The only silver lining I'm finding in this thread is at least I know it's not just me. I wanted my car to be so perfect that I was trying to ignore the stumble. I ordered my car and picked it up in Germany - it's not just any car to me. This was a dream come true. The fact that driving it is less than a stellar experience is really starting to get to me. There are days I don't want to drive it because I'll just obsess over the hesitation .

Also, Porsche should want to make customers like me happy. My first car was a 911. I own two right now. I'm what they consider a "customer for life". So I'm a bit disappointed in my local dealer for not pursuing a solution or at least a valid explanation. But then I have to remember that the local dealer is not Porsche. They just sell and service them. I wonder how much influence / care PCNA really has... Or are they just disconnected too much?

Hopefully we'll all stick together on this, get more people to acknowledge this issue, and eventually find a solution with or without PCNA's help.

 

If anyone here is delusional enough to think that PCNA will address (let alone acknowledge) this problem, then you're in for a rude awakening.

Nick Murray's situation should be a case study in Corporate arrogance. It was not until the proverbial mouse roared that they even gave him the time of day. And his was a dangerous car that was randomly dying (with video evidence).

Sadly we're on our own here. Perhaps if enough people come forward (some 981 folks are also experiencing the exact same stumble) or there's a threat of legal action, there is nothing to compel them to do anything.

The question I have is what's the point of maintaining ones warranty, if the warranty doesn't compel them to fix an obvious problem. And when you do try to fix it yourself, they claim that your fix voided the warranty.

Pure genius...

 

Your post is pure genius. Hit the nail on the head!

 

I wonder what a good Indie would charge to try and diagnose the problem with a PIWIS? Not really sure if it would be worth the effort if there are no codes popping up. It would appear that may be our only option, as the dealers and PCNA don't seem to care.

 

I had a much more minor issue when I bought my first new 911 back in 99', I had some issues caused by the dealer and both the dealer and PCNA took care of the problems and compensated me for my time. I guess things have changed since then.

I didn't read the entire thread but I would encourage you to reach out to the local PCNA rep and let him drive your car and then see where it goes. I wouldn't give up.

 

I know it won't do anything, but I'm writing a letter to PCNA headquarters pleading my case. It will at least make me feel better .

 

Do you know who the local rep is? I would start there.

 

I do not. I will ask around in my local PCA region (Potomac) as I'm sure someone has personal contacts. I also know the General Manager at my local dealer. I think it's time to have a word with him but I've been reluctant because he'll just have my same ol' service rep contact me and then it gets ugly when he knows I had to go around him.

For now, I have written a two-page letter to PCNA headquarters. Might as well just start lobbing grenades in there, too. Don't worry, I'm starting with a well-written, nice grenade. It goes out in tomorrow's mail.

 

Matt, FWIW I would not go the path of software tune or a specialist aftermarket shop to diagnosis the issue. For now f& the dealer you bought the car from. Focus on the Ocla dealer as you can easily get there- I'll explain why below. Take the following three steps:

1). Put the stock exhaust back on and take it there during a time of day you can clearly replicate the problem with the shop Forman. Not the service guy or manager, the mechanic foreman - he typically has special certification but more importantly the regular mechanics work on billable job orders. They get paid, I sh@t you not, on a job cost system. For example - diagnosis problem a) book says get paid 3 hours to fix, if it takes them 6 hours to do - they only get paid for 3 hours, if it takes them 1 hour, they're ahead. These guys typically work 50 hours and get paid on average for 35. That's why if they don't get an error code they stop immediately because they're not getting paid until the prove a problem. Error code = job code = problem getting fixed. The shop Forman on the other hand is not paid the same way - he gets a salary and bonus, so he can invest the time to solve the problem and take on a special project.

2) if you're not successful with 1), tell him you respectfully disagree and want to bring the car back when the regional rep is there - you don't want to leave the car for the rep, you want to be there and take the rep for a drive. They'll balk at this because the rep doesn't want to deal directly with you, rather use the dealer as an interface. Tough, they're going to do it and if they push back, tell them you're going to respectfully call PCNA and request it from them directly. You shouldn't need to go there, but just in case, you'll have a contingency plan.

3) if not successful with 1 and 2, bring it back a third time, I'm sure it won't get better and then if they still can't figure it out, go get a lemon law lawyer or call the selling dealership back and see if they'll buy the car back where you're not losing more than 1k per month of ownership.

The local dealer has the same obligation to fix the car as you're purchasing dealer, so go where it's convenient and you can accomplish 1 -3 without rearranging your life- FYI I'm listed as Black Beauty on Rennlist (SilverSled was my 997) you've helped so many of us with your posts and we know you've got some big events coming up - just pace yourself here "Strategy is the craft of the warrior." Miyamoto Musashi - 16th Century Japanese Undefeated Samurai. Good luck!!!

 

@Silversled - All very good advice, but for one small problem - "It's operating as intended."

That has been the party line for all of us who have been to a host of different dealerships, who ALL said the same thing (mainly due to the lack of an error code).

The nonsense regarding his exhaust is more of their tried and tested stonewalling tactics.
Sure, he can take off the exhaust and take the car back in with the same complaint - now what?
Still no code to send back to Germany..

I've dealt with my technical foreman who claims that he's raised the issue.
I've also contacted PCNA and have a framed case number hanging on my wall.
I've even met with the charming PCNA rep.
I've taken the car in FIVE times only to be told yup, we feel it, they all do it and..."It's operating as intended."

And therein lies the age old problem of subjectivity..

Until there's a TSB (such as http://www.automd.com/tsb/bulletin_b360152/ ) they won't be in any great rush to do a thing.

I have ZERO faith in Porsche and their desire to do anything other than sell cars.
And I certainly don't blame the dealerships who are operating within the confines of their well defined (German) sandbox.

 

Profoundly disturbing, I sincerely feel terrible for everyone's plight. You know I've been to the factory twice, I have framed Porsches all over my house and this kinda stuff makes you wanna give Jag a try. I'm really sorry and hope somewhere, somebody gives a crap a figures the problem out. Good luck to everyone here.

 

Indeed the 981 community on Planet-9 is also experiencing the same problem as described.

 

Interesting to hear about the 981 parallels.

In my letter to PCNA I played the "customer for life" card. I told tales of my childhood dreams, posters adorning my garage walls, and the two 911s I own. I only hope that can appeal to their desire to get future dollars. I'm relatively young so I hope that they see potential $$$ in the coming decades from me. That may be the only way to get them to take action in my case. The cost of fixing my car needs to be less than the money they will make from me in the future. I even mentioned I was considering getting a Macan.

They're pushing their whole "No substitute" marketing scheme right now. I think it's time to suggest there might be a substitute.

 

Not really, considering that it's essentially the same 3.4l engine in both models.

In addition, the 3.4l and 3.8l engines share a large percentage of engine and electronic components, which would result in the same attributes and help explain why some 981 owners are experiencing similar problems.

 

I think that is going to be my approach as well. Despite the hundred of hours I've spent playing with my car over the six months, I'm pressed for time over the next few. My wife is due any day and my M3 is coming in three weeks. I also sold my S4 and don't have another car to drive. Battling them for a loaner while taking parts off the car, dropping it off, and spending time at the dealership isn't in the cards for about six weeks.

I've decided to work with the Orlando dealership's service manager and take him up on his offer to log the car and submit to P-tech. Then reach out to PCNA and local representation. I'm going to send them an email letting them know of my intentions to pursue this so I have a record.