D4 8 speed geartronic characteristics

[Agouti]

I'm not usually lead footed but mine is clunky in the first couple of gears. If I put my foot down or use sports mode and let the revs climb it is actually a fair bit better!

I would say it is better than the petrol BMW X3, but short of the Lexus IS250. The XF box in the Ford Falcon and Territory down this way is also a fair bit smoother, same for the higher end Nissans. It's only really noticeable first to second and second to third, though.

I guess it's harder to make a box smooth for a diesel. The box in diesel Fords like the Mondeo is simply awful.

Talk about first world problems...

[iain cooper]

mine is smooth at all times, but I'm sure I can recall some clunkiness when new, occurring at slow speeds.

perhaps it is related to it memorising your driving techniques and patterns as someone else has said.

when approaching traffic lights, etc mine gives very nice downshifts and picks up smoothly when things start to move, and as I recall this is where there was sometimes a bit of clunkiness.

Iain

[Thorium]

Quick update on this issue for anyone interested.

The car has been to the dealer and there were no gearbox issues identified; no stored codes and nothing unusual when they test drove the car.

The car has had a general software update but I don’t believe there’s anything specific to the gearbox operation affected by the update.

So it would appear that the gearbox is working normally. The dealer has asked me to see how it goes and go back if it gets worse, which I will obviously do. If this is ‘normal’ behaviour for the 8 speed auto box then I won’t be getting another one. It’s just too unrefined and unpredictable at slow speeds. Perhaps I have been spoilt by the 6 speed auto boxes in the various V70s & XC70 I’ve owned, all of which operated flawlessly. Oh well, let’s see how it goes…

[MikeIOW]

Thx for the update.
So they road tested it and said it was normal for the 8-speed auto?
Still sounds a bit odd to me: I have never noticed mine being in any way unrefined or not smooth (although I am sure I could bounce my foot on the accelerator to induce something if I tried).

If I was you, I would ask to test another similar unit from them to see if you find that different. If so, then have another word with the service department If not.....then I don't know what to suggest!

[SuffolkBoy]

I am with MikeIOW on this one - my gearbox is so silky smooth, can't tell when it is changing gear, except for a slight engine note change from 1st to 2nd gear.

You should definitely try and drive another 8 speed automatic to compare it to yours.

[Julianpms]

I'm another very satisfied user of the 8-speed Geartronic. I was actually planning to buy a manual, but the only test car available was an automatic. I was so impressed with the quality of the gearchanges that I decided to go for the Geartronic. After 25,000 miles I remain very pleased with my decision, especially with the Polestar Performance Optimisation, which improves the shift parameters. It had been ten years since my last automatic (a Mercedes 5-speed, highly rated in the day), but the advance in the technology is very impressive.
My only doubt concerns the fuel consumption: at an average of nearly 50mpg, I'm not complaining, but on past experience with other cars I suspect that I would get a couple of mpg more and a little closer to the official figures with a manual. But living in central Paris and coping with heavy traffic every time I leave the city (I use public transport within Paris) it's a trade I'm more than willing to make.

[Thorium]

Thanks for the comments everyone. I'll persevere with the car for the time being, as aside from the gearbox performance, I really like the car.

I might try to get a test drive of a similar car next time mine goes in for a service as it's a long round trip to the dealers for me. I can't fault the dealer and I've used them for years, but until this problem gets to the point where I can reliably demonstrate it to them, it's going to be difficult to get it sorted.

Matt

[declan88]

Hi All
I,ve noticed a few 1st to 2nd gear change complaints about the new 8 speed box. I was just wondering if anyone had noticed any difference between the new and old gearbox fir Li speed manoeuvres eg reverse parking into a tight space. Are both equally controllable.
Some automatics I,ve driven, none Volvo as I,ve never drive a Volvo geartronic,old or new, some automatics are v binary at low speed and lurch horribly, lacking the senstivity of a manual.

[bobby2000]

Isn't the eight speed box an automated clutch rather than a torque convertor auto box, if so I have read that most manufacturers using this system of auto box can be a bit jumpy at time's, Peugeot system is diabolical being a single clutch rather than a dual clutch.

[rallychris]

No, the 8 speed is a conventional torque converter auto from Aisin. Volvo don't have a dual clutch box since the divorce from Ford, although parent company Geelg are said to be working on one for the next generation of models.