[Korilyn]

How many miles are on your Macan? Has the transmission maintenance schedule been followed?

Regarding the other Porsche owner that told you she had transmission issues with a 2015, was that also a Macan? And what specific transmission issues did she have? There have been a few forum members who have needed to have their Megatronic module replaced.

Pretty certain the number of people having needed to have their transmission entirely replaced has been limited to several.

The $21,000 is pure silliness. As someone else suggested, find a transmission specialist that rebuilds dual clutch transmissions.

And please make sure you come back and let us know how much you saved. I have to say every once in a while we get one of these stories from someone who has never contributed to the forum before, and then we never hear from them again.

The Porsche owner that I mentioned had a Macan and just said that their transmission had the same issue and was replaced as a good will repair by Porsche. They said this was a known issue, but I do not have any first-hand knowledge of this other than what was posted.

I drove the car 15-20k each year and have about 90k on it now. I've always had the car maintained at my Porsche dealership and I had them perform all recommended maintenance for the car. I never imagined that a repair on a car like this would be so cost-prohibitive that it would render the car totaled within 5 years. Lesson learned.

I am very appreciative of my dealership who has been advocating on my behalf. I'm hoping Porsche will assist, but if my dealership is unsuccessful I plan to take your advice and try to find someone who can repair it. Or, I'll need to sell it for parts, which will break my heart after the care and funds spent at the dealership to maintain the car. I will definitely post again to let you know how this has been resolved. I appreciate all of your thoughtful comments!

 

[yrralis1]

I am being quoted $21,000+. A 5-year-old Porsche should not become a paperweight in such a relatively short period of time. Another Porsche owner told me she also had transmission issues with the same year vehicle and that this is a known problem on 2015s. Porsche covered her costs as goodwill but so far they haven't offered to assist me. I loved this car and brand & I'll be extremely disappointed if Porsche does not make this right. I now need to plan ahead and try to figure out what to do with the car very quickly.

My 993 Turbo had the entire clutch system replaced via "goodwill" . They had to remove the engine to do it. parts and labor would have been steep.

Request to speak directly to your shop foreman . He's the one who will go to bat with the Porsche rep . It may come down to how long your car has been out of warranty (mine was 4 months) , your mileage (mine had less than 20K miles) , and if any type of complaint was ever addressed .

Keep in mind that they are not obligated to help you but they might . You are a repeat client and its worth a try .

If they don't help you .... I would not do the repair . I would take that car with the light blaring and trade it in . The dealership can fix it a lot cheaper than. you can or they will send it to auction . you'll loose something on the car but not nearly as much as it would cost to fix a bit ticket item only to continue driving an out of warranty Porsche .

As for a 5 year "shelf life" -- I have a 14 year old Porsche and another that's months away from going off warranty . I am prepared to pay for an item if I have to or trade the car if that circumstance arises .
One thing is certain .. if I find myself worried about the car that's my moment to bid the car farewell . That would be the case even if I had warranty . I would fix it but still get out .

Owning a Porsche I view as a fun thing and it's not .. it's over .

 

[yrralis1]

.

I drove the car 15-20k each year and have about 90k on it now.

Ignore my last post . 90K miles .with a big repair ...Likely will make you pay but free to try.. I believe its over .

 

[Shark]

The MSRP of a new transmission (part only, no labor) is nearly $25,000, although often discounted well below $20,000. If you think that's bad, the MSRP of a replacement engine is more than $43,000, although often discounted well below $40,000,

So that gives you an idea of the risk of keeping a Macan out of warranty. On the other hand, there have been very few reports of owners needing new engines and transmissions. But there is a risk.

I do recall a while ago another forum member received a similar dealer diagnosis, and successfully used the following local transmission shop for a rebuild, and if I recall correctly the cost was in the $6000-$7000 range:

https://www.alltransmissionworld.com/what-you-should-know-about-dual-clutch-transmissionswhat-you-should-know-about-dual-clutch-transmissions

Keep in mind the Macan PDK is Audi derived. If you find a shop that rebuilds Audi dual clutch transmissions, they should have little issue working on yours.

 

[Korilyn]

The MSRP of a new transmission (part only, no labor) is nearly $25,000, although often discounted well below $20,000. If you think that's bad, the MSRP of a replacement engine is more than $43,000, although often discounted well below $40,000,

So that gives you an idea of the risk of keeping a Macan out of warranty. On the other hand, there have been very few reports of owners needing new engines and transmissions. But there is a risk.

I do recall a while ago another forum member received a similar dealer diagnosis, and successfully used the following local transmission shop for a rebuild, and if I recall correctly the cost was in the $6000-$7000 range:

https://www.alltransmissionworld.com/what-you-should-know-about-dual-clutch-transmissionswhat-you-should-know-about-dual-clutch-transmissions

Keep in mind the Macan PDK is Audi derived. If you find a shop that rebuilds Audi dual clutch transmissions, they should have little issue working on yours.

