Should I avoid a 2009 PDK
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4th Gear
Joined: Jul 2009
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Should I avoid a 2009 PDK
I am in the market for a 997.2 PDK. I have good reasons for looking PDK over 6MT. I know not to buy the first year of a new model. Does the same rule of thumb apply to the PDK or should I not be concerned with a 2009 because any car I look at is 13 years old and any new model issues will be sorted.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Toronto ON Canada
I’d would say no, while they seem to have slightly higher level of failure (hard to quantify but based on forum posts) there are now reasonably priced parts available to overhaul the tranny… so it’s no longer $10-20k hit …
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Joined: Aug 2021
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From: Houston
There haven't been enough failures to establish a trend. If the vehicle is clean and the price is good (as good as it can be these days), I would not hesitate to get a 2009 vs any other year 997.2.
Porsche's PDK was around for many, many years before they started using it in the 997.2.
Porsche's PDK was around for many, many years before they started using it in the 997.2.
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Joined: Aug 2021
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From: Houston
More like impossible to quantify. Not enough data to even assume.
Although didn't a 3rd/center radiator come along standard in later 997.2s to help cool the PDK? Something that could easily be added later on if the vehicle was going to be used on the track in hot climates.
My 2009 seems to stay plenty cool here in sizzlin TX.
Although didn't a 3rd/center radiator come along standard in later 997.2s to help cool the PDK? Something that could easily be added later on if the vehicle was going to be used on the track in hot climates.
My 2009 seems to stay plenty cool here in sizzlin TX.
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From: Houston
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From: Florida
I am in the market for a 997.2 PDK. I have good reasons for looking PDK over 6MT. I know not to buy the first year of a new model. Does the same rule of thumb apply to the PDK or should I not be concerned with a 2009 because any car I look at is 13 years old and any new model issues will be sorted.
Now, I don't know if this will make you feel any better. The PDK on my current 2011 GTS failed as well and according to the dealership, most likely for the same reason as the 2009 failure based on the codes they pulled so the year of the car doesn't seem to make any difference. The bad news is that the 2011 replacement cost $20K so they're not getting cheaper. So it would seem that a 2011 PDK is no more reliable than a 2009 based on my experiences.
More good news.....the PDK failure rate is very low. I don't have any reliable statistics but I think it's safe to say that I've been unlucky (understatement) with two PDK failures on two PDK cars. Highly unusual. Neither car tracked btw. and both meticulously serviced and maintained.
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My 6mt decision was based on, not purchasing cost but maintenance/replacement cost. Spending 50K on a car is one thing, replacing a pdk out of warranty is completely different story. Up until recently it was pretty much a non serviceable transmission minus some dealer software updates. Theres been a few shops actually open it up and replace components for it. If I went PDK I would look at fidelity warranty and not have to worry about it. If I had to guess, I bet the cost delta between a 6mt and a pdk with extended warranty is fairly close.
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From: Clemson, SC
Nope, in fact the 2009 has firmer and sportier shifting from the PDK providing one of the POs didn't have the software update done. Either way, no real difference in reliability of the PDK in 09 vs other years. They have a low failure rate, but when they do, some things can be repaired by sensor replacement while others require complete transmission replacement. I personally have no interest in a 2-pedal 911, but that's a different discussion. If you've decided that's what you want, then the PDK is the bettwr driving transmission vs the previous generation Tiptronic, though the Tip has fewer problems.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,559
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From: MA
The Fidelity warranty is great, paid for the repair of my 09 S PDK.
however, they no longer offer a warranty for cars over 10 years old.
I wanted to up date mine, which, runs out this September, and I couldn’t.
however, they no longer offer a warranty for cars over 10 years old.
I wanted to up date mine, which, runs out this September, and I couldn’t.
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Joined: Aug 2021
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From: Houston
Buy the transmission/driving experience you want. Should not be money based unless all someone can afford is a high mileage PDK, in which case it may not make the most financial sense for them anyway.
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I’ve had my 09 for a year, but it’s 13 years old with 52k miles. No issues with the PDK and it doesn’t appear to have been replaced in the past. If anything is going to go wrong it will be electronic but it’s not the horrible cost for a full replacement it used to be. Still not cheap and your car will be out of commission for a bit unless you live near one of the shops that can repair it.
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I have 148K miles on my 2010 (summer 2009 build) C4S. No problems. Have been paralyzed in the left leg multiple times and having little to no feeling in that leg the two pedal option works best for me. But that being said, buy what you want. Personally, after a bit of playing with the PDK, I no longer view it as a compromise. I still find myself reaching for the great job on occasion. I still question if I have given up a few man points. But I do like the PDK!!!
Mine has the same "firmer" shifting software as the 2009 models. If you do buy this car and ever take it in for service specify that they DO NOT update the software. Once updated you can't go back, and the update softens the shifting.
Mine has the same "firmer" shifting software as the 2009 models. If you do buy this car and ever take it in for service specify that they DO NOT update the software. Once updated you can't go back, and the update softens the shifting.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Austin, TX
But based on that logic, these days, you'd spend an extra $15K to $20K just to get a manual anyways..... just out of fear that you might have to spend thousands on PDK repair/replacement/warranty? That doesn't make sense to me because you've gone ahead and spent all this extra money fearing something that highly likely wouldn't even happen. Not to mention some MT have needed full replacement as well.. I think the cost was like $13K? Again, rare.
Buy the transmission/driving experience you want. Should not be money based unless all someone can afford is a high mileage PDK, in which case it may not make the most financial sense for them anyway.
Buy the transmission/driving experience you want. Should not be money based unless all someone can afford is a high mileage PDK, in which case it may not make the most financial sense for them anyway.
However the $10k-$15k premium for the Manual doesn’t evaporate. You will always get that back as the demand/supply will always be in its favor.
If you have to fix a broken PDK, that’s $10k-$15k that gets the car back on the road.
It’s all mental gymnastics. Of course one could invest the money saved and usually turn a healthy return in 4-5 years.
Just get what you want. I bought one of the first DSG MK5 GTI cars to hit our shores, literally a week after they hit dealer lots. I only made it 9 mos before finding another GTI owner that was having knee surgery and had to chuck his manual.
It’s phenomenal tech but it’s not for everyone.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Ontario