Calling all tiptronic users..
Discussion
Dont want to get into an argument over which is best, would just like to know how user friendly the steering wheel buttons are?
Would appreciate if a tiptronic'er could give me their views? do you use it that much? is it more of a gimmick? is it a nightmare to change gear on the small buttons when turning?
Would appreciate if a tiptronic'er could give me their views? do you use it that much? is it more of a gimmick? is it a nightmare to change gear on the small buttons when turning?
I was offered a 996 Turbo with tip and thought the same, was a decent price all the same (lots about at the moment) but seen there was no "flippers" like other cars have, put me off as it seemed the buttons where a bit of an afterthought, would like to know if im just being a dumbass.
thanks
edited to add spelling mistakes
>> Edited by DucatiGary on Monday 27th February 17:48
thanks
edited to add spelling mistakes
>> Edited by DucatiGary on Monday 27th February 17:48
Hi Andy
I have a 997 tip. To be honest, I drive the car a lot of the time in automatic, and dont use the buttons a lot of the time. In auto mode, the car isnt breathtakingly fast....HOWEVER, put into manual mode and use the buttons to change gear and it felt as fast as the equivalent car with a 6 speed manual.
In conclusion, I really like the tip, as you pootle around in auto, then change over to the button tip function to have fun. You can stay in manual all the time if you wish.
To me, the best of both worlds, but many dont like it. Give a manual and a tip and try and see for yourself!
I have a 997 tip. To be honest, I drive the car a lot of the time in automatic, and dont use the buttons a lot of the time. In auto mode, the car isnt breathtakingly fast....HOWEVER, put into manual mode and use the buttons to change gear and it felt as fast as the equivalent car with a 6 speed manual.
In conclusion, I really like the tip, as you pootle around in auto, then change over to the button tip function to have fun. You can stay in manual all the time if you wish.
To me, the best of both worlds, but many dont like it. Give a manual and a tip and try and see for yourself!
Buttons work just fine. You never need to use them when turning, if she runs out of revs she'll change up on her own anyway so you can't overrev her. You can hang onto a gear if you want by backing off the throttle a fraction. Only thing that can be a pain is if you lose count on the downchange the drop into 1st is a bit steep if you haven't lost as much speed as you thought.
It does work very well. As has been said though, drive both before driving.
Kickdown, now that's another matter, I hate it
Mind you, I've only driven in auto twice in six months.
It does work very well. As has been said though, drive both before driving.
Kickdown, now that's another matter, I hate it
Mind you, I've only driven in auto twice in six months.Andy. You really are getting your info together before taking the plunge. Good on you though.
I have a tip Cab. This was bought on the basis that the car would be my everyday driver spending half my life in queues on the M25 and also coming from having autos for the last 15 years. Firstly it is an excellent autobox that rivals the auto in my SL500 and my XJR. The tip got used for the first week or 2 of ownership and since then it gets used about once a month when I hit the lanes round where I live. It's a bit of a gimmick really and I haven't noticed the car being quicker in manual or tip. In fact, even in manual, the box will change automatically as it gets to the red line.
So to summarise if you need and auto get the tip and have the option of some fun in manual mode but recognise you probably won't use it in manual very often.
I have a tip Cab. This was bought on the basis that the car would be my everyday driver spending half my life in queues on the M25 and also coming from having autos for the last 15 years. Firstly it is an excellent autobox that rivals the auto in my SL500 and my XJR. The tip got used for the first week or 2 of ownership and since then it gets used about once a month when I hit the lanes round where I live. It's a bit of a gimmick really and I haven't noticed the car being quicker in manual or tip. In fact, even in manual, the box will change automatically as it gets to the red line.
So to summarise if you need and auto get the tip and have the option of some fun in manual mode but recognise you probably won't use it in manual very often.
