Trouble with 997GTS PDK box?

[jackliebling]

Dear All

So I am 800 miles into my 997 GTS ownership and I have to admit I'm not enjoying the PDK gearbox so much. My 991S had a fantastic smooth PDK which never did anything lumpy or unexpected.

Here's a little list, can you tell me if this sounds normal for a 997 GTS PDK?

1 Putting it in Drive, there is often a thump in the drivetrain
2 going from 1st to 2nd there is sometimes a thump
3 going from reverse to drive, today the engine took ages to go into gear, I ended up reving the engine in neutral while it was thinking
4 the engine has nearly stalled while moving slowly
5 sometimes in SPORT at about 15 mph it will select 1st gear having been perfectly happy in 2nd

I thought the PDK would be nearly as good as the 991...

Any thoughts...

J

[joinery80]

Sounds like u have been spoiled by the newer pdk. I find mine great but have never sampled the newer version to compare.there is a thump when cold going from p to d and vise versa.
Maybe it will take a while for you to get used to it.
How are you finding the car otherwise??

[BubblesNW]

There have been software updates on the pdk since launch, might be worth checking what version yours has. Also I would check last time the gear box fluid was changed as if it's off and the viscosity is out of whack it could confuse the ecu

Edited by BubblesNW on Friday 27th January 20:38

[av185]

Don't expect the 997 GTS PDK box to be the best. Layshaft rumble and thudding on gear selection are far more noticeable than in the 991.

As others have mentioned, software updates are available which MAY improve things.

[jackliebling]

Thanks guys, will check this.

In general, I definitely prefer the 997 interior, it is more solid, a bit smaller and sporty. The 991 is more GT. I miss the noise of the 991 PSE, the 997 PSE is very subdued, might upgrade the exhaust.

[jonno_]

Worth noting there are 2 PDK fluids - oil and hydraulic fluid, so check they're going to change both.
Check sharkwerks or Haywood & Scott X pipes to go with PSE on 997.2 for more noise.

Edited by jonno_ on Friday 27th January 22:31

[joinery80]

Just had a miltek bypass fit on mine it now sounds fantastic

[Magic919]

PDK clutch oil is the one with a 6 year interval and it's this that operates the actuators. You could get them to check the level in case there is a leak. The main gearbox oil is a 12 year interval.

There is newer software and some people don't enjoy the softer change that comes with it, but it's more like a 991. They'll charge a couple of hundred for the upgrade.

There are numerous troubleshooting steps, pages of them and they should find any problems.

[Cheib]

Magic919 said:

PDK clutch oil is the one with a 6 year interval and it's this that operates the actuators. You could get them to check the level in case there is a leak. The main gearbox oil is a 12 year interval.

There is newer software and some people don't enjoy the softer change that comes with it, but it's more like a 991. They'll charge a couple of hundred for the upgrade.

There are numerous troubleshooting steps, pages of them and they should find any problems.

I remember seeing someone else talking about a software upgrade but another PH'er checked with his OPC and said there wasn't one?

[Magic919]

They offered it to me last week.

[crystalmethod]

Magic919 said:

They offered it to me last week.

I'm v interested in this. Do you mind expanding on what it does, and if there's a cost.

My GTS will be going into my OPC shortly, so it'd also be really useful to know what to ask for, as I haven't had much joy finding out what it all involves.

Thanks for any help you can give.

[Magic919]

I just discussed newer gearbox software. It'll largely be a question of which version you currently have. Costs etc are in my post ^

[crystalmethod]

Magic919 said:

I just discussed newer gearbox software. It'll largely be a question of which version you currently have. Costs etc are in my post ^

Got it. Thanks. Will read more closely next time!

So I just ask for 997 PDK software upgrade?

[13m]

jackliebling said:

Dear All

So I am 800 miles into my 997 GTS ownership and I have to admit I'm not enjoying the PDK gearbox so much. My 991S had a fantastic smooth PDK which never did anything lumpy or unexpected.

Here's a little list, can you tell me if this sounds normal for a 997 GTS PDK?

1 Putting it in Drive, there is often a thump in the drivetrain
2 going from 1st to 2nd there is sometimes a thump
3 going from reverse to drive, today the engine took ages to go into gear, I ended up reving the engine in neutral while it was thinking
4 the engine has nearly stalled while moving slowly
5 sometimes in SPORT at about 15 mph it will select 1st gear having been perfectly happy in 2nd

I thought the PDK would be nearly as good as the 991...

Any thoughts...

J

None of this sounds right and mine doesn't behave like that. Get it looked at.

[13m]

Cheib said:

Magic919 said:

PDK clutch oil is the one with a 6 year interval and it's this that operates the actuators. You could get them to check the level in case there is a leak. The main gearbox oil is a 12 year interval.

There is newer software and some people don't enjoy the softer change that comes with it, but it's more like a 991. They'll charge a couple of hundred for the upgrade.

There are numerous troubleshooting steps, pages of them and they should find any problems.

I remember seeing someone else talking about a software upgrade but another PH'er checked with his OPC and said there wasn't one?

