Automatic - any good?

chops018

Bit of background:

I drive nearly 50km to work and back everyday. First 40 is mostly motorway and unless there is bad traffic the odd day then it's smooth running until I get to the city and final 10 km is traffic and clutching and stopping and starting for about 30-40 mins.

Have a BMW 320D. Manual obviously. But looking to see if an automatic would be better. The traffic driving is horrible. Makes you tense etc. And not nice to come home or go into work like that. To add to it I suffered from mild back pain and recently it seems to be getting worse from being in the car. Usually goes away mostly when I get out. So also wondering would an automatic help this as you're not really changing gears and using a clutch.

Finally if I do actually move to an automatic what's the story with the license. As in say in a few years I wanted to change back to manual do I have to re a test or anything like that?

Saabs 1.9 diesels from 04-07 seem cheap enough. Although I had a Saab 93 1.8 petrol before and I didn't really like it. Have always loved the BMW's but doesn't seem to be too many cheap automatics around.

Thanks in advance.

punisher5112

Once you have full licence on manual you are fine. It's only if done test in auto you are stuck with auto.

Auto will be a little heavier on juice

whomitconcerns

Newer autos are not necessarily any heavier. Much nicer to drive on commutes etc. Go for it

jackofalltrades

I drive an auto.
It's a breeze in heavy traffic and does take the stress off your left leg from repetitive clutching.
Look into getting a car with cruise control as well, you'll be able to rest both of your legs then.
Although how much you can use it depends on traffic levels.
See if you can get your hands on an auto for the day to see if you like it.

What kind of budget do you have?

bazz26

Have owned a manual BMW diesel in the past and now have owned 2 BMW auto diesels since. Found the manual clutch heavy enough which was a real strain on your leg when moving slow in traffic. Since driving autos I'd find it very hard to go back to a manual on a daily basis, very relaxing drive from them and very suited to the torque of a diesel engine.

No change on your driving license to drive a manual or automatic once you passed your test in a manual car.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

I have a 2006 Saab 9-3 1.9Tid automatic

Great car, comfortable and good on power (150bhp) . I have one with cruise control, auto wipers , sat nav , heated seats , A/C etc.

Ive done about 12k miles in mine already and i havent had any problems so far (touch wood)

Automatic is great i think, i dont see myself buying a manual car. I dont see the point anymore.

Diesel wise, its quite good. Takes about 50- 60 euro to fill up with diesel and that would last me about 2 weeks of commuting to work on motorway 25 minutes each way and any other odd bits that i do.

But as with any car, try a few different makes and models before making up your mind.

chops018

Thanks for all the replies so far.

Well I am not sure on my budget and have not even made a decision to go over to automatic yet tbh.

I would like to get a drive in a couple of automatics but I don't think I know anyone with one. I suppose I could go tyre kicking and test drive a few for sale.

I'd be trying to sell my own for €3,000 but would settle for as low as €2,300.

So I suppose I'd have around 3k.

Not much choice - the Saab's seem the cheapest, as I said you'd get one on donedeal for 2-3k between 2004-2007.

Are they harder to fix mechanically or are they the same?

punisher5112

Merc imo has to be auto also bmw 5 -7
Look at Mondeo also.

Get any car checked over before you buy.

Are you planning on diesel again.

chops018

punisher5112 wrote: »

Merc imo has to be auto also bmw 5 -7
Look at Mondeo also.

Get any car checked over before you buy.

Are you planning on diesel again.

Yep would be planning on diesel.

Most mercs I looked at are over 2.0 litre which would be too big an engine for me.

Supergurrier

Drive an auto 5 series bmw diesel, very relaxing car to slip into after a day of clutching in work van

punisher5112

chops018 wrote: »

Yep would be planning on diesel.

Most mercs I looked at are over 2.0 litre which would be too big an engine for me.

Lot of older ones were 2.2 that does put tax up from 2.0

Nice comfort bus all though you need to be careful as not as reliable as made out to be.

