Discussion
Thanks Angel... sorry Grinning I am busy at the moment so haven't had much chance to surf.
I did try the new 09MY sportshift & it did seem an improvement to me, particularly the "creep" mode which was more auto-like helping low speed manoeuvring , but it still took its time giving you lift off in first gear on occasion.. press wait think about it jerk, jerk again..shoot off, other times it was fine! I also felt it removed one "big" layer of driver involvement, more relaxing, very fast smooth changes once up & running but less of a drivers car.
So I went manual again, this is much improved over the 4.3 version, but 1st & 2nd can still be rather belligerent when cold (particularly in cold weather!)reverse was also dodgy when new but is fine now (usual whiff of clutch aside!!!!).
I hope this helps, if in doubt I'd get a test drive booked to be sure (or see if they are still doing dealer Millbrook prospect driver days where you get to try the full V8 range).
I did try the new 09MY sportshift & it did seem an improvement to me, particularly the "creep" mode which was more auto-like helping low speed manoeuvring , but it still took its time giving you lift off in first gear on occasion.. press wait think about it jerk, jerk again..shoot off, other times it was fine! I also felt it removed one "big" layer of driver involvement, more relaxing, very fast smooth changes once up & running but less of a drivers car.
So I went manual again, this is much improved over the 4.3 version, but 1st & 2nd can still be rather belligerent when cold (particularly in cold weather!)reverse was also dodgy when new but is fine now (usual whiff of clutch aside!!!!).
I hope this helps, if in doubt I'd get a test drive booked to be sure (or see if they are still doing dealer Millbrook prospect driver days where you get to try the full V8 range).
Thanks Grant
I've secured a 4.7 for this weekend. Was thinking of giving my left leg a rest and looking at a Sportshift but your "involvement" comment tallies with my original thinking that caused me to select the manual 4.3.
I think I know once I am in it I will go for it. Hey ho
Again, thank you for the feedback
I've secured a 4.7 for this weekend. Was thinking of giving my left leg a rest and looking at a Sportshift but your "involvement" comment tallies with my original thinking that caused me to select the manual 4.3.
I think I know once I am in it I will go for it. Hey ho
Again, thank you for the feedback
I changed from a 4.3 manual to a 4.7 ss with sportspack last October. I have absolutely no regrets about switching to the sportshift. Yes it does take some time to adapt to it but once its operations is understood there are no big issues. As for removing a layer of involvement the only change for me is that I don't have to pump a clutch up and down; gears still have to be chosen and selected with the speed of shift making driving on quick twisty roads a real delight. I have tried the auto mode, purely out of interest, but never use it and don't envisage doing so.
Tim
Tim
I went from MY06 4.3 manual to MY08 4.3 SS (N400) and, although it took a few days to get the hang of smooth changes, I love it. Invest the time to "learn" how to drive it and it really is huge fun. No plans on return to manual....
As for the delay when pulling away, I only find that happens in certain circumstance - usually when I don't come to a complete stop before putting my foot down. Rumour from my dealer's workshop is that there is a software update to help ....
As for the delay when pulling away, I only find that happens in certain circumstance - usually when I don't come to a complete stop before putting my foot down. Rumour from my dealer's workshop is that there is a software update to help ....
Can't speak with the same ownership authority as some on here - I've only had a 4.3 - but have driven a fair few miles in a 4.7 sportshift and felt a bit like Grant did. HOWEVER I then used the same car very hard on track and it was awesome - more suited to that environment than the manual I'd say. Of course things like smooth pull away from the lights and creep become irrelevant in those circumstances but I thought it worth mentioning depending on what use you've got planned for the car. I'd imagine it would be superb up and down some of my fave mountain passes sur le continent too.
Edited by Pugsey on Wednesday 25th March 12:50
Interesting 3 to 1 for the paddles & 1 (Pugs
) on the fence! As they say different stokes for different folks, that's why its worth test driving both of the latest models yourself. Funnily enough when I was buying my Porker 996TT the salesman told me Tiptronic outsold manual cars so I should buy one.. I went manual!!!
To be fair I wasn't used to the flappy paddles so this may one reason why I much preferred the manual, as some of the other guys say it takes some getting used to. But I did get a chance to try the flappy version on the mile straight launch, alpine and road route and the high speed bowl, back to back with manual on the same afternoon & still ended up buying the manual version.
