Should I buy this 981? - Page 3 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Hey Pablo... Do you like it? Do you want yellow? How long will you keep it? Yellow Porsche are Marmite but usully come with "yellow tax" on them, so would not be concerned. As in, many people will pass but then some people will be dead keen. Manual 6cyl car will always appeal. Me, I love a base car in simple spec and manual, so that car would be a definite yes from me were I looking for a Boxster right now. In fact, slightly jealous of whoever gets to buy it. Conclusion: hard yes, buy it.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024010352... Been to view this 981 and really like it. Had Porsches before and I know how sensitive they are re servicing. This one has had its 1st service done at Porsche main dealer, all other services by dealer who is selling on behalf of the owner, they aren't an Indy. It's a pretty basic car - no heated seats and a couple of options. So 1 Porsche service and possibly just further oil changes in 9 years. How much of a bath will I take when I sell, I would have it for several years. How would I have it serviced going forward, would there be any point using Porsche, Indy, or Halfords or do it myself. 1 "proper" service in 9 years! How cheap would it have to be? Edited by Pablo Escobar on Friday 8th March 10:54

Looks nice from photos ..I like Speed Yellow had a 987.2 nicer than the current Race Yellow .as you said low on spec hence possible price ,MOT;s are all clean. Milage is low, re service history why not get an independent Porsche specialist in your area do a check on it and a quote for service and use that as bargaining tool to get a lower price or get the garage selling do a full major service including Belts. Brake fluid .Oil filter change ,Check coolant .Pads /disc check .

Says private sale. SOR sales should be trade sales, surely? As for the servicing, if it's a decent garage, it wouldn't bother me. If it's main dealer service for the first one then Kwikfit for the rest, run away!

I'd add something similar - private sale means (nearly) no comeback, but you are paying trade price?

Yes, the servicing is not ideal, agreed. Looking at the ad I see: 1 older gentleman owner, low miles. Makes me think it was a non-car guy who just wanted a nice car for weekend and high-days. Once a year, probably at MOT time, got the car serviced at local garage. And for a low use weekend car that's OK for first few years (9 is quite a few, mind). What brand tyres has it got on? The suggestion to have it looked at by a local Porsche specialist if you're serious is a great one!

Love the colour, looks like its got stitched seat logos, painted roll over hoops and sports exhaust tips as options. Service history wouldn't put me off as the miles are so low. I would get it inspected/ppi'd by an indy though. Looks like its done a handful of miles each year so there might be some differed maintenance hiding. Is it me or is the front bumper scuffed/damaged on the front left corner? Edited by TheOctaneAddict on Friday 8th March 14:00

Get the seller to instruct an OPC to carry out a 111 point inspection (but you pay for it) for a look over or an independent specialist for a more in depth report. WARNING: Elderly driver. How elderly? My father damaged every panel on his Audi at 80+ (years, not mph).

Looks OK at a good price for a yellow car that would, to me, hold a premium. If the garage has stamped up the book then fair enough. If you're keeping it for a few years your choice of service agent will count far more than who carried out a service 5+ years ago. Too many buyers get hung up on having a full and complete main dealer/indy service history to the point they quibble about a gap from 15yrs ago. A low mileage one owner car for a car of this age is rare in the Porsche world. OK it's light on extras but finding one to your exact requirements will be a lengthy journey.

No, buy this instead, looks lovely. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/85559850...

DJMC said: Get the seller to instruct an OPC to carry out a 111 point inspection (but you pay for it) for a look over or an independent specialist for a more in depth report. This. There is a 4 month break in the MOT history in summer, odd for a convertible, could be nothing (eg owner ill) or something (eg being repaired) "This vehicle has undergone paint correction and full detail". If it checks out ok and you like the colour/spec, why not.

I have been looking at this car too. Interestingly, it is now listed for sale by two different people for different prices:

paulguitar said: I have been looking at this car too. Interestingly, it is now listed for sale by two different people for different prices: It appears pretty simple one is a dealer sale with warranty, one is direct from owner. If you’ve got the cash then speak to the owner direct, he’ll advise if he’s still got it or sold it to the dealer.

