Originally Posted by stevepow

I think problems with electric mirrors are common on all cars. Although the root cause is not always obvious. I had a similar problem with an e39 M5 and after both mirrors were replaced and the problem continued, they found some other reason for it - some control module that sounded completely unrelated - but it worked.

Originally Posted by J.Seven

Mine is a July 09 with 8300Km, and apart from some annoying ratles, it has been 100% reliable.

Originally Posted by wjohnson36

Group,

I have an early-build 997.2 S w/PDK, and am beginning to have a steady stream of problems requiring dealer repair. Thankfully everything is covered by the warranty, but I'm getting tired of driving loaner base Cayennes and Boxsters. I can't tell if it's issues with the model in general, my car, or in a couple of cases the dealer/service department. Let me know if you've experienced similar or repeated issues.

To be fair, I've had 2 service departments in Dallas work on it, so I can't point fingers at one specific dealer or service manager.

Issue #1: Drivers Side View Mirror. Mine has been replaced TWICE, and just broke again. Apparently one of the motors within the mirror housing is shorting, causing the mirror to angle down and directly at the car when I unlock it. It's obviously not the mirror itself, but rather something with the wiring. This is one of the issues that makes me wonder about the service department(s).

Issue #2: PDK Transmission Control Unit. Replaced TWICE. I received the dreaded EMERGENCY TRANSMISSION RUN error twice, neither time under WOT, but what I'll call 'medium acceleration' around 4K-5K rpm. One time the dealer claimed that no error was reported from the control module, but decided to replace the module 'just in case'. That didn't make me feel real confident in the truth to his words. The second time it was replaced, I was told that there was a communication issue, so this corrected it. I've read a few other examples with similar 'communication issues'.

Issue #3: PDK Valve Body Control Unit replaced about 2 days after the PDK Control Module was replaced the 2nd time. No PDK issues reported (Knock on wood, cross my fingers, etc) since Valve Body CU replaced.

Issue #4: PDK Software. Been updated 4-5 times. It seems as though every time I bring my car in for one of these PDK issues, there's a 'new' set of software for the PDK. That's a higher rate of software updates than we see for any other types of electonic devices I ever see. I know it's a new 'generally available' technology, so some learning and improvement is to be expected, but these rates feel as though Porsche engineering is shooting in the dark.


I still LOVE to drive my car, but I have to admit that I am a tad bit sensitive to real spirited driving. Something tells me that these issues are a combination of 1) new technology, 2) early adopter and 3) dealer service. Just trying to gauge how many similar issues have been seen within this community. Hopefully the issues will go away, but if they keep up, my beloved C2S won't be a part of the family as long as I had originally hoped.

And to make matters worse, one dealer gave us a Panamera for a couple of days as a loaner while my car was in the shop. Of course, the wife can't stand the C2S, but LOVES the Panamera. Every little hint of a problem with my car gives her more credibility in the debate between the two. Right now, my best arguments to keep the 997 is the fact that the Panamera also has a PDK (even though it's technically a different PDK) and finances: Panamera's aren't discounted as much, so I'm not going to pay more/month for a car that's worth less (MSRP).

Thanks for your feedback and experiences.

Originally Posted by wjohnson36

Well guys, the deal is done and I'm now the proud owner of a Panamera S. I will miss the little spitfire C2S, but this one just fits our lifestyle so much better. Maybe I'll hit up some more rear-engined driving at a Porsche Driving School to quench my 'thirst' sometime...

Thanks to all here for your feedback and experiences.

Originally Posted by simsgw

Glad you cut the cord. Even the best manufacturers have the occasional car where everything went wrong. Whether it was the car after Octoberfest when hangovers were rampant, or just a random set of bad days on the assembly line, it is best to dump such cars and get a good'un. I think you just did.

By the way, we saw the Panamera when we bought our Carrera. I loved the look of it. I think the problem reviewers are having is it starts out looking like a 911 or 928 and their eye stumbles when it realizes it has four doors. Then they readjust and their eye tries to find the classic two-box sedan, but that isn't there either. Looked at without preconceptions, as a piece of metal sculpture, it is gorgeous. Enjoy!

Originally Posted by simsgw

Must be a problem with German manufacturers then. I've owned... let me count a minute here... five Japanese cars with electric mirrors and this Carrera, and none of them ever had even a glitch with an electric mirror on either side. Admittedly, we drove the Legend for 15,000 miles with the rear drivers-side window stuck down, but it was tough times for our business and I didn't feel like getting it serviced early for something unimportant in a SoCal car. When I did, the service writer leaned in, touched something, said: "Try it now, Sir," and it worked.

We're old folks and had never heard of that little switch that turns off the power windows to protect kids. Embarrassing, but not what you'd call a maintenance problem. More like a driver problem.

I vote for one of two possibilities: Your two service departments getting befuddled and misdiagnosing a problem when computers are involved; and it being a Monday car. Find a dealer with a great reputation if you suspect the former. If you decide its the latter... well, be sure to dump it before the warranty runs out. Next week might be premature, but next month wouldn't be rash. IF you decide the problem is it being a Monday car, for which there ain't no known cure.

Gary

Originally Posted by stevepow

I reckon I forgot to mention a similar issue with our Lexus. OK, so the common element is...ME. I break the mirrors - don't let me near you car.

So far no issues with the Porsche, but I think it is because my name is on some sort of list now and they see me coming.

Originally Posted by wjohnson36

Thanks. I'll tell you that I had a pit in my stomach leaving the C2S behind...I hate 'abandoning' my cars as trades.

Originally Posted by wjohnson36

But, that Panamera is just something else. And it certainly helped seeing the smile on my wife's face when she got home only to find that Black Beast filling up the garage. Time to start thinking about a name and what I want on my plates!!!

Originally Posted by simsgw

Yeah, me too. Stupid anthropomorphizing nonsense. [sniff]



'Behemoth' means a large and supremely powerful beast, and we kind of associate it with black in our Western literature. Appropriate, if it weren't eight letters, which is too many in most states. (All, maybe.)

On the other hand, that word is a plural form in ancient Hebrew. A single such critter would be BEHEMOA or BEHEMEH, with a little room to play with those last two letters since we are not writing in Hebrew. BEHEMAO would work too, except that it reads like a paean from Mao's Red Army. BEHEMOA is probably closest in license plate speak, and you can simulaneously be literate, figurative, and so darned erudite your ear wax melts from being too close to such a powerful brain. When you explain, people will fall back in awe of the glory of your intellect.

Or you could just use BHEMOTH or BEHEMTH and skip the whole thing with the ear wax.

Gary

Originally Posted by wjohnson36

That's classic...only problem is I'd probably have to write it down to remember it correctly

Texas has a new Personalized Plate system: myplates.com, but it only allows up to 6 characters for now. I had JUST received a black set that had '911' in it, now I need to find someone to buy that from me (along with some other items). Will be posting on the Items For Sale forum soon.

Something will come to mind soon. All I know is that it will be another Black/White plate for this one!