PDK or Manual?
Poll: PDK or Manual?
Total Members Polled: 173
Discussion
The PDK option on newer Porsche cars has moved the automatic gearbox on leaps and I wonder now what the likely uptake would be on a new purchase of pork.
For the sake of this poll, lets imagine you are about to purchase a new 991, so the option available to you is limited to the C2 or C2S. What would you choose? (I have specified this because I realise that some people might order a PDK for a C2S but a Manual for a GTx car)
For the sake of this poll, lets imagine you are about to purchase a new 991, so the option available to you is limited to the C2 or C2S. What would you choose? (I have specified this because I realise that some people might order a PDK for a C2S but a Manual for a GTx car)
The thought of an auto box (PDK or otherwise) on a 911 frightens me...when i drive mine, changing gear is the opportunity for my brain to think: "OK, you're going really fast now, are you actually going to plant your foot back on the loud pedal again in the next gear up? Or is this the chance to ease back just a little?".
If I had an auto, I would either need to grow wings, or I'd probably end up in a hedge.
Not driven an auto 911 mind, so perhaps the car would take better care of me. But I think not.

If I had an auto, I would either need to grow wings, or I'd probably end up in a hedge.
Not driven an auto 911 mind, so perhaps the car would take better care of me. But I think not.

I was shocked to learn from my OPC that almost 8 out of 10 911's ordered now are PDK, this is pretty much a reversal of the situation when the offering was tiptronic. Although it's a very good gearbox, I prefer the involvement of the manual box, but then my car is not for everyday and I might feel differently if it were, but I think I would go manual for a 991.
Blue62 said:
I was shocked to learn from my OPC that almost 8 out of 10 911's ordered now are PDK, this is pretty much a reversal of the situation when the offering was tiptronic. Although it's a very good gearbox, I prefer the involvement of the manual box, but then my car is not for everyday and I might feel differently if it were, but I think I would go manual for a 991.
On Turbo's worldwide sales 80% were tiptronicPDK is the way forward and what the market place demands.
Edited by rimkah on Thursday 22 September 12:10
I would suspect (having not tried PDK) that if you had asked this question 5 years ago when the technology was in its relative infancy you'd get different answers.
From what I've been led to believe there is a real advantage to using PDK (especially with paddles) and that it's not so much what you're losing from the "manual gear experience" but what you're gaining from being able to shift faster and more consistently than a typical human would anyway.
From what I've been led to believe there is a real advantage to using PDK (especially with paddles) and that it's not so much what you're losing from the "manual gear experience" but what you're gaining from being able to shift faster and more consistently than a typical human would anyway.
Blue62 said:
I was shocked to learn from my OPC that almost 8 out of 10 911's ordered now are PDK, this is pretty much a reversal of the situation when the offering was tiptronic. Although it's a very good gearbox, I prefer the involvement of the manual box, but then my car is not for everyday and I might feel differently if it were, but I think I would go manual for a 991.
This is true, so it's a fact that PDK will be a better option when resale time comes as the market for this gearbox is obviously much much bigger than manual.gt3nor said:
Blue62 said:
I was shocked to learn from my OPC that almost 8 out of 10 911's ordered now are PDK, this is pretty much a reversal of the situation when the offering was tiptronic. Although it's a very good gearbox, I prefer the involvement of the manual box, but then my car is not for everyday and I might feel differently if it were, but I think I would go manual for a 991.
This is true, so it's a fact that PDK will be a better option when resale time comes as the market for this gearbox is obviously much much bigger than manual.PDK will also be more widely available so the supply/demand balance may not prove so advantageous.
However, if the rate of increase in demand for the PDK continues on its current rising curve (such that ultimately only a few enthusists hanker for a MT) then demand in the second hand market will outstrip supply for the next 5 years and result in a premium being chargeable. And the obverse of this phenomenon is that you'd better have sold your MT well before this point unless it doesn't pain you to sell at a relative discount.
However, if the rate of increase in demand for the PDK continues on its current rising curve (such that ultimately only a few enthusists hanker for a MT) then demand in the second hand market will outstrip supply for the next 5 years and result in a premium being chargeable. And the obverse of this phenomenon is that you'd better have sold your MT well before this point unless it doesn't pain you to sell at a relative discount.
gt3nor said:
