[Zeke]

Plus 1 on the interesting question. The only thing I can think of off hand is that with the PDK the shift is aided by a quick signal to the engine. Not sure exactly how they do it but either the spark is killed or the injectors are killed, or both, for just an instant.

That should prevent the "lugging" theory as being the problem. So IDT it's a valid question.

I'm going to agree with Steve about temps... but what I have read is that keeping the revs low all the time is more of a problem. IOW, city driven cars not able to travel much over 30 most of the time. Or just a gentle, weak driver. As my wife got older she didn't "drive" her Boxster in a way that it really wanted and needed.

I think we were lucky on the IMS bearing and cylinder issues. The only thing I can say is that I used Motul as a would be preventative. Who knows if that helped or not. And I was and still am pretty vehement about getting any car up to temp if I'm gonna drive it at all. If the distance isn't enough to get everything up to temps, I avoid the errand until I have enough to do to get it hot.