View Full Version : What is Tiptronic?
Is it just a fancy name for Automatic?
Anybody got a BMW with tiptronic can advise as I have seen one Im interested in, thanks.
No. You can change gear in a tiptronic - usually by moving the selector sideways - so you can override the automatic selector. No clutch needed.
Stupid paddle shifts for wannabe F1 drivers who don't enjoy changing gear properly, even if it is faster.
Semi Auto bbox, hit 1 paddle to go up a gear, the other paddle to go down a gear.
gettin2dizzy
13-05-09, 11:34 AM
an expensive repair for an unnecessary toy
Oh, sounds like expensive stuff if it goes wrong then. hmm will reconsider what I look at. I think I might post in wanted section.
Mr Speirs
13-05-09, 11:35 AM
Used to have an Alfa with Tiptronic as Ed said you can select the gears as you would in a manual car its just the process is automated for you.
There are two different types though. An automoated manual car and a manually operated automatic car.
Either way it is honestly the best way of driving!!! I loved it.
plowsie
13-05-09, 11:35 AM
Stupid paddle shifts for wannabe F1 drivers who don't enjoy changing gear properly, even if it is faster.
Semi Auto bbox, hit 1 paddle to go up a gear, the other paddle to go down a gear.
See I thought tiptronic was moving the gear selector left from Auto to +/- then is like normal gear stick but it only goes up or down and doesn't require the clutch.
Is it more the concept of the car being able to shift without the driver having to use a manual clutch that gives it the name tiptronic?
Owenski
13-05-09, 11:35 AM
EDIT: Removed cos I was wronger than wrong
plowsie
13-05-09, 11:37 AM
All those fancy sports cars have it with the paddle shift.
Was gonna say, someone says sounds costly, if you can afford a car * with paddle shifters, you can afford a service.
* In most instances.
Pm - SLloyd, he used to have a 520i with tiptronic.
My Merc has it. In drive, you simply press the lever to the left to change down, or to the right to change up. Simples. I never use it though, there's no need as the gearbox is so good. I'm not a wannabe F1 driver, in a diesel C200 I think I'd be outclassed:D
yorkie_chris
13-05-09, 12:08 PM
Had a go in one and hated it. It would shift up when you were trying to bang it down through the box properly.
If you want to have fun get something with a proper gearbox.
454697819
13-05-09, 12:26 PM
buy a dsg VW gear box...
Ceri JC
13-05-09, 03:51 PM
...the only sort of automatic gearbox I'd have on a car. Very good. I didn't use to like the idea, but after using one, I must concede it is better than a traditionally geared car in all driving circumstances: More relaxed when just mile munching, more 'on it' when ragging it.
Meh if a stick was good enoguh for Senna, Prost, Mansall, fangio, its good enough for me.
Real men use sticks, not flappy paddles. F1 drivers these days have got it easy (in comparison).
leesh00
13-05-09, 04:14 PM
Ive had quite a few mates who have bought cars with these types of gearbox, and after the initial novelty they stopped using the tiptronic option and just leave it in drive.
In real life there not worth the extra pound notes :thumbdown:
Ive had quite a few mates who have bought cars with these types of gearbox, and after the initial novelty they stopped using the tiptronic option and just leave it in drive.
Not had a car with it myself, but those I know who have had a such a 'box tired of it after varying amounts of time and ended up leaving it as an auto.
I have it in my car.
Only ever used it once and disliked it so I always leave it in SD.
Not needed any repairs to the gear box. . . . . . .yet.
fizzwheel
13-05-09, 06:41 PM
I've driven alot of cars with it on. I've never really found a car that would let me use it and keep the car in the gear I wanted to be in at the time I wanted it. There was either a delay in the change or the gearbox decided I wanted 4th when I wanted 3rd etc etc.
I drove a Porsche a litle while ago last year that had a tiptronic box and that worked the best of the ones I tried. Next was a Jag XKR but that had more lag in the system than the Porsche did.
Most recent was a Saab that I had as a hire car. Gearbox was bl**dy awful keep taking over and changing gears when I didnt want it to.
I'd not buy a car with one on based on my experiences with it...
Jamiebridges123
13-05-09, 06:45 PM
Flappy paddle gearboxes are for people with flappy paddle heads..
buy a dsg VW gear box...
I had a Golf TDI 170 as a hire car last year, with the DSG box - felt almost as quick as my scooby away from the lights, apart from spinning up in 1st 2nd and 3rd =D>=D>=D>
See I thought tiptronic was moving the gear selector left from Auto to +/- then is like normal gear stick but it only goes up or down and doesn't require the clutch.
Is it more the concept of the car being able to shift without the driver having to use a manual clutch that gives it the name tiptronic?
My 330 has it, its like a semi auto matic gear box that allows you to flick the gear stick forward and backwards though the gears, not that great though as it wont really let you abuse the car and its not really quicker than the auto system!, Sport mode is good though. ;)
leesh00
14-05-09, 03:21 PM
I had a Golf TDI 170 as a hire car last year, with the DSG box - felt almost as quick as my scooby away from the lights, apart from spinning up in 1st 2nd and 3rd =D>=D>=D>
Yeh I work in the car trade and the vw tip box is pretty much the best of the bunch ( for sensible money ) has good response times and not much lag - if I was deperate to get a tip box thats the one id have.
Would still prefer manual though - personally :)
454697819
14-05-09, 03:44 PM
Have no choice in the future as the misus has auto only licence... when I replace mine it will be for a VW of some description.
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