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V40 Automatic or manual?Views : 2090 Replies : 11Users Viewing This Thread : |
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Jul 23rd, 2015, 17:36 | #1 |
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Last Online: Mar 27th, 2020 00:43
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Location: Bristol
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V40 Automatic or manual?
Hello all,
I'm in the process of hunting for a used V40, most likely a 13/63 plate. I'd prefer an automatic over a manual gearbox but I can drive either. Most likely a D3, though possibly a D2. It seems very difficult to get what I want spec/price wise with a petrol engine. All the reviews I read talk about how bad the automatic gearbox is. I can't tell if it's car reviewer snobbery, or in comparison to other marques it's not as good. Or if there is a significant difference between Powershift or geartronic (some reviews don't mention which one they are talking about which doesn't help). I've not test driven any cars yet which doesn't help! I'm not going to be racing around town and will have an even split between city and motorway driving. My only concern is feeling confident I can change lanes, overtake and get away from junctions/roundabouts without hassle or hesitation from the car. I've driven a brand new (15) Astra auto and it was great, except at around 70mph where it sometimes couldn't decide between 4th, 5th and 6th. Everything else was great though. Can anyone share their experiences please? |
Jul 23rd, 2015, 17:41 | #2 | |
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Last Online: May 6th, 2017 20:12
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Location: middlesbrough
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Quote:
I know from research. The auto has changed recently from a ford powershift unit to a volvo geartronic unit. Seems the v40 board isnt very busy |
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Jul 23rd, 2015, 17:43 | #3 |
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Thanks, most of the cars I've seen advertised are Geartronic which seems to be the more tried and tested type of auto. I can't imagine everyone who buys an automatic Volvo is unhappy with it but the reviews would suggest they should be!
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Jul 23rd, 2015, 17:47 | #4 |
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Last Online: May 6th, 2017 20:12
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I have test drove the geartronic in the xc 60 and i thought it was excellent. Pretty sure more knowledgeable guys will advise when ford auto boxes stopped being used in the v40. It was either my14 or 15 onwards.
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Jul 23rd, 2015, 18:49 | #5 | |
V50
Last Online: Sep 12th, 2021 13:16
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK
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Quote:
So any used D2 V40 will have the Powershift, the rest of the diesels will have the Geartronic. As to which is preferable, I will leave for others to say. |
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Jul 23rd, 2015, 20:33 | #6 |
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Jul 24th, 2015, 09:18 | #7 |
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Last Online: Jun 6th, 2019 19:38
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Location: Kent
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I had the Geartronic in my previous car. It was great and utterly reliable. I'm in a manual now and I do miss the Geartronic in the V40 but having say that, the manual is fine if you don't mind changing gears!
The Geartronic reduces the economy, in my opinion by about 5mpg. |
Jul 24th, 2015, 09:57 | #8 | |
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Last Online: Aug 29th, 2020 11:47
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Location: Liestal, Switzerland
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Quote:
I have a D3 Geartronic, and I find it excellent. Being, as I understand it, a torque converter design, it will naturally result in greater fuel consumption, but against this the technology is tried and tested - our previous car, an Opel Astra, had a torque converter auto, and in 20 years and 346,000Km never failed once. Before I bought the D3, I tried a number of other marques with double clutch gearboxes. I noticed that, on a particular hill near where we live these 8-speeders could never decide in which gear they should be and seemed to shuffle endlessly between them. The 6-speed Geartronic doesn't do that. I've also heard dire tales about the reliability of the VW Group's DSG gearboxes. I don't know how representative those are, or whether they are true of all such gearboxes (I believe Volvo's come from Getrag and VW's from Borg-Warner). However, I'm happy with the combination of D3 and Geartronic. |
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Jul 24th, 2015, 16:46 | #9 |
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anton, civilservant,
Many thanks for your views, this helps a lot. I'm not entirely fussed on the slight loss of efficiency, comfort, reliability and knowing the car will react in a sane manner is what I'm after. I don't mind nipping into the manual mode to help it find a gear from time to time just as long as it's not a constant battle - as I said above confidence at junction and roundabouts matter most to me. Thanks for your help with this, I'm test driving a Geartronic equipped V40 next week but I know not to bother with the Powershifts and manuals now as the D3 Geartronic should do the trick. |
Jul 24th, 2015, 18:06 | #10 |
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I've had a couple of geartronics as courtesy cars when mine has been in for service, and, like other auto boxes, they have had a tendency to want to change gear when I apply power on a roundabout. So it's manual for me every time.
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