Struggling with PDK

Struggling with PDK

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Gerber1

Original Poster:

126 posts

91 months

Monday 19th December 2016
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Thanks for all your input.

I have come to the conclusion that I am not the target audience of PDK.

I am going to sell the car although it may be difficult as I have only had it two weeks, it will be replaced with a manual 997.

sidicks

25,218 posts

220 months

Monday 19th December 2016
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Fish said:
Yes I have thanks and no really didn't like it...
It's obviously quite different than a manual, but in my experience (and those of many other owners and car reviewers) the PDK-S gearbox is uncanny in it's ability to be in the right gear at the right time.

How much time did you spend with the PDK-S

Fish said:
Just to add we have PDK in the Macan and it is my first auto I can vaguely get on with in a car... but for a sports car no thanks.
Fair enough.

Jim1556

1,771 posts

155 months

Tuesday 20th December 2016
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Gerber1 said:
I have come to the conclusion that I am not the target audience of PDK.
I fear we are a dying breed - I've driven most VW group autos (including Porsches), and some BMWs. Hated some, others were OK at best...

I get that they're faster, but unless you're actually racing, who gives a flying fk about 0.2s?

Yes, it frees up a chuck of brain power for use in steering/braking/loud pedal, but I find the enjoyment of 'stick stirring' much better than flicking some bits of plastic with my fingertips.

The problem is (as I see it), more and more cars are appearing on the market without the option of a manual gearbox (and charging extra for the lack of choice).

Enjoy a manual while you can, in 10-20 years, they'll be in 'classic' cars only! cry

Ape50

78 posts

150 months

Tuesday 20th December 2016
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FWIW I had the manual vrs PDK headache last year when I bought my first 911 (Gen 2 997) - tried them both preferred the manual and have no regrets with my choice. However it is a weekend car not a daily drive and I have an auto for the trip to the shops. The gear change is a part of the fun.

Maxym

2,018 posts

235 months

Tuesday 20th December 2016
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Just to be clear, which cars have 'PDK S'?

Montcoffer

212 posts

193 months

Tuesday 20th December 2016
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I agree with many of your thoughts, I debated & tested PDK/MAN for my 991 & went for manual & so pleased I did, I love it. PDK as you say great for track or city but in-between 'normal' driving the manual wins every time for me. The sales people thought I was wrong choosing manual by the way, saying less than 10% choose. I suspect this is driven by the additional cost of the PDK rather than what is best for the car???!!!!
BUT since having a recent loan car Macan DS obviously only with PDK, the PDK suits the type of car very well. In normal mode most of the time with an occasional manual override which then drops back into auto instinctively. Not sure about sport mode settings, holds onto revs to long for me & misses the great mid range available. I actually loved it so much I've placed a deposit for a 2017 delivery.
Choose the right car with the right gearbox.

Shaoxter

4,048 posts

123 months

Tuesday 20th December 2016
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Jim1556 said:
I fear we are a dying breed - I've driven most VW group autos (including Porsches), and some BMWs. Hated some, others were OK at best...

I get that they're faster, but unless you're actually racing, who gives a flying fk about 0.2s?
I think most people who go for autos do so not because of the quicker gearchange, but because driving a manual in a city is too tiresome.

Even as a weekend car, it takes me an hours drive to get to anywhere with nice roads so PDK it is! If I lived out in the sticks with driving roads on my doorstep I would certainly opt for a manual.

av185

18,432 posts

126 months

Tuesday 20th December 2016
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Maxym said:
Just to be clear, which cars have 'PDK S'?
991 GT3 and RS.

Forthcoming 991.2.GT3, with PDK S similar to the 991.1. RS. (I.e. slightly shorter paddle throw and quicker change compared to 991. GT3).

NBTBRV8

2,061 posts

207 months

Wednesday 21st December 2016
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What I hate about PDK and autos in general is the nothing then HUGE kick down. A manual just gives you much better car control and much more linear driving experience.

ATM

18,091 posts

218 months

Wednesday 21st December 2016
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Gerber1 said:
Thanks for all your input.

I have come to the conclusion that I am not the target audience of PDK.

I am going to sell the car although it may be difficult as I have only had it two weeks, it will be replaced with a manual 997.
Have you tried leaving it in Sport?

Most modern cars have a serious eco mode. Standard mode in a 981 is like eco mode. I only use standard [or eco] in stop start traffic. If I have any intention of pressing on then I leave it in sport. I never use sport plus. I rarely use the paddles. I dont have true paddles - I have the heated steering wheel.

Gerber1

Original Poster:

126 posts

91 months

Wednesday 21st December 2016
quotequote all
ATM said:
Gerber1 said:
Thanks for all your input.

I have come to the conclusion that I am not the target audience of PDK.

I am going to sell the car although it may be difficult as I have only had it two weeks, it will be replaced with a manual 997.
Have you tried leaving it in Sport?

Most modern cars have a serious eco mode. Standard mode in a 981 is like eco mode. I only use standard [or eco] in stop start traffic. If I have any intention of pressing on then I leave it in sport. I never use sport plus. I rarely use the paddles. I dont have true paddles - I have the heated steering wheel.
Yes, I flick through the various modes depending on the traffic conditions but its a faff - in a manual you don't need any...

