Poll Panamera 4S or BMW M5?

[ACE]

The next M5 may well be offered with AWD but that is a long way off. If you like fast launches and less smoky burnout in saloons then the E63 with AWD may be worth looking at or since this purchase is not immediate the new C63 AMG could be the king of fast launch saloons when it comes out. I am going consider the C 63? AMG when it comes out, the interior of the standard C doesn't look wonderful but the AMG should be better.

 

[JLBM]

The next M5 may well be offered with AWD but that is a long way off. If you like fast launches and less smoky burnout in saloons then the E63 with AWD may be worth looking at or since this purchase is not immediate the new C63 AMG could be the king of fast launch saloons when it comes out. I am going consider the C 63? AMG when it comes out, the interior of the standard C doesn't look wonderful but the AMG should be better.

E63 with AWD is not available in South Africa - but will be for the next gen (they say..)

 

[kip]

E63 with AWD is not available in South Africa - but will be for the next gen (they say..)

But you do have an awd E63 AMG S...

 

[JLBM]

But you do have an awd E63 AMG S...

We do have the AMG S - but it's not AWD here, it just gets a power and torque bump and a few other extras.

 

[martinbo]

The current longitudinally packaged 4matic layout for saloons, coupes and the GLK cannot be adapted for RHD. That's why we don't see any four wheel drive 63 AMG models.

 

[Deckhook]

The current longitudinally packaged 4matic layout for saloons, coupes and the GLK cannot be adapted for RHD. That's why we don't see any four wheel drive 63 AMG models.

What's the actual reason for this, is it to do with where the front prop shaft travels?

 

[ACE]

The current longitudinally packaged 4matic layout for saloons, coupes and the GLK cannot be adapted for RHD. That's why we don't see any four wheel drive 63 AMG models.

Yes, but the new MRA architecture does support RHD 4-matic. JLBM is looking at a purchase in the future.

Source:http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/detroit-motor-show/new-2014-mercedes-benz-c-class-revealed

 

[martinbo]

Yes, I know.

 

[martinbo]

What's the actual reason for this, is it to do with where the front prop shaft travels?

Yeah, pretty much. The placement of the offset propshaft to the right of the gearbox and its intersection with the front differential prevents the steering column from being fitted on the right side of the transmission.

 

[Deckhook]

Yeah, pretty much. The placement of the offset propshaft to the right of the gearbox and its intersection with the front differential prevents the steering column from being fitted on the right side of the transmission.

Its one of the unfortunate things of living in one of the RHD markets which are by far in a minority to LHD ones, manufacturers disregard them as insignificant and we generally end up with the scraps.

When I think of the years we in the UK have been pleading for BMW and Mercedes to offer AWD on the normal range. Oh well better late than never.

 

[RS2000 4X4]

With a bit of pain in my heart I voted for the Panny. I find the M5 has climbed out its niche where it once was. It is too big, too heavy, and sorry became a bit ugly. I liked the E39 M5 which was a killer and a true sportssedan whereas the F10 M5 is like a sumo wrestler that can run fast. Would there be a M5 CRT (CSL), then it would be my choice.

The Panny is not pretty but everytime I see one, I find it a special car. Just like a Rolls or a Bentley (which aren allways pretty) it makes a statement with its appearance, its special whereas the BMW is just a 5 series after all...

 

[ryan murphy]

tough one, I will say M5 but don't ruin it's looks with a bad paint job haha