Slightly off topic - is that a Bentley Val D'Isere in the background? That's a rare beast. With a yellow interioer. Someone likes their yellows.

Thanks for pointing that out, it's not really for sale by the owner, a garage in Leighton Buzzard is selling on behalf of the owner, no warranty with sale, that's a red flag for me, after the "story" I was given at Leighton Buzzard when I viewed it, "owner has agoraphobia, can't speak to anyone" service book all stamped by selling garage except the 1st service. For anyone interested it has small damage at rear wheel arch.

Pablo Escobar said: Thanks for pointing that out, it's not really for sale by the owner, a garage in Leighton Buzzard is selling on behalf of the owner, no warranty with sale, that's a red flag for me, after the "story" I was given at Leighton Buzzard when I viewed it, "owner has agoraphobia, can't speak to anyone" service book all stamped by selling garage except the 1st service. For anyone interested it has small damage at rear wheel arch. If it is coming from a garage, do they not have to provide a 3-month warranty by law?

Pablo Escobar said: Thanks for pointing that out, it's not really for sale by the owner, a garage in Leighton Buzzard is selling on behalf of the owner, no warranty with sale, that's a red flag for me, after the "story" I was given at Leighton Buzzard when I viewed it, "owner has agoraphobia, can't speak to anyone" service book all stamped by selling garage except the 1st service. For anyone interested it has small damage at rear wheel arch. Seller doesn’t want to get involved in the sale more like, whilst the dealer doesn’t want to provide any back up or a warranty. There are a lot of expensive bits to go wrong on these, I’d wager at that age and without a full history it’ll want a pair of radiators and air con condensers as they rot at that age (£2-3k) then it’ll want the exhaust bits and gaskets drilling out and redoing (£350-£1000) for starters. I had a lower mileage car that was full history and 3 years newer and it needed a lot of work to get a Porsche warranty on the car, those costs were with an Indy doing the work - so I’d want an Indy to look it over first.

Pablo Escobar said: ............after the "story" I was given at Leighton Buzzard when I viewed it, "owner has agoraphobia, can't speak to anyone" service book all stamped by selling garage except the 1st service. I know this is serious stuff but

Pablo Escobar said: "owner has agoraphobia, can't speak to anyone" At least the soft top mechanism will be like new given it won't have been used but probably needs a grease

Armitage.Shanks said: Pablo Escobar said: "owner has agoraphobia, can't speak to anyone" At least the soft top mechanism will be like new given it won't have been used but probably needs a grease A yellow convertible Porsche does seem an odd car choice for an agrophobic.

Looks like eporsch may have snapped it up and the older advert has not been cancelled. I've found this a lot on AT, dealers don't cancel their adverts when they sell the vehicle, whether to generate further interest in potentially sourcing a car or promote their business? Some sold vehicles are still showing for sale months later. Buying now from a Porsche specialist with I presume their in house warranty will be a better proposition than dealing with an owner who cant/doesn't want to speak to anyone.

Looks like it’s been sold/taken down. That said, I can’t see any reason to buy a car with a service history you can’t at least reconcile. There’s plenty out there with good, documented histories. There may well be a large amount of deferred work to do to bring it remotely in line, which is probably going to be needed in order not to take a resale bath. Manual, 6-cylinder 981 cars, though - can recommend.

Royal Jelly said: Looks like it’s been sold/taken down. That said, I can’t see any reason to buy a car with a service history you can’t at least reconcile. There’s plenty out there with good, documented histories. There may well be a large amount of deferred work to do to bring it remotely in line, which is probably going to be needed in order not to take a resale bath. Manual, 6-cylinder 981 cars, though - can recommend. It's still there, but just the eporsch listing now at £27,995. Looks like they have repaired the front and added £3,000 to the asking price.

paulguitar said: It's still there, but just the eporsch listing now at £27,995. Looks like they have repaired the front and added £3,000 to the asking price. Ah, I didn’t see that. Still, far too many question marks about the service history and seller.. And a bit of weirdness thrown in, too Safe to assume if it was any good, a dealer would sell and warranty it accordingly.

