R-tronic or manual ?

[rayc]

Hi, UK
It's going to be down to personal preference but you really need to drive them both ( bit too late for most of us ).
I originally specified manual for all the usual reasons, then read the reports with manual generally getting the thumbs up over R -Tronic most times. So all happy I went for my test drive at Oulton Park circuit. I managed to drive cars with both transmissions at normal pace and as fast as we could get away with...Disaster.. I preferred the R-Tronic by a significant margin. I found it to be acceptably smooth for lazy driving ( obviously not a DSG ) and for fast and track use much better . The upshifts were faster than I could manage in the manual car especially across the gate. The downshift blips matched the engine speed better than I could by heel and toeing, especially under really heavy braking, when I struggled a bit with pedal heights. I am not a "top" driver but have race experience and am certain my lap times would be quicker with the flappy paddles. I am also not surprised by the results of comparative tests ( Evo , Car and Driver at WIllow Springs). I think on a track with similar sticky rubber R8 will do GT3 times, or less with a relatively inexperienced driver !! never mind standard 911 or even Turbo.
The good news... after my dealer failed to even return my calls, Nicky of the
R8 team rang the factory and got my specs changed without any delay to my delivery Q3 .

[rmclachlan]

Glad you liked R-tronic, I am looking forward to trying it out on my car in the next few weeks. I have high hopes. I suspect a lot of the negative coverage relates to drivers who confuse it with an automatic and drive it in auto mode - not recommended IMHO

Nicki Shaw at the R8 help desk is pretty good. In my opinion I would deal directly with the R8 team and bypass the dealer on matters of spec.

[r8rob]

Glad you liked R-tronic, I am looking forward to trying it out on my car in the next few weeks. I have high hopes. I suspect a lot of the negative coverage relates to drivers who confuse it with an automatic and drive it in auto mode - not recommended IMHO

Nicki Shaw at the R8 help desk is pretty good. In my opinion I would deal directly with the R8 team and bypass the dealer on matters of spec.

For me it would have to be the manual, i much prefer a manual gearbox. But as i have recently posted i love the R-tronic and feel exactly the same and was equally shocked as you RAYC about the R-tronic. But saying that i still love a manual car.

I too IMHO the R-tonic should not be driven in auto, as its not an autobox, its an automated maunal box, once you get your head round the fact that it is a manual gearbox with an ECU and soloniods doing the work you start to think what an amazing bit of kit it is, and also realise why auto mode is not all that great, IMHO