PDK - should this scare me?

[timojd]

I am looking to buy a used 2012 Panamera 4S with 55k miles on it. I am admittedly frightened about some of the hard luck stories I have read about PDK failure. Can someone please tell me if I am being overly paranoid or is PDK failure a high probability? 

Thanks

TD

[JFP in PA]

36 minutes ago, timojd said:

I am looking to buy a used 2012 Panamera 4S with 55k miles on it. I am admittedly frightened about some of the hard luck stories I have read about PDK failure. Can someone please tell me if I am being overly paranoid or is PDK failure a high probability? 

Thanks

TD

 

Unfortunately, what you read online is a distillate; you only see the small number of complaints, not the majority of those that are happy with their choices.  As long as the vehicle has been appropriately serviced and not had the living Hell beat out of it, you will probably be fine.

 

Early PDK issues were mostly software and/or abuse related; once Porsche got the software issues corrected, the PDK has proven to be reliable. 

[timojd]

@JFP in PAThanks for your feedback! Kinda what I thought, but wanted/needed to hear it from the community...  

[Nutbutt]

I am looking to buy a used 2012 Panamera 4S with 55k miles on it. I am admittedly frightened about some of the hard luck stories I have read about PDK failure. Can someone please tell me if I am being overly paranoid or is PDK failure a high probability? 
Thanks
TD

Have had my 2009 911s for 9 years now and the PDK has been flawless. As with anything proper maintenance is key. Follow the services guidance and you will be fine. These transmissions are a lot better than they are made out to be ! Enjoy !!!

[Hellbent706]

The PDK is a great well built transmission but if you fail to keep that transmission oil changed on or before every 60k miles, your transmission wont last. The 7DT-75 (7 speed) and the 8DT (8 speed) Porsche Panamera PDK transmission can be very expensive to replace. Nearly $20,000 for a new one or $5,000 for a used one. Sometimes all it takes is failure to change the PDK oil on or before required intervals or using launch control too often or worst of all...using launch control procedure when you dont even have launch control option. This will burn up your clutch and it will eventually start to slip or worst. PDK problems can also be caused by boosting the engine output power by more than 30%. So if you keep it under 700 hp for the 7 speed you should be good but if the clutch does eventually start to slip it can be a nightmare trying to get it replaced. Porsche do not repair the PDK transmission anymore. They treat it as a disposable unit. They only flush it or replace it. Porsche has restricted the part number for the clutche packs on the PDK transmission. This means the dealer has to call PCNA to get approval before shipment, which basically cuts out the DIY'er. To avoid this mess, Porsche recommends flushing the transmission every 60k miles. This requiresa PIWIS tester and is a very expensive procedure. I would recommend simply changing the fluid in the pan every 40k miles at 35°C using a temperature sensor that you can do at home without a PIWIS Tester. This method only replaces about 60 or 70% of the oil but doing it more often will get up to 90% or more of the old oil out and over time will net the same results as the dealer. My other advice is...Dont use launch control more than 6 times a year, dont use launch control procedure if your car dont even have launch control software and your transmission should last for many many years.