Would you have gotten PDK if they offered it on the 986?

[rondocap]

Is there any evidence so far to say that the PDK may be unreliable? I think it has proven fairly reliable thus far, even though it's only been out since around 2009 right?

Time will tell! But I think it looks good and stable, definitely not as bad as the IMS issues.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by rondocap

Is there any evidence so far to say that the PDK may be unreliable? I think it has proven fairly reliable thus far, even though it's only been out since around 2009 right?

Time will tell! But I think it looks good and stable, definitely not as bad as the IMS issues.

There have been reports of them failing to shift properly in the automatic mode (shifting up or down for no reason while driving at a constant speed, failing to up or downshift when they should), as well as some that started having difficulties upshifting manually (shifting on their own instead of holding a gear until commanded to shift in the manual or sport modes). In some cases, uploading new software either helped or eliminated the problem, but there were more than a few that got new gearboxes. Because the PDK is used in so many different models, in typical Porsche fashion, no definitive information is available about model distribution or frequency of issues or replacement.

The PDK has been a topic of conversation in the independent repair market for some time as Porsche has made it clear that the only way to get new software updates for the transmission is their dealer network, they will not allow those that license the PIWIS system to do it, and the PIWIS remains the only diagnostic tool capable of reading the transmission related codes, or even do the required oil system changes.

[shadrach74]

Leaving out the maintenance concerns, if I look at it from a purely functional point of view I can see how the PDK could be easy to live with. I've got some stick time in a Panamara PDK and after getting used to it, I can say it's better at shifting then I am, but not by a big enough margin to matter to me. I truly enjoy properly managing 3 pedals wit 2 feet simultaneously. I like the short, crisp "snick" of my SSK'd 986S. If you don't know how to heal and toe, a PDK will open up a "wholenuther" world of performance to your driving. If you do know how to properly heal and toe, you'll likely admire how we'll it changes gears, but soon miss the satisfaction that comes from those rare moments with a manual tranny when you get everything just right... brake, clutch, neutral, blip, downshift, throttle, all while near threshold braking into the apex. It doesn't workout that way often (for me), but when it does, you realize that no "Flappy paddle" (hat tip to Clarkeson) gear box will ever make you feel that way.

Also, I'm inclined to believe I'd like PDK more if they'd give it a traditional "H" pattern to move the shifter through... I hate the +/- stick on manumatics.