Its not bragging when you had good instruction. That is what this is all about, getting instruction, learning, and practicing. I drove a stick for years in other cars and never understood heal toeing... until I had good instruction.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

 

Be good to your clutch and in turn it will be good to you.

 

I've made it to 100K on a clutch in another car. My C2 needed replacement at about 55K, iirc. I didn't own it for the first 10K miles and my wife drives it every now and then, so that may have had an impact. I think it depends on a number of factor in addition to driver skill (though I am sure you are all as immensely skilled as you think you are), including proportion of freeway to city miles, hills, aggressive launches, etc. I match revs etc.; but don't doubt that there are better people at this than me. Replacement cost about $1500 at a good indy. NBD.

 

A good driver can even make an automated dual-clutch gearbox, such as a PDK, last longer.

Whether it's the VW groups DSG or the Porsche PDK, the transmission is a balance of smoothness (accomplished somewhat thru clutch slippage) and reliability (can't slip too much). It also lack the eyesight of the driver. Both these issues mean it will slip the clutch a bit (the automated system) or shift too much.

In a DSG or PDK, the driver can take control away from the computer, and basically choose not to shift to avoid some useless shifts. Why let it slip 'n' slide 2-3-2-3-2-3-2-3-2-3-2-3-2-3-2 creeping/stuttering along in slow sporadic traffic? (all experiencing slippage)? Put it in 2nd, drive 5-10 MPH in 2nd for the next few miles and avoid 2-3 dozen useless shifts.

So... if you have bad habits and don't know how transmissions work, you will still beat down on an automated manual, too.

As for vision: Since you know what lies ahead (hill!), why let the automated manual shift up just before a hill, just so it can shift down when it climbs the hill?

So, whether it's a manual trans, a PDK-type gearbox or even an old slushbox, the driver's knowledge of how a transmission works, and his ability to adapt his style or intercede will help all transmissions.

.

 

My 996 had a stiff clutch pedal when I bought it at 24k miles and I figured it was somewhat worn. When I had the IMS upgrade done at about 25k, the clutch was toast. The new clutch ended up being as smooth as butter and so light I thought I was driving a new Honda Civic. Absolutely beautiful.

When I bought my 09 with 22k miles, clutch was also stiff, although not quite as much as my 996. I have to think it is already pretty worn, although there is no slippage, so I am not replacing it for the time being. I have driven manuals off and on much of my life and never had to replace a clutch up till my 996, so my question is, "who the heck drives these cars?" Or maybe it is just the fact that there are so few manuals anymore, there are lots of people who think they can use a clutch but have no idea. As already noted, it is more the driver than the car, and that's often not good.

 

At the end of the 60's Porsche came up with the Sportomatic transmission. A manual transmission but actuated semi- automatic. My 911E Sportomatic from 69' with 180 000 miles on it had the transmission opened for inspection. The original clutch was still in a as-new condition.


I have seen clutches completely worn to the rivets with only 10 000 miles on it, after fixing these cars and see the owner taking off it is most of the time no surprise why these clutches wear out so fast.

 

Since this thread isn't too cold I'll add to it. According to John at Chris's German Auto in Redmond (a respected indy in the Seattle area some of you may know) 50-60k clutch life is typical on the 997. The reason is not clutch plate wear, it's the pressure plate. It's designed to be light and as a result doesn't last as long as those in other cars. I know this because I was asking about a car that I was considering with 46k and he said budget for a clutch in the next 10-15k. I'm sure some have lasted longer and some less. But just cause you don't want it to happen doesn't mean it won't, regardless of how you drive.

 

Respected? John Robison??? Thanks, I needed a good laugh. You just made my day.

 

You have me there, I don't personally know the man or the shop aside from having a conversation with him. Chris's has been around for a long time and many seem to like them. Are there better shops in the area? Is the info he provided on 997 clutches flawed?

 

I've had good experiences with Squire's Autowerke in Bellevue. My clutch assembly currently has ~85k miles and is just showing early signs of wear - not the slave cylinder It's inside the bell housing.. probably the release bearing or the pressure plate. I'm waiting until the RMS leak gets worse or the clutch goes real bad..

 

I'm at 73,500 miles on my original clutch; no signs of slipping at all...