PDK vs 6sp
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 6
From: Dana Point, CA
On a racetrack where every fraction of a second matters, I can somewhat... somewhat... see your point.
But in real world, public road driving, where 99% of us spend 95+% of our time, I still don't agree.
Put any human with modest eye hand coordination behind the wheel and he/she can push the puttons on the PDK and execute perfect up and downshifts every single time. Put that same person behind the wheel of a manual transmission equipped car and there's a significant amount of time, effort and energy put into executing smooth, quick up and down shifts.
That... THAT... is the driver involvement that I'm talking about.
To be clear... I'm not bashing the PDK. Far from it. It's an amazing piece of technology. But to me, it's not as visceral, not as involving and therefore not as attractive to me as a standard transmission.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 164
Likes: 2
From: Florida
I like the 
I've been using the gear **** rather than the steering shifters which is why I have the tendency to want to pull rather than push to go from 1st to 2nd. After 2nd it's no issue.
I'm not saying that it's a big issue anyway. Most times I'm fine with it, but every now and then I get it wrong. I'm not used to shifting at the wheel yet. I used to do some rally races in Europe (nothing major) and always ind myself going back to the gear **** shifter rather than the wheel.
Getting back to the original post. PDK is great. I was just formulating a personal preference, but that has nothing to do with the performance or convenience of the system. Like everyone has said, try both and keep an open mind about the PDK.
I've been using the gear **** rather than the steering shifters which is why I have the tendency to want to pull rather than push to go from 1st to 2nd. After 2nd it's no issue.
I'm not saying that it's a big issue anyway. Most times I'm fine with it, but every now and then I get it wrong. I'm not used to shifting at the wheel yet. I used to do some rally races in Europe (nothing major) and always ind myself going back to the gear **** shifter rather than the wheel.
Getting back to the original post. PDK is great. I was just formulating a personal preference, but that has nothing to do with the performance or convenience of the system. Like everyone has said, try both and keep an open mind about the PDK.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg Florida
PDK with the Sport Crono Plus can keep you very busy when you wish to be. In traffic PDK auto mode is outstanding. About now if you order a new car you can get paddle shifters but I find that it is more fun to use the shifter. On the standard PDK wheel you will get used to it in a day or so. Push up and pull down. If you drive a demo for 1/2 half an hour, you will probably not like it, but if you drive it for a couple of days you will love the PDK. For those existing PDK owners who want paddles, Champion will install them. You send them the steering wheel and they convert it.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
It's interesting to note that every driver tends to prefer and to defend his/her choice of what they are currently driving. In the end, there is NO correct choice. Both transmissions are GREAT ! Get what you prefer. End of story.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,820
Likes: 1,043
From: The South
PDK with the Sport Crono Plus can keep you very busy when you wish to be. In traffic PDK auto mode is outstanding. About now if you order a new car you can get paddle shifters but I find that it is more fun to use the shifter. On the standard PDK wheel you will get used to it in a day or so. Push up and pull down. If you drive a demo for 1/2 half an hour, you will probably not like it, but if you drive it for a couple of days you will love the PDK. For those existing PDK owners who want paddles, Champion will install them. You send them the steering wheel and they convert it.
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,861
Likes: 39
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 15
Not trying to flame any particular POV but FWIW, PDK has a solid punch and grip to it. There's nothing "slush bucket" about it. People who haven't tried one, or subconsciously equate it with an automatic, should really not decide and declare "I like the involvement of a manual" until they try PDK.
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Race Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,862
Likes: 4
From: Colorado
Agreed, nothing slushy about PDK at all, esp. in Sport or Sport Plus. And yes, Sport Chrono is a MUST for any PDK car. I took mine out today for a little drive - it is fun working the gears, but I'd still prefer a manual when it's my weekend/fun car.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,559
Likes: 76
From: MA
Fifth 911 in 38 years. First Auto (PDK). With Sport Chrono, perfect for me!
I no longer stew in heavy traffic and totally enjoy manual sport mode.
PDK, electronics upgrade and a super deal made me leave my 2nd love.(6 speed 06S).
Has to be 2nd or wife would kill me.
She was already unhappy with my trading in the 06S without her OK. :>)
Don't tell her PSE goes on next week, I can turn it off and she will never know.
I no longer stew in heavy traffic and totally enjoy manual sport mode.
PDK, electronics upgrade and a super deal made me leave my 2nd love.(6 speed 06S).
Has to be 2nd or wife would kill me.
She was already unhappy with my trading in the 06S without her OK. :>)
Don't tell her PSE goes on next week, I can turn it off and she will never know.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,307
Likes: 662
From: Bay Area CA
I have to respectfully disagree with many of the adamant pdk supporters here, but of course, I bought a 6-speed!
I found PDK to be a great automatic, but an automatic in terms of the experience it creates for you in driving the car. It will, in normal auto mode, shift into 6th gear so seamlessly by 30 mph you won't know until you need power and find, doh, it has to kick down 4-5 gears - this lag was to me unacceptable.
So, ended up in sport or sport plus mode all of the time to get it to drive as I would normally on the street (fairly slowly BTW, but not lugging the motor) - which then means aggressive shifting particularly downshifts - a feeling that seems over the top for street driving.
If the car would learn your driving style more and learn to not shift at 2K rpm in auto and auto/sport then I could see it being more fun to drive - otherwise I'm always at odds with where the tranny is as it tries to save gas. I drove one for an hour and couldn't detect it adapting.
If it were a city or track car, there's no doubt PDK is it! My wife wants one
For me though for weekend and 2-3 drives a week, I want to shift it manually rather than push a button.
It's all what you like, and what you're paradigm of driving is!
I found PDK to be a great automatic, but an automatic in terms of the experience it creates for you in driving the car. It will, in normal auto mode, shift into 6th gear so seamlessly by 30 mph you won't know until you need power and find, doh, it has to kick down 4-5 gears - this lag was to me unacceptable.
So, ended up in sport or sport plus mode all of the time to get it to drive as I would normally on the street (fairly slowly BTW, but not lugging the motor) - which then means aggressive shifting particularly downshifts - a feeling that seems over the top for street driving.
If the car would learn your driving style more and learn to not shift at 2K rpm in auto and auto/sport then I could see it being more fun to drive - otherwise I'm always at odds with where the tranny is as it tries to save gas. I drove one for an hour and couldn't detect it adapting.
If it were a city or track car, there's no doubt PDK is it! My wife wants one
For me though for weekend and 2-3 drives a week, I want to shift it manually rather than push a button. It's all what you like, and what you're paradigm of driving is!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 761
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,888
Likes: 119
From: Canada
Had a 15 minutes test drive in a paddle shift Ferrari California and came out too calm and bored.
Agree with others that said this is about driver's preference only. It has nothing to do with whether PDK or stick shift is better or not.
Yes, we all know that PDK shifts faster. This is a fact. But don't fool ourselves that we are race car drivers. Just because the other guy drives the same car with a PDK does not necessarily mean he can be faster than me in a 6 speed on the track. And even if he is, then thats OK.
I do not disagree with PDK for daily use for its convenience. But 6 speed for me any day for fun driving.