Can an auto keep up with a manual?

[Sparrowhawk]

Bit of a fun thread really but wondered what people's thoughts were on auto's V manuals?

For example...could an auto T5 keep up with a manual on:

A roads?
Motorway/autobann?
30mph to 80mph?
80mph to 130mph?

Does a manual out handle an auto or can an auto driven properly keep up?

[Clogs]

It all depends on how slick your gear change is on a manual. If the road is flat, there's not going to be a lot in it... the auto will use more petrol though.

[doingitsideways]

No.
The auto has too much slip to be competitive with a manual.
Even my circa 300bhp S70 T5 auto only pulls a 15sec dead 1/4 mile.

Private motorway with no police, it would match the manual for top end, but probably take a longer run to get there due to only having 4 gears (presuming we're talking about the older 4spd auto)

The 5spd auto is much more responsive and does seem to slip less, but I find the "Adaptive" system very dim witted.
Still, that would come much closer I think.

For A/B road blasting, the manual will beat either auto hands down due to the driver being able to select his/her chosen gear on approach to a bend, ready to power out of it.
Whereas with an auto, you're always going to lose pace while the 'box changes down and boost is rebuilt.

Plus, you'll cook the brakes much quicker in an auto because of the lack of engine braking.
That genuinely is terrifying. Lol

[DunkinBiskits]

manual is faster all day.

as above, more slippage in auto, drivetrain losses in a manual are less, plus theres an extra gear to gain a mechanical advantage if this is based on 4 spd auto

[Considered1]

Happy to take part for reseach purposes if anyone has polestared a manual D4 2.0!

[bobby2000]

Well I can show a lot of cars a clean pair of heels away from a standing start with either of my cars. I will stick with my automatics.

[steadvex]

manual is better imo

or pure electric, nothing pulls off faster than a pure electric car, sure 50+ its different.

I currently have an auto, and I live in slight regret, but its the only way to buy a hybrid and for the most part its awesome.

[Matthews 855 T5]

On my early 94 t5 auto it will spin its wheels from standstill if you get too heavy on the throttle. Even in sport mode it's pretty useless. At 45 mph I can spin the front wheels by giving it too much. It doesn't have the software that was added later to reduce power from standstill.

One trick is to hold the brakes with the left foot while gently opening the throttle, then lift off the brakes and it will take off nice an rapid. Left foot brake coming into corners applying throttle with foot still on the break then lift off the brakes gets you on the go. But obviously there's a safety issue there. So manual is probably better.

It doesn't have any tracs control. The best part of driving the t5 auto is the 80mph plus acceleration in top gear. It just flies up any hill and accelerates well beyond xxxmph. It eats miles very rapidly.

Then you have to stop and put fuel in.....ouch.
Matt

[Sparrowhawk]

Some great answers there guys! All pretty much what I think to be fair.

I love my auto V70R 1998 but there is a tiny part of me that wishes it was a manual! Do I buy a manual for fun and use the auto for every day?'

I do enjoy using D3 for A roads and it does make corners more manageable. I'm also pretty good now at kicking down mid corner to raise the revs and then easing quickly back off to hold the higher gear.

They're blooming great cars though! I don't ever get bored or feel I want to change the car.

To remap mine I need to remove the ECU so after trying Don (who can't do anything for my car unfortunately) BSR was my next call and they can send it off to Sweden for a stage 1. 3 inch downpope is a possible option with a stage 3...

That's my next plan.

[steadvex]

We can do a RICA remap without sending the ECU off, just thought id throw it out