Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2010 Porsche Panamera VS 2010 BMW M5 Near Scottsdale, AZ

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Porsche Panamera are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The BMW M5 doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The Panamera offers all wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The M5 doesn’t offer all wheel drive.

Both the Panamera and the M5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The M5’s redline is at 8250 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Panamera has a 6700 RPM redline.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2009 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche second in initial quality. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 15th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ surveys of the owners of three-year-old cars provide the long-term dependability statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are more reliable than BMW vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche 9th in reliability, above the industry average. With 16 more problems per 100 vehicles, BMW is ranked 15th.

The Panamera S’ standard 4.8 DOHC V8 produces 6 lbs.-ft. more torque (389 vs. 383) than the M5’s 5.0 DOHC V10. The Panamera Turbo’s standard 4.8 turbo V8 produces 133 lbs.-ft. more torque (516 vs. 383) than the M5’s 5.0 DOHC V10.

As tested in Car and Driver the Porsche Panamera is faster than the BMW M5 (manual transmissions tested):

For more instantaneous acceleration and better engine flexibility in any gear, the Panamera’s engines produce their peak torque and horsepower at lower RPM’s than the M5:

The Panamera’s standard fuel tank has 2.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the M5 (21.1 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Panamera S4/Turbo’s standard fuel tank has 7.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the M5 (26.4 vs. 18.5 gallons).

For better stopping power the Panamera Turbo’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the M5:

The Panamera offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The M5 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The Panamera stops shorter than the M5:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Panamera offers optional 20 inch wheels. The M5’s largest wheels are only 19 inches.

The Panamera offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. BMW doesn’t offer an active suspension on the M5.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Panamera’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the M5 (115 inches vs. 113.7 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Panamera is 3.1 inches wider in the front and 3.7 inches wider in the rear than on the M5.

The Panamera Turbo 4 handles at .92 G’s, while the M5 pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Panamera Turbo 4 goes through Road & Track’s slalom faster than the M5 (69.1 vs. 68.9 MPH).

The Panamera S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the M5 (25.7 seconds @ .72 average G’s vs. 25.8 seconds @ .71 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Panamera’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the M5’s (39.3 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Panamera S is quieter than the M5:

The Panamera has .4 inches more front legroom and .1 inches more rear headroom than the M5.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Panamera’s available rear seats recline. The M5’s rear seats don’t recline.