Focus vs 1 Series Auto Box

RoboCod

RoboCod

RoboCod

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Hi,

was wondering, how do the auto boxes compare on both these motors? I read that the 1 series auto boxes are excellent. Can the same be said for the ford? The GF will be looking at a new car soon, we were set on the ford for the affordability but the 120d/118d looks like a better purchase if it is more reliable for her long commutes. (looking at 2010+ models)

cheers
 
[TW]Fox;26842283 said:
The 1 Series has the ZF 8 speed, arguably the best auto box you can buy.
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Is he looking at F20/21s though? He said 2010+ and I think the first F2x came out on a 61 plate.

A budget would be handy :)
 
[TW]Fox;26842283 said:
The 1 Series has the ZF 8 speed, arguably the best auto box you can buy.
Click to expand...

Why is it arguably the best autobox you can buy? And are they available across the Mini range? If so, from which year was it introduced?
 
[TW]Fox;26842283 said:
The 1 Series has the ZF 8 speed, arguably the best auto box you can buy.
Click to expand...

Would I be right in assuming a 2010 model wouldn't though? - OP mentions 2010 onward, think the ZF8 is 2011 onward.
 
Well budget was 6-7k which is focus money. However, looking at a 1 series, and for the benefit of a better gear box, I would have to go for a 2011+ it would seem. So that's £11k+ I see.
 
It really isn't bold at all, the gearbox is close to perfection on an everyday car (Porsche PDK doesn't really constitute as everyday)
 
Is it just me that prefers Audi's S Tronic option? Drove an X3 last week and the box didn't do a great job, nor was it particularly smooth.

I don't like those ZF boxes in some of the Jaguar applications either – although they still do a good job – but that's probably more to do with the calibration than anything else.

Maybe it's just the 'here's your next ratio, now' aspect that I like.
 
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Ricochet J said:
Why is it arguably the best autobox you can buy? And are they available across the Mini range? If so, from which year was it introduced?
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ZF 8 Speed is rear drive applications only. Hence why it doesn't feature on many Audis (only Quattro versions which have a transfer box to send drive forwards).
 
Lashout_UK said:
Is it just me that prefers Audi's S Tronic option? Drove an X3 last week and the box didn't do a great job, nor was it particularly smooth.

I don't like those ZF boxes in some of the Jaguar applications either – although they still do a good job – but that's probably more to do with the calibration than anything else.

Maybe it's just the 'here's your next ratio, now' aspect that I like.
Click to expand...

My last car was a DSG 2.0T and now I have the auto 530D. In day to day driving the ZF and DSG are very similar, I rarely find the experience intruded by the autobox. The ZF doesn't have the annoying problem with quick starts the DSG had. However the DSG seemed a little more intuitive when pressing on, however the engines are so different that makes things hard to compare.
 
Lashout_UK said:
Is it just me that prefers Audi's S Tronic option? Drove an X3 last week and the box didn't do a great job, nor was it particularly smooth.

I don't like those ZF boxes in some of the Jaguar applications either – although they still do a good job – but that's probably more to do with the calibration than anything else.

Maybe it's just the 'here's your next ratio, now' aspect that I like.
Click to expand...

I was talking about conventional auto boxes of which the S Tronic is not one.
 
Thoughts please?

Of course this means I might up our budget. Granted this model does not include the flappy paddles. What confused me when I spoke to the BMW dealer near me, he said they are all 8-speed autos? I didn't think that was the case? I thought they did 6-speed too? Turns out I may be wrong on that. It looks like this has the package that buyers should be loking for - SE with drivers comfort.

Other possible contenders...

Seat Leon
Ford Focus Titanium
Recession white though :(

The main thing drawing me to the 1 is I won't mind taking it for a spin from time to time :p but in that case I'd want the 120d, not 118d. On the other hand the focus is more suitable for the missus. We're test driving both tomorrow.
 
To all the people who seem surprised by fox's statement the zf 8 speed is pretty much universally accepted by motor critics to be the best auto transmission around. Its really fast for a conventional single clutch style box and is in eveything from bentley continentals to 1 series's and Aston virages.
Infact more often than not for a car like a M235i for instance its recommended over the manual
 
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