Your opinions on buying an automatic moho

[forestfern]

So we’ve been searching for “the one”, having missed a couple of beauties and kicked ourselves for not being sharper off the mark. First time motorhomers here.

Now a perfect rollerteam has come up, apart from the fact that it’s automatic which we weren’t previously considering, it’s not something we’ve ever had.

Is this likely to affect re-saleability or price? Any drawbacks or is it really no big deal? Maybe a great selling point?

Any thoughts welcome, thank you

 

[Nirvanauk]

Auto every time for us. Never go back to manual.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Auto every time for us. Never go back to manual.

Ditto
Its a selling point.

 

[Lenny HB]

I wouldn't have one that isn't auto only difference it will make on price is an increase.
Much more relaxing to drive what is not to like.
Carthago now only offer auto for the UK market.

 

[Stealaway]

The newer Fiat 9 speed gearboxes are reported to be superb.
They are made by ZF gearboxes. They make them for many other manufacturers.

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[Jo662]

Automatic is the way to go,I love ours.

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

No drawbacks that I can think of, more of a bonus and making a sale in the future a doddle

 

[IRHP]

Comfortmatic? You'll hear a few horror stories but there's plenty around that are happy with them.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

So we’ve been searching for “the one”, having missed a couple of beauties and kicked ourselves for not being sharper off the mark. First time motorhomers here.

Now a perfect rollerteam has come up, apart from the fact that it’s automatic which we weren’t previously considering, it’s not something we’ve ever had.

Is this likely to affect re-saleability or price? Any drawbacks or is it really no big deal? Maybe a great selling point?

Any thoughts welcome, thank you

Very desirable

 

[dash300]

If my much waited for Van arrived as per spec but manual instead of auto it would be a deal breaker. In fact I would accept it sell it on and pocket a the profit on the price protection. Auto boxes have come on leaps and bounds to the extent that Fiat have even given up on manuals such is the demand for Auto's. I just can't see any advantage of a manual on any MH or Van Conversion.

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[TheAleMan]

Auto every single time. Wouldn’t go back to a manual on a motorhome

 

[EuroTrotters]

There are two main types of automatics on motorhomes.

Robotised Manual Gearboxes.

Agile, ComfortMatic, ShiftMatic, SprintShift.
Along with a few more.

Then there are true torque converter Gearboxes.

Mercedes 4G/5G/7G and 9G-Tronic, Allison and ZF (Fiats New 9 Speed Automatic is Manufactured by ZF).

True automatics tend to be stronger and more reliable than robotised manual boxes. Hence the reason most Base vehicle manufacturers have dropped them or passed them onto others. Now fitting Torque Converter boxes.

 

[dabhand]

Why on earth would anyone want a gearstick, don’t say for racing cos even F1 cars have paddle gears, you can choose semi auto which is on most mohos these days should you so wish.

 

[Gromett]

Why on earth would anyone want a gearstick, don’t say for racing cos even F1 cars have paddle gears, you can choose semi auto which is on most mohos these days should you so wish.

The only reason I can think for wanting a manual is if you do off road camping. The extra control you have for getting off the wet stuff is handy.

 

[CazPaul]

Manual every time for us, much more reliable as the van gets older. We always buy older vans though as they are also more reliable and sturdy.
Look at all the Comfortmatic tales of woe around I wouldn’t have one given.

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[Parrot Face]

I resisted the move to auto for many years. Stupid me. Love my automatic, can't believe I used to do all that pressing, pulling and tugging pedals and sticks up hills.

 

[jongood]

Manual every time for me to. Every lorry I drive these days are autos/ robitised clutch, Volvo is the only decent one. I prefer a manual for my motorhome so I can pick which gear I go up hills or around islands. Autos are also crap on slippery surfaces, gravel, grass,snow etc.

Additionally way too may horror stories about comfortmatics and agile, taking weeks to repair for something you could have coaxed home if manual.

 

[GirlyVanGirly]

I am looking to downsize and my next van will definitely be an automatic!

 

[Mr B]

As Jack Reacher would say…..”Never look back”
Auto, as loads have said, makes driving soooo much more relaxing.
Ours is a six speed comfortmatic- 3 litre.
Drive it smooth and gentle, and it’s great and no bother. Drive it like you stole it…and it’s sh##e
The new 9 speed ZF auto is better, but I’m more than happy with the old one.
Being a Yorkshire man, I can’t justify the ££££’s to change at the moment.

