New PDK v Original PDK

[mountainreef]

So this may have been done before (Search isn't helping) but now that people have had time to use the new PDK, what do you think of it compared to the original one? I know mechanically it is exactly the same, just the software has been upgraded.

I drove a manual 991 and the PDK 991 on the track Wednesday and i can honestly say that the PDK experience was perfect for those conditions. I've not driven the new PDK in normal road conditions though so was wondering what people thought?

Any noticeable difference against the old one?

[shoestring7]

IME there's a huge difference between track maximum attack hooning and everyday driving when it comes to how the automatic boxes work. Predictable full throttle/revs changes are one thing, the subtleties of dealing with unpredictable road and traffic conditions quite another.

You need to try one on the road.


SS7

[mountainreef]

Well yeah, I agree and will drive one in traffic conditions. For the sake of conversation i just wondered what people thought of the old and new?

[mollytherocker]

Are there just 2 versions though - 997Gen2 and 991?

Where there not multiple software changes during the 997?

I have always found the 997 versions very frustrating, albeit I accept they were the best of the autos at the time.

MTR

[Raitzi]

Finnish Car magazine did their yearly Scandinavian sports car of the year thing with two other magazines. There was three Porsches in the mix of numerous cars. Boxster S(981) PDK, 991 S manual, and Panamera GTS PDK.

Laptimes
Carrea S: 1.13,8
Panamera GTS: 1.12,9
Boxster S: 1.12,4 (also got 2nd highest overall score with 52 points. McLaren got perfect 60)

So PDK really helps the times. Old or new.

I posted some of the times here: http://fastestlaps.com/tracks/ring_knutstrop_conf_...
McLaren MP4-12C did the lap record in this year's test.

[mollytherocker]

Raitzi - Thats good info but doesnt answer the ops question.

MTR

[Raitzi]

Yes. Magazines say that new is improved. Goes down more when you ask and not when it decides. In reality it very hard to make conclusions from these, because individual cars might have been tested with and without sports chrono. (Porsche is f***ing themselves in the ass for not putting sports chrono as standard for every car)

[mountainreef]

As it's just software, i wonder if the 997's would be able to receive the update?

For me, on a track at least, i found the PDK improved my lap times. Less to worry about i assume

[hondansx]

I think on a test drive you will be blown away by the speed, or frustrated by its 'unhuman' nature. For me, it takes a week or so to get used to the gearbox. In some circumstances you need to manually override, in other times you can let it do its own thing. But of course on track it all comes together...

[mountainreef]

I have a manual at the moment, i suspect I just have an itch that needs scratching. Will need to do a drive in both again in traffic to make my mind up properly.

I'm definitely going to get a new car at the end of the year but i don't know whether to spend on a 997.2 or 991 now? With either then it's the whole PDK v Manual and Sports Chrono v Standard debate in my mind.

[Kananga]

mountainreef said:

As it's just software, i wonder if the 997's would be able to receive the update?

+1

[BnB]

The 991 PDK is a different class. All the little annoyances I had with the (still excellent) 997.2 version have been ironed out. And the shifts are simply superb in all modes. Try it soon.

[Binksboy]

mountainreef said:

I have a manual at the moment, i suspect I just have an itch that needs scratching. Will need to do a drive in both again in traffic to make my mind up properly.

I'm definitely going to get a new car at the end of the year but i don't know whether to spend on a 997.2 or 991 now? With either then it's the whole PDK v Manual and Sports Chrono v Standard debate in my mind.

I agree with BnB,the 991 is a different class no matter what the old school diehards say!

[Carl_Docklands]

mollytherocker said:

Are there just 2 versions though - 997Gen2 and 991?

Where there not multiple software changes during the 997?

I have always found the 997 versions very frustrating, albeit I accept they were the best of the autos at the time.

MTR

I think there are three:

Gen2 987/997
Gen2 Turbo S
991

I know there was at least one update for the PDK box software post 2009 for the 987.

[GuitarPlayer63]

I have a 997 C2 with PDK and had a loan of a 991 C2S for a couple of days this week while mine was in for service.

There were two differences I could feel, accelerate hard and the changes up are super smooth on the 991, the 997 "snaps" a bit as it changes gear, somehow the 991 manages to do it better and that was in all modes, normal, sport and sport+.

The second difference which sounds great btw is that when coming down the gears the 991 makes a very satisfying throttle blip each time as the gear changes to pull the revs up to make the change down even smoother (and I suspect for effect too) - I would love this as an upgrade on my 997.

[mollytherocker]

GuitarPlayer63 said:

I have a 997 C2 with PDK and had a loan of a 991 C2S for a couple of days this week while mine was in for service.

There were two differences I could feel, accelerate hard and the changes up are super smooth on the 991, the 997 "snaps" a bit as it changes gear, somehow the 991 manages to do it better and that was in all modes, normal, sport and sport+.

The second difference which sounds great btw is that when coming down the gears the 991 makes a very satisfying throttle blip each time as the gear changes to pull the revs up to make the change down even smoother (and I suspect for effect too) - I would love this as an upgrade on my 997.

What about the nannying overiding of gear selection in Sport Plus and 'manual'? In this setting the 997 PDK still changes down under full throttle without your request.

Does the 991 still do this?

MTR

[535dBoy]

mollytherocker said:

What about the nannying overiding of gear selection in Sport Plus and 'manual'? In this setting the 997 PDK still changes down under full throttle without your request.

Does the 991 still do this?

MTR

Our 981 does this too and really winds me up!

[BnB]

535dBoy said:

mollytherocker said:

What about the nannying overiding of gear selection in Sport Plus and 'manual'? In this setting the 997 PDK still changes down under full throttle without your request.

Does the 991 still do this?

MTR

Our 981 does this too and really winds me up!

Show some finesse with the throttle and it won't happen.

[535dBoy]

BnB said:

Show some finesse with the throttle and it won't happen.

Thanks for that!

In my mind it shouldn't happen at all!

I have an Rs4 coming for me in a few months and the Rs5 I was lent for a week or so last christmas would not budge regardless, I ended up bouncing it off the limiter a couple of times, oh sorry that is my lack of finesse again !

In my mind in sport plus it should be totally manual

[mollytherocker]

BnB said:

535dBoy said:

mollytherocker said:

What about the nannying overiding of gear selection in Sport Plus and 'manual'? In this setting the 997 PDK still changes down under full throttle without your request.

Does the 991 still do this?

MTR

Our 981 does this too and really winds me up!

Show some finesse with the throttle and it won't happen.

Yes, but it shouldnt happen at all!!! What is the point of 'manual' then? Its like the car is saying, 'oh move over, I am much cleverer than you'.

It shouldnt even happen in normal or sport mode as far as I am concerned. I am the driver, I am in charge, I will decide when you change gear!! Me!!!

Sorry.

MTR