Hi,
I've heard some bad things about semi automatics and was wondering how founded they were. They break more frequently, better off going with a manual or an automatic rather than the semi as you end up falling between two stools?
Maybe it just depends on the car itself.... anyone's thoughts would be appreciated!
Thanks!
(What do you mean, litttlenicky. Do you mean automated clutch manual 'semi automatics'? do you mean preselector dual clutch autos like VSAG's DSG and ZF's Ford Powershift? Or do you mean torque converter autos with 'Tiptronic' function? World of difference.)
Edited by Honestjohn on 13/04/2009 at 15:06
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I was in an Audi dealership yesterday. I asked a salesman about the reliability of the S Tronic gearbox, telling him I'd heard some horror stories about the costs involved when they fail.
His reply was quite illuminating in its own way. "Nah," he said, "they've got it sorted out now. The multitronics were a bit of a problem but we've not had much problem with the S Tronic."
Then he went on to say. "Anyway, how long do you keep your car? As long as you change it out within three years any problems are covered by the warranty."
Draw your own conclusion from that.
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well... i have a semi automatic 1995 Mitsi FTO
i change the oil every 2 years...and i dont think the last owners did as frequently
and bearing in mind it was made in 1995
i and many many others in the FTO owners club have had NO problems
i disagree with your statement
its the same with anything in life....its how you use it
i use mine manually until its warm...then im not using the torque converter
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"Draw your own conclusion from that."
The conclusion I draw is the same I drew from the Ford specialist salesman selling me a Mondeo Titanium X earlier this year, which is that I knew a helluva lot more about the car, recalls, spec etc than he (and a colleague of his) did. In particular, the "technical spec".
IMO you'd do much better researching information on t'internet (on this forum and others) rather than believing a salesman. btw I'm not saying I distrusted the salesmen I spoke to, just that I don't think they really knew or been trained in much, except (maybe) how to BS a customer and how to close a sale and do the associated reams of paperwork.
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..just that I don't think they really knew or been trained in much, except (maybe) how to BS a customer and how to close a sale and do the associated reams of paperwork. ....
Slight thread drift, but I think that's exactly right.
The guy could sell a Ford in the morning and walk into a Citroen garage in the afternoon and perform equally, er, adequately.
When I was doing the job, I made a point of at least studying the brochure, although any customer who had done some research would still know more about the car than me.
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The one fitted to the Citroen C2 is simply dreadful. I would never buy one unless it behaved like a true automatic for slow speed maneuvering. You'd push on the accelerator, and nothing happened. Push a bit harder and it shoots forwards, at which point you have to mash your foot onto the brake.
In particular, there's a 2 second delay between pushing the accelerator and actually moving when going from a standing start. It's ruddy lethal when turning out of junctions or across a busy road.
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I agree with David, SWMBO has a C3 Sensodrive which does exactly as he says. On top of that, it has no 'creep' like a normal auto. Hill starts are difficult and there's a lag between gear changes in normal driving.
It'll be going this summer !
Ted
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I've had two S tronic Audis - first one was no problem, this one has had a new mechatronic unit - £1,000 for the part.
Sounds expensive, but I was in the dealership when an owner was called to say the car thief had wrecked his clutch and DMF - a further £850 on the insurance claim.
I probably wouldn't have one out of warranty, but my next car will have one. The 1.4T DSG combination is appealing to me at the moment.
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I understand that S Tronic is a BorgWarner invention, currently licensed exclusively to VAG. I wonder how long this exclusive deal runs for?
It seems to me that S Tronic is a brilliant concept but one in need of wider market exposure to acquire the volume data necessary to improve the reliability.
If that?s right then is S Tronic development actually suffering because of this exclusivity?
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"i use mine manually until its warm...then im not using the torque converter"
Your gearbox is an adaptive type and uses the torque convertor whether in manual or automatic mode.
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