Shark, thank you so much for your response. Ouch on the engine repair!!! I checked out your link and unfortunately there aren't any locations that are close to me. However, someone on another forum recommended a local auto shop that specializes in Porsche repairs. I'm also getting a quote from a shop who worked on my previous Porsche years ago. Fingers crossed that their pricing is reasonable.

 

[Shark]

Shark, thank you so much for your response. Ouch on the engine repair!!! I checked out your link and unfortunately there aren't any locations that are close to me. However, someone on another forum recommended a local auto shop that specializes in Porsche repairs. I'm also getting a quote from a shop who worked on my previous Porsche years ago. Fingers crossed that their pricing is reasonable.

If it were me I would look for a local transmission shop that specializes in German/European cars. Bet you can find one on line, or if a transmission shop is not equipped to help you, they will be able to recommend who can. At least in my area, they all seem to know each other.

Rebuilding transmissions is a specialty. You will find many Porsche specialists are not equipped to do it and will send the work out to a transmission shop.

 

[thewanted]

Keep in mind the Macan PDK is Audi derived. If you find a shop that rebuilds Audi dual clutch transmissions, they should have little issue working on yours.

Does that mean it's actually an S-Tronic gearbox?

 

[Korilyn]

If it were me I would look for a local transmission shop that specializes in German/European cars. Bet you can find one on line, or if a transmission shop is not equipped to help you, they will be able to recommend who can. At least in my area, they all seem to know each other.

Rebuilding transmissions is a specialty. You will find many Porsche specialists are not equipped to do it and will send the work out to a transmission shop.

Great information, thank you!

 

[Wolverine]

Does that mean it's actually an S-Tronic gearbox?

There is a pinned thread in the Engine and Technical Discussion section of the forum called “origins of the PDK”. Lots of info on this there.

 

[thewanted]

There is a pinned thread in the Engine and Technical Discussion section of the forum called “origins of the PDK”. Lots of info on this there.

Thanks, I wasn't aware. I'll take a look at it

 

[oqjnLu@>@W]

OP: Is it the transmission or the transfer case that is having issue with your Macan? Please be certain as
to what the issue is specifically. To many people, anything beneath the car that's not the engine is the
transmission.

Are you absolutely certain a transmission replacement is required?

If you would state your location, forum members might be better able to assist you in locating a suitable
Porsche independent repair shop.


Good luck!

 

[Wolverine]

OP: Is it the transmission or the transfer case that is having issue with your Macan? Please be certain as
to what the issue is specifically. To many people, anything beneath the car that's not the engine is the
transmission.

Are you absolutely certain a transmission replacement is required?

If you would state your location, forum members might be better able to assist you in locating a suitable
Porsche independent repair shop.


Good luck!

With that type of repair estimate, certainly hope it’s not the transfer case.

Then again, you are correct in asking if it is absolutely certain transmission replacement is required, or is that merely the dealer’s opinion? As we have all seen on this forum, a dealer service department opinion is not always valid. And they have a vested interest in recommending the repair they have, because they are going to make a breathtaking amount of profit on it.

 

[Macanakey]

I've mentioned this before, I think. A neighbor of mine has a Cayman whose PDK failed after it was out of warranty. He purchased it used from a non-Porsche dealer, but has had it for several years now. Our local dealer was able to work a deal with PCA to cover most of the cost of a new PDK for him. He was still out of pocket for something just under $4K, but was willing to pay that, considering the bill would have been around what you're being quoted. I hope that you can get some help from PCA if you push. They might be more gracious if you point out that this isn't your first Porsche.

Good luck & keep us posted.

 

[Korilyn]

OP: Is it the transmission or the transfer case that is having issue with your Macan? Please be certain as
to what the issue is specifically. To many people, anything beneath the car that's not the engine is the
transmission.

Are you absolutely certain a transmission replacement is required?

If you would state your location, forum members might be better able to assist you in locating a suitable
Porsche independent repair shop.


Good luck!

I asked about the transfer case because that is under warranty and was told it's not the issue. I'm not certain an entire replacement is necessary: The Porsche dealer explained that if they replace a module and it turns out that this isn't the issue, then they'll have to replace the transmission, which means pulling out the engine again. So it's not worthwhile for them to try and fix the module and then eventually have to pull out the engine again if that's not the fix.

I just learned from an independent Porsche repair that this IS a known issue on the 2015 Macan. He said he repaired the exact same car a month ago, same year, etc. He said all of the transmissions have been reworked to repair the known issue so when Porsche said they would install a new one, they would actually be installing a transmission that was reworked. The independent Porsche repair said they would do the same work for $13,000 but would offer no warranty on the transmission.

 

[Masscan]

$21k for a new transmission....wow, that sucks for sure! I'd definitely be combing the junk yards for a used PDK, then have an independent repair shop install it.

Who am I fooling....personally, I would NEVER own a Macan out of warranty....period!

Lesson to all here kiddies....

 

[Korilyn]

With that type of repair estimate, certainly hope it’s not the transfer case.

