pianoman9390

Long time lurker here but have a 2021 C2S on order, right now looking like a mid June delivery. Order placed 12/28/2020.

Here is my build code: PMMRC1S4

This car will be a replacement for my daily driver, currently a lightly modded 2011 328i sedan. I have gone back and forth regarding the PDK v manual, and don't want to start another debate. I have a few other fun cars (though not at the same level as some of you all) including a low milage C5 Z06. I love rowing the gears but am not a purist. I have optioned a manual transmision in the 992, even though it is going to be slower overall based on current testing. I have driven the PDK in the 992 / 718s and love the instant shifts and performance. I do however place significant emphasis on the overall driving experience and I seemed to get bored with the paddle shift after a while.

My question is regarding the longevity of the 992 manual transmission and its ability to hold higher rwhp in the future after tuning / mods. I plan to keep the car stock during its warranty period but once that's over, would at least do a tune / exhaust setup. In the long term, would you spec a PDK or manual with higher power in mind? I know the turbo models are only available in PDK at this time which makes me feel confident it can hold the rwhp of a simple C2S tune. I'm not sure about the manual / C2S clutch setup though. Do you think it would hold up or would I be looking for a stronger aftermarket clutch / rebuilt transmission down the road? Would love to hear your thoughts!

HenryPcar

Manual transmission, except the clutch, should be able to last as long as the car, provided the owner knows how to use it. To someone who is clueless on how to use it would tear it up within a city block though.

ipse dixit

Definitely PDK.

Bluehighways

A PDK is almost certainly easier on both the engine as well as the drive train between the transmission and the wheels. I'd not be concerned solely with the transmission itself. Also the Manual Transmission employs a dual mass flywheel. These are not low budget items which seem to have a life span that can rapidly be shortened with a modicum of abuse (enthusiasm). As to which transmission has a longer life? Honestly, who knows. I believe the PDK in the Turbo and the Turbo S is slightly different (larger clutch packs) but I could be wrong. If I am wrong, I am quite certain someone will gleefully correct me. Assuming there are differences, I'd certainly take that information as a bit of advice and a warning of sorts.

AlterZgo

I think the manual transmission will have no problem lasting the life of the car short of severe abuse, or if a person doesn't know how to drive manual and grinds the gears constantly or rides the clutch until it burns out. Furthermore, Porsche has limited your ability to rev the manual in neutral only up to 3500 RPM. While this takes away the fun of launching the car hard off the line, it will also save a ton of wear and tear on the transmission and the clutch.

I have a question for you though - why would you wait to tune your car until after warranty expires? Regardless of whether you mod now or after warranty expires, if the engine blows up, or you break the transmission or an axle, you would still fix the car, right? You wouldn't just throw the car away and/or not fix it. So why wait until 4 yrs/50K miles when your car has substantially more wear/tear and is much more likely to have something go wrong when you add a good 70-100 plus hp to it outside of warranty?

991.1 Guy

Or you could look at which one would be more expensive to repair in the event there was a malfunction

aggie57

The 992 manual is largely a carry-over from the 991, based on the 991 generation PDK gearbox. So rather than focus on 992 seems to me you can include peoples experiences with 991 gen cars too.

Norge911

PDK are lifetime, Porsche recommend fluid change after 120k miles. If the car is used for auto cross or DE then fluid must be changed more often. Ie every 40k or 60k miles depending on frequency of DE/ Auto cross. If you do this, zero issues reported by racing teams. They change fluids after every race weekend.

if you do track and don’t change fluid then PDK may fail

phaser

As a 992 buyer on the fence about the manual vs PDK I have done a considerable amount of research on the PDKs. What I have learned is that they are significantly stronger and more durable than what I originally believed which is a pleasant surprise but does not make this choice any easier.

991.1 Guy

After having owned one and tracked one, I have no worries about reliability of a PDK. It’s mostly a functional issue for me wanting to go manual. I’m hoping if anything does go wrong with the manual (clutch) it won’t be a 20k bill.

detansinn

They're both extremely reliable. With the manual, clutch wear is entirely dependent upon the driver and style.

ryanlsmith

Well, the PDK shifter trim will fail before anything else, apparently.

.2PDK

Not to mention the shifter looks like it could actually give you a trim...

ipse dixit

That right there is why the PDK will outlast the MT.

PDK virtually eliminates user-error (or abuse).

Tompoodie

The key word here is tuning.

Anyone correct me if I am wrong, but the manual transmission that of the previous generation, is rated at 406 ft/lbs. torque.
Tuners are getting around an additional 100 foot-pounds torque over stock give or take.
The increased weight of the 8 speed PDK transmission engineered to accept future hybridization is on the face of it a downside.
However by the same token it is also a benefit in terms of the increased torque specification, essential given the instant and prodigious torque electric motors make.
From my perspective, anyone wanting to tune a 992, should be getting a PDK if they care about the health and welfare of their transmission.