seat bottom at the lowest height, so no worries.
"Husky" or "broad-shouldered" (aka heavy) people might not like 18-ways. They are narrower and >normal BMI doesn't work with that.
There is a guy on rennlist who is 6' 11" and 255lbs or so and likes 18-ways. 18-ways seem to be for generally narrower people.
That explained it, I admit my friends are not exactly "narrow"
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
Pics attached. It's a bit different than the initial car I had set my eyes on (unfortunately that didn't have a deductible VAT, so had to choose another). Options I wanted:
