Fiat Comfort-matic opinions invited

Rex Mac

Rex Mac

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Hi Everyone,

We are currently planning to purchase our first MH. We have our choice of layout sorted so I am now getting down to the mechanics and running gear.

Our first choice would be a Mercedes base with full automatic transmission and second choice the new Fiat 9 speed fully automatic. Both of these options are only available in limited numbers with our preferred layout so I may need to consider the more readily available Comfort-matic option from Fiat.

From reading various posts and viewing a video tutorial from a New Zealand hire company I am getting quite confused. Here are some of the points I would appreciate your input on.

  1. From posts I have read - "There is no hold facility when transferring from the brake to the accelerator. The van will roll back on a hill." From the New Zealand tutorial "The transmission will hold you on an incline while you apply progressive pressure to the accelerator to engage drive."

  2. Post - "The comfort-matic is reluctant to change down and the engine will labour before a lower gear is selected, it is best to go into manual mode in hilly terrain." NZ video tutorial "The transmission will freely select the best gear ratio as and when needed."
My current line of thinking is that if I opt for the semi-automatic then I should use it as a manual gearbox on any terrain other than flat level territory.

I would value any information Comfort-matic users can provide, particularly if you normally drive a fully automatic car when not in your MH.

Many thanks, Rex
 
I like ours.

It has a hill assist button for hilly roads that makes the box change up and down faster and makes it more sensitive to the throttle. I have never used it manually.

I have never thought about the rolling back thing as I use the handbrake on hill starts. I guess that as it's a robotised manual it would roll back just as it would if it was a manual box.

If I had the choice I would go for a full auto mainly because you have to remember to select neutral at a long stop to save riding the clutch. I would not go back to manual but I would like a full auto, so basically it's in the middle of my choice range.
 
I now drive a manual car, but have driven many automatics. We now have a Comfort-matic on the moho. I don't find it that different to the automatic cars I've had, but I can fully accept that the new 9 speed true automatic will be better. I find it a relaxing drive, and the only time I put it in to manual is when I really really don't want it to change down. For instance, on steep hairpin bends, and half way up a ferry loading ramp (ask me how I found THAT out!). I know some folks don't rate them, but we do. Like anything, you get used to how it behaves in differing circumstances.
 
I have driven automatic cars for years. Never bothered with manual override, paddles etc.

Same with comfortmatic. Only issues for me:

Vehicle almost stops changing from 1st to 2nd, slow change. On the flat it doesn’t matter but on a hill it keeps changing up then down again. Use the hill assist button to keep it in 1st.

When driving onto ramps it’s best to use left foot on brake pedal for speed control.
 
Rex Mac said:
Hi Everyone,

We are currently planning to purchase our first MH. We have our choice of layout sorted so I am now getting down to the mechanics and running gear.

Our first choice would be a Mercedes base with full automatic transmission and second choice the new Fiat 9 speed fully automatic. Both of these options are only available in limited numbers with our preferred layout so I may need to consider the more readily available Comfort-matic option from Fiat.

From reading various posts and viewing a video tutorial from a New Zealand hire company I am getting quite confused. Here are some of the points I would appreciate your input on.

  1. From posts I have read - "There is no hold facility when transferring from the brake to the accelerator. The van will roll back on a hill." From the New Zealand tutorial "The transmission will hold you on an incline while you apply progressive pressure to the accelerator to engage drive."

  2. Post - "The comfort-matic is reluctant to change down and the engine will labour before a lower gear is selected, it is best to go into manual mode in hilly terrain." NZ video tutorial "The transmission will freely select the best gear ratio as and when needed."
My current line of thinking is that if I opt for the semi-automatic then I should use it as a manual gearbox on any terrain other than flat level territory.

I would value any information Comfort-matic users can provide, particularly if you normally drive a fully automatic car when not in your MH.

Many thanks, Rex
Click to expand...
There is absolutely no comparison between automatic and robotic manual (Comfortmatic). Drive each for no more than a mile to be convinced. Or simply choose the auto. :giggle:

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I have had no problems with the Comfort matic.
It can be slow to change down on an up incline at times, you can overcome this by simply nudging the gear change and it changes down. Similarly on a long downhill stretch I may knock it down a gear. No need to enter full manual operation. In 12,000 miles I have never found the need to use manual.

On a descent if you touch the brakes it will normally shift down, if you hold the brakes for longer and slow down it will shift down again.

