428 First Drive

[Trawler]

First a big thanks to Elms for letting me test drive the car.

+ Points

Refined
Driving position
Drives like a BMW. May sound silly but I thought the new 911 drives like a two seater saloon with no character.
Leaving it in auto was relaxed & worked well. Gave it 10 minutes & then switched to manual as flappy paddles feel more natural
Never felt a bump in sport mode. Did not leave it in default mode as steering, etc was too soft & felt detached from the car.
Looks.*The shape must be growing on me as the first two I saw did nothing for me but this silver one did not look *bad.
Sport mode gave a bit of noise on acceleration. Assuming through the speakers.

- ve Points

Too many buttons, knobs, etc. I like my cars simple.
Information screen or whatever it is called looked like someone had stuck a large Tom Tom on top of the dash board.
Water temperature gauge normal temp was not at the 12 o clock position. Very minor but thought at first something was wrong.
Brake pedal felt soft.
When in manual the gear box would automatically change down if accelerating hard. Did not like that exiting a corner.

To summarise:

I was not expecting to like the car, but suffice to say I preferred it over the new M5. Obviously down on power, but over the same cross country road it was far better. I really do think the M5 is a barge

Great car, no weekend toy, but can't wait to try a 4 series with a bit of grunt.

[Yanto]

Good write up Sir

[derek]

Enjoyed the write up, it's bad that it changes down in manual if the revs are high enough for the higher gear

[Trawler]

Originally Posted by derek

Enjoyed the write up, it's bad that it changes down in manual if the revs are high enough for the higher gear

Made me jump at the time & then tried it on the straight to make sure I had not imagined it. Revs ok as I never labour an engine. It has something to do with being old enought to drive cars that did not have fancy electronics to sort out bad driving. I still cringe as a passenger when someone turns a corner in 4th gear with less than 1000rpm showing.

Wonder if it is possible to switch this function off in i drive?

[outnumbered]

Originally Posted by Trawler

- ve Points


When in manual the gear box would automatically change down if accelerating hard. Did not like that exiting a corner.

I guess that's because it's the 8 speed slushbox, rather than a DCT, on this car?