Had a shudder the other day in first gear with the clutch fully engaged. Was only a gentle and casual take off at the time.
What does that mean? Has only ever done it a few times.
First thing that came to mind was WTF ?

Describe it a little more.

It was kind of surging, like the power was going on and off in short sharp bursts. The average speed/power was about the same just before and just after. When it happened I then reduced or increased the power to get it out of the situation.
Bit odd really. Has only done it twice or thrice. Maybe the ECU got outa control or something?

Were you turning, and on cold tyres?

My guess was that you had a little 'axle' tramp caused by the suspension winding up a little and losing traction for a moment.

SS7

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Carrara white pauper's 2.7
Snickers wrapper in the door bin
Flies on the number plate
Church's scuffs on the kickplate
'Goodwood' umbrella in the back

...or starting after stopping on an uphill incline.

I had just taken delivery of my CS and has only 150 km on the clock. I had the same on and off short sharp burst once when I start driving off in the morning in 1st gear. Temperature was about 28-29 degree centigrade. I also have same problem in stop and go traffic up steep hill slope. Just as you, I get myself out of the situation by releasing the clutch at 1800-2000 rpm. It seems that in first gear, the biting point of the clutch is rather vague. I often have to rev to 1300-1500 rpm before releasing the clutch to prevent a stall. Once engine warmed up, the problem is less acute.

you're car was about to stall cause either you weren't giving it enough gas or you got off the clutch a little too fast for the RPMs you were at. Step on the clutch or give it more gas the next time it happens

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2004 BMW 745Li (Sterling Grey)
2006 Porsche Cayman S (Seal Grey)

mine does it when the engine is cold. i would describe it as a momentary hesitation. it is not a traction issue, but the engine management system not properly dealing with the situation.

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- chris

'07 987CS
'71 911E

Mine, too. Revs and warm up cures all.

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The Croc's Nest:
2008 Targa 4S
2006 Cayman S
2006 Cayenne S

Ah ha!!
Seems this is not unique then.
No its not axle tramp. I know that, and you have to spin the wheels to get that.
No chance of stall because the rpm is around a 2000.
Yes it improves when the engine warms up or only does it when its cold or running for less than 5 minutes.
I think the ECU firmware has somes bugs.
1. Power surge possible when cold in first 5 mins.
2. Engine pulses in netural if you very very slightly depress accel pedal.
There was something else but forgot.

I'm searching for info on an issue I'm having a ran accross this thread... I've noticed that if I have the clutch engaged and make a 90 degree turn (say, into a driveway), there is a clunking sound and vibration in the car. My guess was either axle tramp or underrev (engine at idle w/clutch engaged, power steering pump causing lug?)... Seems to happen under braking and no braking. obviously, I'm grasping at straws. Anyone else with somthing similar?

The reason is the dual mass flywheel see: Effects Of A Lightweight Flywheel
douzzer write up. The surge occurs when the flywheel is jerked by a sudden clutch movement then a sudden disengagment resulting in the dual masses going out of synchronization. It occurs on all cars with dual mass flywheels. Dual mass flywheels significantly reduce gearshift vibrations. This also used to happen on E46 with me.

Nothing to worry about. Just try to drive smoothly when cold off 1st gear.

Just had an incident with the Cayman last night I wanted to run by you. I have a 08 CS Tiptronic with 1700 miles on it. Had 1200 miles before taking to track last weekend and kept it on very low rpm passes - did not abuse. Prior to purchase the MAF went out and was told it and the DME was replaced.

Anyway, car ran fine all last weekend and the ride home (280 miles) was a great run. No issues and yesterday I moved it from one garage to another and gave it a bath around 5:30. Once again, no issues in moving it those short distances. When we went out to an event last night, we pulled out of the driveway (to let you know, the street has a lot of loose gravel-which may give you an idea of what we were thinking about) and made a left turn and then a right. After not too many yards (50 tops), it really made this weird sound from the engine area or points further back. It shifted and ran, but there was a metal type noise that sounded bad - I am unable to say exactly. To me, initially, it sounded like engine/transmission. Somewhat of a clunk. Seemed to improve with braking. Went around the block and it went away, then. We drove to our destination, which isn't more than 2.5 miles, and it did it again as we got close. It seemed to not be moving as freely as usual, but no temp increase, no fluid drip. We took it for a ride and it did nothing. We tested the braking and rode the brake a little while driving and the same with the emergency brake, but it was fine. Let it cool, retested and fine. Drove it this morning and no problem. I just went out and checked the oil level, which was fine, but notice a clang/clunk when I shift from P to D or R to D or D to R with brake engaged and emergency brake engaged.

Any thoughts out there? From what I've read, rock in brake, flywheel, pulley bearing considered. Thanks.