I have a 2000 C4 with Tip and having driven manuals all my life (non 911) I've found the mix of Auto and Tip Manual to be no problem at all. I'm sure everyone drives these a different way, but I personally use Auto for pottering around and move it into manual for when you need to 'drive' it (i.e. the sight of a straight road or a car or three that needs overtaking)!
Well, there's just so many options in the 996 out there, and i have the time, that i want to make sure i get it just right!
The tip seems likely as when i have my left leg off the clutch, the knee is quite tight between the steering wheel and central column, particularly as the steering wheels arent a perfect circle. So the beauty of the auto box is to allow my left leg to be straight and out of the way.
That combined with a youth of rugby has buggered my left knee and is now a nightmare in traffic having to hover on the clutch as you inch forward.
Christ, im 25 and already feel old... the woman in the chiswick also said the targa was an old mans porsche!!!!
The tip seems likely as when i have my left leg off the clutch, the knee is quite tight between the steering wheel and central column, particularly as the steering wheels arent a perfect circle. So the beauty of the auto box is to allow my left leg to be straight and out of the way.
That combined with a youth of rugby has buggered my left knee and is now a nightmare in traffic having to hover on the clutch as you inch forward.
Christ, im 25 and already feel old... the woman in the chiswick also said the targa was an old mans porsche!!!!
Pick my C4 Tip up on Friday ( all things being well ) 
, and when I took it for a test drive I got the impression I'd use as people have described here, auto for everyday traffic driving, and switching to Semi at the weekends when your taking it for a blast. I did find the semi a better way to change down than the kick down, but that may be 'cos I haven't driven an auto for a while. I'm also a lazy git, which is why I went for the auto in the first place !!!! 
Mark.
, and when I took it for a test drive I got the impression I'd use as people have described here, auto for everyday traffic driving, and switching to Semi at the weekends when your taking it for a blast. I did find the semi a better way to change down than the kick down, but that may be 'cos I haven't driven an auto for a while. I'm also a lazy git, which is why I went for the auto in the first place !!!! Mark.
The buttons are excellent. Far better than paddles IMHO.
If you grip the wheel at the 9:15 and 2:45 kind of hold you can use the ball of your thumb to rock the switch and your hands never leave the wheel because the buttons rotate with you. In some cars the paddles are fixed to the steering console.
On the tip the button’s action is positive and accessible in all conditions. I have never had any issues. The buttons also overlap the housing so you can even hook a finger around the back and pull them towards you (instead of push) and they still work in the same positive manner.
If you grip the wheel at the 9:15 and 2:45 kind of hold you can use the ball of your thumb to rock the switch and your hands never leave the wheel because the buttons rotate with you. In some cars the paddles are fixed to the steering console.
On the tip the button’s action is positive and accessible in all conditions. I have never had any issues. The buttons also overlap the housing so you can even hook a finger around the back and pull them towards you (instead of push) and they still work in the same positive manner.
so generally, im going to love the tiptronic? I do spend some time in traffic, either getting out of, or back into, london. And grew up in the country so go back there a bit at weekends so would make use of the buttons.. whats the issue with the kick down? Drove my dads old beemer once, slammed the foot down pulling away from a turning, then accidently pushed too far - car dropped a gear, and i dropped my guts as the back end started coming round on a narrow country road with a car coming towards me.. i was young, and got it back though with only my pride damaged!
Fella,
Had a tip 4 cab for a year and:
it really is 2 cars in one, Normal (auto) is really benign, seems to spend most of its time in 5th (even at 30mph!). as a result i drive more slowly and don't feel a constant desire to 'play'.
However, go to manual and the whole attitude of the car changes, you'll find that you drive at higher revs, get the engine note and start to appreciate what a toy it is. And yes the point about not changing gear in corners is valid!
Deano
Had a tip 4 cab for a year and:
it really is 2 cars in one, Normal (auto) is really benign, seems to spend most of its time in 5th (even at 30mph!). as a result i drive more slowly and don't feel a constant desire to 'play'.
However, go to manual and the whole attitude of the car changes, you'll find that you drive at higher revs, get the engine note and start to appreciate what a toy it is. And yes the point about not changing gear in corners is valid!
Deano
BliarOut said:
if she runs out of revs she'll change up on her own anyway...... you can hang onto a gear if you want by backing off the throttle a fraction.
woudl you want either of these happening in a 911 in a bend when pushing on? More a question than a criticism (although my views on the tip are x-rated)
Hi mate
I got mine in Jan and have come from s2000 and tvr. I had the same dilema as you but as soon as i drove it it seemed pretty obvious to me that it made very little difference (to me that is).
I only really started driving it over the last two weeks as I have now got my head out of bubble wrap mode. I have tried changing up and down whilst going round roundabouts to try and upset it(I have a 996 cab c2) and the change is so smooth that it upsets the balance of the car only so much as requires a couple more degrees of steering to hold it on course. Changing up and down whilst accelerating / braking are no problem and you have both hands on the wheel to put it in the right place for the corner
The 0-60 on the c2 I counted high fives / six but the pull 60 - 100 and beyond is quite enough to ensure that you dont look foolish against most other cars.
As everyone has said the manual mode lets you hold your revs through corners by backing off a degree and then plant it or even drop a gear as you come out, the car will slide in manual mode whereas in auto mode it will change to a higher gear if it feels itself sliding. It doesnt change on corners (depends on the tightness of the corner) I have had it change up on me in what could be described as a bend / corner but this was my fault for not holding the revs instead of just flooring it.
All in all as an ex S2000 driver its a missile in comparison and its strength beyond 60 is quite scary at the mo. The 0-60 would be perfect if it were 0.5 second quicker (IMHO) but then its not the numbers that matter its how it feels and I am extremely happy with mine so far.
Hope that helps :-0)
I got mine in Jan and have come from s2000 and tvr. I had the same dilema as you but as soon as i drove it it seemed pretty obvious to me that it made very little difference (to me that is).
I only really started driving it over the last two weeks as I have now got my head out of bubble wrap mode. I have tried changing up and down whilst going round roundabouts to try and upset it(I have a 996 cab c2) and the change is so smooth that it upsets the balance of the car only so much as requires a couple more degrees of steering to hold it on course. Changing up and down whilst accelerating / braking are no problem and you have both hands on the wheel to put it in the right place for the corner
The 0-60 on the c2 I counted high fives / six but the pull 60 - 100 and beyond is quite enough to ensure that you dont look foolish against most other cars.
As everyone has said the manual mode lets you hold your revs through corners by backing off a degree and then plant it or even drop a gear as you come out, the car will slide in manual mode whereas in auto mode it will change to a higher gear if it feels itself sliding. It doesnt change on corners (depends on the tightness of the corner) I have had it change up on me in what could be described as a bend / corner but this was my fault for not holding the revs instead of just flooring it.
All in all as an ex S2000 driver its a missile in comparison and its strength beyond 60 is quite scary at the mo. The 0-60 would be perfect if it were 0.5 second quicker (IMHO) but then its not the numbers that matter its how it feels and I am extremely happy with mine so far.
Hope that helps :-0)
Adam B said:It's all down to the driver to control. As long as you RTM and understand how to use it it will change gear just when you want it to.
if she runs out of revs she'll change up on her own anyway...... you can hang onto a gear if you want by backing off the throttle a fraction.
woudl you want either of these happening in a 911 in a bend when pushing on? More a question than a criticism (although my views on the tip are x-rated)
One nice benefit is overtaking though. Leave her in manual, change down and just floor it. As it approaches the red line it changes up for you... No need to look at the instruments to avoid over-revving. I like that, lets you focus totally on what's happening outside.
BliarOut said:
lets you focus totally on what's happening outside.
agreed although I prefer to know the car will only change when I want it to, think tips must take some acclimatisaton as I never knew what it was going to do and it changed up too quickly - I really did not enjoy the experience.
one eg it didn't seem to be able to hold the car on half-throttle; ie you accelerate to almost redline to overtake, don't change up and decrease revs to say 4000rpm ready to overtake second car, damn thing would always change up (I was in so-called "manual" mode all the time
Sorry to spoil the party, but...........
I bought a C4 Tip' this time last year. Had looked at a few and went for this one as it was very high spec, low miles.
A year on and I've come to loathe the Tip' box, to the point at which I'm thinking of selling. (not that this post is going to do much for my re-sale price on this site
)
The Tip' box just doesn't suit the nature of a 911 AT ALL. The protagonists at Porsche who suggested it should be tied to the back of a GT2 for a few laps of the Nordschleif.
I'm sorry for you guys who've just bough Tips, I'm not trying to pee on your party, I really hope you enjoy the box.
But, for me its such an unacceptable compromise:
As an auto, its dire (and I drive a lot of autos)
You loose the extra gear of the manual so the ratios are all wrong (IMHO)
Second gear is too tall, feeling bogged-down in tight slow corners, unless you use first
Getting off the line is a pain, however you try it.
If you need the compromise of the Tip' box for city driving etc., then I'd seriously consider an alternative car to a 911. That is not meant to sound patronising, its just there are better cars out there for that role.
I bought a C4 Tip' this time last year. Had looked at a few and went for this one as it was very high spec, low miles.
A year on and I've come to loathe the Tip' box, to the point at which I'm thinking of selling. (not that this post is going to do much for my re-sale price on this site
) The Tip' box just doesn't suit the nature of a 911 AT ALL. The protagonists at Porsche who suggested it should be tied to the back of a GT2 for a few laps of the Nordschleif.
I'm sorry for you guys who've just bough Tips, I'm not trying to pee on your party, I really hope you enjoy the box.
But, for me its such an unacceptable compromise:
As an auto, its dire (and I drive a lot of autos)
You loose the extra gear of the manual so the ratios are all wrong (IMHO)
Second gear is too tall, feeling bogged-down in tight slow corners, unless you use first
Getting off the line is a pain, however you try it.
If you need the compromise of the Tip' box for city driving etc., then I'd seriously consider an alternative car to a 911. That is not meant to sound patronising, its just there are better cars out there for that role.
I've a 986 S with Tiptronic. As an auto it's fine, however if you want out and out performance, then the change is slow when compared to my wife's Golf GTI with a DSG box. However, in comparison to most other cars, it's change speed is average. Just go for the biggest engine that's available and make up for the slow change speed with lots of grunt in between.
No over revs, and if you're feeling lazy, or have a back problem, its truly great.
No over revs, and if you're feeling lazy, or have a back problem, its truly great.
Adam B said:
if she runs out of revs she'll change up on her own anyway...... you can hang onto a gear if you want by backing off the throttle a fraction.
woudl you want either of these happening in a 911 in a bend when pushing on? More a question than a criticism (although my views on the tip are x-rated)
Adam I don’t get your question.
If you run out of rev's in a corner in a manual you would change up so what’s the difference. + manuals have 6 gears with less spacing compared to 5 gears in the Tip so there is less chance of this happening at all in a Tip’ + the change is managed with PSM.
Also what's with the overtaking issue ? Overtaking dropping down to 4000, then getting a surprise change up - something wrong with the tip box on the car you drove. On mine so long as the engine does not breach the rev limiter max and min settings it stays in the same gear all day when in "M" mode.
I should also my comments are confined to pro’ tip’ on Turbos. I would not get a Tip on a non Turbo 911. Tip suits the turbo but I would want the manual for a normal car from a power perspective (I don’t see this destroying my pro-tip arguments) The tip box on the turbo is different to the one on the standard car, different manufacturer, components shift patterns, ratios, etc.
>> Edited by cyrus1971 on Wednesday 1st March 10:13
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