I've driven 1.0 micra autos and upwards and I would be happy enough in a 2.0 as the gear changes are smoother and less stress on the engine to get up the gears.

Look up mondeo, skoda superb also. Saab's are great if you get a good one but can be troublesome.

grogi

chops018 wrote: »

Yep would be planning on diesel.

Most mercs I looked at are over 2.0 litre which would be too big an engine for me.

There isn't such thing as too big engine... There's no replacement for displacement...

grogi

chops018 wrote: »

Thanks in advance.

Laguna 3 2.0 dCi. But hard enough to find...

bazz26

A Rover 75 might be worth looking for. The diesel engine is from BMW as is the auto box mated to it:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/rover75-2-0-diesel-new-nct/11985933

Volvo S60 D5 is a good option too if you are ok with paying higher motor tax:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2007-volvo-s60-diesel-d5-auto/12213566

fits

I honestly do not understand by people buy manuals still. In an age when everything is automated...

grogi

fits wrote: »

I honestly do not understand by people buy manuals still. In an age when everything is automated...

I've seen stats from my AT today... Over 5kkm around 50k gear changes. Why would I want to do it myself?

sdanseo

chops018 wrote: »

Bit of background:

I drive nearly 50km to work and back everyday. First 40 is mostly motorway and unless there is bad traffic the odd day then it's smooth running until I get to the city and final 10 km is traffic and clutching and stopping and starting for about 30-40 mins.

Have a BMW 320D. Manual obviously. But looking to see if an automatic would be better. The traffic driving is horrible. Makes you tense etc. And not nice to come home or go into work like that. To add to it I suffered from mild back pain and recently it seems to be getting worse from being in the car. Usually goes away mostly when I get out. So also wondering would an automatic help this as you're not really changing gears and using a clutch.

Finally if I do actually move to an automatic what's the story with the license. As in say in a few years I wanted to change back to manual do I have to re a test or anything like that?

Saabs 1.9 diesels from 04-07 seem cheap enough. Although I had a Saab 93 1.8 petrol before and I didn't really like it. Have always loved the BMW's but doesn't seem to be too many cheap automatics around.

Thanks in advance.

I drive an E90 in auto and it's great. Always said I only wanted manual cars but I don't know if I'd go back now without having a think about it (obviously depending on car what I was looking for). So damn handy in traffic.

DakarVert

fits wrote: »

I honestly do not understand by people buy manuals still. In an age when everything is automated...

Because I like driving? Just much prefer driving a manual over an auto.

Okay i admit I'd have an auto if city driving, But I don't do so its manual for me.

fits

I like driving too.but would never go back to a manual if I could help it. There is just no benefit to manual for me. Was dubious before I had an automatic mind..

FightingIrish

I drive an A4 multitronic, having always driven manual previously I have to say the automatic wins hands down!

chops018

bazz26 wrote: »

A Rover 75 might be worth looking for. The diesel engine is from BMW as is the auto box mated to it:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/rover75-2-0-diesel-new-nct/11985933

Volvo S60 D5 is a good option too if you are ok with paying higher motor tax:
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2007-volvo-s60-diesel-d5-auto/12213566

They both look really nice to be fair.

Second one is a bit over budget and high tax for me.

It's still only an idea bumbling around in my head. I'd love to get a loan of one for a couple of days to see what I think.

Looking at these now:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a6-1-9-tdi-sport-6-sp-auto-new-nct-07-17/12437402

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/saab-93-saab-9-3-1-9-tid-s-sport-auto-trip-tronic/12448406

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/saab-9-5-auto-nct-07-16-amp-tax/12453788

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vw-passat-tdi-auto-only-66k-miles-stunning-car/10107165

Last one would be way over budget but it looks great.

Comhrá

Got a new Audi A4 S tronic a few months back...happy days, would never go back to manual again.

grogi

chops018 wrote: »

They both look really nice to be fair.

