Has anyone done this as a single item at a Porsche dealership and how much did it cost?

 

Hard to keep up with the PDK "updates" and what they amount to. When the PDK on my-09 C4S failed, the replacement unit was supposed to be an updated one and I'm sure it was. Problem was that the updates didn't improve anything. At least not to my likes. Biggest difference was in sport and sport + mode. The what seemed like millisecond shifts with a little pop from the exhaust that I had on the original -09 PDK were gone. Even in sport plus manual mode it just sort of rolled over instead. A lot of people liked this "update" since it was "smoother" but it's not for me. If I want "smooth", I go to sport or if grandma is in the car all the way to normal in auto where it's in 6th gear at 35mph. To me, the earliest PDK's were the best ones. Not the smoothest ones but since when did smoothness become a priority for 911' buyers?

 

I still have the old PDK software and I won't let Porsche update it. Just like Sandwedge said, pops and harder shifts.

 

I took my 2010 Carrera S in to have the software updated to the newest Porsche software. The Porsche Dealer charged $250 for the software update. It did not go smoothly. They have to contact Porsche via PIWIS and real time have the software sent over from Germany during the software update, if the system loses power or communication the module can be bricked. At first they said nothing needed to be updated, I asked them to check again and they came back and said they ask Porsche and it did have an update and they would proceed. The dealer said about 1/2 the updates fail and the TCU module has to be replaced!
In my case, 4 hours later they came back and said the TCU module had failed and I would have to replace it for $2100. They kept the vehicle overnight and miraculously the next day, they called me and they were able to "revive" the module, the software update when on and "everything was fine" Not an experience I would want to repeat, but all's well that ends well. Car runs fine and no issues, the car now has the latest software verson and seems to run fine, but I really don't notice any difference in performance either good or bad.

 

Your experience is why I always caution our clients (small Independent Porsche shop) about software updates/calibrations on early PDK cars. Especially when it comes to the cost involved with having to replace the control unit if it crashes/fails. It isn't an uncommon issue, personally had it occur multiple times during my years as a dealership technician. You can literally do everything correct (battery charger on constant programming mode, etc), and use as many tricks as you've learned to combat it, over the years but, just as with any 10+ year old computer, things don't always go as planned. Sometimes they can be brought back to life after hours of trying again and again. If not, the transmission will not operate and the car is a paperweight...
If you have a real concern, then it may be worthwhile to update. Otherwise, enjoy your Porsche PDK as is because you're probably not missing out on much.

 

I was considering bringing my 2009 Carrera s in for an update. When I'm in sport mode and coming to a stop, It downshifts into 1st to early making you lunge forward before you stop. If I have the car in manual, it doesn't do this. I'm thinking its software because it only does it in sport mode/auto. Anyone else experiencing something similar?

 

 

 

The downshift (stall prevention) programming assumes a more aggressive braking profile. Do not stop like a limo driver, instead brake progressively and with more determination and there will be no jerk. It's a sports car after all...

 

My 09 does this but only if in sport mode *and* the AC is on. If I push the AC Off switch, it decelerates smoothly in sport mode...

 

This.

 

Interesting

 

What years are "updates" beneficial for?
Should at 2012 Turbo S require and "Update"?

I know I'd like to have the "relearn" process done whenever I decide to do the tuning, but not sure and "update" is necessary.

 

No!

Now... beyond software updates there is a calibration procedure. After a number of years doing a system calibration might be worthwhile.

 

Yes, the "Relearn" is what I was referring to. I know it'll need that prior to tuning, or least be smart to.