Citroen Berlingo Multispace - Should there be any lurch on automatic gear shifts?

GoldenArbs

Hi there, I've just received a 2017 Citroen Berlingo Multispace, Diesel Automatic. 15k miles.

On doing a short test drive, the one thing that stood out to me were the very obvious gear shifts.

I don't feel the shifts much at all in my previous Ford Focus Petrol Automatic. But the shifts in this diesel van definitely moved me forward in my seat a bit. Mostly from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd.

My question - is this somewhat expected behaviour? I really have very little vehicle knowledge.

Thanks!

-Will

Car_54

I don't know if it's normal in a Berlingo, but if you don't like it, don't buy it.

AdrianC

What gearbox is it?

Some of PSA's automated manuals have been less-than-smooth, although you can easily get the hang of predicting the change and just lift off the throttle slightly as it changes, just like you would in any other manual.

BOWFER

Modern auto gearboxes (dual clutch or whatever) are just nowhere near as smooth as old torque convertor 'slush box' gearboxes used to be.
I'm on my second VW DSG car, it can be equally jerky on up-changes and down-changes, you can see passengers' heads moving in time with the changes and there can be the occasional comment of 'oops' from them (like it's my fault...)
A good driver in a manual car would beat the hell out of DSG for smoothness.

Bonniepurple

GoldenArbs said:

Hi there, I've just received a 2017 Citroen Berlingo Multispace, Diesel Automatic. 15k miles.

On doing a short test drive, the one thing that stood out to me were the very obvious gear shifts.

I don't feel the shifts much at all in my previous Ford Focus Petrol Automatic. But the shifts in this diesel van definitely moved me forward in my seat a bit. Mostly from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd.

My question - is this somewhat expected behaviour? I really have very little vehicle knowledge.

Thanks!

-Will

I’ve heard similar about the automatic Berlingos, however I suspect that if you’re like me, it’s a case of like it or lump it.  I’m looking at an ex Motobility car (mainly because a ramp will make getting my mobility scooter into the car much easier!) and there are very few WAV which are automatics - and even fewer that are Euro 6 ☹️

daveyjp

BOWFER said:

Modern auto gearboxes (dual clutch or whatever) are just nowhere near as smooth as old torque convertor 'slush box' gearboxes used to be.
I'm on my second VW DSG car, it can be equally jerky on up-changes and down-changes, you can see passengers' heads moving in time with the changes and there can be the occasional comment of 'oops' from them (like it's my fault...)
A good driver in a manual car would beat the hell out of DSG for smoothness.

I've also had two DSG gearbox Audis, the first was brilliant, the second not so.  If yours isn't right get it back to VW for a full diagnostic and ask to borrow one of theirs to compare.

It was only when I was in the courtesy car I realised just how bad mine was as over time I adapted my driving to hide the faults.

Goudy

There was a similar thread about these recently.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6251587/has-the-citroen-berlingo-automatic-transmission-system-improved-since-2014#latest

Citroen used an automated manual system called the ETG6 or EGS6 for the Berlingo back then and it's a pretty poor attempt at an automatic, very clunky and jerky and a bit dim witted and slow to select a gear pulling away.

I had one myself for a while and the concentric slave on the clutch started leaking, was a costly job that no independant gearbox specialist wanted to touch.

They don't creep like a torque convertor, CVT ot Dual Clutch system and your really need to two feet them when maneuvering slowly, like reversing. One foot on the accelerator to keep it moving and one on the brake to modulate the speed.

One thing I did like was the stop start system. It cut out before you actually came to a stop and restarted instantly via the alternator/generator with waste energy stored in a capacitor. Shame it then took another 5 seconds to select a gear!

BOWFER

daveyjp said:

BOWFER said:

Modern auto gearboxes (dual clutch or whatever) are just nowhere near as smooth as old torque convertor 'slush box' gearboxes used to be.
I'm on my second VW DSG car, it can be equally jerky on up-changes and down-changes, you can see passengers' heads moving in time with the changes and there can be the occasional comment of 'oops' from them (like it's my fault...)
A good driver in a manual car would beat the hell out of DSG for smoothness.

I've also had two DSG gearbox Audis, the first was brilliant, the second not so.  If yours isn't right get it back to VW for a full diagnostic and ask to borrow one of theirs to compare.

It was only when I was in the courtesy car I realised just how bad mine was as over time I adapted my driving to hide the faults.

I've driven plenty, the issues I have are endemic to DSG.
It's definitely not helped by the petrol engine in my Polo Gti, it's evidently got quite a light crank and that just exacerbates the jerkiness.
The heavier crank diesels damp out the jerking a bit.

Ditzy_Mitzy

BOWFER said:

Modern auto gearboxes (dual clutch or whatever) are just nowhere near as smooth as old torque convertor 'slush box' gearboxes used to be.
I'm on my second VW DSG car, it can be equally jerky on up-changes and down-changes, you can see passengers' heads moving in time with the changes and there can be the occasional comment of 'oops' from them (like it's my fault...)
A good driver in a manual car would beat the hell out of DSG for smoothness.

An acquaintance had a car with a DSG, that he was immensely proud of.  Having been a passenger in his car, I fail to see what all the fuss is about.  The good old manual seems better all round.  
As noted: the Citroen thingy isn't a proper auto, so it's a bit rough.  Torque converters are probably set to go the way of the dinosaurs, so enjoy them while you can.

BOWFER

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

An acquaintance had a car with a DSG, that he was immensely proud of.  Having been a passenger in his car, I fail to see what all the fuss is about.  The good old manual seems better all round.  

I'd have preferred a manual Polo Gti, but not available.
VAG are going down the route of DSG only for all but their cheapest cars.

lordmountararat

Torque converters are probably set to go the way of the dinosaurs, so enjoy them while you can.

Yes, I expect you're right, but what a shame. I hate these automated manual 'automatics'  with a passion; torque converters are just so much smoother, reliable and predictable. Fuel consumption is marginally worse, true, but that is a small price to pay, imho.