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.

 

1. is it just the mirror or the entire housing? Any issues w/ the other mirror? No issues for me.
4. are software updates ongoing? I havent had any issues here nor have I gotten any "recall" notices.
sorry to answer your questions w/ question but I have had no issues w/ the above. My only problem was w/ the HPFP. tks

 

To be honest, I don't know if it's just the mirror or the entire housing because I never actually saw them replace any of them. The explanation has always implied the entire housing (apparently easier to remove/replace), but I can't be for certain. It's only the Drivers mirror, not the passenger. I do have the Adaptive/Memory Seats, so I'm sure it's related to the memory feature in that a lock/unlock cycle causes the driver mirror to point down & inward. So, I have to readjust my mirror from one extreme to the other every time I go through a lock cycle.

 

Me too. There is one PDK TSB I have seen, #3730, that corrects "limp home mode" with a software update.

Maybe they keep doing that same one over and over or had to redo it when they changed out the parts?

I am still under 4K miles, so hardly a case for arguing quality - just hoping that it will be decent. But so far, so good. My car, I reckon is early'ish - 12/08.

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.

 

I'm at 13500 miles now and have not had any of those problems. Car has been rock solid and the only service has been two oil changes. I have the standard version of the memory seats and use the function often since my wife drives the car half of the time. The one annoying factor I have is a high pitch buzz that appears on occassion due to the movable part of the PDK shift trim being slightly loose. Hopefully this will go away when I switch out the stock trim for one in leather. My build date was Dec 08.

 

That's a lot of miles for two months driving - your car will be toast in a few years if you keep that up!

 

I would start questioning the competence of the dealer technician. My car is Jan/09 built and I bought it in April 15 2009. I did have 2 repairs done 2 months into the ownership; a defective PDK/PASM module and bad #3 fuel injector. Since then the car has been flawless for almost 6000 miles. Both repairs required the regional tech to be present to make sure it was done properly because the tech was unsucessful updating the software initially in both repairs. If your tech. can't fix it the first time then it is time to try other dealer.

John

 

Sorry! I meant Dec 08. Corrected in the original post. My Bad!

 

thats funny. I had the same issue w/ my m5.

 

He just uses the car as it should be used. Most of these cars in the US are garage queens and that is a shame.

To the OP: change dealers for service.

 

That'd be 3-4 hours per day in the seat - at decent speed. Even the glutton I am for coming up with excuses to drive, I might get tired of that. And having that many hours of "other" drivers to commingle with - yikes - that would be the deal breaker.

 

Hate to say this but for those of you who were not around the new 997.1 ( Fall 2004), particularly those built the first 6-8 months, were far from reliable, up to and including a hell of a lot of engines replaced under warranty. Enough people know this that many interested in a used 997.1 won't look at an 05 regardless of the miles or options. This is no solace to the OP but in 'GM speak" you may have got a "Friday afternoon" build, literally or figuratively.

Highly unlikely that it will do much good but I'd start hammering Porche NA for some help and/or concessions; no reason at all that you should have to shop different dealers' service departments.

 

Early build here too...took delivery of mine on September 27th 2008. I have 11k miles and over 15 DE track events. The only issue I had was a cracked exhaust header weld.
My car is run hard at the track in Advanced Solo/Instructors group.

 

3500 miles and no issues on mine. I do notice more oil is required with the DFi but that's been discussed at length.

I agree with you that driving the loaners is not the desired route. Your car has faced multiple issues and serviced by two dealerships. I agree with you that i don't think its the service as they would love to resolve the problem and see you on the road happy with the car.

My rule of thumb is to draw a line in the sand with how much repair any car is worth and that may mean trading it in . I probably would have already traded it in but most people will give things one more chance , then one more chance again ..

My feeling is that every mile driven and every day that ticks by is depreciation and -- hedging the loss both emotionally, financially, in regards to time and inconvenience --means trading the car in .

 

Hey Larry, how much oil are you using and has the oil usage slowed as you have put on some miles? Mine has used 1.5 qts in 1700 miles. My other cars never used any oil.

Had my oil changed today at 1700 miles. Took the car to Orbit racing instead of the dealer and they were great! The only issue I have had is a leaky power steering pump. Dealer replaced it and I have had no further issues.