Auto or Manual Box

[Neil H]

Hi, searching for a van conversion about 6m long, probably a Fiat Ducato 2017 ish. I guess that if I buy a auto in this age range it will have a Comfort Matic auto box, rather than the later 9 speed true auto. After reading loads about the problems of this box the question is, is it worth taking the gamble and going auto. Most of the vans that we have seen advertised are auto, by not having the confidence to buy one its ruling out a lot of vans that might be suitable for us. Thanks in advance Jan and Neil

 

[royandsharont]

I think the 9 speed auto came out in Ducato’s anniversary production, which was July 2021 I think, My 2022 van is but my mates 2019 van wasn’t.

 

[enark]

Not had any probs with the conformatic box yet ……touch wood

 

[JimmE]

We’ve got a comformatic, 2013 van. It does drive a little differently than a ‘normal’ automatic, but it didn’t take long to get used to and I’d have no hesitation having another if needed.

That said, although I’ve no personal experience of the new 9 speed auto, based on having the 8speed version of the same box in my main car, that would definitely be an upgrade!

 

[rosalan]

Your question was Manual or Automatic rather than getting too engrossed in the technical differences between the various versions of 'Automatic'. Surely the discussion is between having total control of gears or allowing the vehicle to select the most suitable gear for performance or economy or ease of driving.
I have an electric auto gearbox on my Renault Master and mostly love it. I am perhaps more confident in the reliability of a manual box but would not wish to change.

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[JimmE]

Your question was Manual or Automatic rather than getting too engrossed in the technical differences between the various versions of 'Automatic'. Surely the discussion is between having total control of gears or allowing the vehicle to select the most suitable gear for performance or economy or ease of driving.
I have an electric auto gearbox on my Renault Master and mostly love it. I am perhaps more confident in the reliability of a manual box but would not wish to change.

Good point! We weren’t specifically looking for an automatic - we were looking for a very specific layout/spec of van. The first one we found which was suitable and within budget happened to be an auto. I saw (and still see) it as a bonus!

I’ve not had issues with the gearbox so I guess my opinion is different from someone who has had expensive/complicated issues. My (brief) research before buying did not indicate systemic issues - sure plenty of people who have had issues but equally many who have had the same box multiple times on different vans and have been pleased with it.

Whilst I did end up adapting my driving style slightly to suit the comformatic auto, I now very rarely ‘disagree’ with the gear it chooses. Notable exceptions being up or down very steep windy hills - such as from the cliff to a beach or in a mountain range. In those cases I do tend to revert to semi auto and override the selection as either it’s revving like crazy unnecessarily, or changing up to 2nd when I can see that I’m going to need 1st again ver shortly. Other than that, it ‘just works’!

 

[davidroxburgh]

I would not worry. In general an auto even if comfortmatic is much more sought after. If you look at dealers ordered new vehicles the vast majority are auto. I accept that the new 9 speed auto is better than the comfortmatic but that means a very late van.
We have had 3 - 2012 Burstner Ixeo 6 meters 150 engine. Particulate filter issue once but otherwise great. Next 2012 Hymer LHD bought in Germany - 150 engine - never missed a beat. If in VERY mountainous country with say start at junction on severe slope it may take a few goes to start right. Next Westfalia Columbus LHD bought Germany 2.3 177 top engine. No issue whatsoever.
For many oldies such as me auto is relaxing especially in city centres.
Go for it!

 

[rosalan]

Exactly and in conjunction with cruise control it makes driving more relaxing.

 

[Lenny HB]

We are on our second van with a Comformatic so we have been driving them for nearly 9 years. Not quite as good as a full auto but far better than a manual. If the new 9 speed wasn't available I'd be happy with another Comformatic.

 

[mikebeaches]

Touch wood, no problem with our Confortmatic gearbox and now much more relaxing and comfortable to drive than a manual, from a personal perspective.

When younger, always preferred manual gearboxes - but then age started to creep up on me...

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[rosalan]

Touch wood, no problem with our Confortmatic gearbox and now much more relaxing and comfortable to drive than a manual, from a personal perspective.

When younger, always preferred manual gearboxes - but then age started to creep up on me...

Never!

 

[enark]

Fully agree, the ease and stress free driving with an auto is well worth it.

