High guys – first post – lurking for a while but can’t find an answer to my question. I’m in the market for a used 997 that will be used as a daily driver and would very much appreciate the advice of those with experience with both 2009 and 2008 MY. It will definitely be a non-manual transmission since the wife will drive it occasionally. So my biggest question: Is the PDK significantly better than the Tiptronic? I’ve read a few threads regarding issues with the early PDKs…since I will be buying the first model year, are the bugs worked out via recalls, etc. Is the PDK worth the price premium vs the Tip?

Are there any other significant mechanical differences between the two MY (other than price)?

Lastly. I have owned two 993’s in the past. A C2S and a TT (96…should never have sold it, but that’s another story) so have some experience with 2 and 4WD but have never driven either in the snow. As this will be a daily driver, I plan on driving in all weather conditions and will definitely put snow tires on. My question: is the 4WD significantly better in the snow – enough to justify the price difference?

Thanks for the help
Chris

 

Tiptronic is a very good slush box but pdk is better. I don't believe either has major issues.

If you get dedicated snow tires you can go either way, 2 or 4 WD.

 

if your winter driving includes climbing steep hills in bad weather - snow, ice - definitely get 4s. if you never go uphill and all your driving is flat - there is no 'actual' need for 4wd imho. for summer 2wd is also imho better.

 

are significantly different. The 09 is a 997.2 and the PDK is an automated manual where as the tip is a real automatic.

I can only speak for the PDK, It is awesome for just about every situation. Its smooth in auto mode and the shift are very crisp in sport and sport plus. My girl drives my car all the time and loves it.

 

The TIP (although good) is nothing more than an auto, albeit a good one. The PDK is a much better (and much different) setup. I have not driven a Porsche TIP but have a PDK. In other cars with TIP I was not happy with shift times and smoothness. But the PDK Porsche I was blown away with. I have a C2S and it was a new base Boxster and it felt crazy fast.

As for the C4 vs C2 question, it really depends on where you live, how much driving it will get, and what type of roads you will drive.

 

Thanks for the fast responses. A few follow up points. In terms of “issues” with the PDK, read a few posts where it got stuck in a gear (Porsche replaced the box in some cases, others just software if I recall correctly) and other cases where they leaked a bunch. Sounds like the typical first generation stuff that Porsche has addressed in later versions but since I’m looking at a 2009, I thought I’d ask.
Regarding winter driving. I live in Pittsburgh and it can get pretty hilly in places – so snow tires are a must. Even thought his will be a third car I plan on driving it 6-10k miles a year with the possible exception of when it snows a TON. But want the ability to drive it the day they get the streets cleared – meaning not in the worst conditions but pretty close.

 

I got 23k miles on my pdk 1st gen. Also have some mods on it with no issues. My CTT has the tiptronic and it has a long delay in shifting which is very annoying at times. Make sure if you get the pdk that the car has sport chrono, and get the S model.
Besides the tranny the 09 is better in several areas;

a whole lot faster
much higher mpg (especially with pdk)
better handling due to engine sitting lower and maybe other things???
interior and pcm far advanced - bluetooth, touch sreen nav, ipod, etc.
led running lights look great

I am going to get flamed for this....but I was a bmw guy and did not see why someone would pay so much more for a p-car that was slower, less comfort and less amenities. That was the opinion I had after test driving a few 08's models. Then when I could afford a turbo I went in to check them out, and the dealer told me to try out a C2S with pdk first. That drive blew me away, it was night and day difference above the 08 model. NO longer a bmw guy!

 

I have 10,000 miles on the clock on my '09 c4S. No issues with PDK. So far the '09's have held up very well with not very many serious issues. Ya there are some oil burners out here on 6speed with the DFI engines on the 997.2's but if I were you I would not worry about getting an '09 version of the 997.2. Another quick point on the 997.2 models: The C4S no longer uses a viscous coupling, instead the power is distributed by an electromagnetically controlled multi-plate clutch, able to shuffle the grunt around much faster and more effectively than before. In total the car weighs just 55kg more than the two-wheel drive Carrera.

 

Comments are very helpful. Thank you. Looks to me like the asking retail price for a well sorted <10 mile 2009 C2S is about $80 and the 2008 is about $75 (maybe one has more wiggle room when you are ready to buy?) - but so far it looks like the 2009 is WELL worth the $5k premium. Interestingly - wholesale prices are very firm so retail is likely to remain robust for the time being.
Thanks again for humoring the new guy!

 

Please explain. Both Tip and PDK can be driven in fully manual mode (with shift override only if the driver makes an error). I understand the advantages of PDK (double clutch, quicker shifts, etc.) but I don't think that's what you're referring to here.

 

Tip uses torque converter, PDK uses clutches. In simplest terms, tip gives you manual control over an automatic transmission, PDK gives you auto control over a manual transmission.

 

Well stated!
PDK shifts much faster, and no power loss through torque converter.

 

I'm probably the only guy on these forums that has owned both, lived with each for a while and actually heavily tracked both.

Tip and PDK are totally different. Pdk is a sequential dual clutch transmission that also has an autohs ift mode. Tip is a regular automatic.

In high performance driving like at the track, autox or even on mountian roads being able to rev match on down shifts to better balance the car is crucial....PDK does this....Tip does not and downshifting under hard braking the Tip downshift upsets the car. Also PDK is lightning fast in shifts and Tip is much much slower.

 

 

I'm going to remember that one.. Kudos!