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Car Forum / Porsche / Porsche Cars / May 2008

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911 Turbo: Starts from 2nd Gear, Radio

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Jules Winfield - 02 May 2008 17:26 GMT
Hi all,

Just got a 2008 911 Turbo/Tiptronic last week and am absolutely loving it.
As Borat would say, "verrry niiiiice...." I always drive it with Sport Mode
turned ON. Given this:

#1 When coming to a complete stop, the transmission resets itself back to
2nd gear. So left it its own devices, it'll always start from 2nd. I'd
prefer for it to start in 1st. While stopped, I can force it into 1st using
the downshift button and I can deal with that, but is there a way to make it
reset to 1st automatically ?

#2 The darned radio turns on whenever I start the car. I'm not really a
music/radio guy so it's kind of irritating. I tried two obvious solutions:

   a) Turn the radio off before turning the car off. You'd think that would
work but it doesn't. The problem is that the radio is fully integrated with
the Bluetooth, GPS, and other gizmos. I *do* need the Bluetooth and GPS to
be on... which means that I need to power on the main system right after
turning on the car -- and when I do, BOOM, on comes that darned radio!

   b) Keep the main system powered on but turn the radio volume all the way
off. Again, you'd think that would work but it doesn't. Even if you turn the
volume all the way off, the next time you start the car, BOOM, on comes the
stupid radio at a medium-low volume.

It seems that whoever designed the electonics in the '08 911 Turbo was a
rabid music fan. Not only is it seemingly impossible to permanently keep the
radio off, but the heads-up display by default shows the name of the song
that's currently playing right beneath the speed. Who the *** cares what
song is playing?? This fortunately can be changed and replaced with more
useful information (psi boost pressure, tire pressure, oil info, navigation
instructions, etc.)

Items #1 and #2 notwithstanding, this car is awesome. I'm so glad I chose it
over the M5.

See you on the road.
Guru - 02 May 2008 17:59 GMT
Jules:  Congrats on your purchase.  The new Turbos have breathtaking
performance.  I have an '06 997-S and enjoy it also.  Have you discussed
your problems with the dealer?  I would think that the Tip trans would start
in first vs 2nd when "Sport" is selected.  As far as the radio, in my car,
if the radio is left "on" when the key is removed, it seems to come back on
at or near the same volume level.  I do not have the Nav. system, or an
'08...so things could have changed.

If the dealer is no help...try some folks from the local Porsche Club.
Join...and you'll have access to their national tech support folks...who are
very sharp and very responsive.

Drive with Care....and Enjoy!

> Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
>
> See you on the road.
Jules Winfield - 04 May 2008 04:46 GMT
> in first vs 2nd when "Sport" is selected.  As far as the radio, in my car,
> if the radio is left "on" when the key is removed, it seems to come back
> on at or near the same volume level.

Yeah, that's how a sane person would expect a radio to work. I wish the 2008
were like that.

I dug through the instructions today and was almost euphoric when I
discoverd that the radio does in fact have a "mute" mode. Finally, I'd be
able to shut that darned thing off for good! ... but alas, it doesn't work.
It'll mute the radio until you turn the car off but as soon as you restart,
the stupid thing turns on again at medium-low volume.
Lawrence - 04 May 2008 18:59 GMT
Post photos of your 911 on Flickr, or anywhere else online - i'd love to see
it

>> in first vs 2nd when "Sport" is selected.  As far as the radio, in my
>> car, if the radio is left "on" when the key is removed, it seems to come
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> work. It'll mute the radio until you turn the car off but as soon as you
> restart, the stupid thing turns on again at medium-low volume.
Jules Winfield - 05 May 2008 00:46 GMT
> Post photos of your 911 on Flickr, or anywhere else online - i'd love to
> see it

Hadn't used Flickr until you mentioned it but I tried uploading a photo that
I took with my phone. Here it is:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26280529@N02/
Eisboch - 02 May 2008 21:58 GMT
> Hi all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> using the downshift button and I can deal with that, but is there a way to
> make it reset to 1st automatically ?

Congrats on the new ride.

Just a wild thought, but is it possible the new models have a performance
limiting software  that prevents shifting back to first until after you
achieve "X" amount of break-in miles?

I owned a new '06 M5  (before I traded it for a 996TT)  that had limits on
performance until 1200 miles, if I recall correctly.
At about 1200 miles the limits magically went away.

Eisboch
Guru - 02 May 2008 22:37 GMT
>> Hi all,
>>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> Eisboch

Interesting solution.  I've never heard of it before on Porsches, but
then...I've never owned one with Tiptronic.  If this is the case, the
salesperson delivering the car should have notified Jules.
Jules Winfield - 02 May 2008 23:08 GMT
>> Congrats on the new ride.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> then...I've never owned one with Tiptronic.  If this is the case, the
> salesperson delivering the car should have notified Jules.

