BjoernB:
in the AutoMotor&Sport edition Dec 15th they compared the M5,E63 and Panamera Turbo against eachother - and the Porsche came out 3rd , 2nd Merc and 1st M5.
Have you seen the M5 performance in the AMS test ? I've read two previous reviews from other car magazines and the best time I've seen was 12.9 seconds from 0-200 kph. In the AMS test, the M5 achieved 12.2 seconds. It also seems to be a fact that AMS always uses old performance figures in reviews, so to save money (or time or whatever), they don't test the car under the same conditions but take previous test figures and use them. What doesn't sound too important (they tested it, right ?), it makes a huge difference, especially on turbo charged cars. If they tested the Panamera Turbo at 30°C outside temperature and the M5 at 10°C outside temperature, the power difference can already make a huge difference.
14.9 seconds form 0-200 kph for the Panamera Turbo is quite bad, all reviews I've seen so far had figures below 14 seconds.
The handling review figures are also somehow weird since they contradict the performance figures from older reviews (talking E63 AMG vs. Panamera Turbo now but also Panamera Turbo S since the Panamera Turbo actually has the same chassis to my knowledge).
I don't say there is something bogus going on, AMS is Porsche-friendly (and BMW-friendly ) but I just think they didn't test the cars at the same time, which can make a huge difference in performance.
Regarding the M5 being a bargain: No doubt about it. Like Conny997 said, the price difference is huge and since the M5 is more in the Panamera Turbo S than in the Turbo league, the price difference is even bigger.
I will be honest with you guys: If the M5 had AWD, I'm not sure I would have gone for the Panamera Turbo S and I'm not kidding. However, a car with so much power, a car I move my family in and a car I'm using as a daily driver, including vacations to Austria (skiing) in deep winter time, such a car needs to have AWD. You should see the weather over here right now where I am, right now I have to meet my family at a cable car and I'm not sure I'm going to be able to pick them up because there is already huge snow on the street and the cable car station is pretty high up in the mountains, the road has a 6% inclination and I've already seen a couple of cars returning because they couldn't make it, mostly 2WD models...I think. This may not be important to somebody living in Dubai or Florida but for me, this is very important. I know that the Panamera is no SUV but even AMS mentioned in their test review that the M5 has traction problems on wet surfaces and you really don't want to turn off ESP on the M5 when it is wet. Even with the AWD of the Panamera, this can be a challenge.
Another advantage of the M5, like Conny997 mentioned it, is the stealth look. In black or a darker color, most people won't notice that this car has 560 horses. In Germany, definitely a very good thing.
To make it easier for you: No snow, barely rain, no need to stand out from the crowd...go for the M5.
If you want maximum possible performance in a sedan, combined with excellent safety under almost all driving conditions and a little bit of attention (depending on color choice)...go for the Panamera Turbo S.
Oh...according to reviews, the steering feel on the Panamera Turbo/S is the sportiest and direct one but make no mistake, the M5 seems to be very fast too, despite the slightly synthetic steering feel (according to reviews, I haven't driven it yet, winter time...).
In a car magazine, the M5 came second after the Panamera Turbo S in a track test but by a very tiny margin. I doubt however that an amateur driver can be that fast with RWD, especially on a public street. The AWD will be always an advantage...unless of course your name is Walter Röhrl.
I know it is a difficult decision but if money is not important, I would choose the Panamera Turbo S. Otherwise, the M5 is a pretty good choice but just don't forget that 560 horses in a RWD car aren't always fun. Before you take the plunge, do a test-drive in a M5.
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 997 Carrera GTS Cabriolet PDK, BMW X5M, BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S Countryman All4