What's up with the Alfa Romeo 147's 'Selespeed' transmission?
Car enthusiasts have been drilling the Alfa Romeo 147's Selespeed transmission. As an option on some 147 models, this was an automated manual gearbox, promising the engagement of a manual with the convenience of an automatic. It has become known for being problematic, and divisive. Others praise the sporty feel when working correctly, though owners and reviewers have experienced everything from jerky shifts to complete failures. It's a debate on whether the Selespeed makes the 147 driving experience better or worse, whether the Selespeed is more (or less!) reliable than a traditional transmission, whether the Selespeed was ahead of its time or a flawed concept. Some say that it can be worth mastering the Selespeed's idiosyncrasies to get a rewarding drive, others say to steer clear.
Selespeed is the devil's transmission. One in my 147 was nothing but trouble. Jerky shifts, random neutral drops, and expensive repairs. Stick to manual!
I actually love my Selespeed 147. It’s actually quite fun to drive once you learn its quirks. It’s like a PlayStation controller for your car!
Selespeed was ahead of the time, but the tech wasn't ready yet. Selespeed was trying to be what modern dual clutch boxes are.
It's a mixed bag. It’s great for city driving when it works. It’s hard to recommend, however, because of reliability issues. Get one and you’ll need to budget for repairs.
I've driven Selespeed and manual 147s and I honestly would rather have the manual. Selespeed robs you of that classic Alfa engagement.
Don't believe the hype about Selespeed, it's not all bad. It is also quite reliable provided there is regular maintenance and software update. It’s no worse than other early automated manuals.
It's a love-hate relationship. Selespeed can be frustrating, but when it works, it shifts faster than I ever could. No clutch in traffic is nice plus.
If you are buying used, avoid Selespeed like the plague. It’s a ticking time bomb for expensive repairs unless you have detailed service history.
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Discussions and Questions Whats Up With The Alfa Romeo 147S Selespeed Transmission
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