Hey All

I am new to Porsches. I come from a BMW M background and have driving manuals all my life.

I finally want a change and have been quite interested to switch over to the 911 world.

Problem is , I can't warm up to the PDK. Test drove one and yes it does shift fast but for city driving , I found it unappealing, I never knew exactly how the car is going to react , at times I didn't feel it was doing what I wanted it to do and overall I felt disconnected from the car. Also the constant automatic switching of the car from manual to automatic mode was irritating to me. Granted , the problem might be in front of the steering wheel and I might need more time to get used to it but I just don't feel right dropping 100K on a car that I need to war up to. Ideally you start driving and you should be in awe and not think to yourself, I can get to love this car.

I admit it, manual shifting in dense traffic is far less than pleasurable but most of my time on the road, I am not stuck in traffic so not sure if that is a good enough reason to consider a PDK.

Now my problem is that dealership didn't have a manual for me to try out (surprise) , but i hear that the manual transmission of the 991 is not that great, that the gears are too close together and what not.

So can someone shed some light ? Is it true that the manual is not great? Also what about the 991.2 generation? Have there been improvements in that regard?

This issue is significant enough that I might go back to a manual M3. So any input is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
manually

PS:sorry about the typo, meant ruining it but seems I can't change the title.

 

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=rennlist+PDK+vs...l+Transmission

 

Never drive the PDK in automatic mode ... put the car in Sport, push the lever to manual and shift with the paddles just like you would with a stick.

 

..only that I a not trying to get a comparison but I really need to know if the manual transmission is as horrible as they say it is.

 

Fair enough , but I don't think that would really solve the problem of me being more connected to the car.

For me it's pretty much decided that I want a manual , but I have concerns that it might suck.

so I am trying to find out how bad the manual really is to the point that I might consider a PDK or go to an M3.

 

I went through a similar experience. One of my other cars is a 6 speed manual E46 M3 that I have had for years. You are spending a lot of money, so enjoy what you like most. I like the 7 speed manual. I have been tracking over 10 years, so rev matching and other techniques are very fun to me. I am not one to put down fast lap times, nor am I aiming to do so. I wanted to get a Porsche for the connected experience everyone raves about. It is really fun keeping the revs high in the NA car with the manual. I like the click in the shifter. The only thing I dislike is the 7th gear. It seems like it is in an awkward spot. The great thing is that I don't have to shift into it if I don't want to. People order their Porsche's in whichever way they want, from the interior subtleties, etc. The transmission is no different and it is your preference that trumps anyone else's opinions.

 

Go test drive one. ONLY way you'll know if YOU like it. I doubt anybody here will make up your mind. That being said, there's been more BMW defectors here than anything else. Take a drive a test drive one.

 

This! Leave the PDK in manual and try banging up and down through the gears. It gets addicting very quickly. Also, make sure you drive a PDK with the Sport steering wheel and true paddle shifters. Makes the experience much more enjoyable.

In manual mode you can drive around at 7500 rpm all day if you so choose. It won't shift without your input. The only thing you can't do is drop into a lower gear above redline and grenade your engine.

 

My last was a stick, my current is PDK. I prefer the manual except when I'm eating a burrito.

 

Who are "they"??

Everyone here seems to love the 991 manual.

 

I'm not sure what you mean by it might "suck". There may have been some comments made about the MT in comparison to previous but it doesn't SUCK. I have an MT 4S and I am a manual transmission person. I am happy with shifting and will be adding the short shift kit to shorten throws.

Before you post such heavy concern over something you haven't experienced, go drive one. If it doesn't work for you choose another car.

 

I think the moderators need to create a PDK/Manual forum.

 

PDK in manual is great and very involving. 7M in manual is great and very involving. PDK in auto is just a very good automatic transmission, which is of no interest to me. Choose your poison.

 

Now my problem is that dealership didn't have a manual for me to try out (surprise) , but i hear that the manual transmission of the 991 is not that great, that the gears are too close together and what not.

Are you against the idea of buying a used 911? The 997 has a six speed MT which is outstanding. The M3 is a fine car but it's not a Porsche. The Engineers at BMW did a great job enhancing the pedestrian 3 series platform to achieve the M3's performance, but the 911 began its life as a sports car. So you have a car which is lightweight and has a very low center of gravity.

To those of us who have become "addicted" to the 911 driving experience, the idea of buying another brand is not a real option. Over the years we'll check out other cars, but we always revert back to some 911 iteration. My recommendation is that you drive a 997 with a six speed. If you want to buy new, then wait until the 991.2 is on dealers' lots. I've read several reviews of the 991.2 and every reviewer gave high grades to the 7 speed MT. Moreover, the turbo on the 991.2 may give you the engine performance that you have become accustomed to with your BMW.

 

I think the 7-MT is fantastic. I was also worried about all those gears spaced together but in a bit over one year and 8,000 miles, I don't have any complaints with the manual transmission. I have driven a bunch of 991s with PDK and no question...it is awesome. However, I love the manual and I'll keep buying them as long as they keep building them.