Hi Guys
I finally got my hands on my first Porsche!! Ive never really had a sports car, so wasnt quite sure what to expect. I have to say i wasnt that impressed of the speed and performance of the cayman. I was told that to really appreciate the performance of any sports car is to take it 4-5'000 revs to see the pick up on it, is this ryt? I have however one main concern since buying the vehicle. When putting the stick in first gear and reverse, i feel the clutch is kinda high and feel the need to rev more to get it to pick up?! It can also shudder too. Is this normal or is this the sign of a worn out clutch? Its only 18mnths old and has 16k on the clock. Im guessing porsche warranty wont cover this, so any ideas of what kinda cost this is going to cost me??
I feel physically sick if this is going to cost me an arm and a leg! I bought the car from an independant dealer, do i have any legal rights if it does turn out to be a worn clutch?? Helppppp please?!?!?!
Are you in the UK? Warranties are different from US. If in the UK you might want us to transfer this to the UK forum. Where the advice will be applicable to your situation.
All Porsches need some revs to start off. Do not try to baby it around or it will shudder. No idea what you are comparing the performance too so it is difficult to judge your comments. I assume you drove it before buying so the comment is puzzling.
If you want to drive your car like a sports car, you will have to turn some RPMs. That is what the car is made to do, once it is warmed up of course. Rev it and you will enjoy it. As to the shudder situation, put a few revs on it when you are starting off and you will be fine. Once you get more used to the clutch engagement point this problem will magically go away.
Hate to be the nay sayer, but the Cayman clutch should not shutter, no matter how you engage it. I suspect a problem.
What year is your car and when was it built?
I have never had my clutch shudder. Like you, my initial impression was that it was high, but I got used to it. My typical city street takeoff is at about 1000 RPM and is smooth, so if you are trult having clutch shudder rather than nearly stalling the engine, I think htere may be a mecahnical error. Perhaps you could go to a dealer and drive a couple more cars to judge the difference.
You should be able to pull away slowly (car park monouvering) with almost no throttle without judder.
When driving on the street, junctions etc, then use a few more RPM. You still shouldn't get any judder.
There is a possibility that you've got a worn release bearing or pressure plate. After 16k it could be that the car as recieved some heavy driver action or that its been driven by someone who slipped the clutch a lot. Keep driving it and you may find if the pressure plate is worn badly (unevenly), that it may even out with use. The release bearing will get worse.
Most Porsche clutches are rated for 20k to 80k miles, but i've seen cars with nearly 150k on the original.
As for a warranty claim, i'm guessing your dealer won't cover this being its seen as a disposable item. Check anyway, you never know.
I repeat:
This may be relevant.
OK - The first thing to say , as one would say to Arthur Dent in the HitchHiker's Guide to the Galaxy........
" DON'T PANIC "
I suggest that you take it to the dealer that you bought it from initially and then take it with his knowledge, to a Porsche Dealer - for them to Diagnose the Problem Fully....... If the Car is only 18 months old, you have 6 months warranty left.........
If it is a Mechanical/Hydraulic Problem - It will be covered under warranty.....
If the Clutch Plate is worn out....... You will need to get it fixed, and perhaps you should go back to where you bought it for a contribution to the cost........
And if it is worn out - possibly the previous owner did a lot of 'Racing Starts......'
Maybe when you are at the Porsche dealer get a printout of the ignition ranges to check for any abuse..............
