to tip or not to tip???

[nicholaswgmay]

I am running around in my 944T and her indoors has a lovely little Boxster everything in the garden is lovely... except I've always wanted a 911! So looking through the 996 ads there are a lot of tiptronics on the market my qestion is what are peoples real life experience of tips? Has anyone owned both and has a comparison opinion?

 

[kenwardc]

Hi there

I've owned only two Tiptronic cars in my life so far. One is an Audi S-Line A6 saloon and the other is the 996 Turbo I collected a couple of weeks ago. Before I bought the 911, I swore I would never own another car with a Tiptronic gearbox, because the Audi has to have the worst driver experience I've ever had. It changes at the wrong times, doesn't change down intuitively enough and is basically slow and tacky. Even in "manual" mode I hate it.

After looking at options when buying the 911, and after one or two sincere recommendations from folks with 996 TTs (Tiptronics), I decided that I would go for the Tiptronic rather than the manual. Collected the car with more than a little trepidation from the dealer and started out on the drive home. I was absolutely blown away by the responsivenesss of the 911 auto box. It changes crisply and almost instantly. When under braking, it changes down at, for me, exactly the right speeds and I'm able to use engine braking - unheard of in my Audi. When I bought the car I thought I'd probably be driving everywhere in manual mode but actually so far the box is just so good that I've tended to let it have its own way, with the occasional blip down one or two gears, depending on how emphatically I want to accelerate. Porsche have done a masterful job on the Tiptronic, at least on my car - it's magic.

Hope that helps.
Chris

 

[dij999]

Have driven a few of both and personally prefer manual, but that's what it is 'personal'.

There a few things - mostly niggly - about the 996 that I would criticise but the gearbox isn't one of them.

I prefer the involvement of manual but as Chris says "Porsche have done a masterful job on the Tiptronic".

I think you will enjoy either.

 

[Rodney Naghar]

I've owned two tips and one manual.
I really enjoyed tiptronic, especially in manual mode. In traffic and in driving around town it is a real blessing, the changes are smooth and you can just enjoy the ride.

For that extra bit of driver envolvement I prefer the manual though. It's very satisfying to get a heel and toe correct, and to swap cogs.

It all depends what you want out of your driving experience but both have their merits, try both and see, but they're both very good.

 

[minny]

Drive both to help you decide. I think they are both fantastic but I love my Tip and would definitely buy another. If anything I've become lazy and probably wouldn't consider a manual one especially as I use mine daily including school runs and traffic grinds. I'm fortunate that for involvement, I have a 40 year old manual Mini Cooper S htat has been built as a rally car.

 

[artfailier]

Like a lot of these systems you can end up in top gear very quickly if you are driving in trafic in auto mode .It may learn your driving style but it cannot 'learn ' traffic so you can often find yourself at 40mph in top gear under 2000rpm where there is no power.I use the buttons on the S/wheel and manual change most of the time which is very satisfactory and more involving without the clutch pumping of congested South East driving.What I have found though is when you are thinking of a quick overtake on a country road bang it back into auto and floor it ! Very little will get past faster than that. If you driving routes take you through much congestionthen Tip is a very good idea .

 

[juliany27]

I tested the 996 and 997 with Tip.

I found that it was not for me; although as I get older [!] and since I live and travel around Central london I suspect that I will try the new PDK system - Lottery winnings permitting.

 

[kenwardc]

This is how I've been using mine. Auto where needed, a quick tweak down a gear when needed but still in Auto, or out and out manual change for the fun of it. Wonderful - it's the best of both worlds for me.

 

[jonc4s]

I was in exactly the same situation, very worried about whether I would take to the TIP box. Took the plunge and I'm so glad I did, I really like the gearbox. Also driven a few examples of other cars with Tiptronix and thought they were pretty bad, this is miles better.

I tend to drive around in manual the majority of the time, don't miss the clutch and I enjoy the thumb controls.

Agree with the other opinion though, drive both and decide but don't be too concerned about the tip.

Next car for me will have PDK, no doubt...

 

[jukn]

My first 996 was a tip and the first automatic gearbox i had ever owned in 30 odd years of driving.I didn't really want it at first, but grew to love it more than i thought possible especially with the steering wheel switches. All the beauty of a manual without the clutch.

My new car is a manual, and i love it dearly but i had forgotton how heavy the clutch can be and if i could change only one thing about this car it would be to make it a tiptronic!

 

[GallivanS]

I've just spent 18 searching for my ifrst Porsche and eventualy went with the Tip. Best of both worlds for me. Around town and boring commuting its a godsend. For that extra fun when out on a real run the tip adds that real feel.

Go for the Tip everytime.....[]