[s-cars] Tiptronic gearbox and others like it

[Taka Mizutani]

S8s don't come in wagon form, nor do I have any interest in doing a
driveline conversion on a car that complex. Putting a LSx or a 302/351 into
a Miata is one thing, converting a car that has the ECU, instrument cluster
and transmission computer all talking to each other is a whole different
thing.

It would be easier to simply import a manual S8 anyway.

I wouldn't want to try to work on a W12! You probably need to pull the
engine just to change the oil. :-O

Taka


On 10/5/07, Vincent Frégeac <s.sikss at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Get an S8 for 20K$, spend the additional 10K$ to convert it to 6sp manual
> (Euro spec) and you'll have probably the only S8 6sp in N.A. instead of an
> E500 anyone can buy.
>
> If it's not enough, you can try to fit the 6 sp manual on a W12, but since
> they made only 750 A8 W12 worldwide, the engine may be hard to find (and
> probably above 10K$ :(
>
>
>
> Vincent
>
> -----Message d'origine-----
> De: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
> [mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] De la part de Taka Mizutani
> Envoyé: 4 octobre 2007 19:01
> À: paul at sfest.us
> Cc: s-car-list at audifans.com
> Objet: [s-cars] Tiptronic gearbox and others like it
>
> I know I'm going to get lambasted on the s-car list for this, but have any
> of you driven other brands' slushbox cars lately?
>
> I cannot stand the tiptronic in any Audi or VW product that I've driven,
> incl. A8 (both generations), S4tt, A4 (all three generations), A6 (C5 and
> C6), allroad, RS6.
>
> The Volvo slushbox is just as bad as tiptronic- slow to shift, just plain
> sucks.
>
> The MBZ slushbox in the W204 C-Class and W211 E-Class is phenomenally
> good-
> very quick to shift, responsive and smooth. (Both the 5-speed and 7-speed
> versions)
>
> I have not driven any BMW slushboxes other than the X5 (1st gen.), which I
> did not like at all, as bad as Tiptronic.
>
> Infiniti slushbox is pretty lousy as well (G35, FX45).
>
> I'm still considering a W211 E500 wagon- I can't find anything like it at
> the price that they go for used (under $30k).
>
> BMW E60 535xi Touring would be nice, with a 6-speed manual, but they're
> well
> north of $60k and only available as '08s.
>
> There is no comparable Audi (A6 is a slug, S4 Avant is too small although
> manual transmissions are available, I don't like allroads).
>
> Volvo stopped making Rs after '07, so there will be no new generation
> V70R,
> which is a shame.
>
> Saabs are just too ugly interior-wise to consider and the only interesting
> one would be a 9-3X Aero Sportkombi, which I doubt will be available in
> manual and a bit too small.
>
> I'm also thinking G-Wagen, which is way out in left field.
>
> Porsche Cayenne S is a possibility as well, if you can find one without
> the
> problematic air suspension, which is a $6k+ repair if it goes.
>
>
> Any thoughts from the collective?
>
> Taka
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