Cross-shopping: M5 vs 997.2 GTS vs Panny SEH

So I've been toiling over this for a month and I've narrowed down my choices for replacing my E90 M3 which I have owned since 2010. What are your thoughts on each car?

'14 F10 M5
'11 997.2 GTS
'14 Panamera S E-Hybrid

Needs: doesn't need to be faster than my M3. Will be my DD, rarely will I take it to a track, and sadly, I don't have time for spirited mountain drives anymore. All 3 are roughly in the same price range.

M5
Pros: it's a BMW M car, LCI, familiarity, reliable
Cons: it's a BMW M car, I've driven one for the last 6 years...time for a switch?

997.2 GTS
Pros: classic P car, GTS bragging rights center lock wheels, dat exhaust note, better depreciation value
Cons: Feel like shit next to a 997.2 GT3, pricing, center lock wheels, NASA pricing to fix and maintain

Panamera SEH
Pros: Hybrid cool factor, looks fantastic, entry level into P car
Cons: Depreciation, 4600lb weight, could have had a M5...

I have a friend who owned the GTS and it was an amazing car. Sadly I do not have any personal experience with it, but your right about it not being cool against a GT3. But biased on your choices I would put a vote in for the M5. Why? Looks amazing. Fast. And the room for all your DD needs. I never liked the panamera. Seems like your ruled that one out too for the M5.

Hardly any tracking, no backroad action, and for DD needs, the M5 seems to be the best tool for you. Its newer, probably still under warranty, powerful and makes for a great DD.
Good luck.

I agree with Mspired, it makes perfect sense for DD, and even occasional track/spirited drive.

m3_love wrote

I agree with Mspired, it makes perfect sense for DD, and even occasional track/spirited drive.

Wow, this coming from a 991s owner?

Flying Ace wrote

Wow, this coming from a 991s owner?

To me, the e92 M3 makes a better daily driver and the 991 a much better weekend/track car. So from your list, the F10 M5 would make an even better daily car. (since you mentioned that you are looking for a DD, and you rarely have time for spirited drives anymore). Maybe you should drive all 3 and really feel which suit you better, and which you feel more comfortable in. They are all excellent cars each with pros and cons, ultimately only you can decide which compromises you would make. Good luck in your search man.

997 GTS with aero pack looks great.

bosspower wrote

997 GTS with aero pack looks great.

eehh, I'm not so hot on the aerokit package. It makes it looks like a funky GT3 wannabe without the full GT3 extended front bumper. I think ultimately, the buyers will prefer the classic 911 shape.

GTS:



GTS with aero:



GT3:

If you remove spirited driving, the only two options are M5 and Panamera. You are obviously open to having 4 doors, and being a larger vehicle.

Personally, I'd go M5. It's the top 5, so you don't have the "oh I wish I had the higher model" regrets. Faster. I might be concerned with depreciation when it becomes the old model. When does the next M5 come out? Has to be relatively soon.

I tend to try to either buy the old model 1-2 years after replacement or buy the new model the 1st or 2nd year if all other factors are the same. Obviously some cars are immune to this.

Why a Panny Hybrid over getting a 11/12 Panny Turbo?
And have you driven any the 3 cars your considering?

KCLARK wrote

Why a Panny Hybrid over getting a 11/12 Panny Turbo?
And have you driven any the 3 cars your considering?

I can't make up my mind anymore. The last 3 weeks, I've been leaning towards a 997.1 Turbo

I've only driven the Panny SEH out of that list. I"ve also driven a 991 Turbo as well.

F10 M5 gets my vote. Mainly because I want one too.
But you said rarely any track day and mountain roads means it will happen once in a while. This would remove the Panny from the list because it's a million pound hybrid.
And if you want it to still be a comfortable and quick DD, the F10 probably does a better job at it that the 911.
Last point, if you do get the urge to mod a little, the M5 would probably be a better platform to add power to. Exhaust for some noise and suspension upgrade for less body roll means more canyon fun

pooyab wrote

F10 M5 gets my vote. Mainly because I want one too.
But you said rarely any track day and mountain roads means it will happen once in a while. This would remove the Panny from the list because it's a million pound hybrid.
And if you want it to still be a comfortable and quick DD, the F10 probably does a better job at it that the 911.
Last point, if you do get the urge to mod a little, the M5 would probably be a better platform to add power to. Exhaust for some noise and suspension upgrade for less body roll means more canyon fun

yeah, I agree with you. The F10 M5 is actually the best value out of all the cars, in terms of what you get for the money. The 911 GTS retains value better, but IMO, you're not getting that much more in return either. Also it's shit ton expensive to modify a 911.

And I don't know about you, but when I see a 911, I kind of just yawn and say ho-hum, another 911...doesn't matter if it's a S, GTS, Targa, etc...only GT3s, GT2s and Turbos gets my attention.

