Manual Vs geartronic
 

Hi, I was wondering on how different the geartronic is to a manual version?. Love to hear people's thoughts on both.

I have a geartronic and initial take off is a little sluggish (even with the upgraded 200bhp version) once going it's a pleasure to drive without worrying about changing gears.

Is the manual version less sluggish on take off? Do you have to change gears often?

If a manual becomes available locally I am going to test drive to but they seem very rare.

Thank you

Manuals are quicker off the mark but note the 0-60 difference I think is only 0.1 second. On some model years, manuals have lower VED due to being more efficient and less CO2. If my memory serves me correctly, the manual gearbox option was dropped in MY2012 - i.e. no 200BHP manuals were sold in the UK.

Most manuals (but not all) were the poverty versions (Active and Ocean Race) as geartronic was circa a £1,500-£1,800 option in the early years - hence on a new car it was the lowest cost.

I did test drive a manual way back when before I bought my 163. I don't really remember it, but was sufficiently unimpressed to get the auto. I don't think there was anything wrong with it, just did not tug my rug.

I have owned 163, 185 and 200 and have suffered no real issues with a sluggish getaway. You need to drive them sympathetically, but once you do the problem goes away.

Perhaps its because I'm from a land where the slush box is king, but I'm not a manual box fan except on a performance car, and even then with reservations. Why have a dog if you still have to bark yourself?

If you feel take off is sluggish - make sure your stamping on the accelerator quickly rather than a gradual press - this rate of depression activates the sport mode on the Mk1 XC90

Changing the gearbox oil and resetting the counter on vida is supposed to help with gear changes and getaway power. I've bought all the stuff to do it myself this weekend so I'll update how it goes.

I notice the sluggishness you speak of myself, noticeably when wanting to pull out from a street or junction quickly. It's like there's a delay between me pressing the pedal and the car moving lol.

However, when held on the foot brake I believe the gearbox drops in to neutral to prevent wear and only re-engages drive when your foot comes off the pedal. So this could be the cause of the lag. I try to anticipate when I can pull away and have the brake off and feather the throttle and this has been helping a lot.

Failing the gearbox oil change making any difference I'll probably look at getting it remapped too. I'm sure a few extra MPG's would be very useful these days also!