Auto or Manual Gearbox - buying advice

[M4rk]

Hi all,
After driving my Volvo S40 for a couple of years I have decided to get a 'new to me' car. Looking at different options I found a Volvo S60 SE 2.0T (love the look of it) 2002 model with an automatic gearbox, 72t miles and full service history.
My in-laws are using an independent Volvo Specialist and I was talking with him about it, he said to me "what ever you are doing Don't get an automatic". So now it is decided time, are Automatics really so much more prone to problems than manual gearboxes?
I would really glad for any advice!
Many Thanks.

Regards,

M4rk

[100K+]

I'll get shot for this but a one word answer is "Yes"
BUT its usually as a result of poor service which on an 02 car is more possible.
I have not read many issues about manual boxes but several on Auto ones. - usually revolving around poor changes caused by poor fluid/clogged valves in the box.

Additionally I'd add that as an auto box you will see typically 3-5MPG less per gallon in a petrol.(= >10%)

Lots of info on here about it - bottom line comes down to do you WANT an auto?? If not I'd leave it alone...

You could always try it to see what you thought.

Cheers


Bob

[Mnkiboy]

Be aware that the manuals do seem to have one issue. The clutch slave cylinder can leak. Replacing it can cost the best part of £500.

I bought a petrol, non-turbo, manual, thinking it would be the least complex version and therefore more reliable. Starting to think I may as well have gone for a D5 or T5.

[100K+]

Originally Posted by Mnkiboy

Be aware that the manuals do seem to have one issue. The clutch slave cylinder can leak. Replacing it can cost the best part of £500.

I.

Good point. I was only considering gearboxes. But leaking clutch slave cylinder is an issue with some cars. My 02 T5 has never been touched,(220K+) my 04 V70R AWD (82k) needed a new clutch as a result of a leaking cylinder- I also renewed the flywheel too - fortunately waranty covered cost.

Cheers

Bob

[RM955I]

Originally Posted by M4rk

"what ever you are doing Don't get an automatic"

I'd say that the 'specialist' is talking out of his a*se.

The V70 is ideally suited to being an auto. The down side is that if the auto goes wrong it is complex and expensive to fix - the upside is that if correctly looked after the box should be good for mega mileage.

Problems generally arise from neglect, seemingly caused by the total misunderstanding of the need to replace the ATF as part of the later-life service routine. People seem to think the oil is some kind of magic potion that never needs changing , whereas it normally never needs doing during the normal service life of the vehicle which is entirely different to what people assumeit is.

I suspect your 'specialist' just doesn't know how to fix the autos so steers clear of them...but then manuals needs clutches, slaves and DMFs.

[TimS]

I came across a very good teardown of an autobox at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGbsgpp2YJQ

Tim.

[reggit]

The auto boxes are very good, as has already been said some people (including volvo seemingly) think the oil is a fit and forget liquid which leads to problems around 90-100k miles.

Get into the habit of changing the contents of the gearbox sump (with the correct specification oil - JWS3309)at each engine oil change and it should give you a long service life.

[V70RMW]

If you want an auto, get an auto. Choose one carefully and make sure the fluid gets changed and get the stop neutral feature removed if it has it still. Don't buy one with an existing dodgy gearchange in the hope you can sort it out.

Sure a box can fail, but you won't have to replace a clutch or dual mass flywheel for megabucks either.

I have 2 auto Volvos from 2001 and 2002 at 135k and 130k miles. Boxes have been fine - admittedly had a valve body change on the older one under warranty - with what I know now I'm not sure it actually needed it. Gearchange is not as seamless as my former Merc E class but it's ok.

[savabill]

Sorry for hi jacking this thread, but what is the stop neutral? And why does it need removal?

[V70RMW]

Stop neutral is a Volvo inspired software feature supposedly to help economy. When you stop and have your foot on the brake the box automatically goes into neutral and back into drive when you take your foot off the brake. After a few years the shift into drive can be accompanied by a big crash as it engages, especially if you move quickly from brake to throttle. A great feature if your objective is to wear out the box as soon as possible.

So for all sorts of reasons, constantly jolting about when stopping/starting, generally knackering the box, makes sense to have this exciting software feature removed. Done by dealer. I've never seen a definitive statement on which years are affected. Supposedly 2001, but my 2002 had it and I have heard of later year cars affected. Almost certainly the car the OP is considering would have had it, and still will if the owner has not had a software update to remove it.

BTW - sounds a remarkably low mileage for a 2002 car. Do you know what it has been doing and if the mileage is real?