RE: PH Blog: eighth wonder
Discussion
There is a 9 speed version out soon which is also available in traverse for FWD cars (at only 77kg vs 88kg for the longitudinal).
The move to very high numbers of gears is a good thing for commuter boxes as it allows much better fuel economy and a smoother ride but I am less sure for sports cars as there always seems to be a bit more hesitation whilst it works out which gear it should be in when there is a big change in load (ie going from trundling to overtaking)
The move to very high numbers of gears is a good thing for commuter boxes as it allows much better fuel economy and a smoother ride but I am less sure for sports cars as there always seems to be a bit more hesitation whilst it works out which gear it should be in when there is a big change in load (ie going from trundling to overtaking)
Its all a matter of personal preference, but whichever option you prefer there will be a compromise.
I happen to have a Golf with DSG and think for 90% of what I do it is brilliant. But for the odd occasion when I get the chance to let rip on a quiet road its not as engaging as a manual.
There's no denying it though, auto's are getting better and better and for all but the most committed petrolhead auto's are making more sense than ever.
I happen to have a Golf with DSG and think for 90% of what I do it is brilliant. But for the odd occasion when I get the chance to let rip on a quiet road its not as engaging as a manual.
There's no denying it though, auto's are getting better and better and for all but the most committed petrolhead auto's are making more sense than ever.
HokumPokum said:
Does the ZF 8-speed in the porsche and BMW allow throttle openings while on the brakes? IE Can I add throttle, while left foot braking?
That's not the gearbox's job to decide. It's the car manufacturer's logic (the brakes vs. throttle pedal thing), not the gearbox manufacturer.VW Group are pretty horrible with that, BMW aren't.
C
I have to say Chris is 100% spot on here.
I have recently acquired an F30 3 series with the 8 speed ZF gearbox, having previously had a 6 speed auto E90 and prior to that a long string of manuals.
After the first 6 speed auto, I'll admit that I was not totally convinced that it was as good as a manual. But the new 8 speed is quite outstanding. It seems to have an almost telepathic ability to be in the right gear at the right time, and at all times be seamlessly smooth.
I also have a manual 1 series coupe, and I have to say its really no where near as good.
I have recently acquired an F30 3 series with the 8 speed ZF gearbox, having previously had a 6 speed auto E90 and prior to that a long string of manuals.
After the first 6 speed auto, I'll admit that I was not totally convinced that it was as good as a manual. But the new 8 speed is quite outstanding. It seems to have an almost telepathic ability to be in the right gear at the right time, and at all times be seamlessly smooth.
I also have a manual 1 series coupe, and I have to say its really no where near as good.
PascalBuyens said:
So you're telling you don't need to apply the brake on your automatic while waiting in traffic?
I rather prefer to put my manual car in neutral and give both feet a rest, then have to stamp on the brake all the time to keep it in place, or even if I put it out of D, to have to reapply the brake before being able to push it back into D and drive off.
And i thought it was just me that took my foot off the brake in standing traffic? I was looking for a new car with the xenon headlamps mounted on the roof so i can blind the people blinding me with their led stop lamps...I rather prefer to put my manual car in neutral and give both feet a rest, then have to stamp on the brake all the time to keep it in place, or even if I put it out of D, to have to reapply the brake before being able to push it back into D and drive off.
This makes me think of the lift vs. stairs arguement. Sure the lift will get you there quicker and you don't have to spend as much energy, but I do prefer taking the stairs, as it gives me an extra bit of exercise. Manual boxes for me, even if they are inferior, as I like the extra "brain exercise" of playing with the manual box and the reward when you pull of a nice downshift.
I wonder what this will mean for the second hand car market if we move to auto's? Second hand cars are getting more and more costly to repair, and thats without complex slush boxes to worry about. I personally would have little faith in an auto and maybe wrongly, would avoid at all costs unless buying with a long warranty.
I wonder what this will mean for the second hand car market if we move to auto's? Second hand cars are getting more and more costly to repair, and thats without complex slush boxes to worry about. I personally would have little faith in an auto and maybe wrongly, would avoid at all costs unless buying with a long warranty.
I have the gearbox in a new 525D the 2.0 twin turbo. Amazing car and a lot of that is down to the gearbox. It is quick enough, will return 36mpg when thrashed, 40 driving normally and 44 in eco pro mode. So I fully support Monkey's award.
The other discussion on here, it is fairly simple: live in London, have an Auto. Live in the country have a manual. If its a bit of both then a ZF 8 speed is good...
The other discussion on here, it is fairly simple: live in London, have an Auto. Live in the country have a manual. If its a bit of both then a ZF 8 speed is good...
vxah said:
PascalBuyens said:
So you're telling you don't need to apply the brake on your automatic while waiting in traffic?
I rather prefer to put my manual car in neutral and give both feet a rest, then have to stamp on the brake all the time to keep it in place, or even if I put it out of D, to have to reapply the brake before being able to push it back into D and drive off.
And i thought it was just me that took my foot off the brake in standing traffic? I was looking for a new car with the xenon headlamps mounted on the roof so i can blind the people blinding me with their led stop lamps...I rather prefer to put my manual car in neutral and give both feet a rest, then have to stamp on the brake all the time to keep it in place, or even if I put it out of D, to have to reapply the brake before being able to push it back into D and drive off.
450Nick said:
That is definitely not the Panamera's best side... I thought it looked pretty good in real life but it looks fat and very ugly from that side view!
Funny how everyone is different, I was thinking, wow, that Panamera looks lush from that angle (actually, all angles for me). I appreciate I'm in the minority...I like manual gearboxes, I like the control, learning how to use them, practising heel'n'toe and exploiting shift lock to get a car sideways. It's fun.
However over the weekend I had to drive Mrs Muppet's manual Civic through lots of heavy traffic, and not one single gearchange was fun, all of them were a chore.
Bring on the autos, I'm sure I can find an elitist way to use one if I have to.
However over the weekend I had to drive Mrs Muppet's manual Civic through lots of heavy traffic, and not one single gearchange was fun, all of them were a chore.
Bring on the autos, I'm sure I can find an elitist way to use one if I have to.
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