PDK vs Manual
11-18-2010, 04:37 PM
#16
Rennlist Member
Everyone knows that the PDK is a sterile, boring transmission designed for florists and dentists who want to turn their Porsche into an uninspiring transportation appliance with a badge. One time a guy tried to take his PDK Carrera S to a racetrack and he wrecked it because he fell asleep from boredom on the main straight and drove into the armco. The PDK transmission also weighs seven-hundred and thirty pounds (I heard).
Similarly, the manual transmission is clearly an archaic and dangerous performance-robbing anachronism like bias ply tires and hand-crank engine starting. Statistics show that 85% of all manual transmission cars will eventually be wrecked when the driver unwisely tries to shift gears while negotiating a freeway on-ramp, unsettling the car and sending it into a ditch. The only people who would ever want a manual transmission are just septuagenerian luddites who are afraid of modern technology.
Similarly, the manual transmission is clearly an archaic and dangerous performance-robbing anachronism like bias ply tires and hand-crank engine starting. Statistics show that 85% of all manual transmission cars will eventually be wrecked when the driver unwisely tries to shift gears while negotiating a freeway on-ramp, unsettling the car and sending it into a ditch. The only people who would ever want a manual transmission are just septuagenerian luddites who are afraid of modern technology.
To OP:
Basically, this is now very personal. Before it was easier to distinguish between Tip and manual, but now it's much closer performance wise.
Drive both to see which you like best. I still prefer Manual for the driver engagement and heel-toe-shifting. However, some like the ease of fast shifting PDK provides without a clutch!
11-18-2010, 04:45 PM
#17
Race Director
Just stirrin' the pot, Alex. I get your point.
11-18-2010, 04:48 PM
#18
Rennlist Member
11-18-2010, 04:58 PM
#19
Three Wheelin'
11-18-2010, 05:11 PM
#20
Rennlist Member
11-18-2010, 06:41 PM
#21
Burning Brakes
I have had a PDK for 16 months. I just got a new 2010 Carrera S manual.
PDK is great if you need to commute in stop and go traffic, or if you need to set the absolutely fastest time on a track.
Otherwise, a manual is a lot more fun on roads or track.
Take your pick.
PDK is great if you need to commute in stop and go traffic, or if you need to set the absolutely fastest time on a track.
Otherwise, a manual is a lot more fun on roads or track.
Take your pick.
11-18-2010, 07:48 PM
#22
Not at all irrelevant in terms of trying to understand the technological change over to PDK in sports cars.
Remember when F1 did the change over? There must have been a debate going on. What were the drivers saying at the time?
Would be really nice to know what they predicted in terms of their "feeling connected" to their cars and then to know what the outcome of that prediction was.
Did any of them say the personal challenge diminished or did it intensify?
I guess there are no racing historians on RL.
11-18-2010, 08:24 PM
#23
Everyone knows that the PDK is a sterile, boring transmission designed for florists and dentists who want to turn their Porsche into an uninspiring transportation appliance with a badge. One time a guy tried to take his PDK Carrera S to a racetrack and he wrecked it because he fell asleep from boredom on the main straight and drove into the armco. The PDK transmission also weighs seven-hundred and thirty pounds (I heard).
Similarly, the manual transmission is clearly an archaic and dangerous performance-robbing anachronism like bias ply tires and hand-crank engine starting. Statistics show that 85% of all manual transmission cars will eventually be wrecked when the driver unwisely tries to shift gears while negotiating a freeway on-ramp, unsettling the car and sending it into a ditch. The only people who would ever want a manual transmission are just septuagenerian luddites who are afraid of modern technology.
Similarly, the manual transmission is clearly an archaic and dangerous performance-robbing anachronism like bias ply tires and hand-crank engine starting. Statistics show that 85% of all manual transmission cars will eventually be wrecked when the driver unwisely tries to shift gears while negotiating a freeway on-ramp, unsettling the car and sending it into a ditch. The only people who would ever want a manual transmission are just septuagenerian luddites who are afraid of modern technology.
Nugget MUST be a "gear rower" to be this good!
11-18-2010, 11:52 PM
#24
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Sport Chrono is a MUST with the PDK transmission. It in effect gives you three transmissons in "auto" mode due to three different programs of when the transmission shifts in the rev range:
o Normal - will shift early in the rev renge for maximum MPG
o Sport - will higher in the rev range for a more spirited experience
o Sport Plus - will not shift until it hits red line for an extremely agressive experience.
