My Macan S impressions

[Pivot]

I was told I will get mine on a Monday after the delivery of the vehicle. The OPC has to trigger the process.
I am not in a rush, but I might have to call them myself, as per Col suggestion.

[ianst]

When you get back home ring the PEC directly to arrange your session there.

You should have received an invite quite a while ago.

That said all it takes is for your email to be wrongly keyed in and you will never get an invite, that is precisely what happened to me.

When do you get your invite? after build slot is confirmed or straight after deposit?

After deposit.

cheers, paid mine at the beginning of the month, will see if an invite appears in the next few weeks

[Pivot]

This weekend I got back into my 435i, after two weeks of riding new Macan S.

The Beemer felt like a racing machine: incredibly responsive, fast, precise and I guess familiar, as muscle memory kicked in!

It is a very different machine, not better, not worse, just different. I do relatively little mileage on my cars, so I think I will let it go. Just need to make peace with it, as it is rather sad to see cars grazing on the concrete in the garage, hardly used for intended purpose.

On a positive note, once I free-up one parking space I can start hatching a plan to get a 911, before the bureaucrats deprive us of the guilty pleasure of riding big 6-cyl boxer motors!

[Cheshire Cat]

I also had a 435i and you're correct they are totally different cars. 435 smoother than my SD (shock) but not as comfy. I prefer the Bose to the HK (Samsung) system in Bimmers as, in my humble, they handle base better and it's just clearer even to my overworked ears which were at the IOW in 1970. Are you taking the Macan to a track? Good luck with that. I reckon we have less than ten years of real fossil fuelled engines being affordable before the bean counters slap a ban/tax on them. I mean a bigger tax of course.

[Bigboyrolo]

This weekend I got back into my 435i, after two weeks of riding new Macan S.

The Beemer felt like a racing machine: incredibly responsive, fast, precise and I guess familiar, as muscle memory kicked in!

FWIW, I have just changed from my Panamera Hybrid (which followed 2 Macans) to a 440i convertible, the driving ability is huge step up, it certainly is more responsive, no doubt due to the lower weight and as you say just different. Lots of details in the switchgear that would be good to see in Porsche. Only 600 miles so far and not missing any of my Porsches. We wanted a convertible and although we really liked the Boxster, and couldn't stretch to a 9211 Cabriolet, this 440i is a more appropriate car for us, 2 cars in 1 with its hard top.

[Paul]

This weekend I got back into my 435i, after two weeks of riding new Macan S.

The Beemer felt like a racing machine: incredibly responsive, fast, precise and I guess familiar, as muscle memory kicked in!

FWIW, I have just changed from my Panamera Hybrid (which followed 2 Macans) to a 440i convertible, the driving ability is huge step up, it certainly is more responsive, no doubt due to the lower weight and as you say just different. Lots of details in the switchgear that would be good to see in Porsche. Only 600 miles so far and not missing any of my Porsches. We wanted a convertible and although we really liked the Boxster, and couldn't stretch to a 9211 Cabriolet, this 440i is a more appropriate car for us, 2 cars in 1 with its hard top.

Mrs P had the more modest 428 cab last car (the 4 cylinder but still fast enough)
Great car, 4 seats, “ proper “ roof, wind in the hair etc etc...just a bit woolly when pushing on and a bit remote feeling wise but we had a great drive down to the canal du midi last year.

[JJW023]

I collected my Macan S on Friday, just some initial thoughts..
Firstly very happy with the car in probably every way I would say so far. I love the look of my car in Volcano grey with black trim and the tinted/transparent rear lights, dark wheels, the interior is lovely and just resonates quality to me. Overall nothing I would change or improve from looks perspective I think. The seats (18 ways) are beautiful, extremely comfortable and hug you perfectly with just a nice, natural driving position, though I agree the bolsters are rather high and you do notice them getting in and out, so have a little concern how they will wear over time or if that might get annoying, they do look great though, I might have considered the 14 ways if did again.

The car drives great, the steering (with PS+) I love the feel, although to me even with PS+ it feels if anything on the heavy side (heavier than BMW’s and Audi’s have had in past) which I do like and was previously a little concerned that PS+ would make it too light. The suspension with 20inch wheels and air, actually feels rather firmer than I was expecting (I haven’t had an SUV before but have had M sport BMW’s and S line Audi’s before) not a problem but personally I am glad I didn’t go for 21’s from drive perspective as if anything it is a little firm and I definitely wouldn’t want any harder. The air suspension is great but I was expecting there to be more adjustment with both height and firmness but no big deal. The engine sounds great when you start it up, otherwise I feel it sounds quieter than I was expecting if driving peacefully anyway, would probably have preferred it being a little louder if I’m honest, having said that I do have PSE which as a result I am glad I added and sounds good and not too loud or fake . Maybe if it was louder it would get annoying over time so PSE could be the perfect balance (for me). In terms of performance I have only taken it relatively easy so far but to me it pulls very well, so whilst it probably doesn’t take my breath away for acceleration, it feels fast and like it always has plenty more and not struggling, with very little lag and fast immediate gear changes. Definitely feels noticeably more capable than 3l petrol BMW’s and 3l diesel Audi’s have had before which is impressive for an SUV. No complaints with performance so far (although more is always better I guess). In terms of MPG, haven’t tested extensively (as car now with detailer, but I was seeing about 22 around town and about 26 when combined between town and some motorway over a number of hours, not being pushed. So as I was expected nothing special but I can live with that.

I have Bose sound, I’m probably not the best to judge, but decent stereo is important to me for a car this price, haven’t listened extensively (as want to hear the engine and/or have had the wife with me, but it sounds pretty good quality to me. Would say similar to B&O system I had in the Audi but with more/better bass. Personally happy with the choice for the money and wouldn’t personally see the benefit of Burmester system but each to their own. The PCM screen is fantastic, very clear, very responsive, only slight annoyances are with music, would like skip forwards or backward buttons either on steering wheel or/and on PCM buttons. The surround camera I think is very good, very very clear and responsive, definitely better than I expected and a must have for me with a car this large and high.

Overall, love the car, really like the look all round (inside and out), really enjoy it to drive, it’s extremely comfortable makes me smile to look at and drive and don’t have any complaints really. If anything the engine sound could be little more impressive but to be fair have not driven very hard. The car definitely has some wow factor and gets attention (whether that’s good or bad).

John

[Paul]

Good to hear you’re happy...

(PS track skipping is possible with the right hand scroll wheel; select audio, push the wheel to get the album up in the display then scroll through the tracks...)

[JJW023]

Oh ok thanks will try that..

[Pivot]

So, 3 weeks later I am still smug! 2000mi on the clock, running it in very nicely. I used the Sport mode briefly yesterday, I was very impressed!

The only regret is that I didn’t get the 20” RS Spyders. Perhaps when I change tyres I might change the wheels as well.