Ducato automatic gearbox - good or not?

[Roger Wilkinson]

Planning to purchase a new Ducato-based van later this year and we're wondering about having an automatic. Always had manual before, but as we age we find we're getting a little less deft with things like gear changes and I guess we won't be getting any smarter in the future. We hired a car last year with one and were very impressed - technology has advanced since I last drove one decades ago. I've done a bit of research and it seems there were some issues with the Comfort-Matic or whatever they call it in its early days, but couldn't find any recent problems (not to self - never be an early adopter).
I am interested to hear what anyone's experience is, good or bad. Have you had problems? Would you never buy another? Would you never go back to manual? etc etc.

 

[ABZSteve]

Planning to purchase a new Ducato-based van later this year and we're wondering about having an automatic. Always had manual before, but as we age we find we're getting a little less deft with things like gear changes and I guess we won't be getting any smarter in the future. We hired a car last year with one and were very impressed - technology has advanced since I last drove one decades ago. I've done a bit of research and it seems there were some issues with the Comfort-Matic or whatever they call it in its early days, but couldn't find any recent problems (not to self - never be an early adopter).
I am interested to hear what anyone's experience is, good or bad. Have you had problems? Would you never buy another? Would you never go back to manual? etc etc.

All good with mine, 2015 and will buy same again. Try a search of other posts, many previous discussions

 

[Arewethereyet]

We have a 2013 150bhp with comfortmatic box and love it, if I had one comment to make is that they do take a bit of getting used to when making small movements ie inching backwards or forwards up ramps and the such like as it can feel like a either all or nothing, but once you have experienced it a few times you should have no problems

 

[Zepp]

Have a look here link below

http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/automatic-v-manual-on-motorhome.147638/

 

[Bill_OR]

The Comformatic box is excellent - I would never go back to a manual!

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[mikebeaches]

Yes, we like our comfortmatic gearbox, with standard 2.3l 130hp engine. Van is so much more relaxing to drive.

No problems and wouldn't consider going back to a manual gearbox now.

 

[CWH]

Ducato automatic gearbox - good or not?
Good.
No chance of ever going back to manual.

if I had one comment to make is that they do take a bit of getting used to when making small movements ie inching backwards or forwards up ramps and the such like as it can feel like a either all or nothing

... of course you can always knock it into manual for fiddly things, and I always do so on a campsite to keep to low speed limit of around 5mph.

 

[two]

Happy with mine, but it's not old enough to show up any problems. Ask again in a couple of years or so.

 

[Clarky]

Excellent!
Next question?

Richard.

 

[BobtheBass]

We love ours now I have got used to having an elderly man in the cab with me pressing the clutch pedal!

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[Jo662]

We love our comformatic gearbox,,and wouldn't go back to a manual now. So relaxed and easy to drive,go for it!

 

[Roger Wilkinson]

Many thanks for all the replies. Looks like we've made our decision.

 

[Brian Thompson]

Planning to purchase a new Ducato-based van later this year and we're wondering about having an automatic. Always had manual before, but as we age we find we're getting a little less deft with things like gear changes and I guess we won't be getting any smarter in the future. We hired a car last year with one and were very impressed - technology has advanced since I last drove one decades ago. I've done a bit of research and it seems there were some issues with the Comfort-Matic or whatever they call it in its early days, but couldn't find any recent problems (not to self - never be an early adopter).
I am interested to hear what anyone's experience is, good or bad. Have you had problems? Would you never buy another? Would you never go back to manual? etc etc.

My day-to-day vehicle is a Honda CRV with a "true Automatic gearbox " I also have a Fiat-based Autotrail Apache with a Comfort-Matic box which is an assisted manual at best. There is no comparison. A true automatic holds on hills ie doesn't roll back when taking your foot off the throttle. I'm forever doing hill starts in the Fiat, not a pleasurable and sometimes scary experience if you're on steep hills. I am actively looking for a replacement Motorhome with a true automatic box.

 

[jerryz]

Avoid CVT gearboxes ,, make sure it a proper automatic ,,

 

[Pausim]

I liked my Comfortmatic gearbox and I absolutely love the 9 speed box they are using in the current vans. The series 9 I currently have is the new 2.2 litre engine with the 9 speed box, the series 10 is I believe an 8 speed auto box. When you say new do you mean new to you or newly manufactured?

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[enark]

As above, previously had a comfotmatic, and had no probs, its a great step up from manual. Only drawback was that unlike a full auto, it didnt do creep.

Now have the ZF 9 speed, and its superb, dont notice gear changes, full creep and proper park mode. Love it.

 

[ChrisL]

Guy's this thread is from 2017, I think the OP has made his decision by now

 

[seasideBill]

Got my new 9 speed auto in March and now covered about 3k. Initially I was a bit disappointed with the take up from stationary which was quite harsh. However that disappeared after a few hundred miles and I understand others have had similar experiences? Now I really enjoy driving it. Sometimes it holds onto lower gears longer than I would under acceleration but that’s my only niggle.

oops, didn’t spot thread date!

 

[Just us on Tour]

Planning to purchase a new Ducato-based van later this year and we're wondering about having an automatic. Always had manual before, but as we age we find we're getting a little less deft with things like gear changes and I guess we won't be getting any smarter in the future. We hired a car last year with one and were very impressed - technology has advanced since I last drove one decades ago. I've done a bit of research and it seems there were some issues with the Comfort-Matic or whatever they call it in its early days, but couldn't find any recent problems (not to self - never be an early adopter).
I am interested to hear what anyone's experience is, good or bad. Have you had problems? Would you never buy another? Would you never go back to manual? etc etc.

I have never owned a van with the comfortmatic box but I have driven one . I have the 9 speedtrue automatic in my van . I can’t really comment on reliability of the comfortmatic but it does drive well . As the name suggests it is far more relaxing to drive and much nicer in my view than driving a manual. However , put the comfortmatic against the 9 speed auto and they are streets apart . The 9 speed started to appear in the Ducato I believe in late 2020.
The 9 speed is more responsive and smoother. Either box are nice to drive but if budget allows the 9 speed is much improved over the comfortmatic . If budget allows , drive both and make up your own mind . I am sure whichever you go for you will be delighted with it

 

[Pausim]

Ooops.

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[Dall]

I have the 9 speed, it's a delight...

 

[plug]

had the comfortmatic before the current 9 speed, I have no complaints about this box it has given me what I want and more.