Going from manual to automatic

mattx2 · 29 Apr 2010 at 01:06

I had manuals then an auto and now back to manual and I really wish I'd just bought another auto

I don't know why people bother with manuals seems Europe is the only place that loves them the us and japan auto is the norm

beermonster · 29 Apr 2010 at 01:07

Mine has a power mode which will make it redline before changing, and also you can turn the overdrive off which will give engine braking. Its a lot better around town with it off, as like you say it gives engine braking, only downside is you only get 3 gears with it off.

Third Opinion · 29 Apr 2010 at 07:53

Reliability isnt really an issue now either. Of course if the worst does happen it is gonna be pricey, but my ex wife has had two mercs that have gone over 10 years and 200k without any autobox problems.

A relative of mine still has my old Nissan Primera with 250k on its autobox without a single issue.

iaind · 29 Apr 2010 at 07:53

beermonster said:
Mine has a power mode which will make it redline before changing, and also you can turn the overdrive off which will give engine braking. Its a lot better around town with it off, as like you say it gives engine braking, only downside is you only get 3 gears with it off.

I dont think I'd like an autobox where I'd have to choose how it behaves like that. Mine will redline (well, comes to about 50rpm of it!) before changing up if you put your foot down - it also seems to change quicker the harder you're pushing on. Drive it gently and it's changing up at much lower revs and does it much slower/smoother. I think it adapts to how you drive over a period - after a hoon, it feels "funny" around town for a few minutes

[TW]Fox · 29 Apr 2010 at 08:14

iaind said:
I dont think I'd like an autobox where I'd have to choose how it behaves like that

Why not, choice is a good thing. If you dont WANT to chose, you dont have to, you can simply leave it in normal mode, but the choice is there if you want it? :confused:

rypt · 29 Apr 2010 at 09:36

beermonster said:
Mine has a power mode which will make it redline before changing, and also you can turn the overdrive off which will give engine braking. Its a lot better around town with it off, as like you say it gives engine braking, only downside is you only get 3 gears with it off.

I fail to see why gearboxes need so many settings, what's wrong with a clever one that works out whether you are going around town or not...

Howard · 29 Apr 2010 at 09:47

rypt said:
I fail to see why gearboxes need so many settings, what's wrong with a clever one that works out whether you are going around town or not...

Yeah one that links to the sat-nav and detects road patterns - If it sees a long angular road starting with A or B and has numbers in, hold on to the gears as long as possible

rypt · 29 Apr 2010 at 10:00

Howard said:
Yeah one that links to the sat-nav and detects road patterns - If it sees a long angular road starting with A or B and has numbers in, hold on to the gears as long as possible

Don't even need that, just need to sense how the person is driving ... are they flooring the accelerator, steering input/yaw, speed, etc

[TW]Fox · 29 Apr 2010 at 10:03

lol rypt, always thinks he knows best

rypt · 29 Apr 2010 at 10:03

[TW]Fox;16456955 said:
lol rypt, always thinks he knows best

Give me one good reason why what I say is not possible?

Participant · 29 Apr 2010 at 11:36

[TW]Fox;16456955 said:
lol rypt, always thinks he knows best

[TW]Fox...it's all about the irony.

jellybeard999 · 29 Apr 2010 at 11:39

rypt said:
Give me one good reason why what I say is not possible?

It wasn't in a 300ZX from the 80s !

Ring Peace · 29 Apr 2010 at 12:07

iaind said:
Handbrake on else you'll be blinding the poor sod behind you

I am hoping the

means you were being sarcastic, because I never understand this complaint, do these people on a motorway when everyone in front slams on brakes do they immediately crash with all the blinding light?

OllyM · 29 Apr 2010 at 12:12

I've never understood that either, other people's brake lights don't bother me :confused:

beermonster · 29 Apr 2010 at 12:14

iaind said:
I dont think I'd like an autobox where I'd have to choose how it behaves like that. Mine will redline (well, comes to about 50rpm of it!) before changing up if you put your foot down - it also seems to change quicker the harder you're pushing on. Drive it gently and it's changing up at much lower revs and does it much slower/smoother. I think it adapts to how you drive over a period - after a hoon, it feels "funny" around town for a few minutes

Sorry I wasnt entirely clear, it will redline if you give it some welly regardless of settings. its just that on the jap version I have they had a selectable power mode, uk versions do not. But like yours if your just cruising along it will change up well before the redline, then if you floor it suddenly it will redline before changing.

Jez · 29 Apr 2010 at 12:35

I get around said:
I've had 2 days experience, how much more do I need to know I prefer changing gears.
Automatic cars just don't feel right, just generally an unsatisfying drive as it's so boring, at least when you're changing gears there is something to do with the left side of your body.

I get around said:
Volvo 850 estate, automatic.
It crept forward if the handbrake was on in drive.

Even when you put your foot down it would take a good 2-3 seconds to drop a gear and the acceleration was painful, so slow.

Manuals are superior, you can have fun in them, on the motorway pop it into 6th and chill out and clutch control is just majorly useful when trying to squeeze into a tight parking space.

So your basis for your argument is 2 days in someone elses crap old volvo? Point proven, you didnt adapt and learn the box, your viewpoint is a misguided one.

Scania · 29 Apr 2010 at 12:37

Takes a bit more than 2 days to fully adapt to an Auto and then a bit longer again learning all the things you can do differently with the two pedal setup.....

All we need next is automatic steering and the Jobs a good 'un!

[TW]Fox · 29 Apr 2010 at 13:04

Robbie G said:
[TW]Fox...it's all about the irony.

It's like you follow me around like a little dog, it's really very amusing, I know with absolute certainty that if I make certain posts you'll be there 10 minutes later with a reply, even if we are in GD in a thread about chcolate or something

[TW]Fox · 29 Apr 2010 at 13:06

rypt said:
Give me one good reason why what I say is not possible?

Because it will never be able to predict with 100% certainty the desired driving style. Switchable sport modes are far better as the user gets to chose how they wish the box to respond, rather than the box having to guess how the user wants it to respond.

Scania · 29 Apr 2010 at 13:10

[TW]Fox;16458301 said:
Because it will never be able to predict with 100% certainty the desired driving style.

This is so true of Scania's automatic gearboxes, every now & again they will jump up two gears when hill climbing, when obviously you'd rather it went down two..... :eek:

Best solution is the Semi / steptronic route, where you can over-ride the box & tell it when to change, a feature that Ilove about my Scanias box and really miss comparing my e36 Auto to my previous e38 steptronic.