Cobnapint

8,596 posts

150 months

Wednesday 21st December 2016
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drmark said:
Sums up my experiences of PDK too. Great if you use paddles and convenient in auto but not perfect. It is a compromise. One reason why we have a manual 911 and a RS6 (for best true auto experience you need a smart slush box mated to An engine that has so much torque it doesn't care what gear you are in). smile
Yep, same here in the 997.2 C4S I had - frustrating.

On a track - yes, brilliant.

The slush box in my Cayenne diesel, on the other hand, is much more user friendly.

Johnniem

2,660 posts

222 months

Thursday 22nd December 2016
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sidicks said:
Fish said:
I hate automatics in a sports car and hence why I won't buy one..

They are crap... always in the wrong gear if in auto and can't naturally know which gear I'm in in "manual"

Therefore I buy a proper manual...
Spoken like someone who has never driven a sports car with a PDK-S gearbox!
+1. I was a manual only sort of chap but living in SE london spent most of my driving hours changing up and down in traffic. Fast forward to a 987.2 Cayman S with Sports plus and flappy paddles. Recent trip to French Alps proved to me that the PDK box in a porsche (you DO need to have the paddles though) is as good and if not better than any manual. End of. All in my opinion of course.

ATM

18,091 posts

218 months

Thursday 22nd December 2016
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Johnniem said:
sidicks said:
Fish said:
I hate automatics in a sports car and hence why I won't buy one..

They are crap... always in the wrong gear if in auto and can't naturally know which gear I'm in in "manual"

Therefore I buy a proper manual...
Spoken like someone who has never driven a sports car with a PDK-S gearbox!
+1. I was a manual only sort of chap but living in SE london spent most of my driving hours changing up and down in traffic. Fast forward to a 987.2 Cayman S with Sports plus and flappy paddles. Recent trip to French Alps proved to me that the PDK box in a porsche (you DO need to have the paddles though) is as good and if not better than any manual. End of. All in my opinion of course.
Well the 9x1 PDK is even better.

Green1man

549 posts

87 months

Thursday 22nd December 2016
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I'm somewhat confused by the OPs issue, he seems to be complaining that he can't be bothered changing gears in manual mode and yet he's now suggesting he should have a manual!

I would say give the PDK a couple of weeks where you only drive in manual mode accept when tootling about town, that way you will get used to the fact that you are always using it and will get to appreciate the huge advantages of super fast gear changes with two hands on the wheel, and you will get to actually take note of the tachometer. PDK is superb once you get to fully learn how best to exploit it.

sidicks

25,218 posts

220 months

Thursday 22nd December 2016
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Green1man said:
I'm somewhat confused by the OPs issue, he seems to be complaining that he can't be bothered changing gears in manual mode and yet he's now suggesting he should have a manual!

I would say give the PDK a couple of weeks where you only drive in manual mode accept when tootling about town, that way you will get used to the fact that you are always using it and will get to appreciate the huge advantages of super fast gear changes with two hands on the wheel, and you will get to actually take note of the tachometer. PDK is superb once you get to fully learn how best to exploit it.
And keeping it in Sport mode will stop it trying to change up at the earliest possible opportunity!

Gerber1

Original Poster:

126 posts

91 months

Thursday 22nd December 2016
quotequote all
The problem is I can lap my manual 987 round the ring in exactly the same time as Porsche test drivers can, so in hindsight I am not the target audience of PDK.

I also said I have never owned an automatic so I will chalk it up to experience. I am already looking forward to getting a nice 997 with a manual box, I think it will be the faster car compared to my 981S simply because it'll always be in the correct gear and the chassis is far more communicative and confidence inspiring.

That's the last time I let my head rule my heart!

Maxym

2,018 posts

235 months

Thursday 22nd December 2016
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IMO there's nothing like DIY heel and toe for a satisfying drive but PDK makes it easier when you're 'busy' with the gears on a twisty road: so easy to swap a cog or three.

BTW, does anyone else find (pretty much) perfect rev matching on H&T these days more difficult than in the past? I'm thinking it's to do with the lack of direct throttle linkages these days. There doesn't seem the sensitivity. What do you reckon? Is it just my old age?

AMG Merc

11,954 posts

252 months

Thursday 22nd December 2016
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OP. Suggest a 997 Turbo manuel, if you can find a decent one. But then i may be biased.

sidicks

25,218 posts

220 months

Thursday 22nd December 2016
quotequote all
Gerber1 said:
The problem is I can lap my manual 987 round the ring in exactly the same time as Porsche test drivers can, so in hindsight I am not the target audience of PDK.

I also said I have never owned an automatic so I will chalk it up to experience. I am already looking forward to getting a nice 997 with a manual box, I think it will be the faster car compared to my 981S simply because it'll always be in the correct gear and the chassis is far more communicative and confidence inspiring.

That's the last time I let my head rule my heart!
It's not difficult to be in the right gear every time with a PDK!