I picked up my 991S PDK Cab this weekend. I loved the car and coming from a 993 the refinement is amazing. The one thing I am surprised about is how sluggish it feels. I noticed that the car shifted at very low RPM's so I would be in 4th or 5th gear going less than 40 MPH with RPMs hovering around 2,000 RPM under normal (non-sport) settings. Why is that? I never shifted my manual 993 below 4000 RPMs.

 

It's all about EPA ratings. Like you said, gotta use sport mode to get more aggressive.

 

use the paddles / buttons

car is much easier and faster to drive compare to 993. it's a much more modern car. however, the old school feeling is gone i suppose. did you keep your 993? they seems to have dropped in value last couple of years.

 

Have the same thing with my new 991S cab. Sport mode helps as does sport plus but during 2000 mile break in I will keep RPM's below 4K. Just be glad we have the S. Recent review in Excellence suggests none S lacks low level power.

 

0-60 times in the normal are very respectable at 4.1 seconds, but the smaller CI is bound to have a soft feeling at low RPM. Though I don't quite have mine yet (in customs), the torque curves indicate that I'll be in sport mode most of the time and I'll bet Porsche included that as standard to avoid customer complaints at low RPM.

ChuckJ

 

This is the exact reason why I am sticking with a manual transmission for as long as I have the option. Sounds like PDK, like the DCT in my current M3, is programmed with the main purpose of maximizing fuel economy numbers while driving around town. Can't tell you how often the M3 is lugging around town at 1,500 RPM in 7th gear dead and lifeless. Drives me nuts.

 

Of course I could use the manual PDK function to avoid any problem. I actually love PDK but understand why others won't. Just seems more flexible and at 61 I'm not keen on clutches anymore.

 

I put my 993 on consignment. It only has 38K miles and my dealer gave me a terrible offer. I love the car and happy to keep it if it doesn't sell.

 

Deliberate, and probably to do with EPA, as mentioned:

Normal mode = relatively leasurely.
Sports mode = takes longer to change up
Sports + mode = changes up at the red line
Manual mode = change when you choose

 

So PDK Programming doesn't learn and adapt as you drive like an Automatic transmission would ?

 

During the break in period would you use Sport Mode?

 

I have been, but only when it is sufficiently warmed up. I also try to never let the RPMs go above 4.5 k. Maybe I am being over cautious, but the anticipation of being able to really wind it out is all part of the fun. Once I hit break in numbers I'm really looking forward to letting it loose.

 

Or put another way:

Normal mode = Highway easy cruising on a Sunday afternoon.
Sports + mode = To cheer you up after a hard day.
Manual mode = When you're not stuck in traffic and the mood takes you.
Sports mode = Engaged at all other times.

Rainier

 

Just passed 2200 miles and drove it hard on the way home from New Hamphire on the highway accelerating around traffic. You will not be disappointed with the PDK S Cab in Sport or Sport + when your foot is on the floor - hang on, the power hits instanteously.

 

I just changed by 991 build from PDK to 7MT bcos of the same reasons mentioned here. You just can't drive aggressively at lower speeds with PDK. I drove the new 991S and 2011 Turbo S PDK. Newer PDK is much better but it really comes to life at very high speeds. The car is very boring at lower speeds. I miss simple things like being able to blip the throttle as I move though gears, etc.

On another level but my BMW 535i with 8-speed auto is very similar. It's fun when pushed hard. Dead rest of the time.

This choice just comes to down personal preference, driving style and the use of the car, I.e. mainly track versus DD. you just cannot compare and say one is better than the other.