Car Talk!

Orangeline · June 29th, 2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedFury

Porsche wraps a 4-door hulk in racy corset - Los Angeles Times

Sounds fun to drive, but I agree...it's not a Porsche.

As a diehard Porsche fan, its somewhat offensively not Porsche much like the Cayenne. Despite this, or possibly because of it, it will probably also sell well. I'm sure it drives nice and may well be a tremendousely good large GT, but IMO, it looks terrible.

**RobRich** · June 29th, 2009, 11:34 AM

I am a fan of Porsche, but being realistic, the company has limited experience in the luxury sedan market. Additionally, the Panamera Turbo is encroaching on expected 2010 BMW 760Li pricing. The Panamera will probably sell decently among Porsche enthusiasts seeking more seating, but it remains to be seen if BMW and Mercedes enthusiasts will be swayed from their already well established luxury sedan product lines.

Orangeline · June 29th, 2009, 03:36 PM

I watched the video review at edmunds today, and from what I can tell, it might not appeal to the 760IL buyer directly. Much more sporty, has 4 bucket seats rather than 5, and really a more focused GT over luxury sedan. May appeal to someone that would consider a maserati quattroporte more.

**RobRich** · June 29th, 2009, 03:57 PM

Porsche is calling the Panamera a "four-door coupe," though the automotive media generally seems more aligned with classifying it as a "mid-size luxury car." I agree about the sporting aspect, but given the price range and overall design, the Panamera is likely to end up at least somewhat competing against Audi, BMW, Mercedes, etc. luxury sedans for consumers' buying dollars - especially if someone is interested in the up-market Panamera Turbo model.

Anyway, some hardcore Porsche brand purists will probably decry the Panamera, but many broad market Porsche enthusiasts and brand newcomers will probably still buy it. It is basically the same market concern that occurred when Porsche launched the 928 and Cayenne models.

**RobRich** · July 2nd, 2009, 03:32 PM

Changed air filters on the BMW 750iL. It is a big car, but the M70 V12 is still wedged into the engine bay. Took an hour or more to change them, plus I had to drive probably 25+ miles round trip to actually get the filters.

The process is straightforward enough, but a couple of the clips have rather limited clearance. Thought I was going to end up pulling the intake plenum, MAF, and air box for both sides. I finally obtained barely enough clearance by disconnecting the MAF wiring on one side and moving the MAF wiring on the other side. Still ended up with a blister and a cut, though.

I suppose my next my project is changing plugs, which will probably be a four to eight hour job, assuming I even attempt it. I might just take it to the local import shop instead.

Toadman · July 2nd, 2009, 03:41 PM

Amazing how non user-friendly auto technology has become, isn't it? Everything is shoe-horned with an engine cover with tamper-proof connections to detect warranty violations. It's nothing like changing out a small-block water pump bought from Pep Boys or Autozone, is it? Or even an earlier DSM or Honda.

Air filter? Can't just spin off a wing-nut and swap it out with a frahm.

**RobRich** · July 2nd, 2009, 03:55 PM

There are four small clips for each air box. Sounds and even looks simple enough, up until the time you realize some of the clearances and angles involved.

Admittedly, BMW likely did not expect much in the way of end-user servicing for its flagship sedan model, but some aspects are a little extreme. Case in point is the sealed transmission.

pickel · July 2nd, 2009, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toadman

Amazing how non user-friendly auto technology has become, isn't it? Everything is shoe-horned with an engine cover with tamper-proof connections to detect warranty violations. It's nothing like changing out a small-block water pump bought from Pep Boys or Autozone, is it? Or even an earlier DSM or Honda.

Air filter? Can't just spin off a wing-nut and swap it out with a fram.

And CHEAP, also. The first time I changed the oil filter on my wife's 2008 Maxima, I had to tap out the holes where those cheapo retainers are for the access panel to get to the filter. Yeah, sealed trany too

But I got the seven year wrap. They can fool with , as well as, give her a ride when it's being repaired.

My main complaint is the chrome exhaust pipe extension. Just falls off, not even a tack weld. Had to drill out he pipe and use sheet metal screws to keep it from falling off.

RedFury · July 3rd, 2009, 01:01 AM

Wifes Explorer just decided that it doesn't want to start

I had literally just taken it to Mc Donalds up the street less than an hour earlier, shut it off in the drive thru and came home...now the lights go out and I get a little bit of solenoid chatter....a quick test of the battery comes up good...odd. Weird thing is, I turned on the headlights and the thing blanked out. Not sure if it's the battery or the starter. Could be the battery I suppose. I think I'll try swapping out my marine starting battery with it since it's a top post battery anyway and see if that changes anything. IF it does, guess I'll be buying a new battery for it. I have no idea how old it is anyway...

SoloCamo · July 6th, 2009, 12:05 AM

So ironically enough I'm still getting bottom end clanking...grrrr.

It got much louder when I changed my oil from 10-30 to 10-40...so considering that I figured it was too thick and dropped it back down to 10-30...the noise still persists.

But the funny part is, it's quiet and smooth when the engine is "cold", as soon as it gets up to operating temp the noise is much much louder and noticeable. I don't really hear it when I drive, only at idle.

Any ideas? Also, my exhaust sounds slightly different as well...

Possible clogged cat causing problems?