Kwik Fit Brake check turned Renault Vel Satis talk...

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 16 Dec 2010, 23:27

Well your determined! Think id leave it be

I guess the Lagunas have a similar problem with window clips as the Meganes and Scenics then?

R9UKE · Post by **R9UKE** » 16 Dec 2010, 23:39

They do. Everyone is telling me to leave it be, but then I look at the acceleration videos on YouTube and everything changes!

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 16 Dec 2010, 23:44

Seems fairly nippy!

Argh, that just reminded me, i prefer manuals.

Looks like if i get a V6 something it will have to be a 406 coupe, so I can have a manual box.

Though there are many many cars on my car list of 'do owns' before a V6, so ive some way to go yet

Toby_HDi · Post by **Toby_HDi** » 16 Dec 2010, 23:53

Citroenmad wrote:Seems fairly nippy!

Argh, that just reminded me, i prefer manuals.

Looks like if i get a V6 something it will have to be a 406 coupe, so I can have a manual box.

Though there are many many cars on my car list of 'do owns' before a V6, so ive some way to go yet

To that I would say do it. I love my Coupé, however - quite often I do wonder if the auto would suit it better. I'm yet to drive a V6 auto Coupé and will reserve judgement til I do but I seriously think about it.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 17 Dec 2010, 00:00

Why do you think it would suit an auto box better Toby?

I know most cars with bigger engines suit auto boxes, as they often provide seamless changes and the performance and torque goes well with an auto box.

I cant imagine any of the bigger engined cars i have driven being a manual, you just want to plant your foot and go maybe? Ive driven a 4.0 V8 Range Rover and a 6.8 V8 Rolls, they wouldnt have been any good with a manual box!

I find I get bored with a manual box car, while its good in traffic and with the right car and engine its can be a good combination.

Toby_HDi · Post by **Toby_HDi** » 17 Dec 2010, 00:22

To me, the main reason is that the clutch is jerky, there is some drive line shunt and the gear change can be a bit notchy. These may just be traits of mine but on every car I've owned, within a day or two of owning it I've found I can change gear extremely smoothly, so much so that many passengers have commented on their imperceptibility of my gear changes (other than seeing when I change gear). I just can't seem to do this on the Coupé and so it becomes a little tiresome, hence me thinking of the auto. It is probably a trait of my particular Coupé as there are still jobs to be done and things to check on it but, nonetheless, it lingers in my mind.

What adds fuel to the fire are Jim's and others comments on the abilities of the box as well as a member on the Coupé forum who also waxes lyrical about them and has devised a neat modification that enables greater control of the gear selection when you want it.

Its these two things, along with the usual comments of wafting along in a (very stylish - in the Coupé's case

) GT car, that make me think.

I need to drive one to make my mind up.

R9UKE · Post by **R9UKE** » 17 Dec 2010, 01:31

I've had this Auto v Manual gearbox debate many a time. My 2.0 Mégane is a manual. I've driven the Auto version which was a world apart - just felt like an OAP car, even though it's the same engine. With the 6 Speed manual 'box, the power can be had when needed, and I can sit in 6th at 40 MPH on an economy run

Whereas the auto seemed to grip on to every gear for as long as it could, even if the accelerator was eased off.

To be honest, I think it all comes down to the car. Big 4 X 4s and the likes of the Vel Satis take much less getting used to when it's simply a matter of putting it in D! I find my 2.2 dCi manual feels a bit more cumbersome than my previous 3.0 Auto and the relaxed feel of the beast is tainted a little when in stop-start traffic.

Chris - Another 3.0 V6 available with a manual gear box to add to your list is the Renault Avantime. Although I reckon the auto would suit it much better

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Dec 2010, 23:26

AH yes, the Avantime, not that hard to forget about it, you never see them!

What are the manual boxes like on the Vel Satis? If its a bit of a woolly change then i might prefer the auto more.

I know our old Renautl RX4s gearbox was like stirring porridge, very vague and sloppy.

Did the megane 2.0 not have an auto-adaptive box?

R9UKE · Post by **R9UKE** » 19 Dec 2010, 01:23

Chris they aren't as bad as the Scénic... but not as precise as the Mégane. Plus I find I adopt a leaning-forward driving position in a manual Vel Satis which kind of ruins the feel of the car.

Yes the Mégane does have the auto-adaptive box. My aunt had a 2.0 VVT Grand Scénic with the same gearbox, and it behaved the same.

I saw an Avantime yesterday!!!! Saw it coming in the opposite direction and couldn't quite believe it... needless to say I swung round at the first oppurtunity, caught up with it and followed it for a while. Extraordinary looking machine.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 19 Dec 2010, 01:38

The last two days ive seen two Vel Satis, one black and one in grey. They do stand out!

I saw another one today, a greeny/silver one. They are getting common! Three in as many days