650i GC vs Panamera GTS

BMPOWERED · 08-10-2019, 01:13 PM

My CPO warranty expires Feb 2020 and I'm considering adding a 2 year third party warranty at cost of around $3700-4000. As an alternative I'm considering going with something else such as a used Panamera either certified or thru CarMax with their warranty. Ultimately the Panamera would cost me more but I'm not really seeking financial advice here....simply opinions on the cars. I expect some bias here but am curious of your opinions...

hugo_nz · 08-10-2019, 01:35 PM

I was considering a Panamera too at one stage. Looks aside it's a great car but a couple of negatives for me personally:

" Interior. Waaay too many buttons and the tech is typical VW fare
* Material quality. Some questionable choices throughout the cabin
* Maintenance. As with any Porkie it's going to cost you more than that of a BMW

NorthCountryGuy · 08-10-2019, 01:57 PM

These are both high quality German cars.
The BMW is better looking.

FBMWWINS · 08-10-2019, 04:42 PM

Granted I have no experience with Porsche, the 650GC is still a great looking and pretty much up-to-date car when compared to many of its contemporaries. From the looks of it I would choose the 6 series (any F-model) anytime over the Panamera. I personally would keep the 650GC especially if you have been happy with it thus far. Unless you want to try out something new, different.

mgattmch · 08-11-2019, 06:23 AM

If you look on the Panamera forum (https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/panamera-75/), most owners report the car as being very reliable. Based on my experience owning 5 BMW cars (three 540iX, a 550iX and a 650iX GC now) I would not say this about BMW. See my history with the last 550iX (2012 MY); https://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1611852.

I agree with the previous post, a 650GC does look beautiful, I certainly get a lot of positive comments from strangers on the cars looks. Although I personally love the look of the Porsche Panamera, beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder with this car.

rexpontius · 08-11-2019, 06:23 AM

Damn your 650 looks awesome! Way better than a Panamera.
What exhaust and diffuser do you have?

thedza · 08-11-2019, 07:41 PM

would definitely keep the 650. if it was the new panamera it would be a more difficult decision

MichaelInChicago · 08-11-2019, 10:39 PM

If the 6 GC did not exist, the Panamera would still be hideous.

Dutt1113 · 08-11-2019, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMPOWERED

My CPO warranty expires Feb 2020 and I'm considering adding a 2 year third party warranty at cost of around $3700-4000. As an alternative I'm considering going with something else such as a used Panamera either certified or thru CarMax with their warranty. Ultimately the Panamera would cost me more but I'm not really seeking financial advice here....simply opinions on the cars. I expect some bias here but am curious of your opinions...

What tail lights are those on your 650 gc? those look awesome

BMPOWERED · 08-12-2019, 01:16 AM

Thanks for all of the opinions guys. I figured this forum would be a bit biased (LOL) but you all kind of confirmed what I already thought/knew.

-The 6 is definitely the most beautiful looking of the 2 cars (especially from the side profile and the back)
-My 650 is faster, unless I go with at least the GTS Panamera. The Panamera handles better.
-The Panamera has a sportier interior-feels very 911ish
-The Panamera lacks a 5th seat. At least the center seat in the 6 will fit a child in a pinch (I've used it on occasion)
-The tech/infotainment seems more modern in the 650. The 6 series idrive was updated in 2014. A 2014 Panamera seems to run the same system it did dating back to 2010. It is actually hard to find a Panamera in that generation that has keyless ignition and surround view cameras.
-Panameras and Porsches in general actually seem pretty reliable. Although cost of repairs on either car is scary either way. BMWs, especially V8s tend to be a nightmare after about 60k miles. It is really telling that BMW now only gives 1 year warranty on their certified cars and will not go beyond 7 years from the original date of sale. Porsche will certify cars back to 2012 model year for an additional 2 years from date of sale, meaning they will warranty cars that are 9 model years old. Also I've priced warranties for my 650 compared to a Panamera and the 650 is always more expensive. These are all signs that the 650 is less reliable.