Royal Jelly said: paulguitar said: It's still there, but just the eporsch listing now at £27,995. Looks like they have repaired the front and added £3,000 to the asking price. Ah, I didn’t see that. Still, far too many question marks about the service history and seller.. And a bit of weirdness thrown in, too Safe to assume if it was any good, a dealer would sell and warranty it accordingly. It's a strange one for sure. I'm looking for a 981 but I decided not to consider that one. I think at £23k it might have been worth a punt, but not at 28k.

paulguitar said: Royal Jelly said: paulguitar said: It's still there, but just the eporsch listing now at £27,995. Looks like they have repaired the front and added £3,000 to the asking price. Ah, I didn’t see that. Still, far too many question marks about the service history and seller.. And a bit of weirdness thrown in, too Safe to assume if it was any good, a dealer would sell and warranty it accordingly. It's a strange one for sure. I'm looking for a 981 but I decided not to consider that one. I think at £23k it might have been worth a punt, but not at 28k. Tbh any reasonable spec, fully history, lowing miles and low owners is never going to be had for 23k any time soon, I’d say that want list will be 28+ Even a dealer seen the potential in that car full OPC history or not. Edited by Youforreal. on Thursday 14th March 11:19

Youforreal. said: Tbh any reasonable spec, fully history, lowing miles and low owners is never going to be had for 23k any time soon. Au contraire. I'm looking for one at the moment and £23k gets a decent, lowish mileage 2.7, if the seller is being sensible. One went through Auto trader in the last week with 30-odd thousand miles, one owner since new, full history at Porsche/indy with a bucketload of options for under £23k.

F Type is just so much better value......

bennno said: F Type is just so much better value...... Is it on the same planet in terms of how it drives?

paulguitar said: bennno said: F Type is just so much better value...... Is it on the same planet in terms of how it drives? I do love an F Type but JLR reliability always a concern.

paulguitar said: bennno said: F Type is just so much better value...... Is it on the same planet in terms of how it drives? IMHO a 985kg ND MX5 is a sharper drive than either, the jaguar is slightly more point and squirt than a boxster but its a way more expensive looking and feeling car to drive, sounds better also. F Type a very rare car as a manual, so id go 981 if thats the preference, but if it's a DCT / auto preference then i'd at least drive one first.

paulguitar said: Youforreal. said: Tbh any reasonable spec, fully history, lowing miles and low owners is never going to be had for 23k any time soon. Au contraire. I'm looking for one at the moment and £23k gets a decent, lowish mileage 2.7, if the seller is being sensible. One went through Auto trader in the last week with 30-odd thousand miles, one owner since new, full history at Porsche/indy with a bucketload of options for under £23k. the cheapest on AT under 30k miles immaterial of spec is 28k and up, any car I could obtain at 23k at the above criteria……I’d be have a really good inspection. Edited by Youforreal. on Thursday 14th March 11:49

Have been looking at PDK well spec's 981 S Boxsters. For me PASM, Sports chrono and PSE are must have options. I'm looking at a sub 10k miler so wondering what the right price is ? FSH immaculate

GT3Manthey said: Have been looking at PDK well spec's 981 S Boxsters. For me PASM, Sports chrono and PSE are must have options. I'm looking at a sub 10k miler so wondering what the right price is ? FSH immaculate I think you will be lucky to find a sub 10k mile 981. These cars are around 10 yrs old now

bennno said: paulguitar said: bennno said: F Type is just so much better value...... Is it on the same planet in terms of how it drives? IMHO a 985kg ND MX5 is a sharper drive than either, the jaguar is slightly more point and squirt than a boxster but its a way more expensive looking and feeling car to drive, sounds better also. F Type a very rare car as a manual, so id go 981 if thats the preference, but if it's a DCT / auto preference then i'd at least drive one first. Interesting you mention an ND, I am considering one of those whilst I am between Boxsters over the next few weeks. Also thinking about an E89 although I realise that won't be on the same planet dynamically.

