Constructive 997.2 Complaints for PAG

Sound off on complaints \ suggestions for Porsche. Maybe they can provide fixes or at least improve future models. I'll start with PDK . I have Sport Chrono Plus and REALLY don't like the downshifts into 1st gear while slowing to a stop in Sport Mode. This gear change can be harsh at times and can't be good for transmission longevity. I mean honestly, does anyone with a manual downshift into 1st while stopping? I sure didn't when I had my Boxster S. Can software for the PDK be altered? If so I'd like to suggest skipping 1st gear under moderate to slow speed stops. A heads up gear indicator would get cool points also Hopefully some of the good people at Porsche read these forums from time to time.

What happens without Sports Mode engaged. Isn't that the option you are seeking? Can you anticipate and deselect as needed? Are you using Sports Mode in everyday driving or just track work? Is it difficult to tell what gear you are in from the previous gears selected and the indicated RPMs? I am assuming some engagement in driving and not just being a passenger until you want to know but I've not had the opportunity to experience PDK .

Normal Mode with a PDK car is basically a gas mileage program. It lugs the engine horribly with premature gear changes unless you gun it. Deselecting Sport Mode at every stop just isn’t practical. I use Sport Mode for everyday driving. It does a wonderful job of selecting gears just as I would with a 6-speed. With very little practice modulating the throttle gears can be changed at the exact RPM you want. It is kinda scary. No I’m not just a passenger in the car but it is easy to get lost on what gear is selected sometime. With a manual you get a tactile feel of what gear is selected. That is lost with the PDK .

I don't use Sport mode too frequently in town as the program is abrupt in the shifts and the higher revs accumulate speed very quickly. If there is some open road or higher speed limits w/ longer stretches between lights it's more enjoyable. Otherwise it just attracts cops if I move off a stoplight with a heavy foot. I do use the gearshift lever in normal mode which allows me to run through the gears at higher revs without the abruptness of sport mode. It's smoother and you can downshift on your own or let the PDK do it for you. In theory the PDK software should be programmable to each individual's tastes. Perhaps that's on the horizon.

With my DSG equipped VW GTI, I can prevent harsh down shifts by braking harder. This really smooths out the downshifts when a complete stop is in order, just don't do it with someone on your bumper....ummv.

Yep, that works also...but lots of tailgaters around here

So far 4 problems: 1. An annoying rattle from the instrument dial on certain road surface 2. Clutch got stuck when I went for a spirited drive. End up in a tow truck. Got fixed under warranty. Not good for a car with just 2500miles on the clock 3. Need to top-up with 1 litre of Mobil One (My prev. midengine Porsche hardly require any top-up before service!) 4. I order my PSE late april. So far no news when it will arrive in uk! Despite all these minor irritations, I still love my car!

How about some type of protective screen for the front radiators????? About to spend $1,400.00 to fix a damaged AC condensor.

D/Sport Mode is my fav auto mode for PDK , but I opt for M/Sport unless traffic is just too stuffed up. The big tach is what I follow out of my peripheral vision. Great indicator of what to do with the shifter and I don't think so much about what gear I am in (as I would with a stick), but more how are my revs doing. I really like it. I find D/Sport is pretty smooth though - haven't noticed issues with downshifting to 1st. Yes, regular mode is OK, but a bit dull - sits around 1.5K RPMs - good if we see $4 gas again maybe.

I'm sorry if this may sound harsh but bear with me here... You can't (and shouldn't) put the car in Sport mode and ask it NOT to downshift to first on slowing down. That's what Sport Mode is for, so IMHO this "request" is a little illogical. Now a couple of suggestions that "may" help you, bear in mind that I'm basing these on my experience with tip, so they may or may not work: Use manual mode, I actually use it 99% of the time coz I too dont like how it shifts prematurely on D while SC is off. But still, you CAN train it to shift the way you like (with proper application of the gas pedal) (Guaranteed to work, and is more fun too ) I understand there are 2 levels of SC, SC and SC plus, perhaps if you only activate 1 level it'd be better. As ul2fly suggested, brake a "little bit" harder.

Oddly enough the harsh Sport Mode PDK downshifts into 1st gear have all but gone away. I don’t feel I’ve adjusted my driving style. This phenomenon has also been mentioned by PDK owners on other forums. Maybe the PDK is just a slow learner?

It is adaptive. Maybe it read your post.

1. restore one touch sunroof closure. 2. Remedy DFI soot 3. Remedy excessive oil usage 4. Sort out PDK shift problems.

Definitely restore one touch sunroof and passenger side window closure. Some have suggested lawsuit weary Porsche attorneys are behind this change. BMW doesn’t seem worried as one touch in my 128i works. Sadly, my 128 exhaust sounds much better than my 997. What is up with that?

DFI soot is here to stay, you may have to get used to it.

"Oh, sh*t" handles, please -- my wife would definitely be happier.

We are discussing "lugging" in regards to PDK , not 6 speed. I do agree that normal mode results in below 1.7K RPM runs to save fuel. I consider this Lugging. I therefore use Sport mode to keep revs at or above 2K, like I did with my 06S 6 speed. The lower RPM's contribute to Soot, also.

Lugging is accelerating hard from low RPMs without downshifting and not running in low RPMS. There is nothing wrong in 7th gear to be running under 2K RPM at 55MPH. If you push the gas pedal the PDK will downshift. That is not lugging.