Tiptronic or Manual or wait for PDK

[richardgilbert]

I am toying with the idea of ordering a new turbo and I am unsure which transmission to go for, I found the manual transmission quite hard in my C4S so fancy something easier on the knee!!! What is the Turbo Tip like and does anyone know if the PDK will be available on the Turbo next year? and if so how will the PDK work?

Thanks for your help

 

[garyw]

I think thats a question we have all asked ourselves, not just Turbo owners.[]
I have had both and enjoyed both... rumors are it won't be on the facelift to start as Porsche are still not happy with it..

One comment worth noting that the motoring press did notice and I agree with is that the Turbo clutch for some reason does seem to be lighter than the rest of the range...

Its worth reading some of the VW/Audi PDK forums, some people are not as happy with it as much as most people think..
I believe it was EVO that gave it a bit of a bashing in one of their long termer's last month..[:'(]

garyw

 

[richardgilbert]

Thanks Gary which one are you driving at the minute? and what do you think?

 

[lee fulford]

Can't comment on PDK unless it's the paddle system which I think would be awesome. The SMG in my CSL is the making of the car. With Porsche it's been too long coming.

Just driven to work in my Mum-in-Laws 997 C4S which is tip and I maintain that the whoile spirit of a 911 is completely and uterly lost with an "auto" gearbox..............I hate it with a passion, always have and always will unless my left leg falls off.

Had a manual TT and 'twas wicked.

 

[garyw]

I have a manual in this one, I agree somewhat with Lee's comments but I'm convinced that you need quite a bit of time behind the wheel of a Tiptronic to get the most from it.
After that you learn a slightly different style and the Tip does work for you.
Off the line I had little chance to keep up with the SMG boxed car [&:] caught and passed eventually though [] [].
Tip is quicker and I believe it always has been, unless your the Stig []
Drive both on a test drive and I should imagine you'd pick the manual though, the involvement is that bit more

One niggling thought in my mind is when the PDK come to us, what will happen to cars with Tiptronic, manuals it shouldn't effect that much, however Tips ???

garyw

 

[yan]

Definitely advise a test run to assess Tip. and manual. I was seriously considering waiting until the rumoured PDK materialised but having done a full-blown test drive at Millbrook I changed my mind.

Compared with competitors Porsche gearbox options can sound a bit basic BUT as time goes by the Tip. gearbox has become so well honed that I am struggling to imagine whether PDK will actually provide a significant ugprade. In particular the gear shift is now much smoother and notably quicker. The Tip. box is extremely reliable and can take significant stress without problems - compare this the SMG system: isn't it 6 launches and the clutch is in trouble?

What are the benefits of PDK then going to be? Lighter (maybe), faster gear changes (but by how much) and probably more room for an extra gear or 2. Will this make the latest Tiptronic look particularly wanting, I'm not so sure. Maybe I am missing something?

One other thing small point is that it's not uncommon to see PDK associated with paddles - the Tiptronic system could just as well have paddles should the designers have thought them preferable, i.e. this could well end up as a customer option. I for one prefer the Tip. option where you can change up/down on either side of the steering wheel.

All in all I await to see what PDK can offer but at the rate Porsche are postponing it technology could well have moved on...

 

[richardgilbert]

Gary,

Thanks for your advice, It just so happens that my local OPC is getting a tiptronic Turbo as a demo next week so I will have a long test drive. I have already driven the manual but it was a long time ago. The OPC also told me that they were unsure when or if the PDK would be be an option for the Turbo as there was a lot of problems with it before the launch. I am still unsure what benefits the PDK will have? I like the option of having an automatic for city driving and then being able to use the gears when I feel like it. If the PDK is just Paddles with no auto option like the Aston Martin V8 Vanatge Sportshift I would no be keen. I also need to find out if there is going to be a sports exhaust and powerkit option. My local OPC can get me a Turbo within 7-9 months which is perfect timing for me......... I just need to stump up the 10k and decide on the transmission!!!!!!!!

 

[lee fulford]

SMG, PDK boxes do not have torque converters and the gear changes are quicker than possible with a manual box. Down shifts are great with engines revs being matched to road speed....great blips. There is no delay in gear changes unlike autos. A much more direct gera change.

 

[simonm]

I tried a Golf with a DSK box - I drove it manually then put it in auto and then never changed back to manual. Or if I did I thought why and reverted to auto.

The advantage of an auto box is the gear changes can be absorbed because of the torque converter and so be very smooth. Some auto boxes drive power through the gears whilst a change is in progress because there are clutches to release and catch the old/new gear. IN a manual there is a dead peroid where the clutch is disengaged.

The advantage of a DSG style box is fewer losses because there isn't a torque converter. But there is still the problem of making the change smooth without a torque converter - something the Golf managed. Perhaps upping the power makes it all more difficult?