the egs gearbox

[paddywac]

hi i am a newbie to the forum and i would like a piece of advice,i am thinking of changing to a c4 picasso,i have heard a lot of different viewpoints re the egs gearbox in this model so i am asking for opinions on this forum......is the egs good,bad,or indifferent thanks in advance.

[wheeler]

The best thing you can do is drive it for yourslef, it's not like a normal autobox, its a normal manual gearbox where the gears & clutch are operated by electric & hydraulic auctuators, if your used to a normal auto it will be a bit of a change the gearchanges are not as smooth. It is much better than the sensodrive box fitted to the C3/C2 though.

[paddywac]

thanks wheeler,good advice i have heard more pros and cons about this box i think i will organise a test drive.

[jcgrant1980]

This is a old post and apologies to bring up the thread. Looking at a 3008 today with the egc box.

Reason for post I had a C4 grand picasso and the actuator broke but luckily under warranty but I'm getting a little concerned having another gear box like this but i like the car. I'm changing out my Cactus because the seats give me terrible back ache so need something comfier as I do 60 mile's a day.

The 3008 is a 2012 model on only 21000 miles and very clean coming from a Peogeot dealer.

What should I look out for? Are these gear box's reliable?

[GiveMeABreak]

They're all reliable until they go wrong. They are essentially a manual gearbox and clutch, but have hydraulic actuators to operate the clutching and gear changes for you. Personally, having driven a few of these and seen all the horror stories, I would never actually buy one. Manual or a proper automatic with a torque converter is the way to go, but each to their own. There are plenty of threads here about the EGS system:

I've posted a detailed description with typical components a few posts down this thread for more info:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=58887&hilit=EGS

and here:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=62373&p=606077&hilit=EGS#p606077

And a member with a series of videos on changing the clutch and gearbox here:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=61384&hilit=EGS

[white exec]

Having been a passenger in one of these (Peu 5008) for some lengthy journeys in France last Christmas, I found the ride somewhat unrefined, with delayed and oddly prolonged gear changes. Even the owners weren't over the moon about it.
Agree about the recommendation to go for a classic torque converter auto instead.
Repair costs look astronomic.

[daviemck2006]

Im a guy who owned a c2 sensodrive and despite a immaculate service history it was a horrid drive and broke resulting in a repair bill which was more than the car cost. I swore I would only buy a manual or proper full torque convertor and kill all semi automatic gearboxed cars with fire. Then I bought a seat leon dsg, which is vw's semi automatic gearbox, in its second incernation. Early ones the clutch plates ran in the gearbox oil and needed the oil changed every 40k. The second generation 7 speed I have has dry clutches and no need to change gearbox oil and filter, altbough its on 66k now and I have bought oil and filter for tje box to change it anyway. However the point of this post is to say, and I feel bad telling a citroen owner this, go try a seat leon 1.6 crd with the dsg box. Its millions of miles ahead of the french semi autos in gearbox performance, my dsg runs rings round my daughters manual with the same engine. And I have a real bad back and leg, and classed disabled and the leon is surprisingly comfortable, much better than the rock hard golf its based on.

[crapday69]

Im a guy who owned a c2 sensodrive and despite a immaculate service history it was a horrid drive and broke resulting in a repair bill which was more than the car cost. I swore I would only buy a manual or proper full torque convertor and kill all semi automatic gearboxed cars with fire. Then I bought a seat leon dsg, which is vw's semi automatic gearbox, in its second incernation. Early ones the clutch plates ran in the gearbox oil and needed the oil changed every 40k. The second generation 7 speed I have has dry clutches and no need to change gearbox oil and filter, altbough its on 66k now and I have bought oil and filter for tje box to change it anyway. However the point of this post is to say, and I feel bad telling a citroen owner this, go try a seat leon 1.6 crd with the dsg box. Its millions of miles ahead of the french semi autos in gearbox performance, my dsg runs rings round my daughters manual with the same engine. And I have a real bad back and leg, and classed disabled and the leon is surprisingly comfortable, much better than the rock hard golf its based on.

Both my C4 and now C5 have the EGS and I find it a perfectly acceptable (actually really like it) gearbox with perfect gear changes. TBH I have just hired a brand now 2008 manual and was so glad to get back to my C5 with its EGS gearbox. The only problem I have ever encountered is that sometimes it doesn't know whether to stay in first or change to second at a junction. My wife has a 17 plate Merc GLA with proper auto box and it is good but I prefer driving my C5 to her GLA. I would love C5 exclusive and might treat my self one day.

Gary.

[GiveMeABreak]

It's good to get another opinion from an owner Gary. It's probably great when it's working (like anything), but when they do start to go, they can be a pig and very costly to repair. I think Renegade spent £ks on repairing his on the C5 X7. Just something to watch out for though.

[crapday69]

I totally understand Marc and I know they cost a fortune to get fixed and you never know what's around the corner. I'd also hate for someone to buy one on my reviews only for it to go wrong. Is it the only automatic if you want a C5 X7 ?

[GiveMeABreak]

No the C5 X7 was available with a fully Auto AM6 box from Aisin. Generally very reliable, but ignore the 'sealed for life' claims on the gearbox oil. Changing the gearbox oil over 3 intervals (as it cannot all be changed in one go) will hep ensure that it remains working in tip top condition. Very few reliability issues I'm aware of and plenty of X7 owners with this box here.

[Sloppysod]

No the C5 X7 was available with a fully Auto AM6 box from Aisin. Generally very reliable, but ignore the 'sealed for life' claims on the gearbox oil. Changing the gearbox oil over 3 intervals (as it cannot all be changed in one go) will hep ensure that it remains working in tip top condition. Very few reliability issues I'm aware of and plenty of X7 owners with this box here.

Agree, however, my AM6 box had its first oil change after almost 59,000 miles and another at 72.300 miles (as per signature) which I feel may have been a bit late, even though the gearchange is mostly smooth, I do get a slight hessitancy when changing from 2nd to 3rd which is probably the valve block, approx £500 + fitting. But other than that small issue I have, I think other members have mentioed teh same, the AM6 box is really nice to drive .