Discussion
I'm thinking about getting a Nissan Qashqai, probably a 2WD petrol model. Given the usage (it will mainly be driven by my wife to get to/from work, with a few longer journeys now and then), I'm thinking of getting an auto instead of a manual but Nissan only offer a CVT, not a conventional automatic.
I'm aware that Nissan was one of the first manufacturers to champion CVT transmissions, and they're widely used in their cars for the American market (Altima/Maxima/Murano). Nissan dealers don't seem particularly keen to push the CVT model. I don't know if that's just due to a lack of availability or understanding, or whether they see it as problematic.
Any comments good or bad about the latest CVT transmissions? Are they as weak and failure-prone as the early ones from the 80s and 90s?
I'm aware that Nissan was one of the first manufacturers to champion CVT transmissions, and they're widely used in their cars for the American market (Altima/Maxima/Murano). Nissan dealers don't seem particularly keen to push the CVT model. I don't know if that's just due to a lack of availability or understanding, or whether they see it as problematic.
Any comments good or bad about the latest CVT transmissions? Are they as weak and failure-prone as the early ones from the 80s and 90s?
Whilst not entirely relevant, tractors have been making the move to CVT over the past decade with mixed reviews.
They do sap up more power and when they go wrong nobody can fix them but then they make up for that by allowing much more flexibility with engine revs at various speeds, in some cases offering considerable fuel savings.
In theory at least, a CVT offers a lot of advantages over conventional manual, auto and even DSG gearboxes.
I'm not sure wether the car 'boxes are the same design as the tractors (semi-hydrostatic I believe) or the old pulley-and-belt type that quadbikes and snowmobiles uses. If the latter, then I'd definitely avoid.
They do sap up more power and when they go wrong nobody can fix them but then they make up for that by allowing much more flexibility with engine revs at various speeds, in some cases offering considerable fuel savings.
In theory at least, a CVT offers a lot of advantages over conventional manual, auto and even DSG gearboxes.
I'm not sure wether the car 'boxes are the same design as the tractors (semi-hydrostatic I believe) or the old pulley-and-belt type that quadbikes and snowmobiles uses. If the latter, then I'd definitely avoid.
excel monkey said:
Any comments good or bad about the latest CVT transmissions? Are they as weak and failure-prone as the early ones from the 80s and 90s?
Why even ask the question? I can think of no less satisfying way of propelling a car than CVT. Reliability doesn't even need to come into it. I need to have at least some connection between what the engine is going and what the wheels are doing.
t would have been praising it up. Considering how much trouble Nissan have with thier regular auto boxes, I imagine the CVT ownership experience to be "eventful" at best.busta said:
I'm not sure wether the car 'boxes are the same design as the tractors (semi-hydrostatic I believe) or the old pulley-and-belt type that quadbikes and snowmobiles uses. If the latter, then I'd definitely avoid.
I don't think they are like my DynaVT. If this lot of car drivers on here knew what we got to play with, the technology would cause many to expire 
. Most powershifts are more advanced than car transmissions, and who'd want to go back to those days after a Vario? Not me Willy Nilly said:
I don't think they are like my DynaVT. If this lot of car drivers on here knew what we got to play with, the technology would cause many to expire . Most powershifts are more advanced than car transmissions, and who'd want to go back to those days after a Vario? Not me
I have a feeling they might be along similar lines to be honest. The only alternative I know of is a belt and 2 variable pulleys, which was tried in cars and faded out years ago.. Most powershifts are more advanced than car transmissions, and who'd want to go back to those days after a Vario? Not me Yes we do get things a bit ahead of the car boys. DSG? What, only 2 clutchpacks?
But I'm still in the realms of powershift, just bought a new NH and after demoing both we couldn't justify the leap to CVT.Reardy Mister said:
Considering how much trouble Nissan have with thier regular auto boxes, I imagine the CVT ownership experience to be "eventful" at best.
I wasn't aware Nissan had problems with their gearboxes? Which models?Reardy Mister said:
Can she not drive a manual?