Youforreal. said: paulguitar said: Youforreal. said: Tbh any reasonable spec, fully history, lowing miles and low owners is never going to be had for 23k any time soon. Au contraire. I'm looking for one at the moment and £23k gets a decent, lowish mileage 2.7, if the seller is being sensible. One went through Auto trader in the last week with 30-odd thousand miles, one owner since new, full history at Porsche/indy with a bucketload of options for under £23k. the cheapest on AT under 30k miles immaterial of spec is 28k and up, any car I could obtain at 23k at the above criteria……I’d be have a really good inspection. Edited by Youforreal. on Thursday 14th March 11:49 I've been following the market very closely for two months now. Several good cars have sold at £23k and below. ETA although with more that the miles you quote. I'm not too fussed about milage though, far more interested in condition and history. Edited by paulguitar on Thursday 14th March 12:39

elan362 said: I think you will be lucky to find a sub 10k mile 981. These cars are around 10 yrs old now Less than 10k so wondering on what I should be paying ? Was thinking mid 30's? Coming from a long line of O cars now getting older wanting PDK and something less GT3 like. Never had a PDK so was hoping Sports Chrono means very sharp gear changes ?

GT3Manthey said: elan362 said: I think you will be lucky to find a sub 10k mile 981. These cars are around 10 yrs old now Less than 10k so wondering on what I should be paying ? Was thinking mid 30's? Coming from a long line of O cars now getting older wanting PDK and something less GT3 like. Never had a PDK so was hoping Sports Chrono means very sharp gear changes ? I’d say mid thirties easy and I’d include private sales in that too as they will know what they have, all the bluster on here about what things should be worth etc is just that……hot air and it doesn’t secure a sale from an owner who’s happy to keep it if his price isn’t being realised. I’ve a 981 gt4 less than 10k, very high spec and absolutely mint, I can assure, if I ever decide to sell it, I’ll be looking a premium on my private sale as I wouldn’t be really worried if it sells or not. Edited by Youforreal. on Thursday 14th March 13:08

Youforreal. said: all the bluster on here about what things should be worth etc is just that……hot air and it doesn’t secure a sale from an owner who’s happy to keep it if his price isn’t being realised. Being prepared to wait, possibly for a long time, is probably the key to holding out for an above-market price. At the lower end of the 981 market, what I've seen in the other several weeks I have been following is that the sensibly priced cars sell, but the cars with asking prices several thousand pounds above their Auto trader valuations stay for sale for months. There are several cars at dealers that have been for sale since last summer or even longer.

Youforreal. said: I’d say mid thirties easy and I’d include private sales in that too as they will know what they have, all the bluster on here about what things should be worth etc is just that……hot air and it doesn’t secure a sale from an owner who’s happy to keep it if his price isn’t being realised. I’ve a 981 gt4 less than 10k, very high spec and absolutely mint, I can assure, if I ever decide to sell it, I’ll be looking a premium on my private sale as I wouldn’t be really worried if it sells or not. Edited by Youforreal. on Thursday 14th March 13:08 Ok tks so I'm in the right ball park. I had a 981 GT4 in 2015 and loved it so I'm familiar with the range. I'd have another but I've had GT3's too and now like open top motoring but not thinking i want to go all in on a Boxster 718 GTS . Spending double on what will be a toy/A road cruiser maybe makes no sense . Tks again

I know the market has shifted from last year somewhat, but this time last year I paid £34k as a private sale from an enthusiast and fellow PH forum member for a 35k mile super condition 981 Boxster S in GT silver Carrera red roof and interior with pretty much every interior option available except DAB) (PDK, Sports Chrono, PASM, PSE, Bose, extended leather interior, Sports Plus seats, PDLS, 20" Wheels) with a full history folder, OPC service history and 24 months OPC warranty outstanding. The OPC warranty was worth £1500. i reckon for a similar car today with 10k miles, £38-40k Ultimately it depends on what you want to pay for it, how are you are prepared to spend to get the perfect car and what the owner is prepared to sell it for.