Second one is a bit over budget and high tax for me.

It's still only an idea bumbling around in my head. I'd love to get a loan of one for a couple of days to see what I think.

Looking at these now:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a6-1-9-tdi-sport-6-sp-auto-new-nct-07-17/12437402

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/saab-93-saab-9-3-1-9-tid-s-sport-auto-trip-tronic/12448406

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/saab-9-5-auto-nct-07-16-amp-tax/12453788

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/vw-passat-tdi-auto-only-66k-miles-stunning-car/10107165

Last one would be way over budget but it looks great.

Avoid Multitronics...

Supergurrier

That Volvo D5 is miles ahead of anything else you are looking at there, for the sake of 4e a week on tax you would be mad to consider any of the others.

I would suggest a bmw/merc diesel if you wan't an auto but if your budget is around the 3k mark and you don't want to be paying 3 litre tax that volvo is spot on.

Trojan

I love the automatic (E39 525i). Wasn't too pushed either way before getting the car, but in hindsight I'll definitely be looking for it in future.

bazz26

Those old Audi multitronic gearboxes can and do give their fair share of problems, best avoided at that age imo.

Supergurrier

Trojan wrote: »

I love the automatic (E39 525i). Wasn't too pushed either way before getting the car, but in hindsight I'll definitely be looking for it in future.

Driving my brothers e39 530d for the next few days as my 535d is in for surgery for a week or so and it's a pleasure to drive, autobox in it is a peach.

chops018

What's the problem with multitronics?

Also, forgive my ignorance, is there different types of automatic gearboxes? I thought they were all more or less the same.

Supergurrier

chops018 wrote: »

What's the problem with multitronics?

Also, forgive my ignorance, is there different types of automatic gearboxes? I thought they were all more or less the same.

God no, get out and drive afew different cars, some 4 cyclinder cars of that era the autoboxes are nothing but unresponsive slushboxes.

grogi

chops018 wrote: »

What's the problem with multitronics?

Also, forgive my ignorance, is there different types of automatic gearboxes? I thought they were all more or less the same.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=99370380&postcount=5

fifth

Have had 2 auto BMW's now and 1 manual.

Love the automatic gearbox, never changing back to manual.

billy few mates

I have a VW with the DSG box, I will never buy another manual again....

Summer wind

Drove manual cars for 17 years including a BMW 520d. Bought an Audi A6 S tronic last year and it was an absolute dream to drive. I now have an auto BMW 520d and I'd never go back to manual again. Auto is not as involving a drive as a manual but it's so much easier in heavy traffic.

chops018

Thanks for all the replies. It seems most people have only positive things to say about the automatic.

Another question.... is things like services and repairs harder or is it the same?

I must do a few test drives over the next while, even get a loan of one for a couple of days. I only bought my car in March so I don't want to rush into anything. But defo will be looking into automatic cars in the next while.

I'd say it's so odd getting back into a manual once you get used to an automatic.

Supergurrier

Another thing myself and my brother have noticed since we started driving autos full time is that you are alot calmer and can make more balanced decisions because of it.

You become the sound person who lets people out at junctions more often, because it's less hassle

bigroad

Another advantage of auto is that you don't have to fork out for expensive clutch and flywheel replacement.
Another car to look at is a Hyundai sonata crdi auto ,plenty around and good value.

grogi

bigroad wrote: »

Another advantage of auto is that you don't have to fork out for expensive clutch and flywheel replacement.
Another car to look at is a Hyundai sonata crdi auto ,plenty around and good value.

That is only true with a torque-converter equipped boxes. The converter will absorb the vibrations no bother and DMF is not needed.