On the other side my Mrs joined me on the day & she preferred the flappy paddles...... says everything really
) on the fence! As they say different stokes for different folks, that's why its worth test driving both of the latest models yourself. Funnily enough when I was buying my Porker 996TT the salesman told me Tiptronic outsold manual cars so I should buy one.. I went manual!!!To be fair I wasn't used to the flappy paddles so this may one reason why I much preferred the manual, as some of the other guys say it takes some getting used to. But I did get a chance to try the flappy version on the mile straight launch, alpine and road route and the high speed bowl, back to back with manual on the same afternoon & still ended up buying the manual version.
On the other side my Mrs joined me on the day & she preferred the flappy paddles...... says everything really
Edited by Grant3 on Wednesday 25th March 13:37
Murph7355 said:
Grant3 said:
...
On the other side my Mrs joined me on the day & she preferred the flappy paddles...... says everything really
...
Didn't you end up buying a roadster too... On the other side my Mrs joined me on the day & she preferred the flappy paddles...... says everything really
...
Drivers republic, Autocar, Evo & Car all agree its the pick of the V8 range despite the usual soft top jibes it's more rigid than many tin tops & one of the VERY best open top cars on the market! I genuinely would champion the Roadster even though I would NEVER have considered a soft top previously (despite enjoying the other half's Boxster S). The Millbrook day took away my preconceptions in a flash, coming out of a 997 GT3 the 4.7 coupe simply couldn't replace that, but strangely the Roadster has actually matched the GT3's driving pleasure in a different way... I'm loving it.
Don't jibe it until you've tried it in anger on circuit flat out & around your favourite roads roof down
I had a DB9 auto for a day last week and it confirmed once and for all that a manual is hugely preferable for me. However if I had a DB9, I'd never take it inside the M25 and it would purely be a car for weekends and holidays in europe.
My main gripes are:
It was faster, shifted faster and revved higher in 'D'.
It's very hard to time the upshifts such is the delay before the limiter ruins everything. Get impatient (easily done) and you shift up two gears meaning you have to shift down again.
The paddles work fine if you want to drive 7/10ths and change up early - but what's the point in that?
It will date much faster than a manual. Early paddle shift cars are already feeling inadequate. NB - Vanquish (robotised manual, not full auto, I know). You're always missing out unless you've got the latest latest. Not so with a manual.
As always the main benefit of auto boxes is for city driving. On open roads, you get a LOT more driving pleasure with a manual. Sure autos will always sell more and there's probably a residuals argument in their favour but as usual the masses have got it wrong. Mine's a manual. In fact I'm looking for a manual DB9 now. Rare as hens teeth.
Wonderful car by the way. I absolutely loved it. There's just no substitute for a big V12. The DBS must be astonishing.
My main gripes are:
It was faster, shifted faster and revved higher in 'D'.
It's very hard to time the upshifts such is the delay before the limiter ruins everything. Get impatient (easily done) and you shift up two gears meaning you have to shift down again.
The paddles work fine if you want to drive 7/10ths and change up early - but what's the point in that?
It will date much faster than a manual. Early paddle shift cars are already feeling inadequate. NB - Vanquish (robotised manual, not full auto, I know). You're always missing out unless you've got the latest latest. Not so with a manual.
As always the main benefit of auto boxes is for city driving. On open roads, you get a LOT more driving pleasure with a manual. Sure autos will always sell more and there's probably a residuals argument in their favour but as usual the masses have got it wrong. Mine's a manual. In fact I'm looking for a manual DB9 now. Rare as hens teeth.
Wonderful car by the way. I absolutely loved it. There's just no substitute for a big V12. The DBS must be astonishing.
I had an 08 V8VR with the Sportshift last week. I have to admit I never got to like it, but I'd never driven a flappy paddle equipped car previously. I found town driving and traffic jams a pain whether you are in Comfort or Sport mode. There was a surprising amount of lurching and grinding noise. The delay in anythng happening after you put your foot down is something you can learn to drive around though. It seemed to hold onto the revs at the upper rev range. I kept commenting that the 'box on the Range Rover Sport TDV8 was better, but not really a like for like comparison.
Edit: just re-read my post and it looks a bit depressing! Obviously the rest of the car is fantastic, sat-nav aside!
Edit: just re-read my post and it looks a bit depressing! Obviously the rest of the car is fantastic, sat-nav aside!
Edited by edc on Thursday 26th March 10:41
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