Are you an automatic transmission convert?

[R Mutt]

Love a flappy paddle. Would seem a bit backwards reverting to a stick.

[Fastchas]

legless said:

Fastchas said:

I would go back to an Audi C6 A6 which I loved but the car with Multitronic isn't a 'box that is advisable to buy.
If they did a 'stepped' auto on the A6 I'd buy one tomorrow.

The Multitronic is only on the FWD variants of the C6 A6. If you go for a quattro version, you'll get a 6-speed ZF torque converter instead.

The C7 launched with Multitronic on the FWD versions, but this was dropped in the mid-cycle facelift in favour of a DSG unit.

The C6 looks the best IMO but I will look into the C7, thanks.
I have no need for a Quattro and it's added costs/maintenance/bork.

[otolith]

kambites said:

By and large for me it can be summed up as: when driving is a chore, and automatic makes it less of a chore; when driving is fun, a manual makes it more fun.

This, really. I enjoy the process of using a manual gearbox, but not in the kind of driving I'd rather not be doing at all.

[SweptVolume]

Going against the grain here but, owning a ZF 6HP auto, I cannot fault it technically. It's smooth when in drive, aggressive when in sport, responsive on the paddles and will even allow the car to bang against the limiter.

But it's still, for me, one of the weakest points of the car. It takes the enjoyment away from normal driving as well as performance driving and even when stuck in traffic, I still have to hold it on the brakes or shift into neutral, so how is that really any better than waiting on the clutch (unless you're in a Lamborghini Countach and the clutch is particularly heavy)?

I dislike the auto to such an extent that I'm now considering downgrading to an F-Type V6 (from an XK V8), just so I can find the rare manual variant. I don't think I'd ever buy an auto if there was a manual option, no matter how competent the auto.

[cerb4.5lee]

SweptVolume said:

I dislike the auto to such an extent that I'm now considering downgrading to an F-Type V6 (from an XK V8), just so I can find the rare manual variant. I don't think I'd ever buy an auto if there was a manual option, no matter how competent the auto.

I was only browsing at these yesterday and I absolutely love the shape of them. Credit to Jag for offering it with a manual gearbox I think when most will buy the auto.

The manual F-Type V6 is a car that I'm really drawn to in either Coupe or Roadster form for sure.

[Pica-Pica]

otolith said:

This, really. I enjoy the process of using a manual gearbox, but not in the kind of driving I'd rather not be doing at all.

I am trying to fathom from all the posts here whether people like the process of moving a manual lever, and pressing a clutch. Or do they like being (assuredly) in control of the gear they are in? For me a sport auto does the latter, and the first is just a pain.

[otolith]

Pica-Pica said:

otolith said:

This, really. I enjoy the process of using a manual gearbox, but not in the kind of driving I'd rather not be doing at all.

I am trying to fathom from all the posts here whether people like the process of moving a manual lever, and pressing a clutch. Or do they like being (assuredly) in control of the gear they are in? For me a sport auto does the latter, and the first is just a pain.

The satisfaction comes from doing it well, which requires more than just moving a lever and pressing a clutch. Timing it right, matching the revs, using heel and toe if in the mood for it.

If your car could steer itself, would you say that you don't miss driving because it's just turning a wheel from side to side, which is a pain?

[J4CKO]

Pica-Pica said:

otolith said:

This, really. I enjoy the process of using a manual gearbox, but not in the kind of driving I'd rather not be doing at all.

I am trying to fathom from all the posts here whether people like the process of moving a manual lever, and pressing a clutch. Or do they like being (assuredly) in control of the gear they are in? For me a sport auto does the latter, and the first is just a pain.

Its the additional interaction, being able to heel and toe/rev match and feeling connected to the driveline, pulling a paddle is just not the same.

But like Otolith says, for the bulk of driving, an auto is better, 90 percent of the time the auto is easier and you dont miss that additional intercation, and you really dont miss the extra workload and exercise for your left leg.

But, that last ten percent is where an manual shines, and even then it helps that its the right car, on the right road.

So I now err on the side of auto, its just such a polar choice though.

[BarnfinderGeneral]

Down and out said:

Manual seems old hat to me now especially as the roads are clogged to hell. We don't get up to change TV channel anymore, things have moved on.

I love that analogy. I always preferred manuals until I drove an XK8 about 20 years ago with the 5spd auto, the only 'box available on the car. It immediately struck me that manuals on road cars were as outdated as that.

I've enjoyed manual cars since, but you need a track to really feel the advantages, which I think centre on driver involvement rather than outright speed.

That said, I regularly drive a 60's car with a 3spd auto which was at the time one of the most powerful GT cars available and I so wish that was a manual!

[Hoofy]

For commuting, even an old autobox is fine.

For fun, I would be happy with Mercedes' 7 speed gearbox. You can't change as quickly as it can and kickdown is perfect for corner to corner acceleration.

I tried a GLC 350D (3 litre V6 twin turbo diesel). It looked distinctly family van but in-gear performance was ridiculous with 457lbft of torque (0-60 of 6.2s if that's important to you) and it banged through the gears quicker than a human could in a manual car.

Edited by Hoofy on Monday 20th May 15:53

[CABC]

BarnfinderGeneral said:

Down and out said:

Manual seems old hat to me now especially as the roads are clogged to hell. We don't get up to change TV channel anymore, things have moved on.

I love that analogy.

why watch tv at all? easier and faster to read the plot and reviews on the internet.

