Transmission

Need some help from the Rennlisters. Have a 99 C2 with 30k miles. At around 22k, the original transmission was replaced due to apparently faulty first and third gear synchos. That problem started with difficulty in selecting first and finally grinding of the gears in first and third when downshifting. PCNA put a new tranny in. Not long after that replacement, I began to have problems getting it into first when stopped. Would need to engage the clutch about an inch then the gear would take. Complained to the dealer who could never replicate the problem. Finally this time I told them to keep it until they made it happen. And it did and they did. Here's the deal. Apparently the synchos on the first gear shaft, which may include 2nd seem to be bad again. The dealership "fought" for me since Porsche's first reaction was "tough, this guy tracks his car and we do not warranty cars used in that manner. Read your owner's manual." They have the full history on the car including my ROW M030 suspension installed by the dealer and the fact that the dealer offers a tech inspection per my PCA DE requirements. After "pleading my case", PCNA has agreed to supply the tranny at no cost to me, but I get to pay to put it in and pay for a new clutch at the same time. Say in the neighborhood of $1500. Dealership says take it. What do you guys say?

IMO if the second tranny was as defective as the first why should you have to pay at all minus clutch. Has your warranty expired maybe that's why they nickel/dime you. What was the miles put into the second tranny til when problem occurred? Regards. Mike

Dave, I had a similar problem with my car at a dealer in Tyson's Corner last year. They knew I tracked the car (it was pretty obvious given the set-up). I brought it in for a check engine light. They diagnosed and replaced an oil separator under warranty. Unfortunately, that didn't fix the problem for long and the next time I took it to the track the CEL came on again. I was frustrated that it happened in the first session of what was supposed to be a 3-day DE and I ran the car the rest of the day, even though it was down on power. I left after that and returned it to the dealer on Monday. They called and said the heat had melted some breather tubes and a wiring harness on top the engine and they wouldn't fix it under warranty. They used the excuse that I had an aftermarket piggyback chip on the car and said it was causing the problem. They offered no proof of this and did not test the car with and without the piggyback to demonstrate their point. The tab was $2200 out of my pocket. I tried to fight it and appealed to the zone rep. He was an a$$ and not only wouldn't cut me a break on my repair but completed voided the powertrain and emissions warranty on my car. His reason was not the aftermarket part but the fact the car was tracked, which is clearly stated in the warranty book can void your warranty. When I asked about PCA DEs and all the new Boxsters and 996s I saw running around, he said I should warn them all they are putting their warranty at risk. What a jerk. The zone guys stand behind the dealer's 110%, so there is no value in pursuing that route. My experience says, PNMA will honor a problem on a tracked car under warranty if it is a "typical" problem that they've seen on other non-tracked cars. They told me the oil separator was a common problem on 996s. However, if you bring them something out of the ordinary, if they can pin it on track use, they will and charge you for it. Forget about the logic that its a first gear synchro which is rarely if ever used on the track. They won't listen to logic. I say take the deal. There is no way to improve your hand without getting lawyers involved and even if you did, PNMA will stand on the "track use invalidates warranty" clause and prevail anyway. I don't think you have any better options. Karl

aren't Porsches considered sports cars? this would tick me off to no end. what are you supposed to do when you pay large for a brand new sports car, drive it to work in traffic every day? that logic is like buying a new John Deere tractor and not being able to take it off-road. "were sorry farmer John, we wont cover this under warranty because you farmed with it" Sorry to rant, but I am tired of hearing about dealers weasel their way out of anything for some BS reason. I think a 'tracked' Porsche would be better looked after than a neglected blvd. cruiser?

I agree with the statement that PCNA will usually cover problems that are typical of a 'non tracked car'. I guess a bug question is whether you are still under wty. If you are not, take the deal. $1500 sounds quite fair for labor to me. Only you know how you drive the car and if it could be related to your track time. Remind them that they just replaced 600 transmission for 2002's for bad 1-2 gear shafts. If you can really determine the problem, it will provide more insight. Have them check the fluid to see if there is any debris. Have you had the tranny serviced? Keep in mind that vehicles that are tarked require significantly different service. I change my oil every 2-3k instead of 15k miles. Also check you clutch. If you are due, the cost of the tranny install is partially covered by what you would ahve spent to do the clutch. Good luck.

Car has a build date of July 99 so I under the warranty until July of this year. Currently has 32k miles. It is a rarely tracked car, not that PCNA seem to make the distinction, and as someone has suggested very well maintained. Tranny problem started not long after the new one was installed. I am inclinded to pay for the install, but insist on a warranty on the trans. Right now PCNA are saying this will be a "gift" and therefore not covered under any warranty. Seems kinda low, quite frankly. If this is their way of treating those of us who are enthusiasts who form the foundation of their business, I guess the foray into the SUV world has convinced them that all customers are or will be treated the same, badly. Will fight a little about this next week. If anyone has any more thoughts let me know.

All cars should be able to take a certain amount of abuse. A Porsche should be able to take "spirited" driving, even though spirited driving may constitute abuse in some other cars. In my mind, it all depends on what has happened when you tracked the car. If you missed a few shifts and grinded (ground?) and slammed the gears and synchros several times, then I say thank PCNA for being nice to you and take whatever they are giving you as a gift. However, if you can honestly say that you have been driving aggressively and well, no attempted burn-outs nor missed shifts, then I would say it should be a full warrantee job. Having said that, there probably isn't much you can do if the dealers dig their heels in. Unless the dealer is flagrantly in error, the regional rep will side with the dealer. I think your best bet would be to insist to the dealer that you used the car as a Porsche should be used and never abused it, and that the second transmission was simply as bad as the first, and that if the dealership can not resolve it to your satisfaction it will be the last Porsche you will get from their dealership. Good luck!

I'd take the deal. It's close to what a new clutch would cost you anyway and that would rarly be covered by warranty. Roy