Manual gearboxes make me mad

Rilot

Rilot

Rilot

Don
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
23,569
Location
Wargrave, UK
After years of driving luxo barges with automatic transmissions, I recently got a 540i with a 6-speed manual.
My driving style has now changed from slow and steady to mental full throttle and hard braking everywhere. Might be the howl of the V8 that's doing it but I think it's the gearbox.

Has anyone else noticed this after going from auto to manual?
 
Got an auto & manual car and I find the same. Drive my CTR like the possessed chav I am and drive the 9-5 like a blind old man.
 
[TW]Fox;14114465 said:
Thats because it has a VTEC engine and therefore doesn't actually go anywhere at a pace exceeding that of a milkfloat unless you drive like that.
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Did you figure that out all by yourself?
 
[TW]Fox;14114465 said:
Thats because it has a VTEC engine and therefore doesn't actually go anywhere at a pace exceeding that of a milkfloat unless you drive like that.
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It has 150bhp before VTEC and a nice positive gearbox. I find it drives much better than our 150bhp SAAB when driving in town and on the dual carraigeway. I could drive it slower but then if I wanted to do that I wouldn't have bought a 200bhp car.
 
I can't say I've even really noticed the switch back from auto-manual. It doesn't make a lot of difference.
 
Dup said:
It has 150bhp before VTEC and a nice positive gearbox. I find it drives much better than our 150bhp SAAB when driving in town and on the dual carraigeway. I could drive it slower but then if I wanted to do that I wouldn't have bought a 200bhp car.
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I can't remember where I read it, but the type r was said to have the best gearchange of all manual gearboxes.
 
Rilot said:
After years of driving luxo barges with automatic transmissions, I recently got a 540i with a 6-speed manual.
My driving style has now changed from slow and steady to mental full throttle and hard braking everywhere. Might be the howl of the V8 that's doing it but I think it's the gearbox.

Has anyone else noticed this after going from auto to manual?
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Yes, I have driven nothing but Jaguars for 2 years and when going back to a manual small-engined car I have the poor thing howling up to the redline constantly.

edit: Since those cars are not mine I also do stupid things like try to get wheelspin.
 
Interesting question. No. I thrash the hell out of her auto Scenic as well :D

But having said that I also drive my Anglia like a grandad from time time, despite having a wild engine and close ratios.
 
triggerthat said:
I am curious to know if the lack of torque is a problem and if close-ratio gearbox over comes it?

How is the R like around town?
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I can drive in 6th up your average gradient without laboring the engine at 30mph and that is econodriving to the extreme in this car. 5th is more than adequate in most scenarios, you just need to drive "properly" and use engine braking more.
 
I think we've successfully derailed this thread :p

My DC5 has more than enough power for driving around when I don't thrash it (albeit it's a different engine to the CTR) but give it some beans you're right - it'll fly right on by. It easily matches the power of my N/A MR2 when out of VTEC though and the MR2 is hardly rated as a slow car.

[Edit] O/T, the only auto car I've driven is the VXR8 around Thruxton so I am hardly in a place to comment :D
 
Rilot said:
After years of driving luxo barges with automatic transmissions, I recently got a 540i with a 6-speed manual.
My driving style has now changed from slow and steady to mental full throttle and hard braking everywhere. Might be the howl of the V8 that's doing it but I think it's the gearbox.

Has anyone else noticed this after going from auto to manual?
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I was about to agree about the difference in smoothness from auto to manual .. until i saw the v8 ...

well yes.. with a v8 i doubt it do little else than rev lots.. wouldnt even need a stereo..

but after recently trying a friends new passat dsg .. im quite happy to stay with manual , the auto's just dont change when i want them to .. i guess you would get used to them but id still rather control more than have the car decide
 
I Experianced my First case of Vtec today. I've got to say, i was totally impressed. The Noise / Power boost was wicked. Even if it was a 1.8 ITR DC2.
 
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