I like it.
 
G-RMPS said:
Vehicle almost stops changing from 1st to 2nd, slow change.
Click to expand...
That was my dislike, especially when needing to make a sharp getaway at say, a busy roundabout. Just as it entered the traffic it nearly stopped whilst going from 1st to 2nd provoking toots and middle finger gestures.
(I also had a new Citroen Cactus with dreadful automated/robotic manual transmission. I only kept it 6 weeks and four of those were spent looking for something else. I replaced it with an Audi with DSG transmission which is superb as there is no loss of drive when changing gear and the only way to tell it has changed is from the gear number on the dashboard display).
 
Spriddler said:
That was my dislike, especially when needing to make a sharp getaway at say, a busy roundabout. Just as it entered the traffic it nearly stopped whilst going from 1st to 2nd provoking toots and middle finger gestures.
(I also had a new Citroen Cactus with dreadful automated/robotic manual transmission. I only kept it 6 weeks and four of those were spent looking for something else. I replaced it with an Audi with DSG transmission which is superb as there is no loss of drive when changing gear and the only way to tell it has changed is from the gear number on the dashboard display).
Click to expand...
If one had never been familiar withe a modern torque-converter auto it is easy to like a robotic manual of which the Comfort-matic is an excellent example. But robotics are just that: a totally conventional clutch and gearbox operated by servos and controlled by software. It tries hard to replicate a human driver but fails where anticipation is helpful - turning into an uphill junction or overtaking for example. It's by no means as smooth as a good driver. My last three toads have been Smart cars, two with atrocious robotics, and the latest with a twin-clutch (DSG) auto which is another brilliant version of an automatic.

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The Comfortmatic will not creep forward when you take your foot off the brake. The comfortmatic does not rollback and will hold on a hill when you take your foot off the brake to press the accelerator. If you are on a very slight slope then it will not hold and it will roll back but this only applies to a very slight slope.

You don't necessarily have to use manual mode on the comfortmatic. If you suddenly need a lower gear just push the stick forward and it automatically selects lower gear.

I do not enjoy using the comfortmatic on really steep hills such as 25% or 1 in 4. The change down from 2nd gear to 1st gear can be a heart-stopping moment. If I had more experience of driving on roads with these conditions then it would probably be OK.

A major annoyance of the comfortmatic is waiting at traffic lights with the engine running and handbrake on with foot off brake which causes the warning chime to start sounding. This happens in gear or even in neutral and is very annoying.

In conclusion my opinion of the comfortmatic is neutral and I would prefer a regular creeping forward automatic.

Mark
 
We have the 9 speed ZF gearbox on our car (I believe its the same or very similar to the one fitted to Fiat MHs now) and has already been mentioned, its fantastic. We've recently changed our MH to one with the Comfortmatic (previous MH was a manual) - it wasn't something we were looking for but buying second hand you can't be too choosy. It took us a while to get used to it.....its very different from the ZF box and neither of us particularly liked it in comparison. Until our recent long trip that is.....we put quite a lot of miles in and that gave us a chance to properly get familiar with the Comfortmatic and learn how to get the best out of it. I still wouldn't say we are huge fans of it, but its better than a manual.
So in order of preference I'd go for the 9 speed full auto, then the comfortmatic, and then the manual.
 
My previous motorhome was a Merc with proper automatic, latest is a comfort- magic.my opinion is that the two do not compare but I think with perseverance I will get used to it. You have to use the handbrake on a slope witch isn’t helped by the low hand break and being down by the door. Often doesn’t seem to be in the gear when going down hill. Plus point is that fuel consumption is a little better. I don’t know how reliable yet but after only 1000 miles mine has already been in the workshop for a faulty gear selector which meant cancelling my holiday.
Spongy
 
Our MH is comfortomatic and I like it. I would not go back to a manual box but accept that a "true" automatic would be even better. The "hill" button is a boon.

Our car is also a robotised gearbox model and is usually in the auto mode but I use the hand controls on it quite a lot as I find them more responsive than the pedals - possibly because it has been adapted for disability.

I would not go back to manual in either the car or the MH. True auto would be nice but not affordable at the moment.