 

[Landy Andy]

Personally wouldn’t have a comformatic box. Full auto yes. When it does play up, you are knackered. Holiday over. No one appears to be able to fix them, you can’t tow it, you can’t play the no clutch match the revs gearchange scenario as you can on a manual. Everytime you read about one failing on a holiday, it becomes a massive event with people swapping bits, waiting for parts and generally not knowing what they are doing with it, and everyone on here thinking they know more then the “specialist” who now has the van in their workshop. That’s not for me.

 

[Soycd]

I ended up with Comformatic by mistake. When I picked up the van from Germany, expecting it to be manual it was Comformatic. I was delighted at the mistake as I'd payed for a manual version. I've had automatic cars before but never a motorhome. I really like it and won't go back to manual. I've got an Adria Twin on order and that will have the automatic gearbox.

 

[enark]

Personally wouldn’t have a comformatic box. Full auto yes. When it does play up, you are knackered. Holiday over. No one appears to be able to fix them, you can’t tow it, you can’t play the no clutch match the revs gearchange scenario as you can on a manual. Everytime you read about one failing on a holiday, it becomes a massive event with people swapping bits, waiting for parts and generally not knowing what they are doing with it, and everyone on here thinking they know more then the “specialist” who now has the van in their workshop. That’s not for me.

Obviously you know then, thanks

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[Puddleduck]

Ours is a 2016 Comfortomatic and (touch wood) no issues at all.

The car, Peugeot has an electronic auto and likewise no issues.

I would not go back to a manual box.

 

[SpeedyDux]

Probably time for a poll thread! We only hear about the ComfortMatics that needed fixing, which is always a major issue for the unfortunate MHer, and don't hear as much about the ones that just keep on working after years of use and many thousands of happy touring miles.

I had to drive a manual loan car last month. Dealers seem to avoid autos for cheap loan cars. Why is that, when so many customers drive autos. First time for over 2 years. Pulling away from junctions hoping not to stall. Having to remember to change gears. It reminded me why my van and car are autos.

 

[Speve]

Had comfortmatic now for nearly five years and it’s great would I have another?most definitely yes

 

[hja]

Wouldnt touch a manual. Have had auto cars for years. Had a comformatic for a couple of years - I had no problem, but hubby did. It went into limp mode a couple of times. Seemed to be his big feet getting two pedals at once. Now have the new auto ear box which is great.

 

[wp1234]

I’ve had the comfortmatic for over 4 years and 36k …it’s not missed a beat .

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[EuroTrotters]

ive written a lot about true automatic gearboxes on here. That and the robotised mnauals.

Stick to a Torque converter automatic.

 

[Neil H]

Brilliant, what a great forum, thanks for all your comments, very helpful, I think you pays your money and takes your chance, but if a van with the comfortmatic box comes up i would definitely consider buying it, thanks again Jan and Neil

 

[Fdhadi]

If the van & layout and price are right, I wouldn’t let either option put me off, but that’s me personally.

 

[daventess]

I wanted an automatic, but ended up with a manual because we fell in love with the van.

 

[Blackadder]

My wife's car has a 9-speed slush pump box. My car has a CVT. Our motorhome has a Comfortmatic. The wife's is undoubtedly the best (but cost a fortune). I love the CVT which is much better than everyone seems to think. The Comfortmatic is as good as the CVT but with both you need to understand how it reacts and drive accordingly.
I haven't driven a manual for about 25 years and normally use my left foot for braking. With slush pump/CVT this allows better control of the torque convertor and a smoother drive. Can't do this with the Confortmatic as the system won't allow brake and throttle simultaneously (to protect the electric clutch) so I have to concentrate! Not being able to brake and nudge forward makes getting on levelling ramps a bit more difficult but given the choice again I'd go for the Confortmatic every time. And yes, these forums (I'm on several bike forums in addition to this one) tend to report problems rather than satisfaction so I suspect (hope!) the scare stories are overblown.

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[paddymcc]

I would be wary of the Mercedes version of the comformatic, called Sprint shift. They seemed to have been more problematic. Sprintshift stopped being used awhile back now, however. Recent auto Mercs have been torque converters

 

[EuroTrotters]

I would be wary of the Mercedes version of the comformatic, called Sprint shift. They seemed to have been more problematic. Sprintshift stopped being used awhile back now, however. Recent auto Mercs have been torque converters

Sold to VW in the old Mercedes built crafter. Re-branded “shiftmatic”. Should have been sprintshit re-branded shitmatic.