Yes she can drive a manual, but an auto would be more suitable for the mix of driving she does. Her commute is typically a slow 4 mile crawl across west London, with occasional longer M4/M25 journeys.Would prefer a traditional auto box if possible, but CVTs seem to be taking over in the small and medium car segments, especially with the Jap manufacturers. As pointed out in one of the earlier posts, they seem to be more efficient than traditional automatic gearboxes, with combined mpg figures not much worse than the equivalent manual.
Edited by excel monkey on Wednesday 8th February 15:12
My wife had the multitronic Audi (same thing)
I loved it, wife loved it - everyone who borrowed it to pop to the shops hated it.
I think its something you get have to get used to.
I'd floor the accelerator a moment before I wanted to move, then lift as the power came in and off we went.
VERY smooth and economical.
I loved it, wife loved it - everyone who borrowed it to pop to the shops hated it.
I think its something you get have to get used to.
I'd floor the accelerator a moment before I wanted to move, then lift as the power came in and off we went.
VERY smooth and economical.
I have an LS460 which has an 8 speed eCVT box. It's (mostly) seamless changes. In this particular implementation, it seems to work well enough. It can be a little jerky in the lower revs when cold and the changes down in normal drive mode are a little slow.. but driven as a barge, it suits it perfectly. Drive in it's sports mode, change the power map and the changes are quick and the car is more than capable of moving quickly and seamlesly.
TBO I don't see what the drama is all about. It's probably not the last word in autobox design anymore, but it works well. I've not heard of a CVT failure yet. Has anyone else?
TBO I don't see what the drama is all about. It's probably not the last word in autobox design anymore, but it works well. I've not heard of a CVT failure yet. Has anyone else?
redgriff500 said:
... multitronic Audi (same thing)..l.
Indeed - and I will often see 34-36mpg out of a 2.4 petrol compared to a rumoured 26-28mpg if it were a normal manual. It's so economical for its size I can't get my head round trading it in for anything similar.That - and the fact it's cost a shedload - no, make that about three-four shedloads - to fix everything that goes wrong with it
.....and breathe
K12beano said:
redgriff500 said:
... multitronic Audi (same thing)..l.
Indeed - and I will often see 34-36mpg out of a 2.4 petrol compared to a rumoured 26-28mpg if it were a normal manual. It's so economical for its size I can't get my head round trading it in for anything similar.That - and the fact it's cost a shedload - no, make that about three-four shedloads - to fix everything that goes wrong with it
.....and breathe
jamiebae said:
A friend's parents had an A4 2.5 TDi with Multitronic and it needed a new gearbox every 50k miles, it wasn't exactly reliable.
Sounds about right - but mine last 102k before I gave in, and I had it reconditioned at a fraction of a new price. 
It'll even up over 500,000 miles I am convinced 
K12beano said:
jamiebae said:
A friend's parents had an A4 2.5 TDi with Multitronic and it needed a new gearbox every 50k miles, it wasn't exactly reliable.
Sounds about right - but mine last 102k before I gave in, and I had it reconditioned at a fraction of a new price. It'll even up over 500,000 miles I am convinced We have the new shape Murano with the 3.5V6 Petrol and CVT transmission.
I have to say I am pretty impressed with it, the only time you really notice it is anything other than a normal auto box is under spirited acceleration as there is no real kick down as such and your rpm is constant and there is no gear shift just acceleration at a constant rpm. I would say if anything it is far smoother than a normal auto and economy is not bad the good lady gets 25-26mpg out of hers and it is all town driving really and short runs.
The manual / tiptronic mode is usable and fun but ultimately unnecessary really.
All in all I like it and it suits the car very well.
ETA it is on 46k miles and nothing at all to report as an issue touch wood!
I have to say I am pretty impressed with it, the only time you really notice it is anything other than a normal auto box is under spirited acceleration as there is no real kick down as such and your rpm is constant and there is no gear shift just acceleration at a constant rpm. I would say if anything it is far smoother than a normal auto and economy is not bad the good lady gets 25-26mpg out of hers and it is all town driving really and short runs.
The manual / tiptronic mode is usable and fun but ultimately unnecessary really.
All in all I like it and it suits the car very well.
ETA it is on 46k miles and nothing at all to report as an issue touch wood!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff