I am sure the PDK is a different story, but I have owned 2 E46M3s...got an SMG and loved it...for about a month. It got old...quick. I ended up buying a 6 speed instead. I am sure the SMG was faster due to the shifting, but, I only tracked the car 2-3 times a year - did not justify it for me.

The PDK is quicker, period. Can't argue w/that....but nothing a few mods can't fix...thanks EVT...

 

Am not surprised to hear TT. Old habits do die hard . The enjoyment of the new PDK is mainly realised only when driving the car flat out or near the limit. Now out of the 365 how often is that happening? And between time things become less and less involving (boring) as seat time progresses which is exactly where the manual tranny steps into play. You can enjoy the closer involvement whether plodding along or, at the (your) limit . No question performance wise the PDK takes the prize but you need to be in a full time race to maintain the grin factor. IMHO there is much more to one of these cars than just going fast.

 

I have upgraded my TTS to an additional ~ +/- 80 FT# & WHP. I originally purchased the 997TTS as I enjoyed my Panamera TT so much (tuned also to an additional 60 WHP and FT#). The TTS is somewhat boring but it depends on how you drive it. If you use manual shifting it IS a blast and with the upgrade it is even quicker.

I will have my before and after dynos in day or two and then will VBOX the car this weekend.

I dont care how you slice it, when driven to it's limit, the PDK is just plain fun.

For those interested I added Europipes, Giac Flash, and Champion IC's.

Kudos to Champion - my TTs shifts smoother than it ever has and the extra power is intoxicating. For those whom have considered an upgrade I highly recommend. Given the sophisicated transmission controls you are well protected. When the system senses too much torque it adjusts to protect from damage. This car is a modern engineering marvel.

My GT2 is on its way and I am sure the 6 speed will be just as fun (if not more) with 950 WHP.

 

There is no right or wrong answer here and time will tell if the 6 speed goes the way of the Ferrari Manual. Technology advances every aspect of our lives and pretty soon we forget what was good and it now obsolete.

Better performance will rise to the top especially in a performance car like a Porsche. I liked the Manual in my M3. Learned how to really drive it well. It was more responsive and allowed far greater control than the automatics of the day. My M3 was a 1988, my next manual was a 300ZX, also liked that alot. Nothing was more satisfying then getting a downshift executed correctly in a manual trqnny and powering out of a corner without a stumble. Agreed. So, I got married, had kids and took a forced break form sportscars into sport sedans. Did the Saab Aero, Volvo 850 Turbo, Infiniti M35X (2x's) Finally it was time for a toy for me. I went to buy my childhood dream car. I went to the dealer buy a manual Porsche 911 cabrio. I drove the PDK at the strong suggestion of my salesman and realized very quickly that this is NOT just any automatic tranny. In traffic or in spirited driving it is amazing and does what you want, when you want virtually perfectly everytime. How can you not like/love that?

Technology born on the racetrack trickles down into the high performance cars. This is really no different. I remember when everyone was concerned that a computer was going to control brake lock up and we were afraid it would not be a good as our left foot!

I get the pure-ists and I am not selling PDK, I just want anyone reading here who feels a Porsche should come with a manual to at the very least drive a PDK car like I did. I never thought I would own an "automatic Porsche". You never know.............................

 

The reason the PDK likes to shift into 7th gear so fast, is for mileage. For those that are easy on the pedal, it will shift into 7th gear - quickly. For those that are heavy on the pedal - it will stay in gear longer.

If you want instant fun, hit the paddle, down shift and go (very similar to downshifting in 6sp). If you want the fun to never stop, just stay in manual mode. I found the PDK to be extremely exciting (but then again, this is just personal preference - as someone eloquently posted - like boxers or briefs).

It is awesome fast when you want it, easy to drive in stop-n-go traffic when you don't want a manual clutch pedal, and easy for everyone to drive, so I can have a couple when I'm out with the wife.

(contemplating a 911 w/PDK right now, to add to the collection - wife hates manuals, and I hate autos... Can't think of a better compromise - that, to me, isn't a compromise)

 

when in sport mode, my car never ever shifts to 7th gear. figured the 6-speed vs. pdk same old debate was due to come up again, it's been a few weeks. if you like rowing the gears, 6 speed is for you. if you want performance, pdk wins.

 

There are times in spirited driving when the PDK will auto upshift, usually in areas of downhill elevation and low traction.

Has this happened to anyone?

It'd be nice to have a PDK rulebook so one knows exactly what the PDK will do in certain situations.

 

Never? Mine shifts into 7th all the time cruising at 70-80 on interstates on level roads. It does downshift quickly with almost any throttle input.

 

PDK is the only reason to get a 2010+ turbo IMO and a compelling one at that. Otherwise stick with the tried and proven GT1 block and virtually unlimited mod potential of the 997. Bulletproof engine in it's best and final iteration. The 3.8 has a LOT to prove.

Of coure you would have to give up the stick. Hard to imagine the performance of PDK in a few more terations...

 

Jasper - I must say that when my TTS is in Sport or Sport Plus I never see 7th gear. It is only in std mode that the car shifts to "fuel savings" mode.

 

You must be driving too fast all the time. Excellent! Thats what this car IS about!.

 

Correct me if im wrong, the best drivers in the world uses paddle shifter (F1). Cars are so fast now that they need both hands on the stiring wheels at all time . I dont think it makes the driver less connected w the cars, only they are connected in a different way. Just my 2 cents

 

True. But we're not driving in an F1v race 24/7, 365 now are we? Or are we?. Manual is king of the fun...for a driver that is. The passenger is too busy looking for the jesus handles.

 

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Agreed completely... When in Sport mode. I was referring to the poster who complained that the PDK seems to quickly want to get to 7th gear, and that it seemed to discourage spirited driving (but I couldn't find his post when I went back to quote).

I'm with you guys. If you want fun, change the mode, or better yet - flick the paddle and choose your own gears. I don't see a downside to the new dual clutches. It redefines the boundaries of fun for me.

(I used to think 6sp transmissions were the best)

 

yes, mine never shifts into 7th when in sport mode. at least when cruising 85mph or lower. maybe it would if cruising at 100mph, but for some reason, i thought i read that 7th gear is never used in sport mode, although i admit i could be dreaming that.