user 72902

So I never have driven a Carrera with a PDK but have done so in a Boxster and Cayman. I owned a 2004 Cayenne S until I bought my 2018 Macan and I just don’t see much of a difference between the two trannys. Does it make that big of a difference on our 997s? The Cayenne was about 1000 lbs heavier and only had 6 gears vs 7. The Macan is a 4 cylinder turbo and it move pretty darn well but I just don’t see an exponential improvement in the PDK over the Tip. Maybe I had too high of an expectation. Please provide some feedback.

qikqbn

I have driven a few pdk 997s and Caymans. I also owned a 2004 Cayenne S for almost 10 yrs and 100k miles. I have a 2013 Cayenne S now and I have to say... the transmission in my 2004 was buttery smooth and shifted great, even when compared to my 2013. I only wish the 2004 had a sport mode because it did seem to take a bit longer than I like to "learn" my driving habits. I drove it a lot in manual mode and used the shifter to switch gears. Now I will say this based on my experience with pdk. Around town and when driving in traffic there is not that much difference between pdk and non pdk Porsche transmissions. They both seem to shift smoothly under moderate acceleration. Still needed to prod it or shift it on my own to get the right gear. Seems to want to shift to 7th gear as fast as possible even when going 40 mph. PDK left me in too low of a gear many times to try and save fuel, so I ended up driving in manual or sport mode most of the time. Now the big difference for me with PDK was when the driving got more aggressive. There is no denying the speed at which pdk can switch gears when approaching red line and also while downshifting to jump to a better gear for power or downshifting during hard braking. The old tiptronic transmissions response times can't touch pdk when putting the pedal to the metal. Plus the software is just programmed better over all so that the "learning" of your driving habits happens much sooner and it seems to select the right gear more often.

It's my opinion the SUV's are still programmed to be good daily drivers and family haulers in general so the pdk setups are not as sporty or aggressive as they are in the 997 987 cars.

saabin

^ Agree with this. Love the PDK in my Cayman when driven aggressively. In non-sport mode, it's just like a standard auto tranny.

Vethen

It has been said but I’ll add my 2 cents anyway. What the mechanism does and what it is capable of are two separate things. The pdk system is very capable and can do really quick sharp shifts. In the SUV’s they are programmed more for comfort and longevity. Nothing beats the feel of a 991 gt3 with the pdk sport button activated. I still feel sick to my stomach, in a good way of course.

Balr14

On any other car (non Porsche) I'd take the manual transmission. On a Porsche, nothing beats the PDK. It matches however you want to drive and never lets you make a mistake. It shifts so damn fast! I can go through first and second gear in about 4 seconds.

MexicoBlueTurboS

I like the PDK for several reasons.

1. It's a whole class upgrade in performance
2. It's covered by a Fidelity warranty - clutches are not.
3. It lowers the price point on most every Porsche.
4. Nearly impossible to over rev.
5. It leaves your hand free to put on your girlfriend's thigh.
6. It will out-shift even the most experienced race car driver and result in faster lap times.
7. It leaves your hand free to put on your wife's thigh.

doclouie

LOL. I hope your wife never sees this.

C4SDayton

1. For the price it better be.
2. Given the price, you better pay up for a warranty.
3. Not sure I get this?
4. What's the fun in that?
5. Girlfriend still has 2 hands free.
6. Some racers prefer those single step 2-3 gear downshifts. Real racers probably want a sequential gearbox, faster shifts, lower lap times, lighter transmission by 100lbs or so.
7. See 5.

In an Porsche SUV anyway, a good reliable auto would be preferable to PDK imo.

SweetWater

I NEVER wanted a 911 with PDK. My Turbo is a manual and I swore I would never own a PDK Porsche. Well here I am with a PDK 997 and I love it.

BrakingBad

Nostalgia is now the only reason to own a manual. PDK is better/faster at everything else. In 35 years of driving I've owned many cars, all of them manuals until PDK became available in 2009.

J_D

Why do people forget the pdk has a manual mode, and isn't an automatic transmission?

You can drive it fully manual. It's the best of both worlds.

groovzilla

Give me 6 speed manual or give me death

J_D

Nostalgia only goes so far.

ilovemaui

I find the PDK is excellent for city driving and in manual mode is a hoot.

scadams

I've got an 09 C2S with PDK and love it. I flashed it with Cobb Tuning's Aggressive PDK map and it's like a whole new car.