Gearboxes, automatic transmission

xabi_a · 21-01-2014 08:59PM #1

OK I'm wondering what people think of automatic transmission / tiptronic / manual gearboxes?

Background: I had an Alfa 156 Selespeed. I really liked the Selespeed gearbox. It was basically a normal "manual" gearbox, but gearchanges were done by actuators and a software-controlled clutch. You had buttons on the steering wheel, or you could just drive it like an automatic. It felt really sharp and responsive.

I've driven a lot of "traditional" automatics in the US, and I never liked them as much. Once you put it into drive, the car is trying to pull off and you have to keep your foot on the brake to stop it moving. How wasteful is that? And then when you accelerate the revs go way up and the car slowly follows.

However, I recently took a test drive in a very new BMW 3-series 8-gear automatic. I expected the very latest technology, and it probably was, but it actually felt more like a traditional automatic. Compared to the Selespeed it felt disappointing. Not as sharp, and more of a "slushbox" as some seem to call it.

Are the latest BMW automatic gearboxes actually good? How come that even in their sporty models, BMW stick to the traditional style of automatic gearbox with a torque-converter?

biko · 21-01-2014 09:01PM

Modern auto gearboxes are wonders of mechanical engineering. If they weren't most/all of the US drivers would be driving stick instead.
All auto boxes will creep forward when you release the brake pedal. At least in all of the autos I've driven.

colm_mcm · 21-01-2014 10:19PM

You need a DSG

JohnCleary · 22-01-2014 05:58PM

I've got the 'old' 5 speed auto on my Merc and it's wonderful. Has tip-tronic if you want to control the gears yourself. It's a joy to drive

alanmc · 22-01-2014 07:47PM

Funny this thread showing up. I bought an auto/steptronic car a few months back and I just can't get used to it. I drive as much as I can in steptronic mode, but it just feels awkward. I'm seriously considering trading up again and going back to manual.

Slushmatic auto mode does nothing but frustrate me as the torque converter refuses to play ball.

Gael23 · 22-01-2014 10:02PM

The VAG 7 speed DSG is an amazing piece of engineering. It delivers comparable performance and fuel economy as a manual and needs no costly maintenance.

jimgoose · 22-01-2014 10:20PM

I'm not a fan of "traditional" automatics - with the torque-converter, planetary gearsets and all that jazz - unless they're the ridiculous two-speed American ones from the fifties! Having said that, some of the more expensive ZF ones are alright, but regardless of available modes the shift pattern is always somewhat up its own arse. These newer dual-clutch setups are some job, though. I've tried a couple and they're a vast improvement. Honda are using those in certain motorcycle models as well, such as the VFR1200.

imurdaddy · 22-01-2014 10:23PM

I dont seem to mix great with auto boxes! Even after a month driving around italy in a Alfa 159 with the selespeed mentioned above, I just never got comfortable with it give me stick any day!
By far and away tlhe worst was a 05 corsa 1L I had the pleasure of driving last week, feck it was awful my blood pressure is just returned to normal!

It's a pity because I quit fancy a 530 with auto box, I like the idea anyway, but I'll stick to stick for now.

Gael23 · 22-01-2014 10:40PM

OSI wrote: »

They're quicker than a manual, and claimed to be more economical. The 6 spd was still quicker but didn't have the same claimed economy as a manual.

Thats all true but they are not quite as good as the figures in the manual say thy are. My grandads one does 900km on 40l of diesel which is around 57mpg or so. Thats on everyday driving, he has seen 60 on a long drive.

xabi_a · 23-01-2014 10:04PM

OK some mixed views here. The latest BMW 3 and 4 series definitely don't have any DSG option - they're torque-converter automatics. Maybe other BMW models do.

With the higher number of gears, and more software control, I expect even the torque converter gearboxes must be getting better. BMW do promise that they give better performance and economy than the manual, probably because they simply have more gears and so are more efficient all round. I'd need a longer test drive to really check it out properly though. I don't understand why they don't use software control to stop it pulling away until you actually accelerate.

The DSG boxes seem to be pretty much VAG only. And I have a manual A4 now and it's just too big and cumbersome (especially compared to the Alfa). So I don't want another Audi.

colm_mcm · 23-01-2014 10:34PM

You can get dual clutch on the megane, scenic, focus, fiesta, 4007/c crosser,
Of course more racy cars will have them, but I think that's it for regular cars that aren't VW

Bmw do them on the 335i, 135i and m3

Gael23 · 23-01-2014 10:36PM

are there any opinions on Nissans new Xtronic box yet?

colm_mcm · 23-01-2014 10:37PM

ryanf1 wrote: »

are there any opinions on Nissans new Xtronic box yet?

Is that what's on the GTR, If not I'd say its related to the renault one?

Quick google suggests its cvt and had teething trouble?

Gearboxes, automatic transmission

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