Auto or Manual?

[Hurricane J]

HI all, looking at a Swift Bolero 712SB (2.3L/150BHP) Would normally go for a manual, but have seen a couple of nice automatics. Any thoughts on the pro's and cons of each please. Any feedback appreciated. Thanks

 

[Bevlar]

Had manuals in the past but for the last 5 years had Fiat Comfortmatic on our Bavaria and love it. There is a slight lag when changing gears but you soon get used to it. We find it more relaxing to drive as one less thing to concentrate on. Wouldn't go back to a manual.

 

[Googlebot]

Driven a range of autos, vans and cars.

There are the robotised comfortmatic types and the more refined dual clutch types. They are very different to drive. I wouldn’t touch the robotised ones ever after bad experiences with some at work. I however had an Audi with a dual clutch and it was amazing!

I much prefer autos and would always get one over a manual.

The new Fiat 9 speed looks very good indeed!

 

[StitchesnFluff]

Would not go back to a manual. Auto so much ‘less tiring’.

 

[138go]

We love our automatic. Are you sure about the Swift?

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[Parrot Face]

Bought my first automatic last year....why did I leave it so long, so much easier and relaxing.

 

[PeteH]

Always Had Stick changes. But when SWMBO finally lost the use of her "clutch" leg. We got an Auto. one of the old type 3speed "slush boxes", she has had several ever since, both types. Although I have, and still drive, a Manual, I absolutely love driving the current Mercedes, 3L V6 and Auto. My R-V`s where Auto`s too. but from a different age. Nice but no comparison. Srangely enough though, the thing I really did not appreciate until I had it was Power Steering!. But I guess that is an age thing?.

Driving technique is the key IMV, be prepared to back off the "gas" momentarily, which I find makes the up changes just that bit smoother, especially with "robotised" boxes.

 

[KiwiKampers]

I was reluctant to go to an automatic when we sold our Ford Transit manual and it took me a while to get used to the "lag" (as mentioned by Bevlar) in the Fiat Ducato Comfortmatic, but now I really appreciate the lazy style of driving. The good thing about the Comfortmatic is that you can switch between auto and manual very easily. I use the manual change fairly regularly because we live in a hilly/mountaineous country and I like to give the gearbox a work-out and to use the gears as brakes. In the UK, the automatic comes into its own when you're stuck in traffic jams. It's not so hard on arthritic knees!

 

[Jo662]

I love our comformatic auto, would never go back to manual given the choice!

 

[Pausim]

There are the robotised comfortmatic types and the more refined dual clutch types.

I thought the dual clutch autos (DSG) were robotised the same as the Comformatic. It is true that DSG autos are superb, we have one on our car and it can outperform any auto or manual I have ever driven. I have not heard of a DSG gearbox on a motorhome but I would be very happy to learn otherwise.

Some people prefer traditional torque converter autos but I have just changed from a Mercedes Hymer with a torque auto to a Carthago Fiat with Comformatic and frankly I am not finding the gearbox a problem. I am happy with both types.

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[Googlebot]

I thought the dual clutch autos (DSG) were robotised the same as the Comformatic. It is true that DSG autos are superb, we have one on our car and it can outperform any auto or manual I have ever driven. I have not heard of a DSG gearbox on a motorhome but I would be very happy to learn otherwise.

Some people prefer traditional torque converter autos but I have just changed from a Mercedes Hymer with a torque auto to a Carthago Fiat with Comformatic and frankly I am not finding the gearbox a problem. I am happy with both types.

I am not an expert by any means and can only speak from experience.

The robotised ones I drove were IVECO and they were awful! Hesitant, slow, clunky and in one case burnt out up a steep hill.

FIAT comfortmatic could be different to the IVECO one?

I too am a convert to autos.

 

[DJT]

Mercedes auto gearbox works great in Hymer MLTeffortless driving.

 

[hymermick]

I have had manuals for 29 years but for the last 5 years I have had Fiat Comfort-matic gearbox on our Hymer and would never go back. If I had known they were so good I would got one sooner.

 

[hblewett]

We have a Mercedes auto and wouldn't go back to a manual. Both cars are auto too. I haven't used a Comfortmatic box but know people who have and are very happy with them.

I've never heard anyone say "I wish I hadn't got this auto box, I should have had a manual"; you might hear that with a sports car but I've never heard it about a motorhome.

If auto boxes had been developed at the start of motoring would anyone have gone out and invented a manual gearbox?

 

[Mike Rivers]

I’ve driven both. As someone mentioned there is a slight lag between gear changes so not like a Mercedes Sprinter auto in that sense but at a leisurely pace it shouldn’t be an issue. And yes, it does make for a very relaxed driving experience. I’m currently driving a Peugeot Boxer base unit which only offered a manual 6 speed box which is fine but I probably would have gone auto were it available.

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[Glandwr]

One disadvantage I find with an auto is going up onto levelling blocks. Other than that I would choose it every time.

 

[DJT]

One disadvantage I find with an auto is going up onto levelling blocks. Other than that I would choose it every time.

On the Mercedes auto you can select a manual mode If need be.Don't know if this is the same on the Fiat auto!

 

[Glandwr]

On the Mercedes auto you can select a manual mode If need be.Don't know if this is the same on the Fiat auto!

No manual mode on mine (2004) and combined with an air brake hand brake that can't be half on makes it difficult. One more thing, I purposely chose a LHD and auto definitely helps at my advanced years in not having to change gear with my right hand.