It was me and OPC Nottingham. But it wouldn't be the first time they'd told me categorically that something wasn't possible when actually it was.

[andyc11]

jackliebling said:

Dear All

So I am 800 miles into my 997 GTS ownership and I have to admit I'm not enjoying the PDK gearbox so much. My 991S had a fantastic smooth PDK which never did anything lumpy or unexpected.

Here's a little list, can you tell me if this sounds normal for a 997 GTS PDK?

1 Putting it in Drive, there is often a thump in the drivetrain - first time start from cold, I get this
2 going from 1st to 2nd there is sometimes a thump - as above
3 going from reverse to drive, today the engine took ages to go into gear, I ended up reving the engine in neutral while it was thinking - the opposite for me i.e. sometimes seems to take a while to engage reverse
4 the engine has nearly stalled while moving slowly - had 1 stall when reversing from cold up a steepish drive
5 sometimes in SPORT at about 15 mph it will select 1st gear having been perfectly happy in 2nd - not had this

I thought the PDK would be nearly as good as the 991...

Any thoughts...

J

Some answers above from my experience in my GTS. Having driven the 991.1 and .2 PDK, no denying it's a far quicker box, although I'm happy with mine still. Some things sound a bit off, others not so much and not sure if the car is warm or cold when you're experiencing this.

Not been told of any software update by my OPC, but have seen a few things on here now. For peace of mind, maybe worth asking them to check.

[KEVS500]

Guess lots of us going in for 6 year service at OPC - seems to be a 'minor' one with lots of extras - belts, brake fluid and so on, plus warranty inspection and renewal of course. Also tyres have reached age limit (6 years) so may need replacing even if plenty of tread left (like my fronts). Anyone managed a good deal with OPC yet? Then there's the tracker subs too! Good thing Hexagon continue to push values up😀

[andyc11]

KEVS500 said:

Guess lots of us going in for 6 year service at OPC - seems to be a 'minor' one with lots of extras - belts, brake fluid and so on, plus warranty inspection and renewal of course. Also tyres have reached age limit (6 years) so may need replacing even if plenty of tread left (like my fronts). Anyone managed a good deal with OPC yet? Then there's the tracker subs too! Good thing Hexagon continue to push values up??

Yep it's the big small one this year for us. I had new tyres all round not too long ago and doing limited mileage at the moment (5 month old baby) so hopefully ok on that front. Should be able to get the 111-point chucked in if going for warranty renewal and my PCGB membership gives me 10% off parts. Still a pricey one though.

Half tempted to ask Hexagon what they'd give me for mine, OPC offered £48k unseen and as a straight sale so would think that'd be higher if I chopped in for a newer model. Question is what to go for? The 991.1 GTS is lovely but just not sure it's worth the £30k premium after an extended test drive. 991.2 doesn't appeal after driving an S for a day. Hankering after a 12C but can't bring myself to get rid of the GTS.

[WindyM]

I have a late 2008 Gen II with PDK but it's not a GTS.
I would agree with 1 and 2 with a cold engine.
I would also agree with 3 but the quirk is compounded by revving too quickly. I think the software needs to detect a brake in between!
Never stalled, so 4 is wrong I'd say
I don't have SPORT mode but there is a long recent thread about PDK chaning down when it feels like it even in M so I suppose this could be another quirk.

When I collected mine, it was jittery when crawling in traffic. I did a few "Italian Tune Up" standing starts and it improved the problem.

[Cheib]

andyc11 said:

KEVS500 said:

Guess lots of us going in for 6 year service at OPC - seems to be a 'minor' one with lots of extras - belts, brake fluid and so on, plus warranty inspection and renewal of course. Also tyres have reached age limit (6 years) so may need replacing even if plenty of tread left (like my fronts). Anyone managed a good deal with OPC yet? Then there's the tracker subs too! Good thing Hexagon continue to push values up??

Yep it's the big small one this year for us. I had new tyres all round not too long ago and doing limited mileage at the moment (5 month old baby) so hopefully ok on that front. Should be able to get the 111-point chucked in if going for warranty renewal and my PCGB membership gives me 10% off parts. Still a pricey one though.

Half tempted to ask Hexagon what they'd give me for mine, OPC offered £48k unseen and as a straight sale so would think that'd be higher if I chopped in for a newer model. Question is what to go for? The 991.1 GTS is lovely but just not sure it's worth the £30k premium after an extended test drive. 991.2 doesn't appeal after driving an S for a day. Hankering after a 12C but can't bring myself to get rid of the GTS.

You gents are more organised than me (not difficult) hadn't realised it was a big service this year. I don't have the tyre problem thankfully!

£48k ? That was jolly nice of them. Judging from posts here and elsewhere mid/high £50k's is very achievable and judging by what the likes of RPM price their cars at (recently listed a 32k mile car at £65k and now sold) maybe you can get £60k if the car needs very little prep. Hexagon will know where the market is and offer you a bit more but won't reflect their asking prices. They've got nine GTS's now....quite surprised they haven't gone after 997.2 GT3's in the same way....although I'm also glad as I'd quite like to buy one at some juncture.