Automatic vs manual car - which is cheaper to maintain?

harveybobbles

Audi's CVT is pretty dire too! Infact it's just plain bleeding vvank!

jack_spratt_2

jeannieblue wrote: »

Just avoid the manual gear boxes with the electronic clutch - awful things.

OP - just get what you want - if you want an auto, go for it.

You just took the words out of my mouth !! there are automatics and automatics and if you pick any automatic with an electronic clutch be carefull as they are known on some makes to be problematic

jeannieblue

jack_spratt wrote: »

You just took the words out of my mouth !! there are automatics and automatics and if you pick any automatic with an electronic clutch be carefull as they are known on some makes to be problematic

Like Toyota's - they are ditching them... We are now seeing ones that are 3-4 years old (and younger) that are failing badly, and the words actuator and the like are being banded around. In other words - to fix them is costly..

vikramrkin

jeannieblue wrote: »

Just avoid the manual gear boxes with the electronic clutch - awful things.

OP - just get what you want - if you want an auto, go for it.

Sorry for my ignorance. What is electronic clutch? I guess with this, one still has to choose the correct gear manually, but there is no clutch, giving your left foot full rest??

Thanks

vikingaero

Automatics are generally more thirsty than manuals - if an auto can do 30mpg then the manual will probably get 38mpg. Automated manuals are slightly more economical than manuals - an automated manual that does 40mpg versus a manual car that does 38.5mpg.

From a maintenance point of view autos are generally more reliable. There's no clutch to burn out and normally no dreaded Dual Mass Flywheel. On most autos the hydraulic fluid acts as a vibration damper.

There are some dreadful automatics on older Renaults which are guaranteed to go kaput.

vikingaero

jeannieblue wrote: »

Like Toyota's - they are ditching them... We are now seeing ones that are 3-4 years old (and younger) that are failing badly, and the words actuator and the like are being banded around. In other words - to fix them is costly..

Toyota are actually ditching proper autos. Look at their price list and you'll see that the proper auto has disappeared from the Yaris and Auris range. Proper autos only seem to be available on larger cars like the Verso, Avensis and 4x4s. The ghastly MMT is still king at Toyota.

Rallydriver

jeannieblue wrote: »

Rallydriver said auto's cost more to fix? Why?

Transmission oil needs to be changed, er yes ... well so too does gear box oil. The problem is??

Have you ever compared an auto box to a manual inside? Manual is pretty simple mechanical operation, auto is much more complex especially with modern cars having more ratios.

Most manual gearboxes are designed to operate for the lifetime of the vehicle without an oil change, the exception being those with limited slip or torque biasing diffs.

When manuals do wear or break, mostly its just swapping new bearings onto the shafts which your average garage should be able to do. With an auto, most garages (this includes dealerships) will either sub contract to an auto gearbox specialist or send you directly there.

vikingaero

Rallydriver wrote: »

Have you ever compared an auto box to a manual inside? Manual is pretty simple mechanical operation, auto is much more complex especially with modern cars having more ratios.

Most manual gearboxes are designed to operate for the lifetime of the vehicle without an oil change, the exception being those with limited slip or torque biasing diffs.

When manuals do wear or break, mostly its just swapping new bearings onto the shafts which your average garage should be able to do. With an auto, most garages (this includes dealerships) will either sub contract to an auto gearbox specialist or send you directly there.

I agree in general Rally, but the problem with manuals is the blob operating the steering, clutch, and gearshift which causes clutch problems. And the advent of the DMF has put manual repair costs almost on par with an auto that goes wrong. When an auto goes wrong it's the valve body that burns out - most auto specialists can replace that for roughly the same cost as replacing a DMF.

Rallydriver

I've never come across a DMF before.
All it is, is a vain attempt by diesel engineers to make their tractor engines more refined. I mean, come on, you buy a diesel to be cheap to run. Petrol engines don't need them.

david29dpo

Rallydriver wrote: »

I've never come across a DMF before.
All it is, is a vain attempt by diesel engineers to make their tractor engines more refined. I mean, come on, you buy a diesel to be cheap to run. Petrol engines don't need them.

Very true. Why its called a DMF is beyond me, its just a cush drive.