No one in sales mentioned anything like this to me. Just from searching
around the Internet I'm starting to get the feeling that the Tiptronic just
likes to start from 2nd and there's not much that can be done about it other
than downshifting using the (-) button and entering manual mode.
Eisboch - 02 May 2008 23:30 GMT
>>> Congrats on the new ride.
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> just likes to start from 2nd and there's not much that can be done about
> it other than downshifting using the (-) button and entering manual mode.

Probably the case.  I mentioned my experience with the M5 purely
speculatively.   I recall that one of the M5's performance "features" was
the ability to floor the accelerator, while holding the SMG gearshift in a
certain manner, then releasing.
In US cars, it raised the engine RPM to about 1700 rpm before engaging the
transmission.  In European models, it raised the rpm to about 3000 rpm.   In
either case,  the car was programmed to disable this feature until the
computer registered 1200 miles, minimum.

Eisboch
Smiler - 03 May 2008 12:08 GMT
>>> Congrats on the new ride.
>>>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> be done about it other than downshifting using the (-) button and
> entering manual mode.

I've got an 01 Boxster S tip. It also only likes to start from second.
But I don't see this as an issue.
Just curious why you think (or want) to start in first? There is plenty
of torque to pull away in second on the flat without straining any of
the components. Just use first when you need to if you are on a steep
slope.

Stuart
Jules Winfield - 03 May 2008 19:13 GMT
> I've got an 01 Boxster S tip. It also only likes to start from second.
> But I don't see this as an issue.
> Just curious why you think (or want) to start in first? There is plenty
> of torque to pull away in second on the flat without straining any of
> the components. Just use first when you need to if you are on a steep
> slope.

I guess I just got used to the 1st gear start since my previous car ('02 911
Turbo) was a manual. It's important that I can accellerate quickly from a
dead stop so as to prevent soccer moms in SUVs from beating me across the
intersection -- but over the past week of ownership I'm getting used to the
2nd gear start. It doesn't bother me so much now and the switch to 1st is
only a button-click away if I want it.
Eisboch - 03 May 2008 21:51 GMT
> I guess I just got used to the 1st gear start since my previous car ('02
> 911 Turbo) was a manual. It's important that I can accellerate quickly
> from a dead stop so as to prevent soccer moms in SUVs from beating me
> across the intersection -- but over the past week of ownership I'm getting
> used to the 2nd gear start. It doesn't bother me so much now and the
> switch to 1st is only a button-click away if I want it.

I am interested in your opinions or impressions so far with your new
Porsche.  I currently have your former .... '02 996/911 TT with the six
speed manual.

How does the new one with the Triptronic compare?

Eisboch
Jules Winfield - 04 May 2008 04:42 GMT
> I am interested in your opinions or impressions so far with your new
> Porsche.  I currently have your former .... '02 996/911 TT with the six
> speed manual.
>
> How does the new one with the Triptronic compare?

I've only had it for a week, but here's what I was told by the sales rep and
what I've noticed on my own:

- The 2008 has more power (around 500hp). It'll hit 60mph in 3.4 secs as
opposed to 3.9 with the 2002.

- The tiptronic switches gears lightning fast! It's truly amazing. My sales
rep tells me that it's only in the last model year that the tipronics have
become so fast that they actually outperform the manual from 0-60. After
driving it, I believe it.

- The exterior styling seems almost identical. The exhaust pipes and head
lights look a bit different and the "hips" around the back wheels seem a bit
wider to me. I'm sure there are other differences that a true enthusiast
would probably notice.

- The biggest change for me personally was the interior ammenities. When I
had my '02, the out-of-the-box GPS capabilities were rather poor. There was
no integrated cell phone support. If you're into MP3s, the CD-player in the
'02 didn't play them [at least mine didn't at the time]. The system in the
2008 is totally upgraded with all of the features mentioned above plus lots
of other interesting things that I haven't fully explored yet. One of the
many key reasons I snubbed BMW in favor of Porsche is BMW's ludicrous
"i-drive" technology, where virtually everything is controlled with a single
dial. The 2008 Porsche has a far more intuitive simple system in my opinion.

About the 2002: I bought mine in 2002 and kept it for three years until
moving from San Diego to Chicago. You don't really need a car in Chicago so
I sold it and then bought the 2008 when I moved back to San Diego.

2002 was a strange year for the Porsche Turbo. Although I *loved* my 2002
when it was working, it had a LOT of problems (as opposed to my previous
2000 911 which ran flawlessly). I won't bore you with all of the details
here but it suffices to say that everything that could go wrong with that
car DID go wrong -- this despite the fact that it was purchased brand new.
When I sold it, I swore I'd never buy another Porsche. Then a few months ago
I was skimming through some kind of consumer rating guide that rates used
cars and just for fun, I figured I'd look up Porsche 911. What's weird is
that the 2002 got **horrible** reliability reviews whereas the models years
on either side of 2002 (00, 01, 03, 04) got decent reviews. I have no idea
why, but 2002 was apparently just a crappy year for Porsches. They turned
out a lot of lemons -- or at least the consumer ratings would indicate this
to be the case. If your 2002 is running ok for you, you're safe. If you had
a lemon, you would've known by now. Guess you got one of the good ones. :)

Overall, even though I've only had the '08 for a brief period of time, I
certainly wouldn't hesitate to recommend the upgrade if you're considering
it.