As others have said, drive both and make your choice. Fortunately, there is no "bad" choice, because it is a Porsche.
o Normal - will shift early in the rev renge for maximum MPG
o Sport - will higher in the rev range for a more spirited experience
o Sport Plus - will not shift until it hits red line for an extremely agressive experience.
As others have said, drive both and make your choice. Fortunately, there is no "bad" choice, because it is a Porsche.
11-19-2010, 11:37 AM
#26
Race Director
This thread is top shelf, esp Nugget's comments!
I have a few comments/opinions/observations:
I was recently at the track , 1st for my c2s pdk, and at first go i drove her in FULL AUTO mode w/ SPort + as i wanted to fimilarize myself w/ the track. What a tranny! It was telepathic. it knew when to upshift. it knew when to downshift. Very good indeed.
In manual mode, interestingly, i found myself using the shift leveler vs the toggles. It felt "natural" to me. And even more interesting my left leg was twitching!
In anycase the PDK, despite some shortcomings, is truely a great tranny.
I have a few comments/opinions/observations:
I was recently at the track , 1st for my c2s pdk, and at first go i drove her in FULL AUTO mode w/ SPort + as i wanted to fimilarize myself w/ the track. What a tranny! It was telepathic. it knew when to upshift. it knew when to downshift. Very good indeed.
In manual mode, interestingly, i found myself using the shift leveler vs the toggles. It felt "natural" to me. And even more interesting my left leg was twitching!
In anycase the PDK, despite some shortcomings, is truely a great tranny.
11-19-2010, 11:54 AM
#27
Three Wheelin'
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Not at all irrelevant in terms of trying to understand the technological change over to PDK in sports cars.
Remember when F1 did the change over? There must have been a debate going on. What were the drivers saying at the time?
Would be really nice to know what they predicted in terms of their "feeling connected" to their cars and then to know what the outcome of that prediction was.
Did any of them say the personal challenge diminished or did it intensify?
I guess there are no racing historians on RL.
Remember when F1 did the change over? There must have been a debate going on. What were the drivers saying at the time?
Would be really nice to know what they predicted in terms of their "feeling connected" to their cars and then to know what the outcome of that prediction was.
Did any of them say the personal challenge diminished or did it intensify?
I guess there are no racing historians on RL.
As far as feeling connected to the car, it wouldn't be difficult for me to understand how PDK would intensify that "connection" between a driver and car. You think it, and it does it, and sometimes it even does it before you think it -- that's how good the PDK is. My contention would be on the "personal challenge" aspect, as it depends on how it's defined. Nonetheless, I think I can safely say that the PDK would seem to diminish the physical challenge part of driving. I fail to see how two hands on the wheel flicking/pushing levers/buttons would be more demanding than one hand on the wheel, one hand shifting, all the while stabbing a pedal and heel-and-toeing.
Again, I'm not making light of PDK's technological prowess or disparaging PDK owners' driving skills in any way. It's just one aspect of a sports car I personally cannot sacrifice (and yes, I have sampled the PDK).
BTW, I'd love a Cayenne or Panamera with PDK.
11-19-2010, 12:49 PM
#28
Three Wheelin'
My shift timing is still better and more natural for me using the shifter rather that the wheel. Even after 4+ years driving SMG/PDK style cars. I guess the 30 years of manual is hard to shake off. And with PDK, trying to out-shift it using manual mode is like a game - and I generally lose. Occasionally Sport/Auto does some goofy things at low RPMs between 1st and 2nd, but most times it kicks my but on upshifts and downshifts.
11-19-2010, 01:20 PM
#29
Nordschleife Master
My shift timing is still better and more natural for me using the shifter rather that the wheel. Even after 4+ years driving SMG/PDK style cars. I guess the 30 years of manual is hard to shake off. And with PDK, trying to out-shift it using manual mode is like a game - and I generally lose. Occasionally Sport/Auto does some goofy things at low RPMs between 1st and 2nd, but most times it kicks my but on upshifts and downshifts.
Contrary to the common wisdom I actually prefer M mode in stop-and-go traffic as it gives me full control. And SC Normal is better for that. I use, indifferently, the stick or steering buttons to change gears. Because I prefer Porsche's dual/redundant buttons, I can shift with either hand, which is great.
11-19-2010, 04:18 PM
#30
get PDk with the paddle shifters. IMO its the best combination out there. if you want to shift go manual and shift with the paddles so easy yet satisfying, if you hit traffic which is everywhere.. go automatic and convinience is there... we all know traffic is everywhere and it is a part of driving and personally i think the automatic is the convinient type of tranny for this kind of driving. so with PDK you actually have both...