[sab123]

Im Looking at a used Porsche Panamera for a replacement (don’t judge me).

I've got a slightly used Audi RS6, and kept my G8 GXP too Audi is a nice car, more power, and more comfortable seats than in GXP, but automatic transmission only (also my GXP doesn't have any big issues yet). I've also looked at M5 and Panamera, so sharing a bit of experience between M5/RS6/Panamera:

An important thing for me was getting comfortable seats, and also I prefer a station wagon. Panamera is supposed to be a hatchback but in reality it's very close to RS6 wagon, because RS6 has a very sloped rear door. Panamera also has an option of comfortable seats. M5 doesn't. The shoulder bolsters on M5 can be adjusted out of the way but the ones on the cushions can't. They're like on Camaro, even more annoying than on G8. RS6 has very nice seats. It actually does have bolsters on the seats but they are done very well, they are short, so they keep the butt in place but don't push on the thighs.

Power-wise the slightly-used M5 Competition beats everyone with 630 nominal HP and reportedly is underrated, with at least 670 real HP, probably closer to 700. And it's also cheapest of the three, about $10K cheaper than RS6. The problems are the seats and the small trunk (seriously, in previous 5-series it's smaller than in 3-series). To be fair, the RS6 trunk is not great for a wagon because of that highly sloped back, but is about equal in area to G8, and with a taller space.

Panamera is lowest on power unless you go for Turbo, and that one is very expensive. GTS has 550 HP and when new its price in basic configuration was the same as a fully decked out RS6 (RS6 has 590 real HP, and 30 electric HP). Both M6 and RS6 are turbocharged, while Panamera GTS is normally aspirated, so it will be a different character of the engine, and maybe it would be more exciting but for that kind of money I want 600 HP But an even bigger problem is that I didn't even see any slightly used GTS for sale anywhere near me. All that's available were the S models, at the same price as RS6, and in my opinion screw that.

So I didn't even drive Panamera for the lack of the available cars. I drove M5 and RS6, and they have a different character. M5 feels very similar to gen-6 Camaro with more power (I guess more like Camaro ZL1), and actually I really, really like how it drives, it feels just right, and it also has more driving mode adjustments, but the seats and trunk suck. RS6 is much more relaxed, which I also like but in a different way, and maybe like more for a daily driver. RS6 does get serious when you you turn on the RS mode.

RS6 is also a hybrid and that hybrid crap takes up the space where the spare wheel could have been. But it has a bit better on fuel mileage than G8 GXP. With GXP I get 21-22 mpg on highway, with RS6 23-24 mpg.

Changing oil at home for RS6 is possible but difficult because it doesn't have a dipstick and the display of electronic sensor it picky about when it deems suitable to show the information (wants the engine to be warm and wait for at least 2 minutes), makes adding a little oil painful enough. So changing oil would require either getting some tool to read the raw oil level through OBD2 or just filling something like 10 quarts blindly before checking the level. I haven't looked at the drain plug yet The oil itself cost the same as for Camaro (also 5w40 but different). The amount of expensive crap that can break on this car scares me so much that for the first time ever I've got an extended warranty. The insurance is also very expensive, over twice what I pay for GXP, and compared to that the extended warranty is relatively cheap

 

[sab123]

I am curious about what maintenance I should be looking at now that its reached 90k. Any suggestions on things to look for (shocks maybe)?

Yes, shocks. The alternator will also need replacement somewhere soon because of the worn-out brushes. And look for cracks on the driver seat's side bolsters, their outer surface is not leather but synthetic and starts cracking from repeated flexing. Oh, and the headliner falling off.

 

[sab123]

If you replace the alternator, please use an AC Delco. TheG8 does not like other brands.

The original alternator is actually not AC Delco but something Japanese. Mitsubishi? Mitsumi? Something like that, I forgot the exact brand. I've got a remanufactured alternator from O'Reilly, it seems to be doing fine, just make sure to get the right power rating.

And BTW if you haven't replaced the tire pressure sensors yet, they will be running out of battery soon too. Summit Racing has the preprogrammed OEM units for cheap, like $35 per wheel. (Many tire shops would like to sell you the universal sensors that they program to match the data protocol for your car for like $150 per wheel, Summit's already are car-specific). If you don't like the sensor binding procedure by bleeding air, I've found the TPMS tool on e-Bay for like $4 including shipping (battery not included).