If you are daily driving yourself around, 911. If you are daily driving kids around, M5. I would not have fun in an M5 in mountain/canyon roads. Way too big/heavy for that. The 911 will hold its value the best and be the most fun to drive in 99% of your driving situations. I've driven a 991 in multiple derivatives on and off the track as well as the F10 M5. I would get the 911, no questions asked, unless you really need a lot of back seat space.

I had a 997.1 turbo for a while and really didn't like it much.

Very capable car, but sounds terrible, very dated technology, and the build quality of the interior isn't great. It also has a lot of road noise and rides rough. I tracked it and it was fun, and very fast. That said, too fast for my skills and I enjoyed the 1m and m3 I tracked more.

All the comfort things are fine, if it's not your only car. It also has zero useable space and the frunk is insanely small.

It was not a suitable dd, and for me, a naturally aspirated 911s or higher trim is way better.

I also have driven the 991 which imo is a far superior car in every way.

For a daily driver I would not own a 911, and I would never get a 911 turbo of any sort again. Worst 911 there is imo.

For a weekend car, the 911 is the pinnacle for me. I look forward to owning a 991.1s in a year or two as my weekend car.

Just my experience.

KennyPowers wrote

I had a 997.1 turbo for a while and really didn't like it much.

Very capable car, but sounds terrible, very dated technology, and the build quality of the interior isn't great. It also has a lot of road noise and rides rough. I tracked it and it was fun, and very fast. That said, too fast for my skills and I enjoyed the 1m and m3 I tracked more.

All the comfort things are fine, if it's not your only car. It also has zero useable space and the frunk is insanely small.

It was not a suitable dd, and for me, a naturally aspirated 911s or higher trim is way better.

I also have driven the 991 which imo is a far superior car in every way.

For a daily driver I would not own a 911, and I would never get a 911 turbo of any sort again. Worst 911 there is imo.

For a weekend car, the 911 is the pinnacle for me. I look forward to owning a 991.1s in a year or two as my weekend car.

Just my experience.

So overall, you prefer to own a M3 over a 997.1 Turbo?

Thanks for the thoughts btw, very useful for me.

Flying Ace wrote

So overall, you prefer to own a M3 over a 997.1 Turbo?

Thanks for the thoughts btw, very useful for me.

Yes absolutely

More fun to drive and sounds a million times better. Also feels much more modern and updated. If I felt the need for more speed I would just supercharge the m3.

That said, a 991s is on another level from the m3. But 911's are tough as a dd to me. Very small, and not practical at all.

But clearly more exciting and better than an m3. But the m3 is no slouch.

KennyPowers wrote

Yes absolutely

More fun to drive and sounds a million times better. Also feels much more modern and updated. If I felt the need for more speed I would just supercharge the m3.

That said, a 991s is on another level from the m3. But 911's are tough as a dd to me. Very small, and not practical at all.

But clearly more exciting and better than an m3. But the m3 is no slouch.

Argh, thanks for the opinion. Back to the drawing board for me

Get the M5. It's still plenty fast but has the space and comfort to be usable in a variety of conditions.

If the sound bores you, get the MPE.

dparm wrote

Get the M5. It's still plenty fast but has the space and comfort to be usable in a variety of conditions.

If the sound bores you, get the MPE.

I am so undecided right now. As it stands, I likely will not buy the Panamera SEH at this point.

I also likely will not buy the 997.1 Turbo either. The 997.2 GTS has limited supply with dealers asking stupid money for them.

Now I'm debating on the F10 M5 (2014+) or a M6 GC. The M6 GC, despite being the same MY as the F10 is about $10k more expensive!

In all likelihood at this point, b/c I'm so undecided and b/c I feel like I can make a major choice for which I will regret, I think I'll more like keep my M3 until at least the end of the year.

Flying Ace wrote  

dparm wrote

Get the M5. It's still plenty fast but has the space and comfort to be usable in a variety of conditions.

If the sound bores you, get the MPE.

I am so undecided right now. As it stands, I likely will not buy the Panamera SEH at this point.

I also likely will not buy the 997.1 Turbo either. The 997.2 GTS has limited supply with dealers asking stupid money for them.

Now I'm debating on the F10 M5 (2014+) or a M6 GC. The M6 GC, despite being the same MY as the F10 is about $10k more expensive!

In all likelihood at this point, b/c I'm so undecided and b/c I feel like I can make a major choice for which I will regret, I think I'll more like keep my M3 until at least the end of the year.

Considering performance is the same, I'm not sure if the $10k is justified. But M6 does have carbon roof.
Waiting to the end of the year might result in better deals at the dealer as well.

Flying Ace wrote

Now I'm debating on the F10 M5 (2014+) or a M6 GC. The M6 GC, despite being the same MY as the F10 is about $10k more expensive!

As much as I like the looks of the M6 GranCoupe (frankly, that's what the M5 should've been), that alone is not worth $10k, to your point. The backseat is a bit less usable as a result of that low roofline, too.