GT3Manthey said: Youforreal. said: I’d say mid thirties easy and I’d include private sales in that too as they will know what they have, all the bluster on here about what things should be worth etc is just that……hot air and it doesn’t secure a sale from an owner who’s happy to keep it if his price isn’t being realised. I’ve a 981 gt4 less than 10k, very high spec and absolutely mint, I can assure, if I ever decide to sell it, I’ll be looking a premium on my private sale as I wouldn’t be really worried if it sells or not. Edited by Youforreal. on Thursday 14th March 13:08 Ok tks so I'm in the right ball park. I had a 981 GT4 in 2015 and loved it so I'm familiar with the range. I'd have another but I've had GT3's too and now like open top motoring but not thinking i want to go all in on a Boxster 718 GTS . Spending double on what will be a toy/A road cruiser maybe makes no sense . Tks again No problem at all, just my honest thoughts on the matter, being realistic about budget will definitely secure you a car sooner rather than later. Still giggle when I think about the angry bloke on here telling everyone prices were all wrong, too high, sellers absolutely delusional…..he has been looking a 911 over 10 years.

elan362 said: I know the market has shifted from last year somewhat, but this time last year I paid £34k as a private sale from an enthusiast and fellow PH forum member for a 35k mile super condition 981 Boxster S in GT silver Carrera red roof and interior with pretty much every interior option available except DAB) (PDK, Sports Chrono, PASM, PSE, Bose, extended leather interior, Sports Plus seats, PDLS, 20" Wheels) with a full history folder, OPC service history and 24 months OPC warranty outstanding. The OPC warranty was worth £1500. i reckon for a similar car today with 10k miles, £38-40k Ultimately it depends on what you want to pay for it, how are you are prepared to spend to get the perfect car and what the owner is prepared to sell it for. Tks I'll keep you posted. I'n reality I'll probably go late 30's and see what happensZ One last question if I may - Having been used to GT cars and sitting low on the car , will the 981 seats get me low enough for the same driving position but with a better element of comfort? Tks

Pablo Escobar said: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2024010352... Been to view this 981 and really like it. Had Porsches before and I know how sensitive they are re servicing. This one has had its 1st service done at Porsche main dealer, all other services by dealer who is selling on behalf of the owner, they aren't an Indy. It's a pretty basic car - no heated seats and a couple of options. So 1 Porsche service and possibly just further oil changes in 9 years. How much of a bath will I take when I sell, I would have it for several years. How would I have it serviced going forward, would there be any point using Porsche, Indy, or Halfords or do it myself. 1 "proper" service in 9 years! How cheap would it have to be? Edited by Pablo Escobar on Friday 8th March 10:54 What's the latest, OP, are you still interested or moving on to other cars?

GT3Manthey said: Tks I'll keep you posted. I'n reality I'll probably go late 30's and see what happensZ One last question if I may - Having been used to GT cars and sitting low on the car , will the 981 seats get me low enough for the same driving position but with a better element of comfort? Tks The 2 way sports plus seats are alleged to sit a bit lower that the 14 way versions due to fewer motors. A friend of mine when sitting in it (he had a 986) commented 'bloody hell you sit low!'. Mine were 2 way sports plus on their lowest.

paulguitar said: What's the latest, OP, are you still interested or moving on to other cars? I'm still looking, contemplating having to do/pay for a PDK service at 12 years, don't know whether to buy older and it done or newer and have to do it in 1/2 years.

