Automatics

loltim said:
Don't most people stop liking manuals (or at least prefer auto) when they reach their late 20s/30s? Happened to me...
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Perhaps, I had an automatic e38 back in 2005 when I was 34 then went to a manual mondeo and hated it, but then had a few more manuals after that, had an e36 328i auto and thought a manual would suit it better but a few years later bought an e46 325i manual and wished I’d got an auto!

Back in an auto now (age 48) and wouldn’t want a manual equivalent- although a manual box just doesn’t suit a 7 Series anyway - a friend has got an e39 M5 which has been converted to automatic after he suffered an injury to his left leg that makes using clutches very painful, having driven it before and after the conversion I actually think the auto suits it beautifully!

Couldn’t see myself buying a manual now, I like driving my partners 1 Series but wish it was the 8sp auto, the drive is much better with the auto than the manual imo.

I’d like to think it’s just down to preference rather than age as such.
 
Also dont forget autos used to be pretty horrible things, and even worse in smaller engined cars

With computers, more gears, a complete change in what an auto box actually is, they have moved on massively. Manual boxes are really not that different to 30 years ago.
Manual boxes probably peaked evolution at 6 gears, more is going to be tricky to use due to gating (ie far to easy to get the wrong gear), are slower now, don't do some of the clever things like coasting to save fuel.
 
I have to say I quite like the CVT and flappy paddles in my 350gt-8. Really really smooth around town, low revving on the motorway and pretend manual on the paddles if you want some fun.

Downside - doesn't use the whole rev range in auto mode, just goes to peak torque at 5k rpm and stays there. Makes sense performance wise but you don't get the full engine howl :(

Also 8 gears in manual mode is too many, 5 or 6 would be fine.
 
Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
Also dont forget autos used to be pretty horrible things, and even worse in smaller engined cars

With computers, more gears, a complete change in what an auto box actually is, they have moved on massively. Manual boxes are really not that different to 30 years ago.
Manual boxes probably peaked evolution at 6 gears, more is going to be tricky to use due to gating (ie far to easy to get the wrong gear), are slower now, don't do some of the clever things like coasting to save fuel.
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Yep they have got a LOT more complicated, but of course at the same time a lot less reliable. Also look how much a service/oil change on a DSG box costs!

I'd be a lot more cautious buying an old car with a dual-clutch gearbox vs a manual. Even if a manual box has an issue it's not that expensive to fix, if a DSG box has an issue...
 
Usher said:
Yes. shoving a foot down to hold one lever whilst shoving another lever with your hand is very 21st century, all you need is a handbrake on the outside of the car to get the complete 1905 set :p
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Genuine Laugh out Loud moment there :D
 
Kenai said:
£179. Hardly a fortune, it's required every 40k or 80k depending on the particular model.
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Which isn't that different to some manual boxes either is it, but its often one of the things that will get skipped as by then plenty of cars are staring to be serviced outside a dealer network.
I suspect a lot of DSG failures are this as well, failure to follow service intervals.
 
Manual gearbox oil gets checked but isn't usually changed unless it needs to be. There might be one at the first service and then you won't need to do it again for a long time.

I did both my gearbox and LSD with £50 of high end oil (LSD oil needs changing about every 20k/2 years. Make sure this gets done too!).
 
Mercenary Keyboard Warrior said:
Also dont forget autos used to be pretty horrible things, and even worse in smaller engined cars

With computers, more gears, a complete change in what an auto box actually is, they have moved on massively. Manual boxes are really not that different to 30 years ago.
Manual boxes probably peaked evolution at 6 gears, more is going to be tricky to use due to gating (ie far to easy to get the wrong gear), are slower now, don't do some of the clever things like coasting to save fuel.
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Indeed, a friend of mine had a automatic Mini in the 1980s and used to get burned off at the lights by those eggshell blue invalid carriages.

Remember DAFs with the Variomatic boxes?
 
I had a Daf 44 estate and loved it - foot to floor - screams away to 0-60 in three days then foot off at 60 and revs dropped to 50 - In all seriousness I thought it was easy to drive and the clutch mechanism was so simple - One quirk was you had to start it in gear which fooled a few garages.
 
Kenai said:
£179. Hardly a fortune, it's required every 40k or 80k depending on the particular model.
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Yeah I'd say that's pretty good. My transmission fluid on my bog standard auto box is due to be changed at my next service and I wish it was that much.
 
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ttaskmaster said:
Nope. Mine have been and gone, but I still prefer manual.


HOW MUCH???!!!
I know automatics are all about not having to do something yourself, but surely DIY would be cheaper?
ATF does reek something chronic, though. It's like Eau de Rancid Bacon in syrup form!


Sounds like you inadvertently stumbled upon the local secret code for a hand job!! :D
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That's a filter, 6 or so litres oil ( Assuming its one of the wet clutch DSGs) and maybe an hours piddling about as the "official" method for the DSG oil change is right song and dance
 
I used to hate the idea of owning an auto, but the tech has moved on. Modern auto's are largely very good, at least in the more premium marques.
 
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