Toyota MMT

James187

Hi

My wife and I are considering buying a used Toyota Auris but it needs to be an automatic for my wife to drive. The Auris only comes with the multi-mode gearbox rather than full auto and I was wondering whether it can still be used the same as a normal automatic - i.e. can you just stick in in D and away you go?

I've also heard a few complaints of this gearbox, but from what I can tell this is only when using the flappy paddles which I doubt we'll be doing. Anyone got any experience of this?

Thanks in advance.

AdrianHi

I've read a lot of negative reports on the Toyota MMT in connection with the Verso.
Have a look for cars that come with the VW Audi Group (VAG) DSG gearbox. VW Golf and bigger, Audi A3 and bigger, Skoda Octavia and bigger, Seat Ibiza and bigger.
The smaller cheaper cars tend to have cheaper not so brilliant auto gearboxes.
Golf, A3 and Ibiza similar size to the Auris.

daveyjp

MMT can be used as an auto, but some users have found them to be useless. You need an extended test drive in one, which includes slow speed manouvering in car parks etc.

MMT won't creep like a normal auto (or DSG) so parking in tight spots can be a difficult thing to do.

Agree with Adrian that DSG (or s-tronic in Audis) is a far superior system, but mine did develop and expensive fault which was covered under warranty.

JANELUVI

I only drive automatics myself and when looking to replace my Polo recently I looked at virtually all the medium sized cars with a semi auto gearbox and like the OP decided the Golf with DSG was the best. Not cheap and the Audi A3 is even more expensive but went for an 08 plate so have got 2 years left on the warranty. It took me about a week to get used to (more because I'm not used to a turbo diesel I suspect) but ok with it now. It's a good solid car which holds its value well.

jack_spratt_2

Toyota have dropped the MMT from the new Verso and have gone back to a CVT .

If you have a look on the Toyota owners club and search for MMT problems you will be shocked .!!
They may have improved it since some of the posts were made but the fact they have dropped it and gone back to a CVT says everything to me .

I believe ford power-shift box is like the DSG and is a very good box

emmell

I had a test drive in a Verso with this gearbox, it was awful, you had to predict when the car was about to change gear and lift your foot off the accelerator. After a demo by the salesman I had a long drive using it as an auto, absolute rubbish, it's neither an auto or a manual.and when I decided I didn't want to buy it the salesman agreed with me.
I am used to swapping from manual to auto all the time as my car is manual and my husband's is auto, but I could never get used to the MMT ever.
ML>

Sirbendy

Another vote for the VAG DSG box here..I've got one on loan until my insurance is settled, on a 57 plate Golf 1.6FSI. Bloody lovely, and an absolute hoot in semi-auto, yet utterly gentle and well mannered in Drive. Beyond Impressed.

That said, I'm going (possibly) back to a 4 speed conventional Vauxhall auto again, as the DSG golfs and polos are a bit expensive for my budget, more's the pity. I could get a non-DSG VAG auto, but I know the Vauxhall AF13 autobox inside and out, and I'd rather stick to what I know works well for me.

wolfehouse

i had a yaris mmt and can't warn you off strongly enough. don't do it.
mine destoryed it's own clutch just after the warranty ran out. (you don't pick the gears if you are using it as an automatic.)

driving style is more like a manual so you also lose the ease of driving automatic.

Mobeer

To try to answer the original questions:
You can put the gearbox into Drive like a normal automatic.
To drive like a manual, there are paddles on either side of the steering wheel, or you can move the gear lever forward and backward to change gear.

It is actually much better to drive in manual mode than in automatic; my experience is that the automatic mode is forever in too high a gear, even with the supposed "sport" button turned on. To say that the manual mode is better is however not to say that it is good - it's actually just bad rather than pathetic.

For example, I was joining the A2 from the M25 into auto mode:
Accelerating to join the carriage way, car changes up, kills acceleration
I ease off accelerator slightly to find a gap in traffic, car changes down
I gently press accelerator, car changes up, kills acceleration
I accelerate harder to move into gap, car changes down
Because of gear change I get no acceleration, ease off again to position for another gap in traffic, car changes up
Eventually I join carriageway at the end of the slip road (and almost on to the hard shoulder) at a rather slow pace

DO NOT BUY ONE OF THESE NIGHTMARES

jack_spratt_2

Some reports of the gearbox locking in neutral on the 3rd lane of the motorway !!

On the Verso some people had complained to VOSA about the problems !!

Avoid ???

James187

Thanks everyone, it definitely sounds like one to steer clear of!

Enough scary stories to put me off the Auris and some decent recommendations as to where else to look.