Pablo Escobar said: paulguitar said: What's the latest, OP, are you still interested or moving on to other cars? I'm still looking, contemplating having to do/pay for a PDK service at 12 years, don't know whether to buy older and it done or newer and have to do it in 1/2 years. It is hard enough to find a car with the spec you want, decent service history and no stories to tell. I would have thought choosing a car around where it is in the PDK maintenance cycle is IMO the wrong way to go.

Pablo Escobar said: I'm still looking, contemplating having to do/pay for a PDK service at 12 years, don't know whether to buy older and it done or newer and have to do it in 1/2 years. Didn't know about the PDK service? Would have assumed this is part of the mayor they do

Pablo Escobar said: paulguitar said: What's the latest, OP, are you still interested or moving on to other cars? I'm still looking, contemplating having to do/pay for a PDK service at 12 years, don't know whether to buy older and it done or newer and have to do it in 1/2 years. The car that's the subject of this thread is a manual, have you decided to go for a PDK instead then?

GT3Manthey said: Pablo Escobar said: I'm still looking, contemplating having to do/pay for a PDK service at 12 years, don't know whether to buy older and it done or newer and have to do it in 1/2 years. Didn't know about the PDK service? Would have assumed this is part of the mayor they do No, it is on top and not a cheap add on at an OPC, but not something you are likely to do more than once.

981Boxess said: GT3Manthey said: Pablo Escobar said: I'm still looking, contemplating having to do/pay for a PDK service at 12 years, don't know whether to buy older and it done or newer and have to do it in 1/2 years. Didn't know about the PDK service? Would have assumed this is part of the mayor they do No, it is on top and not a cheap add on at an OPC, but not something you are likely to do more than once. If this is just fluids it's very easy to do at home on the drive. I've changed both fluids in mine and planning to do clutch fluid again soon even though its only 3 year old maybe. I've noticed some cold start shifts are a bit jerky so I'm hoping fresh fluid might improve things.

ATM said: If this is just fluids it's very easy to do at home on the drive. I've changed both fluids in mine and planning to do clutch fluid again soon even though its only 3 year old maybe. I've noticed some cold start shifts are a bit jerky so I'm hoping fresh fluid might improve things. If it is only three years old and it is usually done at 12 years what makes you think that is the issue?

981Boxess said: ATM said: If this is just fluids it's very easy to do at home on the drive. I've changed both fluids in mine and planning to do clutch fluid again soon even though its only 3 year old maybe. I've noticed some cold start shifts are a bit jerky so I'm hoping fresh fluid might improve things. If it is only three years old and it is usually done at 12 years what makes you think that is the issue? When it had a leak and was losing clutch fluid I knew when it was getting low because the first shift from 1st to 2nd when it was cold would start to jerk a bit. Then I would top it up with fresh fluid and it would shift beautifully again. So the leak was fixed Jan 2022 and therefore I've not touched the clutch fluid since then. It might not make a difference but I thought I'd try it. A 5 litre tub is only 50 quid and it swallows about 2.5 litres ish, I think.

ATM said: When it had a leak and was losing clutch fluid I knew when it was getting low because the first shift from 1st to 2nd when it was cold would start to jerk a bit. Then I would top it up with fresh fluid and it would shift beautifully again. So the leak was fixed Jan 2022 and therefore I've not touched the clutch fluid since then. It might not make a difference but I thought I'd try it. A 5 litre tub is only 50 quid and it swallows about 2.5 litres ish, I think. So not having enough fluid made a difference, it wasn’t the actual state/age of the fluid that made the difference.