This is true, so it's a fact that PDK will be a better option when resale time comes as the market for this gearbox is obviously much much bigger than manual.
I do not see this. There are seemingly four times as many PDKs as there are manuals, so when you come to sell there will also be four times as many PDKs for sale. Let's say there are 100 cars for sale and 100 buyers, 80 cars will be PDK and 80 buyers will want PDK. Same with the manual, 20 manual cars and 20 manual car seekers. So although more people want the PDK there will be a lot more for sale and therefore there will be no increase in demand in percentage terms.
There is nothing to suggest the ratio may change at any given time, unless one of the boxes proves to be unreliable.
Hope this makes sense.
Edited by dazco on Thursday 22 September 12:44
betternotbigger said:
PDK will also be more widely available so the supply/demand balance may not prove so advantageous.
However, if the rate of increase in demand for the PDK continues on its current rising curve (such that ultimately only a few enthusists hanker for a MT) then demand in the second hand market will outstrip supply for the next 5 years and result in a premium being chargeable. And the obverse of this phenomenon is that you'd better have sold your MT well before this point unless it doesn't pain you to sell at a relative discount.
Or Manual's will start to command a premium...However, if the rate of increase in demand for the PDK continues on its current rising curve (such that ultimately only a few enthusists hanker for a MT) then demand in the second hand market will outstrip supply for the next 5 years and result in a premium being chargeable. And the obverse of this phenomenon is that you'd better have sold your MT well before this point unless it doesn't pain you to sell at a relative discount.
Manks said:
Depends on which car we are talking about:
Carrera - manual
Cayenne / Panamera - PDK
911 Turbo - PDK
Boxster - manual
Cayman - I've never given any thought to Caymans.
Carrera - manual
Cayenne / Panamera - PDK
911 Turbo - PDK
Boxster - manual
Cayman - I've never given any thought to Caymans.
RudeDog said:
For the sake of this poll, lets imagine you are about to purchase a new 991, so the option available to you is limited to the C2 or C2S. What would you choose? (I have specified this because I realise that some people might order a PDK for a C2S but a Manual for a GTx car)
That one!RudeDog said:
Or Manual's will start to command a premium...
Isn't that what I say in the first sentence (if you follow the thread and my logic)?But in the second paragraph I outline what actually will happen and anyone who believes otherwise is misguided. How come? Today's trade in new cars is tomorrow's second hand market and the surge in demand for new orders with PDK will be mirrored by a surge in demand amongst all those who habitually buy their cars "pre-owned"... except the driving gods on PH of course. The supply will lag behind the demand and we all know what that means.
Give it 20 years and a nostalgic urge for the purity of a MT will create a bounce in manual values, but not in the near future I'm afraid.
How many "PDK is sh@t" threads have you seen?
Having driven manual, PDK and tiptronic models, PDK is a huge improvement on the auto/tiptronic box but still no substitute for a manual box IMHO.
When driving either a PDK or tiptronic equipped model on the road I've always found myself having to glance at the display on the dash to confirm what gear I'm in before changing whereas there seems to be some sort of strange "hand memory" at work when driving a manual that, combined with a quick touch of the gearstick if necessary, always lets you know what gear you're currently in without having to take your eyes off the road.
I guess if you drive a lot in town / traffic then a PDK might make more sense, but for shere involvement and driving pleasure I think that a manual box can't be beaten!
When driving either a PDK or tiptronic equipped model on the road I've always found myself having to glance at the display on the dash to confirm what gear I'm in before changing whereas there seems to be some sort of strange "hand memory" at work when driving a manual that, combined with a quick touch of the gearstick if necessary, always lets you know what gear you're currently in without having to take your eyes off the road.
I guess if you drive a lot in town / traffic then a PDK might make more sense, but for shere involvement and driving pleasure I think that a manual box can't be beaten!

Koing said:
H gate for me and I don't care if I'm slower on the odd track day etc. It's about the driving experience.
PDK for me for the same reasons. I get as much satisfaction from blipping the gears on a PDK 'box whilst keeping both hands on the wheel (and invariably pretending I'm a racing car driver at Spa) as I do from the perfect heel and toe gear change, and while they're totally separate experiences I don't think one is better than the other.Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff



...I'm just not sure about the box's longevity. My experience with the VW/Audi DSG box's is somewhat better.