tiptronic - yes or no?
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Dapster
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Depends what you'll be using your car for. If it's relentless city commuting then tip seems like a fine idea (but why didn't you get a Golf Tdi automatic?). If you plan to let it's hair down, hack around a few twisty B roads with the hood down, there is simply nothing better than snicking up and down the box listening to that engine. Of all the cars I've owned, the Boxster has the best peddle layout allowing for heel and toe-ing, and a very smooth and well weighted clutch which means that traffic really isn't going to kill you. I'm approaching 49k miles on the original clutch. If I were you I'd stick your £1700 quid onto the 6 speed and PASM upgrade on the 2.7.
My wife has had a 964 Cab Tip, 993 Cab Tip, and two manual Boxsters. Her 987 will be a manual.
I had a C4S Tip on loan from Porsche last year and, whilst Tiptronic has its merits and will suit some people, IMO it is a compromised system still reliant on old torque converter technology. The forthcoming DSG system may be the way forward and Tiptronic will no doubt become history.
The six speed gear box is slick, the clutch is light and the engine has lots of torque. Combine this with the added responsiveness of a manual car and the choice, especially for a Porsche, should be obvious.
I had a C4S Tip on loan from Porsche last year and, whilst Tiptronic has its merits and will suit some people, IMO it is a compromised system still reliant on old torque converter technology. The forthcoming DSG system may be the way forward and Tiptronic will no doubt become history.
The six speed gear box is slick, the clutch is light and the engine has lots of torque. Combine this with the added responsiveness of a manual car and the choice, especially for a Porsche, should be obvious.
Its a personal choice -
for - long touring and city driving especially abroad - can give full attention to the road.
against - driving a sports car with manual box more hands on.
New model quite responsive with steering wheel paddles - no lack of power there.
Would not have sold my old one if it had not been a tiptronic - all replies were for tip plus full leather seats not sports seats.
for - long touring and city driving especially abroad - can give full attention to the road.
against - driving a sports car with manual box more hands on.
New model quite responsive with steering wheel paddles - no lack of power there.
Would not have sold my old one if it had not been a tiptronic - all replies were for tip plus full leather seats not sports seats.
I have a tip', and for London driving, there's nothing like it. I wouldn't touch a manual.
Although I fully agree it is a more involving drive, and the gearbox is a joy to use.
What's not a joy is stop go traffic on steep hills, rush hour traffic etc. Total nightmare.
I always use the box in 'manual mode', the gear changes are pretty quick compared to real world manual gear change times.
So I guess it all depends on how much traffic you face. because if you dont face much, I'd get the manual instead.
Horses for courses.
Although I fully agree it is a more involving drive, and the gearbox is a joy to use.
What's not a joy is stop go traffic on steep hills, rush hour traffic etc. Total nightmare.
I always use the box in 'manual mode', the gear changes are pretty quick compared to real world manual gear change times.
So I guess it all depends on how much traffic you face. because if you dont face much, I'd get the manual instead.
Horses for courses.
? If you meant that the tip is only a 4 speed, its not, its a 5 speed.
Guest
New member
Newbie posting for the first time.
I've put my name on the list for the Boxster Coupe presumably for 2006, and am hoping the 7-speed DSG will be simultaneously available. Anyone care to offer an opinion? Partner and I each drive automatics normally, I'm a bike rider so not afraid of changing gear. Driving is a good deal of SE heavy traffic, fair amount of heavily trafficked UK Motorway, small amount of good roads here and in Europe.
I've put my name on the list for the Boxster Coupe presumably for 2006, and am hoping the 7-speed DSG will be simultaneously available. Anyone care to offer an opinion? Partner and I each drive automatics normally, I'm a bike rider so not afraid of changing gear. Driving is a good deal of SE heavy traffic, fair amount of heavily trafficked UK Motorway, small amount of good roads here and in Europe.
jac in a box
New member
Don't rule out the Tiptronic ...I still think that with the car in manual mode it takes a fair bit of skill to match engine speed / road speed with the appropiate gear selection to make the perfect change.
I tried several manuals before I chose the Tiptronic, though Tiptronic wasn't the overiding factor I certainly do not regret my choice and at no stage have I wished I bought a manual,
In town it's a doddle, no faffing around with gear sticks and clutches.
Get out and about for some fun driving and select manual...it's brilliant. The changes are almost instantaneous. Both hands on the wheel and concentrate on steering a flick (or 2) of a finger and I can drop 2 gears as quickly as a manual shift.
Even in auto mode I think the changes are pretty quick...much better than BMW's SMG and much better than many other auto's.
