Auto v Manual Sprint

[RSi]

pleased you auto lovers like your autos. our two daily BMWs are both 8 speed autos and its really a fantastic gearbox and well suited to cruising and day to day drudge driving.

I drive my classics for fun and feel the auto in my stag spoils an excellent car, I'm contemplating the ZF conversion but at just under £4k its a tad expensive. The auto sprint I test drove just didn't feel right as part of the enjoyment of driving a sporty saloon is stirring the middle stick and getting the most out of the clutch.

They're classics - not really to be treated the way most were back in the day - so don't feel the manual is that important now.

But, if this was 1980 and the car was new, plenty spares etc etc, then yes "drive it like you stole it", manual over auto YES, but theyre to be loved and cherished now. So auto over manual now YES lol.

Just a view point.

[gmsclassics]

Yes, I've got one of each too. Well rather the 'auto' one now has an auto 'box out of an 1850 to which I've added a transmission cooler.

The Sprint doesn't in fact have a particularly revvy engine (in standard tune) and runs out of puff well before the red line, BUT it does have plenty of torque so is quite well suited to auto format. Once in top the engine has enough torque to make spirited driving along twisty roads both a reality and a lot of fun, especially if you acquire the skill of left foot brake, right foot throttle.

I do prefer the manual on long high speed drives but that is because of the overdrive, lower rev and thus quieter at high speed.

Long term average mpg is manual (overdrive) 33mpg (on waxstats) and auto 27mpg.

Geoff

[AlanH]

I've got an 1850 auto and a Sprintl.

When I first got the 1850 somehow got the impression that these were the best ones to have. Basically down to the 3.27:1 diff.

There is no doubt that this makes for more relaxed driving (which if you have an auto is possibly one of the things that you want) but it also makes it less nippy. I find that the extra power of the Sprint makes it even more relaxed. I find myself giving the 1850 quite bit of boot whereas the Sprint needs a much lighter throttle. The diff ratio is not that much difference so the revs are not that much more.

The main problem with the Sprint is that it is a Sprint. I have come up from the ranks of OHV Triumphs and the move to the 1850 was enough of a shock. The Sprint adds another layer of problems. Basically everything is in the way of everything else.

I will probably sell one next year but I want to make sure that they are both properly setup before deciding. If it was down to driving I would probably sell the 1850 but I think that it may well be the Sprint.

I may well look at a 1500 auto as well (there is what looks to be a nice one on car and classic at the moment but it is brown and in Cornwall).

Edit - I have just realised that this is a bit off subject.

[Carledo]

pleased you auto lovers like your autos. our two daily BMWs are both 8 speed autos and its really a fantastic gearbox and well suited to cruising and day to day drudge driving.

I drive my classics for fun and feel the auto in my stag spoils an excellent car, I'm contemplating the ZF conversion but at just under £4k its a tad expensive. The auto sprint I test drove just didn't feel right as part of the enjoyment of driving a sporty saloon is stirring the middle stick and getting the most out of the clutch.

My 2 daily Cavaliers are both autos, still plenty quick enough (even if only 4 speeders with sport mode) and return up to 40MPG at a motorway cruising speed. I have the Carledo for fun, built with fast road and occasional trackdays in mind, with firm ride, 135ish BHP on tap and only 760kg to drag around with it, the 5 speed manual box is a joy on A and B roads. But if you actually want to GO somewhere, say 150 miles away, the more relaxed auto is the way to go! When my Sprint is finished, the Cavs will be sold and THAT will be my main car!

Steve

[Galileo]

They're classics - not really to be treated the way most were back in the day - so don't feel the manual is that important now.

But, if this was 1980 and the car was new, plenty spares etc etc, then yes "drive it like you stole it", manual over auto YES, but theyre to be loved and cherished now. So auto over manual now YES lol.

Ah, was a bit of a hooligan back in the 80s, and er, haven't matured much in the buried throttle is a happy throttle area with my Sprint...

[grumpy2]

did a swift 50 miles this afternoon and enjoyed every stick stirring minute.

auto or manual I don't really care, these re terrific little cars aren't they?

[RSi]

did a swift 50 miles this afternoon and enjoyed every stick stirring minute.

auto or manual I don't really care, these re terrific little cars aren't they?

Completely, fantastic to drive regardless....

[alangraham]

I owned an auto Sprint for several years (MKH200V) and always wondered what I was missing with the manual version. Never got to drive a manual Sprint and now have a 1500HL.
There's no trace of MKH200V any more so it must have been scrapped. The auto box was about the only thing that didn't give trouble.

[RSi]

I owned an auto Sprint for several years (MKH200V) and always wondered what I was missing with the manual version. Never got to drive a manual Sprint and now have a 1500HL.
There's no trace of MKH200V any more so it must have been scrapped. The auto box was about the only thing that didn't give trouble.

They're supposed to be bullet proof....