987.2 PDK Pan and Filter

I am getting ready to do a fluid change on my PDK , and wondering if it is worth using the URO aluminum pan with replaceable filter. The LN Engineering pan seems a bit pricy for a base street car. Just wondering if I should stick with the throwaway pan/filters? Anyone have an issues with the Vaico vs. the OEM ZF? How about fluids? I usually trust Liqimoly, and it is the least expensive also? Issues?

I just swapped to the URO metal pan with replaceable filter several months ago, I chose it as I autocross the car and like the idea of better cooling for the PDK in any situation (albeit probably not a huge deal or a huge temperature difference). So far it's worked quite well, just make sure you use a proper torque wrench , you could pretty easily strip the threads. I ended up paying $223 for the pan from RockAuto . As per fluids, I got the diff ( Mobil 1 Mobilube PTX) and PDK ( PDK Transmission Fluid) fluids from Suncoast for $270. Someone else may be able to comment and recommend a different or cheaper version of the fluid, I just didn't want to screw anything up so I played it safe.

After doing a bit of reading, I am going with the URO pan (From RockAuto) and the LiquiMoly fluid. I have used their fluids before and can not find any complaints regarding PDKs (or really any transmission).

Thanks, to be honest I can't think of any reason this oil would be any different from fairly common (and inexpensive) automatic transmission fluid - wet clutches are all over an automatic trans, and the solenoid controls used in the PDK are EXACTLY the same as ones used in ZF auto-transmissions. As a WAG - an oil approved for a ZF automatic - if I was stuck on a desert island and that was my only choice to fill up my Boxster PDK after servicing it - I wouldn't hesitate to use the ATF for a ZF. Here on the mainland we luckily have FCPEuro to track down alternatives to Porsche priced fluids.

Not sure the exact reasons, but DCT fluid is different from current ATF which also used wet clutch packs. Of course most modern ATF for wet clutch pack transmissions are different from ATF for band clutch transmissions. Guessing the Torque Converters need fluid with different sheer specification than non-TC transmissions. And guessing sliding mesh gears with synchro's need different lubricity then constantly meshed planetary gear sets. And guessing that electronically valved transmissions need different viscosity curves than hydraulically valved transmissions. Hmm, that is why these are "Engineered Fluids" and not generic hydraulic fluid like the olden days.

A modern ZF transmission uses clutch packs much like the PDK ones, but a bit smaller and more of them. And ZF transmissions have been fully electronically valved for over a decade that I know of. Maybe 2 decades. It would be interesting to have an analysis done of both a ZF auto-tranny fluid and a ZF PDK fluid... and see what the difference is.

You do know that ZF has several different fluids. Right? Yes, ZF and MB lead the way in electronic transmissions, but today they both have clutched, vs TC models and different gear designs.