TURBOTRONICS

Im looking in to getting an Audi s4 v8
Iv seen a few cars now but most are tip but Im unsure if a Tiptronic box would be good for me
Can any one help me decide by answering one or two questions?

I did some towing with my last car but is a tip box any good for towing i.e. trailer and caravan?

I like to drive my cars quite hard from time to time when Im in it on my own that is so would a tip box hold up to a good thrashing?

Is a clutch expensive for a tip box?

How do I check if the box and clutch are ok?

Dose it effect the acceleration in any way?

Is there any benefit from a tip box over a manual?

Is there any disadvantages?

Thanks for any advice given

john banks

Try one. Can't comment on towing. They can take a good thrashing if they are built properly, S4 should be. They don't tend to need anything except fluid replacement.

Acceleration can be better with a big engine as you can quickly get into the power band and change gear quicker than many can do in a manual.

I much prefer automatics, doubt I'd buy a manual again unless it was a really good deal, or the rest of the car was so good it made up for it.

Ash burton

If its the vw dsg ( i think it will be) it will be two clutches we haven't had to change them yet (vw main dealer) but they do need filter and fluid changes .

hodgy0_2

tiptronic is an auto box with an up/down selector so I don't think it has a clutch

autobox's are essentially just big hydraulic pumps

(the multironic is the proper manual with paddle shift i.e. has gears)

i don't like it much -- but I have a A4 2.5TDI so maybe completely different to a V8 pertol, and my wife can change gear faster than the tip box

VXhalo

its not the DSG. Its an auto with tiptronic overide

I have had an 2003 impreza WRX STI PPP then moved to a 2004 V8 S4 with manual box. Tried the tiptronic and it was poor. If your planning on enjoying a spirited drive then manual only way to go. Cant comment on towing but would imagine its easier with auto.

One factor to remember its a V8. You can easily cruise in most gears at most speeds

Problem for me was although as quick as the impreza and probably quicker when into illegal speeds its wasnt quite exciting enough at legal speeds therefore I have just got a 2005 STI.

Try to get one with all options they are awesome with fridge, TV, electric leather etc etc

Hope it helps

thesyn

Have to say try it,
I've had my tiptronic 55 S4 for a few months now and if I have a performance car in the future it will be auto, thinking GTR.
The involvement is not like a subaru, but in S mode it does feel genuinely quick, on my test drive the owner took me down a relatively short straight and told me that if I booted it I should reach a ton, i was doubtful but he was right.
The only problem is that as far as I can gather there is no fully manual mode in the gearbox, you have about 20s when you select S mode but after that the box will start changing for you. I can live with this though
Don't believe the bollox that EVO etc write, it is a genuinely good and fun car. I like it so much that i actually wash it myself and have bought loads of detailing products.....nothing that I have ever done before!
Don't know about towing though!

fivetide

iTrader: (1)

I would agree, try it and see not all tip boxes are the same. I remember Clarkson testing one on TG which took an age to change gear but I had the Tip box in my FTO and it was brilliant. Instant changes, allowed engine braking if needed and was capable of block changes (just push + twice)

It would also auto down shift if you were going downhill and coasting to bring in engine braking. Amazing bit of kit for the time.

As for towing - spot on. Much easier as no messing with clutch control to get going

Tip boxes should take a hammering if looked after. Same as the turbo, warm it up properly etc. Regular fluid changes and the like. As already stated auto/tip cars are generally faster than the manual version because they can change gear better than you can.

Not a clutch per say but a blown vox can be bad news. They can be repaired but you'd be looking at a grand from a specialist. Again, look after it and there shouldn't be any issues.

Is it ok? - Flat surface, in neutral, brakes off and rev it. If the car moves then there could be issues with the box. That's the only test i know.

Dose it effect the acceleration in any way?
Yes, its faster! Issue is you can't slip the clutch to avoid spin so watch that.

Is there any benefit from a tip box over a manual?
Ease in town. No need to be up and down gears when towing etc.

Is there any disadvantages?
Autos do feel less involving but a tip function does solve a lot of that.

5t.