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I’ve never driven a proper automatic and if I had I expect I would hate the Comformatic. I’m used to it now but I don’t like what I perceive to be that lack of acceleration when you are creeping along behind a cyclist perhaps, see a gap, think yippee and then then find you haven’t got the acceleration you thought in a low gear. Even in manual I didn’t really like it on ramps , I’d go back to a manual but it’s better for Nicks joints!
I do as much , if not more of the driving.
I’m sure you’ll soon get used to a Comformatic so don’t let a gearbox put you off a really nice van.
 
Hi Rex. My experiences pretty much chime with the responses you've already got. In essence, there are a couple of quirks that take a little bit of getting used to (1, slow change from 1st to 2nd and 2, occasionally selecting the wrong gear going up hill, especially after a dip). But once you do, it's simply a pleasure to drive. Regarding your 2 specific questions, the NZ tutorial is correct on both counts. In the 3 years I've driven our Comfort-matic, I've only once selected a different gear manually and it was a simple nudge on the gearstick to do so. Basically, stick it in Drive and enjoy being able to focus on the road and scenery :cool:
 
Just to add, here are a couple of links that I found useful when researching whether to go for the Comfort-matic. As ever with forums, you'll get the odd outlier comment but the overall trend is clearly positive...

Fiat Comfortmatic, a few thoughts

Having had the Fiat Comfotmatic now for about 5 months I guess I am starting to get the hang of it. It does the job but it is not a true automatic of course. I still have small glitches getting it to move to auto mode but have now realised that up when it is on the right means neutral while down ...
forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk

<Broken link removed>

Just to add, my engine is the 150hp Fiat and I would suggest the extra horses are useful...
 
55k miles with our 4.5t van and a Comfortmatic box.
No problems, never felt the need to use it in manual and I would have another.
Most of our travel is in Europe including several trips in the Pyrenees.
It is slow to change down on long drags up hill but only when in cruise control. A quick nudge on the stick drops a gear immediately.
It does hold on a hill start for a couple of seconds but I rarely make use of it.
I can’t compare it to the new ZF box as I haven’t driven one but it is far, far better than manual.

Richard.
 
We also have 4500kg Hymer with comformatic and it’s very good it has hill assist and also the up button which holds gears for a little longer good for ascending and descending. Never had any trouble and much much easier than a manual box.
we also tow a car trailer making our GTW very nearly 6000kg and done a fair bit of mountain work without worry.😊

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2 years in and the Comformatic box is absolutely fine, it has hill hold i believe at 17 dgs incline or more which is fine for me, there is no clutch peddle which is fantastic for me as well.

Would I have another, dam right I would

Would I have the new 9 speed JF box, that’s the only reason i’d swap my Comanche
 
Many thanks to all of you, your input is greatly appreciated and has confirmed the opinions I had as well as clearing up a couple of "mysteries."

I am still obviously favouring the Mercedes base option (my current daily runabout is an E250 (W212)) so I am already comfortable with Mercedes auto transmissions.

At this point in time there are currently only 2 vans (1 x new 1 x ex demo) advertised on Autotrader with our preferred layout and full auto transmission and the closest to me is two and a half hours away so I will need to be primed and ready to go when something appears on the market. I have made enquiries as to buying new, (not something I particularly want to do) it seems the vans we are interested in will be on a 6 to 8 month build plan so placing an order today would see us taking delivery sometime around June 2021.

Your valued input has reassured me that the semi auto is not to be feared but if I do choose this option then I'll make sure I get out and about for practice on roads I know before venturing too far.

Once again thanks to all for your kind help.
 
gus-lopez said:
if you have your feet on both pedals.
Click to expand...
Hi.
" Quick foot Tea Bag "..... NOW YOU TELL ME !!!. :ROFLMAO:. I can say hand on heart,this can be a Bottom clenching moment,when you press the LOUD pedal and it just sits there....................... Lesson learnt the hard way . This happened when approaching a roundabout,just set up the weight balance with the brake and HIt the loud pedal....... Zero..Zilch........NOTHING. Told a mate what had happened and he told me. No heel and toeing. Lesson learnt.
Tea Bag
 
I recently changed from a Mercedes torque converter auto to a Fiat Comfortmatic one. They both have the same tendency to change up and down sometimes when they can’t decide which gear to be in. The engine braking on the Comfortmatic is better, a tiny dab on the brakes whilst going down hill will prompt it to change down. There is very little difference on the speed of gear changes. Really not much to complain about on either. The best auto I have ever driven is the Audi DSG which is a robotised one and in a different class altogether for speed of gear changes.
 
tonyidle said:
There is absolutely no comparison between automatic and robotic manual (Comfortmatic). Drive each for no more than a mile to be convinced. Or simply choose the auto. :giggle:
Click to expand...
I find that something of an exaggeration, from a personal perspective. :unsure:

We have two modern torque converter automatic cars in the family including a Jag XE. And of course we have a van with a comfortmatic gearbox. With the exception of a couple of minor and perfectly acceptable idiosyncrasies, the Fiat semi-automatic has done an excellent job for us for nearly five years and many thousands of miles, including around and over the high mountain passes in the Alps.

