Tiptronic or Sequentronic???

[Sander]

Hello everyone!

This is my first post on the forum, and it is regarding the gearboxes.

I can't really decide between the tiptronic and the sequentronic.
I have driven a couple of Mercedes' tiptronic boxes, and I now they're pretty good.

My question is; Is the sequentronic just as good/better, or is it total crap? and why?

And what exactly is the difference?

I hope i'll get some good answers from you experts!

regards,

Sander

 

[fuzzer]

Do not under any circumstances buy a sequentronic box.

This car will become unsellable when you fit this box in.

Manual or full auto only.

The sequentronic box is a manual without the clutch and is a waste of money.

Hope its not put you off ...

 

[Frank]

Do not buy a Sequentronic.Every person that I have spoken to is of this opinion,even MB service engineers.It is a manual with a computer operated hydraulic clutch.Changes are slow and jerky.One guy said it was like being a bad learner with no mechanical feel.The big problem was it didn't get any better.The C class coupe buyers in the USA do not seem impressed with the 6 speed manuals either.My MB is a diesel automatic,the first of both.It is the smoothest car that I have ever owned (and the most economical).MB auto boxes seem to be very frugal as the differences in fuel economy between manual and auto is about 1/3 of some competitors.

 

[Tony]

Transmission

If you're buying a Merc saloon you should go for automatic. I've got an SLK320 manual (6 speed) and, while the manual box suits a sports car (and the SLK is a sports car despite what the road reports say) I don't think it would suit the saloons. Strangely the fuel consumption figures in the handbook are better for the auto than the manual - I don't understand why.

Obviously the sequentronic should be the best, because you get rid of the slush pump and its slurring gearchanges but you still can have auto shifting. Trouble is it'll take Mercedes years to get it to work properly (they've still a bit to do on their manual). BMW are on their second attempt at the SMG (Sequential Manual Gear) box and, according to road reports, it's getting better but it's still not recommended. Toyota have a version (SMT) on their MR2, but again it's said to be annoyingly jerky. Alfa have got Selespeed which again is jerky, and Ferrari have their F1 change, about which the less said the better.

It's still going to be the best type of transmission when they get it to work properly. The really interesting one is going to be the DGS (Dynamic Gear Shift) which Audi are going to offer on their forthcoming TT 3.2V6. This is again a manual change with electrically operated clutches, a J gate and paddle shifts. The really clever bit is that the gearbox has two clutches and drive shafts. This allows it to pre-engage the next gear you select and then (according to their advertising) seamlessly and very rapidly move you to the next gear. If it works I know what my next car will be.

 

[Sander]

Thanks for the replies i've gotton so far.

Reason for asking is, my father and I are looking for a new C-class sedan, which we're both gonna drive. The problem is, my dad prefers automatic gearboxes, while I prefer manual (because i like to keep in control 8) ). Therefor I thought Sequentronic would be the better option for us, my father has the autoshift, and I can sort of stay in control.

What exactly takes long before the sequentronic shifts; the time between you pushing the handle and the actual shift, or the actual shift itself??

Also, will it change gears faster when in full throtle?

Anyone with experience? Looking forward to all of your replies,

Regards,

Sander

 

[Sander]

i forgot to ask what the difference is between manual shifting with the tiptronic and sequentronic? Because I cant really see any difference but there is a 1500 euro price difference in the advantage of sequentronic over here in the Netherlands :?

Please help me out!

thanks in advance,

Sander

 

[piestore]

gearbox

Under no circumstances buy the sequitronic box without test driving it. In auto mode it is very unusal and takes a lot of getting used to. in manual it is difficult to drive but once you have got used to it the high performance capabilitie is stunning but who wants to drive like that all the time ? I would buy an auto