Bottom line is I still love my 650. If the warranty was not about to expire I wouldn't even be having this discussion. With the cost of the 2 year warranty running about $4k for a 3rd party company (I've heard some nightmares with those), it got me thinking about some other options. I've had 3's and 5's in the past, but none of them seem to exude the same sexiness as the 6, so it would be hard to go back. I thought about an M6, but I really like having a sunroof/moonroof. 8 series GC will be out of my price range at launch. I'm really leaning toward keeping my 6 or even buying a newer 2016 certified or from CarMax with their warranty.

BMPOWERED · 08-12-2019, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgattmch

If you look on the Panamera forum (https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/panamera-75/), most owners report the car as being very reliable. Based on my experience owning 5 BMW cars (three 540iX, a 550iX and a 650iX GC now) I would not say this about BMW. See my history with the last 550iX (2012 MY); https://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1611852.

I agree with the previous post, a 650GC does look beautiful, I certainly get a lot of positive comments from strangers on the cars looks. Although I personally love the look of the Porsche Panamera, beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder with this car.

Agreed regarding the reliability. I also had an F10 550i. The fact that Porsche will warranty their cars longer and the fact that 3rd parties all charge more for BMW 650 warranties point to the Porsche being more reliable. Regarding the looks, the Panamera is hard to call. Sometimes I look at it from some angles and think, "that is a bad ass car!" And then from other angles, or a different trim level, I think, "ewww that looks hideous!" But the 6 looks good from every angle and any trim level.

BMPOWERED · 08-12-2019, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rexpontius

Damn your 650 looks awesome! Way better than a Panamera.
What exhaust and diffuser do you have?

Thank you! The diffuser is the JL Motoring DTM style.

BMPOWERED · 08-12-2019, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dutt1113

What tail lights are those on your 650 gc? those look awesome

Stock! What's different is that I smoked (tinted) the upper half of the lens following the body line of the car.

BMPOWERED · 08-12-2019, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedza

would definitely keep the 650. if it was the new panamera it would be a more difficult decision

Agreed. The problem is I would at least want the 4S model and they are still around $90k+ used...a bit over my budget

BMPOWERED · 08-12-2019, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelInChicago

If the 6 GC did not exist, the Panamera would still be hideous.

The looks are definitely controversial...usually a love it or hate it.

jjasonSU · 08-12-2019, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedza

would definitely keep the 650. if it was the new panamera it would be a more difficult decision

