Well I am back with more issues. First it took me weeks to prove that my engine cylinder was bad. In the end Porsche stood behind their product and replaced the engine.

Since the beginning I have complained that the clutch is not smooth and that when starting in 1st and using second gear the clutch seems to hesitate half way and then reengage.

They have now told me I need a new clutch at 2500 miles and that I will have to pay for it. I was told that the clutch flywheel had spots that showed overheating due to spinning of the flywheel. I was told that anything could cause it including driving on the hills of san Francisco. Not that I drive that much on those hills but that did not seem to matter.

I have driven standard cars and motorcycles for 17 years, and never had an issue. My last car was a BMW 3 standard in SF and it had no issues.

I don’t know why could be wrong that the clutch was not right other than misaligned at the factory, but I am very concerned about the quality of this car maker and its longevity.

I have not had many opportunities to really drive this car. What happens if I really drive the car? Will the doors fall off like the old Yugo's?

Is the Porsche clutch so sensitive that it is not drivable? For 100k I would expect 50k miles out of my clutch and for it to be damn bulletproof.

Any thoughts as I lose complete faith in Porsche? My dream car has turned into a nightmare.

 

At 2500 miles there's no way unless you're totally uneducated in how to drive a manual, that you'd be damaging the clutch.

I just replaced mine at 40k but it took a lot of hard abuse. I will say that the 911 pulling away in 1st and shifting into 2nd isn't the smoothest. I've driven MT cars all my life and raced several too, I'd like to think I know what I'm doing but I struggle sometimes to get a smooth transition from 1st to 2nd.

Unfortunately and this is where they're probably going to have you; the clutch is a consumable item. They don't actually know if you've done nothing wrong or spent the entire time riding the clutch at 6k rpm do they? There's no way of them telling and I'm sure they've heard all the excuses before so they just have to blanket the issue stating that a clutch is an item the consumer must pay for.

Porsche's are *not* unreliable cars, you've just been very unlucky. I'd push for either lemoning the car or at least a contribution towards the clutch. Mine's got 41k on it now and still runs superbly, in fact there's many on these boards that 50-120k with only minor maintenance.

 

Did your dealer document the clutch issues just after your purchase? I know the hills in San Francisco can be challenging. Also, have you reached out to other dealers and discussed the issues with them. I know that you have choices in your area so that may be an option you want to explore. Lastly, don't give up and lose faith in Porsche. I have owned six of these great cars and have never regretted my choice. Keep us posted.

 

I agree with you. There will always be the quesion of how I drive. I suppose I could pull my tax records and show how many standard cars I have had , 6 and 7 motercycles, but you are right it is hard to justify as a consumable. I wish there was somethng I could point to that would show why it hapened. As for the driving, I have been a baby with the car since I was worried about the last issue (a failed engine).

Now I am not only worrried about fixed parts but I still have dimminished value. Who would buy a car that had this many issues at 2500 miles? I know I would not.

I assumed they get 40k on them with hard driving.. That was what I expected.

 

You can look at it this way: you have a new engine and a new clutch *plus* 2 more years of fully backed up warranty. Remember, when you trade this in, the dealer isn't going to put a sign post on it saying it had all of these things wrong with it!

If it makes you feel any better, my car hasn't been without issues but apart from the clutch, my warranty covered it all.

 

They did document my concenr about the feel of the clutch. THe first time at maybe 800 miles, they told me that was normal. After that we were trying (i was convincing) to resolve the other issue. Sicne they ahd to pull out the engine they checked on the clutch... 2500 miles and its broken.

If this car cant drive a hill then they need to have a representation of this and not sell it in the bay area. You know, where all those bankers and lawyers are...

I am trying to keep faith on this, but I am so deep into the trust issue that I cant even figure out my loss. Fixing the parts is not enough. I am worried about the whole car.

 

I'm in no way knocking your driving here but from my time in Florida, I can tell that no-one knows how to drive a manual properly, it's simply not taught correctly at all.

How do they teach it out on the West coast? Do they teach you to use the handbrake *whenever* you're stopped on a slope? That's the way I do it and the way we're taught in the UK, you never hold the car on the clutch at all. I'm just curious, this isn't any reflection on you, it just frightens me how little they teach in the FL driving test.

 

My brother drives a '02 996 in San Francisco frequently and has never mentioned any issues, other than the hills are a pain. I would challenge your dealer, or another dealer, to resolve this issue for you so that you can have an enjoyable ownership experience. Porsche's as a whole are very sound, which is the exact reason the brand has won countless numbers of endurance races and so many owners will not hesitate to use their Porsche as a daily driver.

 

Have you had someone else drive the car to compare clutch to a different one side by side? I would go aftermarket if you do need to replace it FWIW. In fact perhaps take a drive over to Sharkwerks and see what they think as the dealer is not going to be helpful 9 times out of 10.

 

Thanks for that.. I believe you are right, which is why I bought it. Getting fair compensation from the car may be another story. They are a business. Issues like mine are not good for them.


To the other poster, I am not ofended about the question of my driving (its what the dealer will fall back on).

I dont need to ebrake on this car since it has hill assist, but I have been ebraking for starts for years. I never keep my clutch engaged when sitting and never balance. I pull out smooth and firm and have had too many clutches to have not had this be an issue before.

Heck I have taught people how to drive on my saab and that had 65k and no new clutch. They beat on my clitch learning a heck of a lot more than I could have in 2500 miles (half taking my little girl to school and cruising on the highway).

Its just a bummer in general.

 

I asked to use a loaner side by side but they dont have any 911 loaners. Good suggestion though on Sharkwerks. I think I need to go through the official process for now, but if I did not get resolution and ended up not sueing the dealer (very unlikely, Im a specific personality) then maybe that would be good. Aftermarket ones may just be better.

 

Well it seems you're doing everything correctly to maintain mechanical sympathy for the car. Thank you for not taking my post out of context though!

As I said, it's deeply unfortunate but if you know as many people as I do that think they know how to drive manual, you can probably see why the dealers run to the hills when the words warranty and clutch are strung together!

 

I had a clutch/flywheel in an Audi A4. I made it very clear to the dealer that I was not to blame for it, and he asked me to take him for a ride to demonstrate the problem (chattering clutch). I drove him around and made sure to show him that I was a skilled driver, made a point not to slip the clutch too much, etc. In the end, they agreed to pay for 100% of the replacement cost.

I was also only about 24 at the time, and looked even younger but I demonstrated that I was no joke and it worked.

If I were you, I'd do everything I could to make them pay. Be nice about it, but show them that you documented your concerns early on, and have them go for a ride with you so they can see that you wouldn't have wrecked a clutch in 2500 miles. It seems like it should be next to impossible to kill a clutch that fast.

Mention this forum, mention the PCA (join for $40) if you aren't already a member, and kif it doesn't work, go to another dealership and tell them the story or ask to speak with a Porsche regional sales manager. Something should work!

Good luck.

 

Try filing a complaint at 1-800-PORSCHE. They have the ability to comp your clutch replacement. Given that you had complained about the engagement in the past I would be surprised if they don't step up to the plate for you. Express your concern with the brand and hopefully they'll work to earn your trust back.

 

not sure if this is the issue, but i had a clutch issue (clutch stuck halfway), and it appears to be a known issue with the clutch slave cylinder. First they just bled the clutch fluid, but the issue returned. once the slave cylinder was replaced, everything was great. good luck!