That's not the case with any dual clutch gearboxes, as they have not only one, but two clutches and DMF as well...

bigroad

What sort of setup is in a saab or a sonata do you know.

corks finest

chops018 wrote: »

Bit of background:

I drive nearly 50km to work and back everyday. First 40 is mostly motorway and unless there is bad traffic the odd day then it's smooth running until I get to the city and final 10 km is traffic and clutching and stopping and starting for about 30-40 mins.

Have a BMW 320D. Manual obviously. But looking to see if an automatic would be better. The traffic driving is horrible. Makes you tense etc. And not nice to come home or go into work like that. To add to it I suffered from mild back pain and recently it seems to be getting worse from being in the car. Usually goes away mostly when I get out. So also wondering would an automatic help this as you're not really changing gears and using a clutch.

Finally if I do actually move to an automatic what's the story with the license. As in say in a few years I wanted to change back to manual do I have to re a test or anything like that?

Saabs 1.9 diesels from 04-07 seem cheap enough. Although I had a Saab 93 1.8 petrol before and I didn't really like it. Have always loved the BMW's but doesn't seem to be too many cheap automatics around.

Thanks in advance.

Have an automatic, heaven ,no as long as u passed test manually, u can drive auto aswell

grogi

OSI wrote: »

Pretty damn difficult to burn out the clutches in an auto though unless you've had it remapped and pumping out considerably more power than factory.

Dry clutches, heavy car and a bit of torque. I personally know an unmapped 2013 Superb 1.8TSI already on a third pack.

chops018

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/12077105
Mercedes Benz E 220 tax and nct


What do people think of this? Is it too old? Would it be nice to drive. Limerick is around 1 hour 30 mins from me so don't want to be diving all that way to test drive an older piece of crap. It does have nct and tax on it though and appears in good nick.

bazz26

Those E Class models are notorious for rusting badly, wings, sills, underneath, etc. I cannot imagine time and the elements have been kind to them. Being host when your looking at 1k cars then the majority of them rarely are as described in the adverts.

Also you would need to check the motor tax rate on that car, the diesel engine would either be 2.1 or 2.2 litre as opposed to 2.0 litre that's listed.

chops018

Thanks Bazza. Probably won't bother making the trip so. It just seemed a good price with tax and nct if it was solid. Ad said 2 litre so assumed it was. Mileage missing on the ad also.

Was thinking though I'd probably get it if I waved 800-900 in front of him. Nothing for that car. And if I got 2-3k for my own I'm on a win if it's in good shape.

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/11992811 Mercedes c200cdi auto avangarde

Here's another one - double the price though!

bazz26

It's down to you if you want to spend time and fuel going to see it but you just have to be aware that the car is 14 years old, it's a model well known for rusting and mileage not listed usually means it's higher than average for the year.

Realistically cars of that age and price range can have problems that need fixing that may cost more than the value of the car so while you might think it's a bargain at €800/€900 it could very easily be €800/€900 down the drain too.

chops018

bazz26 wrote: »

It's down to you if you want to spend time and fuel going to see it but you just have to be aware that the car is 14 years old, it's a model well known for rusting and mileage not listed usually means it's higher than average for the year.

Realistically cars of that age and price range can have problems that need fixing that may cost more than the value of the car so while you might think it's a bargain at €800/€900 it could very easily be €800/€900 down the drain too.

True. Thanks for that.

Did you have a look at the other one I posted? Edited my post so you may not have seen it. Probably a similar situation to the first I'd imagine?

bazz26

I'd avoid E Classes of that vintage to be honest, most are rust buckets or electrical nightmares at this stage.

The Volvo S60/S80 D5 are probably the best in that size of car/budget but will come with higher motor tax.

BMW 525D is worth considering too if your flexible on the motor tax:

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-525d-no-tax-/11889658

Thargor

Does an automatic make any difference to insurance costs for a new driver in the 1.0-1.2 range does anyone know? Probably a ~10 year old Micra.

bazz26

Most small automatic cars like Micras tend to be Japanese imports which do attract higher insurance because things like lack of car security and slightly different parts become a factor with them.