I'm sure the brand new 9-speed torque converter gearbox in the latest Fiats probably has the edge on the comfortmatic. But I don't think the capability of the semi-automatic is to be under estimated. :giggle: (y)

PS never ever rolled backwards on hill ;)

PPS the only time I've ever engaged manual on the comfortmatic is when climbing the very STEEPEST of off-road gradients and want to crawl up locked in first gear. :smiley:

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Driving on the coast route around Kintyre last month, a 1 1/2 lane road, twisty and turny, up and down, I found putting it in manual easiest. Otherwise it was forever changing up and down needlessly. It couldn't see that I wanted to let the revs climb on this short downhill shush before the climb ahead. In auto it would change down then need to change back up again 20 seconds later. But then my car is manual and my wife's automatic.
 
Thanks Markman, I'm not 100% sure which is the 1 1/2 lane stretch on the coast road unless you mean the single track part at Minard. At best it's a few hundred yards of single track with traffic lights at each end. From memory the rest is good A class dual lane road right down to Southend and mostly flat following the coast of Loch Fyne. There is a slight incline when you leave Tarbert heading for Kennecraig but as far as I recall there are not too many hills in these parts.

Just as a reference point I am currently looking for a nice place on Loch Fyne, a kind of coming home present to myself. I started out there and I'm really looking forward to returning home again.
 
Pushing the “UP” button on the Comfortmatic helps hold gears longer. I use the manual mode if the changing up and down isn’t helping, I did the same on my Mercedes. Both types of auto gearbox are now controlled electronically, receiving engine information and throttle position to determine gear changes. I have a suspicion that some of the different experiences reported about the Comfortmatic may come from tweaks to the programming of the ECU that have occurred over the years.

The symbol on the Comfortmatic “UP” button shows an uphill angle and a big weight over the back axle, unlike many vans, motorhomes are always heavily loaded. Perhaps the “UP” button needs leaving on most of the time.
 
Rex Mac said:
Thanks Markman, I'm not 100% sure which is the 1 1/2 lane stretch on the coast road unless you mean the single track part at Minard. At best it's a few hundred yards of single track with traffic lights at each end. From memory the rest is good A class dual lane road right down to Southend and mostly flat following the coast of Loch Fyne. There is a slight incline when you leave Tarbert heading for Kennecraig but as far as I recall there are not too many hills in these parts.

Just as a reference point I am currently looking for a nice place on Loch Fyne, a kind of coming home present to myself. I started out there and I'm really looking forward to returning home again.
Click to expand...
Rex, had to look it up. Agree the A83 is smooth and fast (and in automatic). I was meaning the B842 from Campeltown to Carradale on the east coast. Mainly narrow 2-lane but we had to reverse at least once to get to a passing bay (and that was just to allow a Mercedes going to other way to pass, not something big). Nice golf course at Dunaverty.
 
Having both a 8 speed fully automatic and the Fiat comformatic, you realise that they are light years apart in the way they operate. But after having the fiat for 18 months now, I’m quite used to it.... ours being a 180bhp 3litre, having covered 22,000 miles. The thing you have to realise is that it’s not made for sprint starts, setting off and jamming your foot to the floor only results in the bloody thing spinning it’s wheels and shaking its t..ts off....
I have found, and this is my own opinion, that having the “up” button on all the time makes it more pleasurable to drive (remember 4600 kg), ours likes cruise control on the motorway, and when ambling along at 60mph, if you see a long incline coming up, I change to manual and put it into 5th gear and then press the resume button on the cruise control again. This results in a couple of things...no loss of speed, as it maintains a steady 60mph and the gearbox is not changing down,up,down etc. Again, these are my own opinion and observations, so other spec engines are going to be different.
One last note, no left foot breaking and when pulling up/off ramps, I select manual and traction control on. Enjoy 👍

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