Rob Marshall Posted January 1, 2004 Posted January 1, 2004 I am in the market for an everyday car which will also be used to tow the Westfield. I suspect it will be a VW Passat with the 1.9 TDi engine 110 or 115 PS. Which transmission would be best? I have found a low mileage one with the triptronic box is this a good option or is it just a gimmick? PS Happy New Year Quote
adhawkins Posted January 1, 2004 Posted January 1, 2004 My (limited admittedly) experience of tiptronic boxes is that they are horrible. I think you have to spend a fortune on something like a Ferrari or the new Audi TT (that has two clutches I believe) to get one with anything approaching decent performance. Personally I'd stick with a manual, or go full auto if you want an auto. From what I've seen, the tiptronic type boxes don't do either particularly well. Andy Quote
timd Posted January 1, 2004 Posted January 1, 2004 Isn't the tiptronic just a switchable auto? In which case you can switch it to fully auto usually anyway... Quote
adhawkins Posted January 1, 2004 Posted January 1, 2004 But the ones I've driven don't seem to be as good in auto mode as a 'real' auto. I've driven a Mercedes C220 Kompressor (sports coupe thing) and a Fiat Stilo Abarth. The tiptronic box in both was fine in 'normal' driving, but if you wanted to 'make progress' it just didn't seem to be able to keep up. Andy Quote
felters Posted January 1, 2004 Posted January 1, 2004 I've got a Mercedes E320 with the Tiptronic Auto box and I only ever used the Tiptonic when I first bought the car - just to see if it worked! It's a fine auto box though... Quote
adhawkins Posted January 1, 2004 Posted January 1, 2004 Well, I only drove it for a few miles (a friend had the car on loan) but the general concensus between the three of us that drove it was that it wasn't up to much (although in fairness none of us drive autos on a regular basis). I love the idea of a tiptronic type box, but unfortunately I just haven't found one that works well enough yet... Andy Quote
S8ight Posted January 1, 2004 Posted January 1, 2004 isnt tiptronic latin for; used for ten minutes then neglected until someone else buys the car" Quote
Rob Marshall Posted January 3, 2004 Author Posted January 3, 2004 Sounds like the triptronic is just an expensive gimmick, that would be very expensive to fix if it ever went wrong. I think I will stick to regular transmission, are autos better for towing? Also are larger cars better for towing? would a Bora be as good as a Passat? Quote
Mark Stanton Posted January 3, 2004 Posted January 3, 2004 You'll probably find a longer wheelbase car is more stable and better for towing There's another thread or two around with regard to tow cars, worth doing a search. I seem to recall that Windy recommended the VX Omega in one of em - big boot, well priced and a good tow"er" with diesel available for reasonable fuel costs My Vectra estate is a good tow"er" but perhaps not toooo economical being a 2.5 V6 - but roomy and comfy, again well priced thanks to Mr Clarkson The Bros also use one and theirs is the SRi Quote
adhawkins Posted January 3, 2004 Posted January 3, 2004 If you're just towing a Westy on a trailer, then I'm sure a Bora would be plenty. Studbuckle has a Bora Turbo Diesel, and he towed his SE down to mine without any problems (I think). If you're also considering towing a large caravan, then you'll need a comparably larger tow car (to be able to handle the extra weight). Andy Quote
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