For those that say it's "clunky" - not so IMO. Power sapping? - not significantly. Detrimental to fuel economy? - my consumption is around 29mpg on motorway drives; 24mpg "having fun"....not bad I think!
There will be those who like to quote 0-60 figures...I'll leave that to the hairy chested boys who like to see who can pee furthest, highest etc
Put a manual and tiptronic side by side for a 0-60 sprint and I wouldn't mind betting there would be little in it....unless of course the manual driver has a very good technique for standing starts and has little regard for mechanical sympathy or longevity of his clutch.
Tiptronic - simply bury the throttle pedal and let the electronic wizardry take care of it all - and I won't get any funny smells from my car!
On a journey from A to B you'd be there just as quick as a manual - maybe sooner on a "twisty" trip!
Oh, and it appears the Tiptronic is less likely to suffer RMS failures (PCGB survey)
Unless of course, you subscribe to the notion that such devices are primarily intended for, well, those of a less masculine disposition?
In which case, as a girl, that's fine - I've made the right choice!
Jackie
I tried several manuals before I chose the Tiptronic, though Tiptronic wasn't the overiding factor I certainly do not regret my choice and at no stage have I wished I bought a manual,
In town it's a doddle, no faffing around with gear sticks and clutches.
Get out and about for some fun driving and select manual...it's brilliant. The changes are almost instantaneous. Both hands on the wheel and concentrate on steering a flick (or 2) of a finger and I can drop 2 gears as quickly as a manual shift.
Even in auto mode I think the changes are pretty quick...much better than BMW's SMG and much better than many other auto's.
For those that say it's "clunky" - not so IMO. Power sapping? - not significantly. Detrimental to fuel economy? - my consumption is around 29mpg on motorway drives; 24mpg "having fun"....not bad I think!
There will be those who like to quote 0-60 figures...I'll leave that to the hairy chested boys who like to see who can pee furthest, highest etc
Put a manual and tiptronic side by side for a 0-60 sprint and I wouldn't mind betting there would be little in it....unless of course the manual driver has a very good technique for standing starts and has little regard for mechanical sympathy or longevity of his clutch.
Tiptronic - simply bury the throttle pedal and let the electronic wizardry take care of it all - and I won't get any funny smells from my car!
On a journey from A to B you'd be there just as quick as a manual - maybe sooner on a "twisty" trip!
Oh, and it appears the Tiptronic is less likely to suffer RMS failures (PCGB survey)
Unless of course, you subscribe to the notion that such devices are primarily intended for, well, those of a less masculine disposition?
In which case, as a girl, that's fine - I've made the right choice!
Jackie
jac in a box
New member
Forgot to mention DSG...first of all I was under the impression that DSG would only be fitted to the Carerra GT?
Secondly, having experienced DSG fiited to an Audi TT, I found it had some disconcerting habits; not least of all the hesitation when pulling out at junctions and roundabouts - only for a fraction of a second but could be worrying.
Also has a pretty poor reliability record....issues with software and geearboxes themeselves.
Brilliant concept but needs a little more work.
Jackie
Secondly, having experienced DSG fiited to an Audi TT, I found it had some disconcerting habits; not least of all the hesitation when pulling out at junctions and roundabouts - only for a fraction of a second but could be worrying.
Also has a pretty poor reliability record....issues with software and geearboxes themeselves.
Brilliant concept but needs a little more work.
Jackie
Thanks for the info Jackie - adds nicely to the debate.[
]
Small point - Carrera GT is not fitted with DSG.
]Small point - Carrera GT is not fitted with DSG.
jac in a box
New member
Hmm, not sure if my comments will add to the debate Mark - or stir up a hornets nest (not my intention, honest!)
Who said DSG was fitted to the Carrera GT? Not me!
I'm not aware of any Porsche models fitted with the DSG unit - yet. I'm sure I heard, somewhere, that when Porsche adopts the DSG system it will be fitted to the Carrera GT only.
I may well be wrong - as usual! .....But, I'm not wrong about the Tiptronic!!
Jackie
Who said DSG was fitted to the Carrera GT? Not me!
I'm not aware of any Porsche models fitted with the DSG unit - yet. I'm sure I heard, somewhere, that when Porsche adopts the DSG system it will be fitted to the Carrera GT only.
I may well be wrong - as usual! .....But, I'm not wrong about the Tiptronic!!
Jackie
Guest
New member
Thanks for the debate. My question about the DSG is because the magazines indicate it will be available with the boxster coupe, but of course there's no real information yet. I've driven it in a Golf diesel, but not the TT 3.2 which would be roughly comparable for power handling.
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