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PDK Failure....987.2 Spyder with 85k miles....Need help and advice...
Got some unfortunate news yesterday that my 2011 Spyder needs a new PDK transmission. Ouch and not cheap as you can imagine!
Little background, in August of 2018, I was coming home and got a transmission overheating error, where it goes into emergency transmission mode and can't shift out of 1st gear. This was around 83.5k miles. I had it towed to the dealer and they ended up replacing the sensor in the PDK transmission. Fast forward to last week, and got the same error again coming home. This time they said it's not the sensor, and that the entire transmission should be replaced. I know the GM at the dealer and they are trying to help me out, but they are quoting the cost of a new transmission to be 18k. My car is probably only worth high 30's, low 40's because of the mileage. It's crazy to think the transmission would go out this early, I feel like they should be pretty bullet proof and last for 200-300k miles. I am the original owner and have had this car since new. As much as I love it, I don't see how I could even put that kinda coin back into it at this point and I am not really even in a position financially to just throw that kinda money out there. I mean do they do loans for service work?! Some what kidding but just a gut punch of some bad news yesterday. Any advice or thoughts? Has anyone else heard of any PDK failures this early?
I have personally replaced two in a Cayman R.
The local dealer has done a few more.
The big problem is - they don't fix the transmission, only replace the entire thing. Seems you got lucky the first time. Mine was some sort of sensor error and they just put in a new tranny.
I guess you could look at salvage yards for a wrecked 987 with no PDK damage. As Porsche doesn't repair them or sell parts, that may be the only other option.
Man, that sucks and is scary news to anyone..... almost sounds like they missed diagnosed it the first time instead of fixing the real problem???
was it giving any early signs of acting funny? Track use?
Maybe call some local Indy shops and see what they say. $18k is a very hard pill to swallow
Your car is a special car and worth repairing/keeping, if you search around on the forums there are reports of few people who experienced PDK failure out of warranty and have received some goodwill from dealer / Porsche but even then if I recall correctly still had to spend $8-9k out of pocket
Have also seen PDK transmissions for sale in the classifieds on this forum for a lot less than a dealer replacement, but factoring in cost of it and shipping plus labor may not land you too far from that $8-9k figure anyway and would likely not come with any warranty. I would try to reach out to some race shops like BGB see if they have one from a swap etc., depending where you are located you may even be able to get the work done with one of those shops.
Aaron you definitely need to save the car, it’s unique and rare as noted.
Originally Posted by flat6ix
Your car is a special car and worth repairing/keeping, if you search around on the forums there are reports of few people who experienced PDK failure out of warranty and have received some goodwill from dealer / Porsche but even then if I recall correctly still had to spend $8-9k out of pocket
Have also seen PDK transmissions for sale in the classifieds on this forum for a lot less than a dealer replacement, but factoring in cost of it and shipping plus labor may not land you too far from that $8-9k figure anyway and would likely not come with any warranty. I would try to reach out to some race shops like BGB see if they have one from a swap etc., depending where you are located you may even be able to get the work done with one of those shops.
Agreed with above, if you ask politely and state your case and also show up to date maintenance records Porsche should step up and offer the entire replacement at $8K.
Ah sorry to hear this bad news on an otherwise bulletproof car such as the 987.2. As Deilenberger would attest to (he knows everything and more one needs to know about transfer cases on the 958 Cayennes) I am not a fan of the long service intervals of the PDK transmission oil/PDK clutch fluid changes. No matter how special your Spyder is, having to spend 18K on parts and labor on a car that's worth 30K seems hard to justify unless the vehicle is a heirloom. It is also hard to imagine spending the enormous cost of labor to switch out to a used PDK gearbox unless someone can really attest to its mileage and track use history. Check with LA dismantler and also shoot an email to Dodson motorsports who make PDK-like gearboxes but cost might still be high. We have all enjoyed stunning photos of your car with surfboards inside it and hope it doesn't die an untimely death. Wishing you the very best for an affordable solution.
I think I found the reason for the failure of your PDK transmission.
Take the surf board out and see if it now works!
*
But seriously, as others have said, your beautiful 987 Spyder is worth saving.
Hopefully you & your Porsche dealership will received the support & 'good will'
from PAG & PCNA that should be expected from a PDK transmission that has
failed prematurely. I hope Porsche will give you a heavily discounted deal on
the new PDK unit.
****
As a non-technical enthusiast that doesn't know the complicated mechanical
details involved, is there a possibility of swapping the failed PDK unit for a
more 'desirable' manual transmission at a reasonable cost? Just asking.
But in any event, I sincerely hope it all works out in the end for you!
As a non-technical enthusiast that doesn't know the complicated mechanical
details involved, is there a possibility of swapping the failed PDK unit for a
more 'desirable' manual transmission at a reasonable cost? Just asking.
But in any event, I sincerely hope it all works out in the end for you!
Saludos,
Eduardo
Scottsdale
Completely different ECM, different wiring harness, would need clutch pedal/hydraulics, shifter assy, etc. Would be a very costly, complex swap.
Completely different ECM, different wiring harness, would need clutch pedal/hydraulics,
shifter assy, etc. Would be a very costly, complex swap.
Ok. I see. So the best case scenario would be to see if via the good offices of the
P-dealer where Aaron has his Spyder (is it Porsche of Stevens Creek?), they are
able to convince PAG/PCNA to supply a new PDK unit at a reduced cost. Wishing
all of them the very best on this effort.
A good friend of mine here in Vancouver experienced a total engine failure in his 987 Cayman (oil-starvation in a tight turn at Area 27). He'd re-done the suspension, the wheels (Ruf) the shift linkage (Rennline) etc... and was faced with a similar situation - an ageing, well-loved Porsche, with a high off-warranty expense. Tough, tough decision but in the end he dropped $40K into getting a 3.8 race-tuned engine (California company) into it. I've driven it and it's a magical, beast of a Cayman. But was it worth the money? In my mind and his, yes. Does it defy "logical" financial decision making, yes to that too.
They seem to appear on ebay with some frequency. LM engineering had one for less than 3K, but I suspect it was sold already.
We may still have additional PDK boxes in our inventory. Best to send an email to support@LNengineering.com to see how many we still have in our stash.
09-05-2019, 02:44 PM
PDK Failure....987.2 Spyder with 85k miles....Need help and advice...