Then again, you are correct in asking if it is absolutely certain transmission replacement is required, or is that merely the dealer’s opinion? As we have all seen on this forum, a dealer service department opinion is not always valid. And they have a vested interest in recommending the repair they have, because they are going to make a breathtaking amount of profit on it.

Actually it would be good if it was the transfer case. That is under warranty. Porsche extended the warranty due to known problems.

 

[Korilyn]

I've mentioned this before, I think. A neighbor of mine has a Cayman whose PDK failed after it was out of warranty. He purchased it used from a non-Porsche dealer, but has had it for several years now. Our local dealer was able to work a deal with PCA to cover most of the cost of a new PDK for him. He was still out of pocket for something just under $4K, but was willing to pay that, considering the bill would have been around what you're being quoted. I hope that you can get some help from PCA if you push. They might be more gracious if you point out that this isn't your first Porsche.

Good luck & keep us posted.

Wow that's great that they helped him out. I was originally told by my dealer that Porsche would pay a portion and the dealership would pay a portion and I would be responsible for $4-5000K. I was good with that. And then my dealer said Porsche wouldn't help and I was back to where I am now. I can't believe they would help someone who bought their car from a non-Porsche dealer. I did point out this isn't my first Porsche and that didn't seem to matter. So disappointed.

 

[Susie’s Macan]

I asked about the transfer case because that is under warranty and was told it's not the issue. I'm not certain an entire replacement is necessary: The Porsche dealer explained that if they replace a module and it turns out that this isn't the issue, then they'll have to replace the transmission, which means pulling out the engine again. So it's not worthwhile for them to try and fix the module and then eventually have to pull out the engine again if that's not the fix.

I just learned from an independent Porsche repair that this IS a known issue on the 2015 Macan. He said he repaired the exact same car a month ago, same year, etc. He said all of the transmissions have been reworked to repair the known issue so when Porsche said they would install a new one, they would actually be installing a transmission that was reworked. The independent Porsche repair said they would do the same work for $13,000 but would offer no warranty on the transmission.

Wonder what the definition of a “known“ issue is. It certainly implies this is a widespread problem, and we know that’s not the case based on the minuscule number of forum members who have reported problems with their 2015 transmissions, and as someone pointed out you can see the same thing based on customer surveys of owners of 2015 Macans on Consumer Reports. If there were lots of 2015 owners who were facing this problem, it certainly would be showing in their owner surveys.

Wonder exactly what the independent Porsche repair was offering you for $13,000. It is certainly not a new transmission when you consider what is cost for a new transmission would be even with a trade discount.

As others have suggested I would find a transmission shop that has experience rebuilding Audi dual clutch units. They are not that mysterious. There are even videos on YouTube showing how it is done.

 

[Korilyn]

Wonder what the definition of a “known“ issue is. It certainly implies this is a widespread problem, and we know that’s not the case based on the minuscule number of forum members who have reported problems with their 2015 transmissions, and as someone pointed out you can see the same thing based on customer surveys of owners of 2015 Macans on Consumer Reports. If there were lots of 2015 owners who were facing this problem, it certainly would be showing in their owner surveys.

Wonder exactly what the independent Porsche repair was offering you for $13,000. It is certainly not a new transmission when you consider what is cost for a new transmission would be even with a trade discount.

As others have suggested I would find a transmission shop that has experience rebuilding Audi dual clutch units. They are not that mysterious. There are even videos on YouTube showing how it is done.

If my transmission problem was fixed by Porsche you wouldn't have heard from me about my transmission on this forum or a survey. I would probably have just published a "kudos to Porsche" in the FB group & called it a day. This is my second Porsche and I've had large repairs before. Some were warranty and some weren't. Either way, I never reported the repairs on a survey or in a forum.

The people I've talked to that are knowledgeable are telling me the transmissions have "known" issues. Not my word, theirs, so I guess it's open to interpretation. Just now got off of the phone with another independent repair shop who started the conversation by saying he was aware of issues with the transmissions on this car. I was told by another independent Porsche mechanic that there are actually no "new" transmissions — even the ones that are sold at Porsche are reworked to fix the known issues that had been identified. He's the one who quoted $13,000 to install a used transmission he found at junk yard. He said he recently just made the same repair on the exact same vehicle. I'm not a mechanic — just here trying to find a fix and appreciate the help offered here and on other forums.

 

[Digby]

$21k for a new transmission....wow, that sucks for sure! I'd definitely be combing the junk yards for a used PDK, then have an independent repair shop install it.

Who am I fooling....personally, I would NEVER own a Macan out of warranty....period!

Lesson to all here kiddies....

The lesson is there is risk. But it also needs to be pointed out few Macan owners at this mileage level will have repairs in this price range. If that were not the case, used high mileage Macans would be worthless. In the long run replacing your car rather than going naked without a warranty will cost you much more.

But there is risk. If you cannot afford to take that risk, you have no business owning a Porsche out of warranty.