 

[allanmu]

Our previous 2 motorhomes had manual transmission and I thought they were just fine. However, our latest van is auto, and I now wouldn't go back to manual on a motorhome or camper. I still prefer manual on my other toy (powerful rear-wheel drive sportscar) though.

 

[Westbarn1]

Auto for me, something less to think about when your driving.

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[Lenny HB]

On our second van with a Comformatic, although not perfect it sure does beat a manual when it comes to driving pleasure. I think the gear changes are smoother in our 2017 van compared to 2014 one.

 

[C33JAY]

Ive owned Autos for the past 20 years in your average car generally with the larger engine my choice but had some very good small car experiences with a 1400 Fiesta Auto which was exceptional, I owned the current GTR R35 which was Auto with 500BHP wow what a box more recently ive owned a VW Transporter with DSG so smooth a great drive and now ive got the New 9 Speed Auto in my Fiat based Swift MH an expensive option when buying New but for me its worth every penny £3,500 I think it was argh lol you dont feel it changing gear it is so so smooth and it picks up well if you boot it, ive got the 140BHP and only because im used to more power I would prefer more but the 140BHP is well matched with the box, I would highly recommend the New 9 Speed Auto box.
I was very surprised when I started looking at Motorhomes our 1st how few Autos were out there I was expecting a 50 / 50 split Manual & Auto at least, so im glad I chose the year to change to a Motorhome from my VDub when Fiat released there New Auto

 

[thebriars]

One disadvantage I find with an auto is going up onto levelling blocks. Other than that I would choose it every time.

Not a disadvantage, but an advantage. One foot on the accelerator, the other on the brake. Simple.

While we are on about lag on auto boxes, that only affects robotised boxes like the comformatic. Decent torque converter boxes are superb with no lag.

 

[Tony50]

Not a disadvantage, but an advantage. One foot on the accelerator, the other on the brake. Simple.

While we are on about lag on auto boxes, that only affects robotised boxes like the comformatic. Decent torque converter boxes are superb with no lag.

HI all, looking at a Swift Bolero 712SB (2.3L/150BHP) Would normally go for a manual, but have seen a couple of nice automatics. Any thoughts on the pro's and cons of each please. Any feedback appreciated. Thanks

The Automatics you are looking at are they new ? and even if they are make sure what type of Automatics they are, ask the question is it a Robotic Auto Gearbox ? ( Called Comfortmatic) ( that's a Normal manual gearbox with a clutch but using mainly Electronics to operate changing the gears for you ).
The latest Fiat's have a proper Automatic gearboxes, which should be better, but are fairly new to the market.
So although the vehicle may be not Registered/ licenced it may be old Stock and a Comfortmatic.
I have a 2017 180 bhp engine with a Auto ,but Comfortmatic , it's OK, but my next Motorhome will be a Proper Automatic.
I say why change gear yourself when there's something that will do it for you? and it's lovely when in a queue or at a stop junction, no putting in and out of gear , although being Ex. Garage Owner on our Comfortmatic as it has a Clutch at a stop I always put in Neutral as the Clutch centre plate is spinning all the time and possibly wearing.
I would never go back to Manual gears

 

[62253]

I seem to have opposit view to most of the comments on here. My only experience of driving an auto was in Canada when I hired a MH for 4 weeks. I must admit, I did not like it. I did not feel that I was in control of the gearing, particularly on hills (up or down) when with a manual gear box you can shift to suit the gradient and the revs required. Sometimes when going up a steepish hill with auto, I felt it was going to stall before it finally shifted to a lower gear.

As for being 'one less thing to think about', you should be thinking about all aspects of your driving all of the time.

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[MOHO Mike]

I hate the comformatic box because of the dreadful lag,especially when pulling out of a junction but also when trying to get onto levelling blocks. I would never have one again.
However I have a dsg box on my car and its the best thing since sliced bread. No lag and full control.

 

[Rodneyplonker]

We hired a Mercedes based automatic Motorhome in NZ earlier this year and drove 4700km in it over the most varied terrain you could wish for. Going down hill I just nudged it down the gearbox and it was fine - even down the most twisty steep slopes you could imagine! Always felt in control.
After that experience we ordered a new a Burstner with the 9speed auto box...collecting it in two weeks time.

 

[Tony50]

I hate the comformatic box because of the dreadful lag,especially when pulling out of a junction but also when trying to get onto levelling blocks. I would never have one again.
However I have a dsg box on my car and its the best thing since sliced bread. No lag and full control.

I have got used to my Comfortmatic, not , the perfect tool, I agree, my son had a Dsg gearbox in his car and he disliked it . me I love auto's

 

[thebriars]

I seem to have opposit view to most of the comments on here. My only experience of driving an auto was in Canada when I hired a MH for 4 weeks. I must admit, I did not like it. I did not feel that I was in control of the gearing, particularly on hills (up or down) when with a manual gear box you can shift to suit the gradient and the revs required. Sometimes when going up a steepish hill with auto, I felt it was going to stall before it finally shifted to a lower gear.

As for being 'one less thing to think about', you should be thinking about all aspects of your driving all of the time.

Much depends on the gearbox, but even with an auto you can manually shift up or down, though our motorhome will automatically change down a gear or two going down a steep hill to give engine braking.

Don't understand your last sentence. With our Ford, and our two cars, we simply put them into gear and forget about gears. There is literally nothing to think about, they are always in the right gear!

 

[Graham27]

I have a Rapido auto and love it, especially good when driving up the mountains, also cruise control makes driving so much more relaxing on long journeys