 

[Reallyretired]

My motorhomes is manual, my car is automatic at present. I have had both and really I'm not bothered either way, changing gear is not much of an effort really.
An automatic has more to go wrong but seem pretty reliable, though comfortmatic seem to have many problems so I would avoid one of those.

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[dunnah01]

The only problem with the Comfortmatic box is the dealers and garages lack of knowledge of how to set them up. It's a great setup otherwise.

 

[Barryh]

As we cruised through delightful non-motorway France, 80kmh, 70, 50, 30, 50, roundabout, roundabout, 50, 80, 70, 50, roundabout. Etc. I decided the next Moho has to be automatic.

 

[Odd-no-more]

I haven't owned a manual vehicle for 30 over years, apart from motorbikes. I drove a manual van for work but never through choice.

 

[SpeedyDux]

There are two main types of automatics on motorhomes.

Robotised Manual Gearboxes.

Agile, ComfortMatic, ShiftMatic, SprintShift.
Along with a few more.

Then there are true torque converter Gearboxes.

Mercedes 4G/5G/7G and 9G-Tronic, Allison and ZF (Fiats New 9 Speed Automatic is Manufactured by ZF).

True automatics tend to be stronger and more reliable than robotised manual boxes. Hence the reason most Base vehicle manufacturers have dropped them or passed them onto others. Now fitting Torque Converter boxes.

True automatics do wear out. Partly because they tend to be neglected and regarded as sealed for life so the gearbox fluid is never changed according to the service schedule. It might not be mentioned on the service schedule at all. Trouble can begin at around 80,000 miles, in my experience. A few years ago a rebuild by a specialist cost me over £3k. He told me he has replaced a lot of Merc torque converters, a weak point apparently. That 9 speed ZF autobox had a poor reputation in its early days when fitted to Jeeps. It appears to be sorted now.

Driven in the appropriate style and in no hurry there is no reason to fear the ComfortMatic robotised gearbox. My view is that the mistake was to floor it especially with MHs over 4.2 tonne GVW using the older 3 litre engine. The clutch being a known Fiat weakness.

 

[Landy Andy]

So everyone that has a comformatic gearbox that has failed, it is due to their fault, and incorrect driving style. Interesting. I wouldn’t want a vehicle where I permanently have to drive a certain way due to a weak item.

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[grp]

We got Fiat auto for first time and like you was concerned but it is great. Only thing I worry about and probably my driving but I don’t like doing hill starts especially when traffic behind me :-(

 

[dhall26]

Manual every time for us, much more reliable as the van gets older. We always buy older vans though as they are also more reliable and sturdy.
Look at all the Comfortmatic tales of woe around I wouldn’t have one given.

My last comfortmatic was 9 years old when sold recently And never had any problems and nor did the one before. That said my new 9 speed is really great

 

[dash300]

True automatics do wear out. Partly because they tend to be neglected and regarded as sealed for life so the gearbox fluid is never changed according to the service schedule. It might not be mentioned on the service schedule at all. Trouble can begin at around 80,000 miles, in my experience. A few years ago a rebuild by a specialist cost me over £3k. He told me he has replaced a lot of Merc torque converters, a weak point apparently. That 9 speed ZF autobox had a poor reputation in its early days when fitted to Jeeps. It appears to be sorted now.

Driven in the appropriate style and in no hurry there is no reason to fear the ComfortMatic robotised gearbox. My view is that the mistake was to floor it especially with MHs over 4.2 tonne GVW using the older 3 litre engine. The clutch being a known Fiat weakness.

The 'sealed for life' autobox on Volvo's is a misnomer. If the vehicle is used in stressful situations such as towing or use as a taxi Volvo recommend a fluid change every 2 years even though they refer to it as 'sealed for life'. The stuff has to work hard so I change mine every 2 years and will do the same with the new van.

 

[Ber090]

Love our Fiat 9 speed auto. 10000 miles now and is a dream. Makes life so easy going through back road France, or returning home to loads of roadworks. Must admit my Son seemed a bit miffed I have the same gearbox as his Jaguar!

 

[mossa]

So we’ve been searching for “the one”, having missed a couple of beauties and kicked ourselves for not being sharper off the mark. First time motorhomers here.

Now a perfect rollerteam has come up, apart from the fact that it’s automatic which we weren’t previously considering, it’s not something we’ve ever had.

Is this likely to affect re-saleability or price? Any drawbacks or is it really no big deal? Maybe a great selling point?

Any thoughts welcome, thank you

We have an automatic and wouldn’t want a van without it , drove around Italy and Spain and they are a joy doing 29mpg 3850t motorhome. I would think it is a selling point as they are like rocking horse you know what