981Boxess said: ATM said: When it had a leak and was losing clutch fluid I knew when it was getting low because the first shift from 1st to 2nd when it was cold would start to jerk a bit. Then I would top it up with fresh fluid and it would shift beautifully again. So the leak was fixed Jan 2022 and therefore I've not touched the clutch fluid since then. It might not make a difference but I thought I'd try it. A 5 litre tub is only 50 quid and it swallows about 2.5 litres ish, I think. So not having enough fluid made a difference, it wasn’t the actual state/age of the fluid that made the difference. Yes

981Boxess said: ATM said: If this is just fluids it's very easy to do at home on the drive. I've changed both fluids in mine and planning to do clutch fluid again soon even though its only 3 year old maybe. I've noticed some cold start shifts are a bit jerky so I'm hoping fresh fluid might improve things. If it is only three years old and it is usually done at 12 years what makes you think that is the issue? It's not just 12yrs as there are two separate fluids in the PDK - Transmission and clutch. The former is changed at 12yr/120k and the clutch at 6yr/60k. Both should be flagged up at the relevant service. At the 12yr point obviously both will be required unless you've gone more frequent. As ATM says both are easy enough to do even if you change the filter pan for the transmission. No adaptation/calibration is required through PIWIS, nor is it recommended for just a fluid change. Edited by Armitage.Shanks on Monday 25th March 01:08

Armitage.Shanks said: 981Boxess said: ATM said: If this is just fluids it's very easy to do at home on the drive. I've changed both fluids in mine and planning to do clutch fluid again soon even though it’s only 3 year old maybe. I've noticed some cold start shifts are a bit jerky so I'm hoping fresh fluid might improve things. If it is only three years old and it is usually done at 12 years what makes you think that is the issue? It's not just 12yrs as there are two separate fluids in the PDK - Transmission and clutch. The former is changed at 12yr/120k and the clutch at 6yr/60k. Both should be flagged up at the relevant service. At the 12yr point obviously both will be required unless you've gone more frequent. As ATM says both are easy enough to do even if you change the filter pan for the transmission. No adaptation/calibration is required through PIWIS, nor is it recommended for just a fluid change. Edited by Armitage.Shanks on Monday 25th March 01:08 I was more trying to understand the logic of changing the 3 year old oil because the level may or may not be low, rather than just checking if it is at the correct level or not. More to the point if it is low where is it going, which I would have thought might be more useful to know.

981Boxess said: Armitage.Shanks said: 981Boxess said: ATM said: If this is just fluids it's very easy to do at home on the drive. I've changed both fluids in mine and planning to do clutch fluid again soon even though it’s only 3 year old maybe. I've noticed some cold start shifts are a bit jerky so I'm hoping fresh fluid might improve things. If it is only three years old and it is usually done at 12 years what makes you think that is the issue? It's not just 12yrs as there are two separate fluids in the PDK - Transmission and clutch. The former is changed at 12yr/120k and the clutch at 6yr/60k. Both should be flagged up at the relevant service. At the 12yr point obviously both will be required unless you've gone more frequent. As ATM says both are easy enough to do even if you change the filter pan for the transmission. No adaptation/calibration is required through PIWIS, nor is it recommended for just a fluid change. Edited by Armitage.Shanks on Monday 25th March 01:08 I was more trying to understand the logic of changing the 3 year old oil because the level may or may not be low, rather than just checking if it is at the correct level or not. More to the point if it is low where is it going, which I would have thought might be more useful to know. I don't know if it is low. I am just noticing a slight jerk to the first shift when it's cold. That is all. I do worry that these wet clutches are supposed to last a long time. I know a standard clutch does not as it is a consumable item. However these just seem to require fluid. So if I can keep my clutch in better condition by just changing the fluid regularly then I'm happy to do it. And if I hadn't noticed this jerk creeping in I would not be thinking about this. There is also a question mark over the quality of the fluid they used when they fixed it. I buy Millers which I hope is good. It could of course be totally unrelated also. How does everyone else find their car shifts first thing when it's cold?

ATM said: There is also a question mark over the quality of the fluid they used when they fixed it. I buy Millers which I hope is good. I would hope they would know better than you given that it is their day job? What they pay in bulk is nowhere near what you pay as a retail customer, so I wouldn't have thought they would be using something they would consider to be sub standard. ATM said: How does everyone else find their car shifts first thing when it's cold? No different to any other time.