Tiptronic Box

[Sean Smallman]

Any views on the 996 Tiptronic box, thinking of a C4S Cabriolet?

[tr7v8]

Not to sure TBH, if it's a daily driver & stuck in traffic all the time then yes, but for a "sports car" as a weekend toy then no.

[Sean Smallman]

Why not as a weekend toy, it's got paddles.

[tr7v8]

Why not as a weekend toy, it's got paddles.

It is still an auto box behind the "fixed" speed paddles. It's not like a DSG/PDK box which is a manual with electronic selection & clutch.

[Paul Mabley]

Get a manual one you lazy sod

Unless you've lost your left leg or got gout or something.

[DavidWH]

Sean - remember our 996 Tip ?!

drive loads if possible would be my advice

I found with the Cayenne, that they all drive differently;
a lot would lurch through gears;
a good one will be smooth and quick to change

same applies to the 996

It's a merc box (ZF) so fairly robust, but they do go sometimes !!!

[Pepi1677]

I recently drove a 996 tip, it really did take some of the experience away. If it is for day to day use in traffic I can sort of understand, but for fun it has to be manual. The tip box is simply a manual override of the auto so when you press plus it changes like an auto, when you change down it does not blip the throttle it blends from one gear to the other so you get very little engine breaking.

[garyw]

A had a tippy turbo and loved it..
Slightly different driving style to get used to but after you've learnt it and it learnt you I found it a joy.

Great for motorway miles and around town.. Fair comment that the manual may be more exciting on a blatt but I still found the tip great fun, once you've got used to the selectors/buttons you can drive it really easy for spirited use.
It changes its pattern upon your style at the time, leaving me a few times going through a town with it on the red line a quick tap of the button sorts it out though.
I enjoy my manual but wouldn't be put off by a tip.. and Yes I screamed that one around the Swiss Alps too
IMHO

garyw

[Sean Smallman]

Cheers guys, I'm really not sure and need to make a decision.

[simes69]

I drive a Tiptronic 996 - there are plenty of pros and cons, many already mentioned here. A car with a tip box is less likely to have been abused, as the 'box won't let you redline the engine. Its easier to drive in traffic. Its fun to be able to change up through the gears without lifting (consequently, mine is slightly quicker to 60 than it's manual counterpart). On the downside, you can't blip the throttle at the lights, it's thirsty, and you won't enjoy it if you like to drive "expressively." Having had mine 2 years, I'd get a manual next time.

[Clive993]

You will only take it out once in a blue moon - why on earth do you want an automatic for the fun times you do take it out!!!

[mymerak]

Well Sean,

It all depends on your driving style and car useage I guess

I have driven plenty of manuals, autos and my Tipi

Also think about this, what do F1 cars and BTCC touring cars use, not conventional manuals

Thinking about my Tipi, I have gone through the records of my car and discovered what driving with gusto does to the rear tyres if you light them up. The previous owner of my car seemed to be quite conservative. The existing rears had 1500 miles put on them by him and I have put on another 5500 miles. At the inspection by OPC at Sutton Coldfield last Saturday we gave them a good measure. They are going to have to be replaced very soon as only 1mm left to be safe.

Seems to me that about 7k miles on rears is a bit severe and could have been much worse had it not been for the conservative driving style of the previous owner

So there you have it. Tipis can be fun and just as much fun as manuals, depends how you drive. Depends if you are comfortable with burning rear rubber at no more than about 7000 miles a pair.

P. S. Can you lend me a few quid for some new tyres

[Paul Mabley]

If you have pirellis then mine only lasted 5-6k miles (one set 2500 miles).

I changed to Michelin and get 15k out of them with the same driving style with no adverse effects other than they take a little longer to warm up.