2nd Oct 2010, 15:29
I have owned a Vauxhall Zafira 2007 for three years from new. I had a 1.8 Easytronic. It is the worst gear box for a car. I had the Zafira before that (2003), and it was a proper automatic, which was a better car. I will never buy another Vauxhall Zafira again with Easytronic. If they go back to a proper automatic, I would buy Vauxhall again. Changed to Ford.
Sid, Birmingham.
12th Oct 2010, 15:25
I have an Easytronic 2007, and had it for 5 months, and it has the gearbox leaking. I took it back to where I bought it from, and they don't want to know. I have an annual warranty, but they said they will not cover wear and tear, as usually it's the clutch in these semi auto's.
So now am in a dilemma to part ex it to Vauxhall as don't want another poor soul buying a poorly built semi-automatic.
I am really sorry that I sold a conventional automatic Honda that I had. I guess I have learnt from my mistake. I wish there was a body governing the motor trade, as there are too many rogue independent dealerships out there. Help...!!!
25th Mar 2011, 07:35
Hi,
I'm the OP of the Zaf comments.
Update time:
Gearbox died today. 80K KM (50k Miles) on the odo and the G'box ecu is dead. €1000 from Opel plus tax and fitting!!!
Or get the original repaired in the UK for £195 = tax and postage.
This car is thirsty... no matter what driving style and an utter pig to park/drive in traffic/on hills... well anywhere except flat... but not motorways!
My Volvo is just on 300BHP - and all that power is used :) With 160K miles on the autobox, and all I've ever done is one fluid change.
Proper stuff!
18th Apr 2009, 17:36
The Volvo V70 GearTronic is a conventional automatic gearbox from Aisin Warner (Japan) with very classic software!
I'm living in Belgium. I'm driving a Vectra GTS 1.8 (140 pk) Easytronic (not available in U.K., bought the car in Germany) Same as a Zafira 1.8.
I find the car is fantastic to drive.
I've been driving several "real" automatic transmissions for 25 years.
All old-fashioned, even those with 6 gears, like the Vectra 1.9 diesel (150 hp) 6 AT.
An Easytronic costs only 1/4 of a conventional automatic or DSG/Powershift gearbox.
You have to get used to it, but it drives really economically, between 6.3 L/100 Km and 6.8 L/100 Km.
There is new software available for the 1.0, 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6 engines (from 01/08/2007) for gentle changes of gears.
The 1.8 (Zafira/Vectra) doesn't have this problem so much. When the engine is warm, they don't go back to 1st gear unless you stop completely, or on a hill.
If you want a real gentle change, you have to lift your foot a little when the gear changes. On holiday in Switzerland, I never had to change gear manually when I was driving up or down-hill!
The DSG from Volkswagen/Audi is a little gentle (not the diesel) when you accelerate fast +4000 r/min, but is more jerky when you drive slow or in traffic jam. After some time the diesel gets syncronization problems with the dual clutch (www.motor-talk.de)
Up to now, 45000 Km (2 years) I have had no problems with the car or Easytronic.