997.... manual or tiptronic???

[zulash]

just contemplating buying a 997 and would have always gone for manual trans. however a car that has got my interest has tiptronic (never driven one). not a massive issue.but i would just welcome a few opinions. thanks. (not off you Jim!.)

[sidicks]

zulash said:

just contemplating buying a 997 and would have always gone for manual trans. however a car that has got my interest has tiptronic (never driven one). not a massive issue.but i would just welcome a few opinions. thanks. (not off you Jim!.)

Unless you need an automatic then NEVER consider a tiptronic over a manual!!

[Slackster]

I test drove a c2s tiptronic and wasn't overly impressed as the car felt a bit sluggish in general as the gear changes moved up to high gears at low revs, so I went for a manual in the end, when I swapped it for a 997Turbo I tried a tip again and loved it so bought it.

I suspect that tiptronic boxes may be better suited to a turbo as the pickup is quicker at lower revs anyway so it feels mighty fast compared to the NA engines that need a bit of high revs before gear changes to get that fast feeling.

If its just for the ease factor of not dealing with a clutch on the motorway then yes they are great but ultimately its horses for courses!

Just my opinion though and you'll likely get the polar opposite shortly

[zulash]

i had Mercedes cars for a lot of years, i don't remember having a manual box. driving auto was not a problem then. is there a problem with tiptronic? i believe there was with early Boxsters.

[zulash]

rather than knowing which transmision everyone prefers.... are there any specific issues/problems with the tiptronic box?

[petop]

I had a C4S Tip and was fine once you got used to it, just use it in manual. Never had any issues and i think the oil change on it was around 80 or 90k. Never had a fault which to be fair wasnt expected as its derived from a Merc unit and with no "clutch" as such not much to go wrong. Try one before you buy, but i didnt and wasnt bothered. Now i have a manual 4.7 Vantage and the same question is mentioned in the Aston world "Sportshift or manual?" for different reasons i wanted manual as unlike Porsche's (IMS, bores etc etc) the weakest part of a Vantage is the clutch which is on both manual and "suto".

[mollytherocker]

zulash said:

just contemplating buying a 997 and would have always gone for manual trans. however a car that has got my interest has tiptronic (never driven one). not a massive issue.but i would just welcome a few opinions. thanks. (not off you Jim!.)

Do a search on here and you will find its a hot topic. The truth is that there is no right or wrong, just your preference.

For some of us a manual gearbox is a the centre of car control, for others, its had its day.

You need to try the tip and if it suits you, then you know what to do!

[V8KSN]

zulash said:

rather than knowing which transmision everyone prefers.... are there any specific issues/problems with the tiptronic box?

Have a read through the Hartech posts, I think (though I am not SURE) that bore scoring is more common in tiptronic equipped cars than with manuals.

[pcn1]

sidicks said:

Unless you need an automatic then NEVER consider a tiptronic over a manual!!

Or Vise Versa...........

[petop]

V8KSN said:

zulash said:

rather than knowing which transmision everyone prefers.... are there any specific issues/problems with the tiptronic box?

Have a read through the Hartech posts, I think (though I am not SURE) that bore scoring is more common in tiptronic equipped cars than with manuals.

It is due to the fact a Tip by default pulls away in 2nd. Couple that with a nicely warmed up engine after a spirited run and a heat soak at the traffic lights then a lightening start at green, the water in the channels boils away usually on the right bank of cylinders causing the bore scoring.

[zulash]

i'm a bit more pride and joy sort of guy now... opposed to traffic light racer! she's a 7 year old stunner. she doesn't have to 'bust a gut' against some knob in a scoobie.

[sticks090460]

At least you'll know it's never been over-revved. I live in London and would never consider a manual car unless it were a track-day toy or some such.

[w5pwr]

I've had both, depends on what you want to use the car for? I brought a new C4S with tiptronic as a daily drive for commuting traffic and it was fine, when I changed it for a 997 Turbo and tried the Tiptronic but much preferred the manual, more fun and control, so I brought a manual.

Having had both I would probably go for manual, as said more control and fun to drive.

[FarQue]

I've said this before and will probably again, but the tip 'box does take a few miles to learn how to get the best from it. On an initial test drive I doubt you'll be impressed. But, give it time and learn the 'box and it's not too bad. Not a patch on pdk mind!

[ORD]

For God's sake don't buy a car with a gorgeous engine and stick an old-fashioned auto box between it and your right foot. Even PDK detracts from the experience; tiptronic is dire.

[Xpuffin]

NA I'd say go manual
FI it's Tip.
Had both manual and Tip Turbos, still got the tip as it suits the cars character as a Grand Tourismo better.