Panamera brakes problem :(

[dawmac]

We purchased Porsche Panamera 4s 2009 from Porsche Colchester a year ago. During the test drive, just before we bought this vehicle, we heard the noise while braking, but we have been assured, by the sales man, that everything will be sorted before we receive the car. It has never happened and what we got is the vehicle with obvious fault. It brakes like a large school bus, the noise is unbearable.
We left Panamer at the service few weeks after the purchase, problem has still occurred, they did nothing at all. Overall, using this car for a year, it has been at the service Colchester several times due to the noisy brakes, it spent over a month there and nothing got sorted at all.
Porsche Centre Colchester says that ''Porsche is aware of the problem, however they haven't found the solution yet''. The car is still under the dealer's guarantee, however they refused to fix this fault explaining that they simply can't fix.

Last time we left this car with them, two weeks ago, they emailed us a video where one of the employees explains that when the pads and discs would be replaced, the noise would disappear.
Next day after I asked if that would be sorted under the guarantee as the problem persists from the very beginning, I have been emailed by the service manager who said:

I have had it confirmed that replacing the brake discs and pads will not rectify the noise from the brakes in the long term.

I am not satisfied with this explanation, it means that Porsche makes faulty cars and they don't want to admit it. This is our fourth Porsche and they still treat us like nothing. Well done! Excellent customer service"¦.

David

 

[shadow8]

David,

this does seem to be a design fault on the Panamera. Porsche are always reluctant to admit this sort of thing because of the consequences of a recall. Their Customer Services leave a lot to be desired. Recently my Panmera Turbo S had an issue with serious corrosion of the hydraulic lifting arms on the hatchback. I complained this was clearly not right on a flagship car still under 3 years old and warrantied. I claimed on the warranty only to be told that a chemical reaction wasn't covered! I had to make more noiose up the foodchain before they offered a good will gesture to replace them FOC. Remember this is a car that cost £140,000 new! They still refuse to admit this is a warranty issue. Similarly one of the roof anchor points had to be repaired as it collapsed while I was washing the car! What a hoo haa there's been over that. Again Porsche suggest it must have been physically damaged by me. Calling a customer a liar is not a good route to take.I had already paid for it to be repaired in December, 2013 but they've not accepted that it might be a inherent fault now that it has happened again!

In any event the OPC has agreed to stump up for the repair which is good of them but once again Porsche GB are passing the buck. A friend told me that if I wanted a decent warranty and customer service I should have bought a KIA! So much for splashing out on a once in a lifetime purchase of a top marque. If only Porsche GB would listen more to their customers. We pay thousands over the top for Porsche servicing during say a three year ownership cycle and still they don't listen. Now that Porsche is part of the VW group and such a huge player in terms of global sales they should take their customers more seriously or risk losing them to their competition! After all there are lots of top marques out there that are not Porsche! Porsche GB and worldwide need to focus a lot more on their clients and less on the bottom line all the time. They are gaining a very poor reputation in the marketplace.

Coming back to your brakes are they not Brembo sourced kit? Has Brembo anything to say about the squealing problem? I must say that so far this issue has not touched me.... yet!!

 

[david_yorkshire]

Ran a Panamera 4S for 18 months, 20K miles - no squealing at all I'm afraid
the replacement (2013 Turbo) doesn't squeal either...

 

[chapmaskm]

16 months/ 28k with a 2010 Panamera 4, I also struggle a bit with squealing at low speeds/light braking. Some hard braking can clear it for a while but inevitably returns. OPC nod knowingly and reading other forums suggests it's not an unusual problem. Shame, as it does spoil the experience a bit and can attract unnecessary attention. Don't recall it being a problem with the 996 over 9 years/90k.
Given David's better experiences perhaps it's an early Panamera issue. Would be interesting if anyone knows if anything has been tweaked in later versions.

 

[david_yorkshire]

Sorry to blow that theory
My 4s was a 2009 model !

 

[dereksharpuk]

I purchased a brand new 997 C2 Cab and found that the brakes made an incredibly loud squeal under gentle slow speed braking. It even woke the neighbours early in the morning! My OPC tried everything to fix the problem, but failed. I warned my OPC at the start that if the problem was not solved I would reject the vehicle under the Sale of Goods Act. That was exactly what I did at 6 months and got my money back. However, I did order a replacement car otherwise I may have had more difficulty getting a full refund.