Brendan Hughes

Work colleague wants to buy a Vel Satis, but would like to know if the new auto box will be a boon or a pain. Here it's called Proactive. Anyone got any quick answers?

I can't comment on why they want a Vel Satis, they know nothing about cars, last one was a Chrysler Voyager, I think they have 2 little'uns and want to go for long drives all round Spain or further. Car is wanted to last several years. If you can pick a large luxury cruiser like a Volvo (she mentioned) instead, she'd be pleased to hear why.

Still, after the helpful links about the VW DSG box, your opinions on the Renault box are much appreciated!

Thanks

Brendan

Reffro

It all depends on which engine they want, as to what gearbox it will be. Though none of them are anything special.

As for other cars of a similar vein its tough to say, yes, Volvo S80/V70.

The natural competitors based on the segment are as follows:-

Alfa Romeo 166, Audi A6, BMW 5-series, Honda Legend, Jaguar S-type, Lexus GS300, Mercedes E-class, Peugeot 607, Renault Avantime, Saab 9-5, Toyota Camry, Vauxhall Omega.

After this they want to look at the People carriers, again the Grand Voyager, Grand Espace, Previa, Mercedes Viano, Volkswagen Caravelle to name the biggest of the breed.

Brendan Hughes

Engine they said would be a 2.2 diesel (dCi? or summat).

Sorry, the idea is, if the auto box is dodgy and might give problems in the future, they'll go for a manual.

clarence

I guess it's only a normal automatic gearbox (probably ZF) with some fancy adaptive electronic shift control. Renault just gave it a fancy name.
My suggestion is to go for a test drive, to see if the electronics are well programed, and whether the diesel engine matches well with the box. I think it should be ok as Renault started using this sort of system on their 1st gen Laguna & Clio.

Reffro

Its alright. 5-speed auto with tiptronic etc etc. As above it all depends on how its programmed, as to whether it will suit the engine.

First generation Laguna gearboxes were complete crap buy the way, if weren't broke before 100k, they soon would be.

Brendan Hughes

Sorry if I'm semi-literate this afternoon - does that mean that they've been around for long enough to iron out any problems?

Reffro

The Vel Satis is still too new, and has sold in small numbers, so the list of known problems is zero. That's not to say they won't have any problems.

But the gearbox is completely different to that fitted in the early Laguna, seeing as they stopped building the Laguna mk1 in 2001, and it used a 4-speed auto.