Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all. Looking at a van with 2.0 air cooled engine. It's got an auto box. I'm not a real fan of auto's. What are they like on VW's generally? Are they any good?
Obviously any replies to this will be general 'cos I appreciate that all van's vary dependant on their history.
thanks all

meggles wrote:Hi all. Looking at a van with 2.0 air cooled engine. It's got an auto box. I'm not a real fan of auto's. What are they like on VW's generally? Are they any good?
Obviously any replies to this will be general 'cos I appreciate that all van's vary dependant on their history.
thanks all

I love mine. Never driven a manual one tho so nothing to compare to.
Its slow but not embarasing. Brakes take a bit of a pasting cos no engine braking. Relaxing to drive. Not measured mpg and probably never will.

I've got a 2.1 with autobox, Not a camper though. mpg is about 25-27 on a long run 18 ish round town.
Lovely to drive, especialy in heavy traffic.
I previously had a manual and recon the auto is a bit slower, but not by much.

Cakewalk wrote:

meggles wrote:Hi all. Looking at a van with 2.0 air cooled engine. It's got an auto box. I'm not a real fan of auto's. What are they like on VW's generally? Are they any good?
Obviously any replies to this will be general 'cos I appreciate that all van's vary dependant on their history.
thanks all

Its slow but not embarasing. Brakes take a bit of a pasting cos no engine braking. quote]

mmmm not strictly true if its a conventional auto (mines manual) the 1 and 2 positions can be used to give engine braking and hold you back on the steep downhills. when you use them they behave pretty much like a conventional box. leave them in D tho and you'll toast the brakes i love auto's and should i ever upgrade my van i'll be looking for a 2.1 auto for definate

i love my 2.1 auto

Rozzo wrote:the 1 and 2 positions can be used to give engine braking and hold you back on the steep downhills. when you use them they behave pretty much like a conventional box

I didnt know that pal.

Will deffo be giving it a try tho.

Love my 2.0 auto. Great to drive

i have a 2 ltr air cooled auto 79 it drives like a modern car with seamless gear change had it for 2 years not one problem.i love it
mpg is the same as a manual, as for speed well i prefer the word cruise

Was a bit dubious when I first got mine, I'd only ever had V8's with auto before. The Brick's never gonna be a racer so you might as well just sit back n relax, armrest's down, tunes on ... tomorrow will do ! Less strain on motor in D too, just let it change when it wants. MPG similar too manual box. Also found it better on wet boggy campsites, the auto will generally feed the power in smoother, without spinning the wheels n churning the ground up.

i love my auto too.............

Tony Tech must have a fairy step, cos i cant beat 20 mpg ( no offence Tone)
(mind you Tony, you are 6 stone wet thru, fully clothed in a Mersyside Council Donkey Jacket )

Cakewalk wrote:

Rozzo wrote:the 1 and 2 positions can be used to give engine braking and hold you back on the steep downhills. when you use them they behave pretty much like a conventional box

I didnt know that pal.

Will deffo be giving it a try tho.

yeh it also works climbing very steep hills and will stop the box changing up/dying/changing down repeatedly etc, just lock it in one its happy in, even if thats 1st (just remember not to rev it to death tho as it will not change once locked in). they're usually designed so that just pushing with your palm will put em in 2nd without any button pressing etc. as 2nd is the one for steep downhills to hold you back and save cooking the brakes

i love my auto!

Its easier to smoke And its more relaxed.

This whole MPG debate does my head in, mines sh it 15-18 max, everybodys is different. Wish i could get 25 but i can't gonna get gassed asap.

Thanks for all replies. I decided to go for the auto 'cos it seems they're an OK box. Unfortunately I got outbid on it
Anyway, never mind. Looks like I got a better deal from a real decent bloke, I'm getting a diesel on Thursday!!!
Now there's a real topic for debate and discussion!!
Thanks again folks.

[quote="dirtyroger"] Its easier to smoke And its more relaxed. quote]

you dont need an auto for that, knees on the wheel do fine