[scottygib553]

I have a DSG 6 in my Golf GTE and aside from 1st to 2nd being a tiny tiny bit jerky when cold, it is the business. I had heard that the DSG 7s were a little less robust but as an earlier poster mentioned, there are a handful of variants so not sure if that applies to all.

[Pica-Pica]

otolith said:

The satisfaction comes from doing it well, which requires more than just moving a lever and pressing a clutch. Timing it right, matching the revs, using heel and toe if in the mood for it.

If your car could steer itself, would you say that you don't miss driving because it's just turning a wheel from side to side, which is a pain?

That is different, to me a gear is in one gear and to the next. Steering is much more nuanced (in my mind).
I would rather devote more of my focus on observation - i was interested in the recent comment and link to fighter pilots and eye saccade and all that.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

flatso said:

... That thing is so ballistic fast that there is no way you could manually switch gears at that pace. I would never buy such a rocket as it is utterly useless on the street, ...

[cerb4.5lee]

Hoofy said:

I tried a GLC 350D (3 litre V6 twin turbo diesel). It looked distinctly family van but in-gear performance was ridiculous with 457lbft of torque (0-60 of 6.2s if that's important to you) and it banged through the gears quicker than a human could in a manual car.

I have one of those and it only has a single turbo(at first I did think that it was a twin turbo until I did some digging about it). While it is decent in terms of overtaking I miss the twin turbo 3 litre unit in the 640d I had, that was much more punchy at overtaking and there is only about 90kg difference in kerbweight between the two cars.

Both engines feel nice and torquey though but the extra bhp/additional turbo in the 640d really tells(about 60bhp more and a smidge more torque/464) for me.

[Hoofy]

cerb4.5lee said:

Hoofy said:

I tried a GLC 350D (3 litre V6 twin turbo diesel). It looked distinctly family van but in-gear performance was ridiculous with 457lbft of torque (0-60 of 6.2s if that's important to you) and it banged through the gears quicker than a human could in a manual car.

I have one of those and it only has a single turbo(at first I did think that it was a twin turbo until I did some digging about it). While it is decent in terms of overtaking I miss the twin turbo 3 litre unit in the 640d I had, that was much more punchy at overtaking and there is only about 90kg difference in kerbweight between the two cars.

Both engines feel nice and torquey though but the extra bhp/additional turbo in the 640d really tells(about 60bhp more and a smidge more torque/464) for me.

Oops. Dunno why I thought it was a twin turbo.

In any case, it's pretty perky for an autobox 4x4!

[SweptVolume]

Pica-Pica said:

otolith said:

This, really. I enjoy the process of using a manual gearbox, but not in the kind of driving I'd rather not be doing at all.

I am trying to fathom from all the posts here whether people like the process of moving a manual lever, and pressing a clutch. Or do they like being (assuredly) in control of the gear they are in? For me a sport auto does the latter, and the first is just a pain.

I disagree. My XK will headbut the limiter if I don't change up in time, which equates to being in control in my book, but no matter what mode or setting I choose, it will always downshift from 6th to 5th at 39 mph, and from 5th to 4th at 30 mph (despite the revs at these speeds being a few hundred above tickover).

Also, whilst being very pleasant in a wafting limousine, I don't find the pick up and drop off of revs when getting on and off the throttle at all pleasing. The torque converter always makes the connection between transmissions and engine feel less than solid. Dynamic mode will lock of the TC, but then I have to put up with a harder ride.

Most of these issues could be fixed by hacking the software of the 'box to exactly suit my preferences...or they could just offer a manual and give me the choice that way.

[cerb4.5lee]

Hoofy said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Hoofy said:

I tried a GLC 350D (3 litre V6 twin turbo diesel). It looked distinctly family van but in-gear performance was ridiculous with 457lbft of torque (0-60 of 6.2s if that's important to you) and it banged through the gears quicker than a human could in a manual car.

I have one of those and it only has a single turbo(at first I did think that it was a twin turbo until I did some digging about it). While it is decent in terms of overtaking I miss the twin turbo 3 litre unit in the 640d I had, that was much more punchy at overtaking and there is only about 90kg difference in kerbweight between the two cars.

Both engines feel nice and torquey though but the extra bhp/additional turbo in the 640d really tells(about 60bhp more and a smidge more torque/464) for me.

Oops. Dunno why I thought it was a twin turbo.

In any case, it's pretty perky for an autobox 4x4!

I think I even recall reading that it has two turbos on the Mercedes website and that threw me in fairness.

It was only until I started looking into the engine in detail that I realised it didn't have two. Yes it still gets a move on for a fairly big bus and the 0 to 60 is very decent for the type of car I think.

[framerateuk]

I found the EDC box on my Clio 220 frustrating.

There was not a huge amount wrong with the box itself to be honest. It was a bit dim-witted and slow in 'normal' mode, but in manual mode the shifts were absolutely instant, especially when in the race setting. I found when I was really pushing it, the box was great, it was just for normal driving I felt it lacked something (and most of my driving is back and fore to work).

I just found I missed having an actual gear stick and pedal.

I wouldn't mind having a fully electric car with no gears at all, but until that day I'll stick with a manual if I can. I'm enjoying my new Megane and a lot of that is down to it once again having a manual box.

[Daaaveee]

To be honest even automatics are a bit old hat now aren't they?

I've gone from a ZF8 auto to a 1 speed EV a month ago and this whole engine revving gear changing thing just seems so primitive