detansinn

The issues that people encounter with the PDK are related to the sensors and actuators. That’s the stuff that breaks or fails. It’s not strictly mileage related either — some of it is simply age and time.

The manual transmission doesn’t have those points of failure. While there are a few mechanical parts in common, the manual is dramatically simpler.

Fullyield

Very good question, sir. The failure is not the gears or bearings that are common to both the PDK and MT. Those parts of both transmissions are highly reliable. The weak part prone to failure is an electronic distance sensor that is in the PDK only and not in the MT. The MT is shifted by the driver whereas the PDK is shifted by a computer. So, the PDK needs additional sensors within the transmission constantly sending inputs to the Transmission Control Unit (TCU) so the computer knows when to shift. The PDK has an electronic hall distance sensor buried with the gears so the computer knows what gear the PDK is currently in so it can anticipate and set up the next upshift/downshift. This sensor is the weak link in the PDK and sensor failures are not uncommon. See the extensive sticky “Repairing the PDK Transmission”. The Porsche dealership solution is to replace the entire PDK for $20-$25k because the electronic sensor alone could not be purchased from Porsche or ZF, the manufacturer. Porsche did not want its technicians tearing into the PDK. A handful of independents in Atlanta (Atlanta Speedwerks) and Arizona (Beck’s European) are removing and repairing the PDKs with the T Design replacement sensor for substantially less $ but still very expensive to transport your car to Atlanta or Arizona, remove PDK, open gearbox, replace distance sensor, replace PDK, reprogram and calibrate TCU and PDK.

Fullyield

My apologies. I mispoke. It is Atlanta Speedwerks, not Atlanta Motorworks.

Tobeit

they also clearly say and have it on a slide
- very small percentage failure
- would not let that influence buying decision

So, as anything can fail …I am sure there are some out here that have a failed MT.

masmole

Makes total sense. Thanks for the detailed explanation. Also makes me happier about the long term durability of the 7mt in my T

detansinn

Nonetheless, it’s something that only afflicts PDK cars. There are lengthy threads here on RennList with tales of woe and it’s a five figure fix. If you want eliminate the possibility, get a manual.

Fullyield

Agree with your comment. No one stated otherwise if you read the post. But if you take the time to read the sticky, the incidence of the ZF distance sensor failure, though infrequent, is much higher than any mechanical failure in either the MT or the PDK gearbox.. The gearbox in the PDK and MT is so much simpler. The PDK sensor failures remind me of the IMS bearing and bore scoring issues in the 986/987/996/997 programs. Low chance it happens to you but it is a catastrophic event if it does. As my statistics professor used to say, if the tornado hits your house the likelihood of occurrence is 100%. If it happens, it is a $15k-30k repair, minimum . Detansinn's comment is still on point. He said it is a consideration if your car is no longer on warranty........which is a correct statement for anyone doing objective and reasonable analysis, free of ownership bias.. I love the PDK and have owned five.....but it has its issues because of its complexity and Porsche's bad management decision to just replace a $30k transmission whenever it does happen compounds the problem when out of warranty. Electronic equipment designed to sense its environment and constantly bathed in hot gear oil......is anyone surprised to see infrequent sensor failures?

Tobeit

well, I just pointed out what the experts in the provided link state and not my opinion - don’t let your buying decision be influenced by that. The tornado example makes no sense - everything is 100% when it actually happens. But that does not stop people buying houses …and Tornados can happen anywhere as we recently learned not just in Tornado ally. When issues like that come up it easily gets into fearmongering. But sure more sensors are possibilities for more failures. But by that logic you should not consider a 911 992 et all.

my point is OP should decide what he likes the most and not let “what may or may not happen down the road” influence his decision. And there are many things that are much more likely that can happen but a PDK failure.

Fullyield

Or….consider a manual which was the original point. I understand ownership bias. You want to defend your PDK….I get it.

shrimp money

There are more posts about engines failing under warranty than transmissions on RL.


Arguing about them failing seems like a waste of time for justifying which to pick.

detansinn

As I suggested, spend some time in 997 and 991 RennList forums with older PDKs out of warranty. Again, it’s not a showstopper. It’s just a consideration for when the car is out of warranty. Most of the 992s on the road right now are still under warranty.

ipse dixit

Agreed.

But those statistics regarding "failure" do not account for the human factor, which happens more often than people care to talk about (or post about).

#MoneyShifts #MissedShifts

DrKarlB

Exactly.
Zero chance of a money shift in a PDK

detansinn

True. DME reports aren’t a critical pre-purchase exercise for a PDK car.

detansinn

While unlikely, I would stop short of “zero chance”. You can log overrevs with a PDK. Under some circumstances, it’s certainly possible.