Hope this helps,

Jules
Eisboch - 04 May 2008 11:23 GMT
>> I am interested in your opinions or impressions so far with your new
>> Porsche.  I currently have your former .... '02 996/911 TT with the six
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> I've only had it for a week, but here's what I was told by the sales rep
> and what I've noticed on my own:

Thanks.  Great write-up.

My '02 was purchased almost two years ago as a CPO.   Traded the M5 in
towards it.  My only problem so far was a second gear synchro that would not
hold the transmission in gear while decelerating unless I kept my hand
lightly on the gear shift.  After much debate between Porsche and the
dealer, Porsche covered the $6K+ cost to fix.  Turns out that some of the
996 series had synchro gears that were not assembled properly when built.
It was replaced with a revised design, but still required removal of the
engine and transmission.

Other than that, I have had zero problems and love the car.  It only has
21,000 miles on it and I don't drive it during the winter months.   I'll
probably keep it for a while, but then again, you never know.

Eisboch
Lawrence - 04 May 2008 19:02 GMT
are '02 Turbo's that bad, for some reason?

I was planning on getting an 01 or 02, black 996 Turbo - still do.

>> I am interested in your opinions or impressions so far with your new
>> Porsche.  I currently have your former .... '02 996/911 TT with the six
[quoted text clipped - 56 lines]
>
> Jules
Eisboch - 04 May 2008 20:29 GMT
> are '02 Turbo's that bad, for some reason?
>
> I was planning on getting an 01 or 02, black 996 Turbo - still do.

I suppose all cars have unique issues.   Other than the synchro gear issue I
described that was fixed by Porsche under the CPO warranty, I am very happy
with my '02 Turbo.  No other problems.  I can't imagine even more power, but
then again I don't track it and I mostly drive like an old lady.

The biggest criticism I've heard about the 996 is the "tear drop" design of
the headlights.  Some people like 'em.  Most like the older design that
Porsche sorta went back to in the 997.   Personally, it really doesn't
matter to me because I can't see them when I am driving anyway and the
handling and performance of the car overshadows the headlight design.

Here's some pics we took the day I took delivery:

http://www.eisboch.com/porsche

Eisboch
Jules Winfield - 04 May 2008 23:37 GMT
> are '02 Turbo's that bad, for some reason?
>
> I was planning on getting an 01 or 02, black 996 Turbo - still do.

The 2001's got decent reviews. It was only the 2002's that were plauged
with problems (according to the report).

I'm sure the majority of the 2002's are just fine. If you've got your eye on
a 2002, I'd try to find one that was serviced by your dealer from the
beginning; Then they can print out the maintenance record for the car. If
the car was repeatedly brought in due to part defects, you'll know it's
toxic and can avoid  it.
Lawrence - 05 May 2008 00:17 GMT
I thought they said don't get the first year of production, because it
generally may have problems...vs the latter years.
That's why i'm more inkling towards getting an 02 Turbo, than an 01.

a 996 Turbo is relatively obtainable....atleast compared to an 997 and 993
Turbo.
with a 996 Turbo, you can find one for under $50K (01 and some 02
models)....993 Turbos cost atleast 70K...and 997's fughetaboutit

besides, my personal pref. is the 996 - I like the Turbo twisty wheels, and
single large side airvents.
I'm not so fond of the new Turbo wheels of the 997, and the "splitted" side
vents.

>> are '02 Turbo's that bad, for some reason?
>>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> the car was repeatedly brought in due to part defects, you'll know it's
> toxic and can avoid  it.
Eisboch - 02 May 2008 23:25 GMT
> Interesting solution.  I've never heard of it before on Porsches, but
> then...I've never owned one with Tiptronic.  If this is the case, the
> salesperson delivering the car should have notified Jules.

I certainly don't know if that's the case in Jule's new ride.  Just
speculation,  based on my experience with the M5.
BMW very carefully outlines the "break-in" procedures, but does not identify
the computer controlled limitations.
They became common knowledge only after some of the car's capabilities and
features didn't work right away and owners started asking questions.

Eisboch
Piernicola Comuniello - 07 May 2008 00:32 GMT
> #1 When coming to a complete stop, the transmission resets itself back to

Mabe there is rain program running. My *very* *old* Mercedes has an
automatic transmission with two manual programs: winter and standard. If
you select winter program, the car starts in 2nd gear and it is
automatically selected the longer reverse gear when you select R. Does
your car has one or two reverse gears?

> #2 The darned radio turns on whenever I start the car. I'm not really a

Same problem had the Alfa 166. This is called integration ;-) BTW beware
of bluetooth. Apart bluetooth security problems, some cars can be
attacked by nasty "programs" that uses integrated phone to infect car's
electronics. Maybe I remember Lexus having such problems :-/

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