This. That design dropped in 2010. For that I'd keep the 6

08-10-2019, 01:13 PM	#1
BMPOWERED Second Lieutenant 65 Rep 239 Posts Drives: 2014 650 GC M sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	My CPO warranty expires Feb 2020 and I'm considering adding a 2 year third party warranty at cost of around $3700-4000. As an alternative I'm considering going with something else such as a used Panamera either certified or thru CarMax with their warranty. Ultimately the Panamera would cost me more but I'm not really seeking financial advice here....simply opinions on the cars. I expect some bias here but am curious of your opinions... Attached Images __________________ 2014 BMW 650GC M sport 2011 BMW 550i M-sport/AW 1991 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Z51 (sold) 2001 BMW 325ci (sold)
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08-10-2019, 01:35 PM	#2
hugo_nz Lieutenant Colonel 3170 Rep 1,821 Posts Drives: BMW iX Xdrive40 MSport Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Auckland, New Zealand iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 BMW IX [0.00]	I was considering a Panamera too at one stage. Looks aside it's a great car but a couple of negatives for me personally: " Interior. Waaay too many buttons and the tech is typical VW fare * Material quality. Some questionable choices throughout the cabin * Maintenance. As with any Porkie it's going to cost you more than that of a BMW
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08-10-2019, 01:57 PM	#3
NorthCountryGuy The Quiet One 1711 Rep 624 Posts Drives: M6, E70, E71 Join Date: May 2019 Location: I’m right here... iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 X6 M [0.00] 2013 M6 [0.00] 2013 X5 LCI 35i Spo ... [0.00] 2013 X5 LCI 35i [0.00]	These are both high quality German cars. The BMW is better looking. __________________ 2013 M6 Coupe Sakhir Orange Metallic / Sakhir Orange \ Black Merino - The Prince 2013 X5 LCI 35i Jet Black / Black SensaTec - The Horse 2013 X5 LCI 35i Space Grey Metallic / Black Nevada // Sport Pkg - Daughter’s 2013 X6 M Sapphire Black Metallic / Black Merino \ Carbon Fiber - Son’s
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08-10-2019, 04:42 PM	#4
FBMWWINS Captain 604 Rep 909 Posts Drives: M8C Coupé & M240i Coupé Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Granted I have no experience with Porsche, the 650GC is still a great looking and pretty much up-to-date car when compared to many of its contemporaries. From the looks of it I would choose the 6 series (any F-model) anytime over the Panamera. I personally would keep the 650GC especially if you have been happy with it thus far. Unless you want to try out something new, different.
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08-11-2019, 06:23 AM	#5
mgattmch Private First Class 29 Rep 122 Posts Drives: 2015 650iX GC Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Chesterton, IN iTrader: (0)	If you look on the Panamera forum (https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/panamera-75/), most owners report the car as being very reliable. Based on my experience owning 5 BMW cars (three 540iX, a 550iX and a 650iX GC now) I would not say this about BMW. See my history with the last 550iX (2012 MY); https://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1611852. I agree with the previous post, a 650GC does look beautiful, I certainly get a lot of positive comments from strangers on the cars looks. Although I personally love the look of the Porsche Panamera, beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder with this car. Last edited by mgattmch; 08-11-2019 at 06:33 AM..
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08-11-2019, 06:23 AM	#6
rexpontius New Member 6 Rep 28 Posts Drives: BMW 650xi GC 2013 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Netherlands iTrader: (0)	Damn your 650 looks awesome! Way better than a Panamera. What exhaust and diffuser do you have?
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08-11-2019, 07:41 PM	#7
thedza On the hunt 37 Rep 257 Posts Drives: 2016 MB F06 650i RWD Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 BMW 650i [0.00] 2009 BMW 328i [0.00]	would definitely keep the 650. if it was the new panamera it would be a more difficult decision
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08-11-2019, 10:39 PM	#8
MichaelInChicago Second Lieutenant 103 Rep 279 Posts Drives: 2015 BMW 650xi GC Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	If the 6 GC did not exist, the Panamera would still be hideous.
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08-12-2019, 01:16 AM	#10
BMPOWERED Second Lieutenant 65 Rep 239 Posts Drives: 2014 650 GC M sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all of the opinions guys. I figured this forum would be a bit biased (LOL) but you all kind of confirmed what I already thought/knew. -The 6 is definitely the most beautiful looking of the 2 cars (especially from the side profile and the back) -My 650 is faster, unless I go with at least the GTS Panamera. The Panamera handles better. -The Panamera has a sportier interior-feels very 911ish -The Panamera lacks a 5th seat. At least the center seat in the 6 will fit a child in a pinch (I've used it on occasion) -The tech/infotainment seems more modern in the 650. The 6 series idrive was updated in 2014. A 2014 Panamera seems to run the same system it did dating back to 2010. It is actually hard to find a Panamera in that generation that has keyless ignition and surround view cameras. -Panameras and Porsches in general actually seem pretty reliable. Although cost of repairs on either car is scary either way. BMWs, especially V8s tend to be a nightmare after about 60k miles. It is really telling that BMW now only gives 1 year warranty on their certified cars and will not go beyond 7 years from the original date of sale. Porsche will certify cars back to 2012 model year for an additional 2 years from date of sale, meaning they will warranty cars that are 9 model years old. Also I've priced warranties for my 650 compared to a Panamera and the 650 is always more expensive. These are all signs that the 650 is less reliable. Bottom line is I still love my 650. If the warranty was not about to expire I wouldn't even be having this discussion. With the cost of the 2 year warranty running about $4k for a 3rd party company (I've heard some nightmares with those), it got me thinking about some other options. I've had 3's and 5's in the past, but none of them seem to exude the same sexiness as the 6, so it would be hard to go back. I thought about an M6, but I really like having a sunroof/moonroof. 8 series GC will be out of my price range at launch. I'm really leaning toward keeping my 6 or even buying a newer 2016 certified or from CarMax with their warranty. __________________ 2014 BMW 650GC M sport 2011 BMW 550i M-sport/AW 1991 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo 2007 Chevrolet Corvette Z51 (sold) 2001 BMW 325ci (sold) Last edited by BMPOWERED; 08-12-2019 at 01:23 AM..
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