Minor 981s Boxster Query with PDK Operation

[twistedsister]

New to Porsche and to PDK but just wanted to ask owners on their thoughts regarding a minor niggle that I have and whether it would be deemed normal operation.

I’m very happy with the car and it is used as my daily drive but I’m very OCD when it comes to things operating correctly and I’ve noticed that when selecting drive or reverse quite often there is a clunk or thud as it engages the gear.

Along with this if I leave the car to engage its coasting mode when I get back on the gas I can sometimes feel again a clunk when it engages the gear.

I took it to my OPC and they explained how the PDK is just really two manual gearboxes and will always give a clunky feel but they loaned me a newer 2014 PDK Boxster whilst I was having my PSE fitted and that didn’t do it.

To be fair they contacted Porsche and reset the gearbox so that it relearns my driving style, but it still does it.

I’ve searched high and low for any forum posts but always draw a blank so thought I would ask here whether this is normal or not.

My car is a June 2012 build so quite early and I have read that there was a mount recall ? but searches bring up nothing and the OPC says all recalls have been performed as per manufacturer.

[WindyMiller67]

I have MY 2009 997.2 with PDK. Mine has never done anything like your description. When it is cold, and I am pulling away from the house, it sometimes hangs on to 1st longer than you'd expect and then makes a meal of changing to 2nd (no clonk but a bit of a lurch). I put this down to the engine still being "choked" after a cold start. Thereafter all changes, including N-D are always smooth.

I'd see if your OPC will let a techy go out with you for a test drive to show them what you mean. It doesn't sound right to me.

[rob.kellock]

I have an early (June 2013) 981 Cayman S PDK and it doesn't do anything you describe. Just shy of 20k miles on it now if that assists.

[m999psw]

My 2011 Cayamn(987) did it to the point I took it back to the OPC as I was used to the BMW DCT. They said it was normal. My current 981 PDK is much better but still has the odd clunk from second to first.

Paul

[WG]

I've been running a PDK in my 987 Spyder for 5 years and not experienced anything along the lines you describe.

[twistedsister]

thanks for the replies - seems that it may not be normal.

Its one of those things which not all people would notice so I have been 50/50 regarding it as I'm never confident with my car being pulled apart.

I will ask for the PDK software to be updated next as last time they just reset it.

are there any tech's on here with access to the Porsche Database ?

[stevod]

If June 2012 then there has been a PDK software update since then, although it sounds like yours might already have had it.

I didn't notice any change in shifting character when it was applied to mine, but I haven't got the issues you describe.

Only change I noticed was that the gearbox will now hold on to manual mode if selected while in D if using engine braking, and for as long as you continue to use engine braking, e.g. down a hill. Previously it would slip back to auto mode after the usual few seconds.

S

[twistedsister]

stevod said:

If June 2012 then there has been a PDK software update since then, although it sounds like yours might already have had it.

I didn't notice any change in shifting character when it was applied to mine, but I haven't got the issues you describe.

Only change I noticed was that the gearbox will now hold on to manual mode if selected while in D if using engine braking, and for as long as you continue to use engine braking, e.g. down a hill. Previously it would slip back to auto mode after the usual few seconds.

S

Hi Stevod,

pretty sure car has had that update as I think you gain the shift up/down indicators in the display as well I think but will try it next time I'm out

thanks