Hi All,
My girlfriend can only drive an automatic, we have seen a 2003 147 selespeed we really like, but after reading up on the selespeed we are a bit worried that is gonna brakedown 5 mins after we have bought it, but i have also read that as long as the battery is in good nick and that the sele oils is topped up their should not be any proplems? also how well do the cars drive in city mode, we know that the car won't creep like a normal auto but apart from that does a selespeed drive like an automatic in city mode? has anyone else got a misses that can only drive autos and how do they rate it????
Any idea's apart from ditching the misses and geting a manual
Not sure how that would work, the selespeed isn't a true auto, you would have to make sure she is allowed to drive it. The selespeed system is basically a manual gearbox controlled by an ECU.
City mode is supposed to be automatic mode, but having never driven an auto I'm not sure how similar they are. Mine has given me a few problems and reliability can be an issue.
yes I think that because it only has two pedals it is classed as an auto for licencing purposes.
City mode does take a bit of getting used to and isn't well suited to the nature of some of the traffic conditions in London. It is handy for Motorway or "A" road cruising though. She would still be able to drive it in manual mode.
Yes, insurance companies classify the Sele as an Auto so that's what it is legally.
The City mode can be a little jerky and not as smooth as a standard auto because it has the same type of clutch as a manual car, a dry plate, not a torque convertor. But this means the fuel consumption is less that a standard auto.
As DavidC says, your gf could actually change through the gears 'manually'. She will have a bit more fun and also, it may encourage her to go for a manual driving test in the fullness of time, not a bad thing.
I think you should be ok with a 2003 selespeed. I think they are all Mk2 and the Mk1 was the one that had alot of problems. I had the same concerns. Its easy to drive both in city mode and manual mode.
I was in exactly the same situation, we have owned our 2002 147 for just under a year now.
The only error I have had is an ECU error, all I did though was turn of the car and turn it on again.
My Girlfriend has been fine driving the car, it works just like an auto, but it isn't the smartest thing in the world, it downshifts in the middle of turns and is a bit slow to engage gear.
But you shouldn't experience that problem in the 2003.
As an aside following on from Kutter's remarks regarding MK1 and MK2 Seles. How do I know which version mine is. It's a '51 plate 147. I don't have the VIN number with me but is there any way I can check?
dai, i THINK the mk2 sele box was fitted to all cars as of 1999 or 2000.
ok, original topic, ive had my sele for over a year now and the gearbox side of it has given me no trouble at all, is even handling the increase in power my engine has quite fine.
when you take it for a test drive be sure to be out as long sa you can and using both auto and manual modes, the manual shift takes a little getting used to but is a joy to drive, the auto 'city' mode to me feels like any other semi-auto i have drove and is according to my dad just the same as an auto to drive! ive only ever had paddle boxes and manuals tho!
IMO the Sele on the TS 2000 that I had was not as smooth as the 03 JTS that I have now. I do drive quite a bit in city mode, like this morning on the A2 got up to 5th gave the throttle a squeeze it changed down and I just hung on for the ride and listened to the engine noise (can be addictive you know) . The thing that I like about it is swapping between the stick and paddles as the mood takes you Or city mode if you are feeling lazy. So if you have found a good one then go for it.
OK..... just went for a test drive...... drove like a peach... no problems what so ever, as you said city mode is just like driving an automatic (apart from hills etc..) the test drive has put all my worries firmly to bed and my girlfriend had no problems with the gearbox whatsoever.....infact i think she likes it more than i do!!! so the cars in for a full service and Mot and we should be able to pick it up next weekend.
Thanks for all you help and comments...top website!
Don't forget DEXT to check if it's had a cambelt/pulley/tensioner change (36000 miles or 3 years) as it will be due as it is a 2003. And remember to check oil levels REGULARLY!!!!!!
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