I am doing way to much stop and go/city driving to truly enjoy the benefits of my six speed.
So...I am considering waiting for the '09 PDK cars to hit the showroom and rolling the dice with the new PDK trans hoping there are no serious first year teething problems. Or maybe getting a left over '08 tip with SC (perhaps w/X-51 if I can find one) to make up for the performance shortfall of the tip vs the ss. I'm also wondering how much of a hit the X-51's will take once the new DFI cars hit, since they will match the 51's power.

An all together different option (I realize this is a Porsche community ) would be getting new '09 (not '08) M3 with DSG which is a much more comfortable car as a DD and about +/-$25,000.00 less than a 997S.

 

I test drove...


'08 330i Coupe - STEP

'08 M3 Coupe - MAN

'08 C2S - TIP S

'08 C4S - TIP S


I'll be ordering an '09 C2S - PDK

Porsche cost more, but the Porsche IS more.

 

I've been fortunate to have owned quite a few 911's over the years but I'm looking for the best all around DD. I see you too are going the auto box route vs the manual. How did you find the DCT in the M3 and the tip in the 997S.

 

Technical issues on this post are confused. The available supercharger options for the 997S are not intended for the X-51 option. The superchargers use the center radiator with the intercooler, necessitating a custom designed installation. The intake manifold, various intake components and throttle body also differ. The stock tiptronic also uses up the center radiator. Good luck making everything fit.

 

I just edited my post, it was late and I made an error.


I test drove an '04 M3 Coupe with SMG II and I didn't like it very much.

The DCT is supposed to be very good. I have DCT on my '08 Golf R32 [DD] and it's very good.

To me, the new BMWs M3 Series are trying to please everyone, they are not focused on the enthusiasts any longer [Read: Softer].

The BMW Steptronic is fine, but I prefer the Porsche Tiptronic.

I'm looking forward to the '09 Carrera improvements and the new PDK.

 

Thanks for the info but SC was for Sports Chrono

 

well then that changes things....i too assumed it was the supercharger since you mention X51 and sc...i thought both are power related items...

 

Yes I hear the DCT is quite good and big improvement over SMGII but I am learning about some early teething issues and that's why I'd wait for an '09 if I made the switch. Don't get me wrong, I love my 997S and have been driving 911's since the early 80's but I need something with the combination of speed sport and comfort although a 997S with tip would probably be just fine; its the clutch in-clutch out stuff that's becoming a real PIA in city driving (could have probably done without the sports seats too). I think the PDK will be a huge improvement over the tip but as I mentioned earlier I'm concerned about first year issues and am thinking maybe a left over tip with a large discount might be in order...

 

If I could order an '08 911 to my specs, I would have done so earlier this month.

There are some nice 911s out there/coming in, but most are overloaded with "fluff" options.

Good luck!

 

So typical, dealer's make like 20% on options...

Thanks.

 

I'd either wait for the 09 DSC box or get a tip now. Best to wait as tip prices will drop a lot. Speak to a few dealers to see if you can get an order started soon. Forget about a BMW... It really is a different experience all together.

I personally have no problem with a 6 speed in traffic. I have a tip and bought it bc i didn't know how to drive manual at the time. If you can get over a manual box, i think you'll find a good deal right now on a manual.

 

Thanks...already have a manual '07 997S and that's the problem, should have went with an X-51 Tip w/ sc sports chrono).

 

Tough choice . The manual gearbox in the 997S is so refined that if i had to pick the Achilles heel of the M3 it would be the both the DCT (early problems) and manual gearboxes NOT being up to par .

The M3 is a great car though but so is your Porsche .

Just a thought --have you considered a second commuter car ? I have one only because I am not going to park my Porsche at the supermarket or movies and face dings or xenon light / or wheel theft .

There's a lot of nice choices in automatic cars which have a splash of fun and leave the Porsche as the weekend toy rather than the daily driver.

 

Hey how are you?

We also have a brand new '08 BMW 328 w/sport package and I just love it; the car is so smooth tight and the in-line 6 (as always) is a jewel.

I don't drive the 997S that much about 11000 miles in a year and a half. Another thing that really annoys me is the clutch pedal gets a chatter like feeling if you don't release it just right. Porsche replaced the clutch and dual mass flywheel at about 5000 miles but it did little to make it feel right. I've been driving manual cars (many of them Porsches) for over 20 years and never had any clutch/ chatter issues with new cars. The Porsche rep tried to tell me the feeling was from the dual mass flywheel set up and I quickly reminded him that the DMFW was designed to reduce vibrations etc and I've been driving 911's with them since Porsche introduced it. I guess driving my 06 E55 and 500 Coupe is what really did me in...just love the new 6, 7 and 8 speed auto boxes available today, so fast shifting and so smooth.

 

Question --Is the chatter a slip or a vibration ?

Regarding virbration -- even though my driving style never detected this I have spoken with others who felt vibration in all the 997 model line cars EXCEPT the Gt3 and Turbo .

Regarding chatter and slip -- that can be repaired .

If you really aren't ready to get out of the sports car , don't want to risk the DCT new transmission issues, and want to eliminate this entire clutch ordeal --I would suggest taking the car to the dealer where you got it, express that you've tried fixing it and your just not happy , and see what they can do about placing you in a Tiptronic .

I think they will come through .
I also think you'd be happier.
And you get to stick with Porsche .

And if you wait --maybe even the facelift or a Turbo tip ?

I hope all is well and hope this works out for you . There's no reason to stick with a car which isn't satisfying your driving needs.