Interesting experience. I've driven a PDK Carrera S, and that transmission poops all over the SMG in the M5, and was gloriously smooth, whatever mode I put it in.

For me, on a track is where a paddle-shift really comes into its own. Yes, I know, real men heel'n'toe, but never having to take your hand off the wheel, never unsettling the car during downshifts under braking, never forcing a mechanical overrev, these are all things that allow you to focus on line, smoothness, nailing your braking point, and generally hustling around the track. Not to mention that left-foot braking is more valuable in a car that doesn't have a clutch.

It's as much a philosophical choice about what you prize in a car: Simple, earthy, raw versus sophisticated, refined, and polished. No wrong answer, unless you're trying to make money at it, in which case you want all the speed you can get!

 

The few times I have had to experience the PDK it was great. In comfort mode, yes it was a "slower" shift, but you didn't notice it. In sport mode I found it to be extremely fast and it didn't have that hard thunk of slamming into the next gear as the Ferrari did.

The only time I have been on the track with PDK was in cayman, as passenger, so I can't really give you insight there, though the Porsche driving instructor said that the PDK was great on the track, though no double clutch gearbox will be as fun as a 6spd.

 

Congrats! The 997.2 generation is a much-improved car vs. the 997.1 (I've had both). I say go for it!!

 

Dave, the PDK will feel even better on the track... my worry is that it might not feel that great on the road after a while.
I have friends with PDKs in C, CS, and C4S very mix reviews
PM 911S he has a CS and drove it both on the road and track a few times, see what he has to say. COB drives a C and Like.No.Other has a C4S please PM them and have them add to the thread or PM you back with their thoughts

 

enjoyable post ill say

 

The PDK is simply amazing!!!

i have my car for about a year and half, went to the track a couple of times and the PDK was nothing but AMAZING!!!

i recall a couple of guys went o a porsche event and drove a C2S with PDK, and they were all impressed..

I never regreted buying the porsche with PDK tranny.. i beleive you have the best of two worlds.. the comfort of an auto tranny going/leaving work, busy roads, traffic jams, etc. and when u want to really enjoy it and go to the track u wont be disappointed, the PDK delivers!!!

While ordering our cars; me and memeber like.no.other, i was seet on the PDK and he was going to get a manual tranny.. But then he decided to go for the PDk and he is happy with his decision as well!!

by the way, i rarely drive the car in auto.. i always use the PDK, and its so much fun.. the response and feel is great!!

 

What else are you considering?

 

I am disappointed with the PDK quite honestly.

I would have taken a tiptronic any day of the week, now that was one great gearbox! This double clutch thing isn't working for me!

Clunky downshifts, especially in traffic is just plain annoying! The juddering on roll off is even more annoying! And the casual refusal of clutch release makes it very dangerous when you are in traffic with cars behind you!

I have taken the car to the dealer 4 times and they have claimed to program it from time to time... they are also telling me that the earlier production MK2's had a software glitch which apparently have been fixed.

Well, not in my case, this gearbox is a major disappointment for me! I hate it!

 

there is something wrong with your car!!

 

I'm glad you think so, cause the dealer is under the impression that I'm an idiot and wasting their time! They claim this is normal behavior of PDK!

Nevertheless, the car is going to be dumped on them in a few days, and will never be collected again!

Let the action begin!