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964 Tiptronic - to be avoided at all costs ?
Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2019 6:43 pm
by Lightweight_911
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Are they as bad as most people would have you believe ?
Or is it a similar 'myth' to that bandied about regarding the earlier Sportomatic models - ie 'passed-on' horror stories from people who've never driven one (or driven one that was properly maintained & working correctly) ?
I've read about the tendency for the Tiptronic 'brain' to preferentially select 2nd gear when pulling away from rest (& hence 'dull' the acceleration) but I've also read that, with practice. it's possible to counteract this & get the transmission to start in 1st.
I've also just read a 'period' road test on the 964 Tiptronic in Motorsport where they quote:
"More important than the excellent figures recorded in our data panel, is the sheer accessibility of that performance. Using ten of their own employees as guinea pigs, Porsche checked the 0-62 mph abilities of the manual 5-speed versus the Tiptronic - only three Porsche people could better the 0-62 mph times set in the automated example ..."
If they really are that bad, has anyone converted a Tiptronic to manual gearbox ?
Is it a feasible conversion ?
Apart from the obvious parts - gearbox, pedal box, flywheel/clutch, what else would be needed ?
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964 Tiptronic - to be avoided at all costs ?
Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2019 7:22 pm
by Bruce M
Edit:
Removed because I was babbling on about a different transmission!
I was referring to the 5speed ZF & the 964 used an earlier 4 speed box. Doh.
Re: 964 Tiptronic - to be avoided at all costs ?
Posted: Sat Nov 16, 2019 11:50 pm
by hot66
Assume from this question that a decent C2 manual is being elusive
Re: 964 Tiptronic - to be avoided at all costs ?
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2019 10:41 am
by Lightweight_911
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No James - just interested in hearing some 'real life' experiences rather than re-hashed 'chinese whispers' from armchair experts.
Also trying to stimulate some interest/comments - a few years ago at least there would have been a string of insults for even mentioning the word 'Tiptronic' on DDK ...
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Re: 964 Tiptronic - to be avoided at all costs ?
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2019 11:37 am
by DustyM
When new I guess they had their place, if you bought a new 911 and would have been using it to commute in an urban environment then perhaps I could see the logic.
Now when the cars are bought as a toy, for the enjoyment of driving an older sports car then I'm afraid I don't see the point.
It is a traditional automatic slush box and has that feel to it. Yes you can override the computers decisions on gear change with the tiptronic but just buy a manual instead.
Yes you can convert to a manual, lots of people have done it.
Gearbox, Mounts, flywheel, clutch, clutch slave and pipe work, manual pedal box, gearshift and lever, centre console, speedometer, (I have a 5speed gearbox available to start you off!)
But just buy a manual......
Re: 964 Tiptronic - to be avoided at all costs ?
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2019 11:52 am
by Lightweight_911
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That's always been my opinion too - I've never entertained the idea of buying an automatic/semi-automatic - but, having driven a couple of early Sportomatics some years ago & been amazed at how well they performed (both 2.2 E models), I wondered if the same was true of Tiptronics (never driven one) ...
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Re: 964 Tiptronic - to be avoided at all costs ?
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2019 1:12 pm
by Sam
If you’ve driven any traditional auto you’ve driven a tiptronic. The gearbox works just like it does in your dad’s 827 Sterling or your mum’s Corolla.
A sporto is still a physical experience - you still have to lift the throttle, move the gear lever and feed the power back in through the corner. It works a bit like a manual without a left pedal. The tip doesn’t feel anything like a manual, it’s not physically involving and it does that thing torque converter autos do where it fiddles about with the ratio a bit within the gear so the throttle never has a crisp or linear response. You’d never bother driving a tip like a sports car as it doesn’t respond like one.
As James says really, if you want a fun sports car get a manual, if you want a brisk, interesting characterful car and don’t mind too much about the more visceral side of driving then a tip is great. I’d rock a 964 or 993 tip as a daily smoker for sure.
Re: 964 Tiptronic - to be avoided at all costs ?
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2019 1:54 pm
by Mike
Lightweight_911 wrote:Also trying to stimulate some interest/comments....
Good post Andy, even though I've never driven a sporto! You have made me just post a question on a classic as a daily driver though......
Re: 964 Tiptronic - to be avoided at all costs ?
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2019 3:01 pm
by Lightweight_911
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No intention of using a 964 as a 'daily' & have no interest in 'conventional' automatics so that's any thoughts of a Tiptronic ruled out then (not that it was ever in strong contention) ...
Mike wrote:
Good post Andy, even though I've never driven a sporto! You have made me just post a question on a classic as a daily driver though......
- hopefully will bring a few people back out of the woodwork (who then might be tempted to post on other matters too) ...
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Re: 964 Tiptronic - to be avoided at all costs ?
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2019 3:17 pm
by Mike
Ha, yep has changed a bit here recently.....

Re: 964 Tiptronic - to be avoided at all costs ?
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2019 6:15 pm
by Bootsy
It has. May as well close it as no one can be arsed to post
Will look at winding down next year I think
Should have sold it when I had the chance but everybody said no we want it to continue but don’t bother posting
Re: 964 Tiptronic - to be avoided at all costs ?
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2019 6:22 pm
by Sam
Do you think it’s time to post that picture of you I found on Brazzers to reignite interest?
Re: 964 Tiptronic - to be avoided at all costs ?
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2019 6:33 pm
by Bootsy
Time to wind it all down
Re: 964 Tiptronic - to be avoided at all costs ?
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2019 6:47 pm
by Sam
That would be sad.
I guess there might be someone else on here happy to take on the admin if you’re losing the love for it.
Re: 964 Tiptronic - to be avoided at all costs ?
Posted: Sun Nov 17, 2019 8:51 pm
by rhd racer
Bootsy wrote:Time to wind it all down
I hope that's an early evening slump after a delicious red at lunchtime and you will feel differently tomorrow